Residential Roofing Types
Asphalt Shingle Roof
Asphalt shingles are one of the most simple and affordable roofing options to install. They are a popular choice because they are durable, versatile, easy to maintain and come in a myriad of colours and styles.
Shingles provide good protection for your home but they will get worn down over time. Running water will erode the shingle, whereas exposure to the sun on warm days heats the shingle and breaks down the oil in it, weakening the material. High winds can also get under the shingle and blow them off the top of your roof.
Depending on the “look” you want for your home and your budget, shingles may be an attractive candidate for your roofing needs. Roof shingles are made in a variety of materials besides the popular asphalt. Other choices are concrete, slate, rubber or metal.
Interested in Asphalt Shingle Roof?
Contact us at (604) 593-1044 and we’ll be glad to provide you with more information and options on using shingles on your roof, including warranties.
Flat Roofing
Why A Flat Roof?
If well maintained, Vancouver’s and Lower Mainland flat roofing can last longer than most pitched roofs. In fact they can last up to 25 years. With our quality installation and products, it is a shock that our prices aren’t through the roof.
Save the hassle: all of our Roof Systems can be purchased with a warranty that covers anywhere from 10-20 years.
Types of Flat Roofs
Vancouver's and Lower Mainland flat roofing can be done in five different ways, each unique to your needs:
2 Ply SBS Torch On Roofing
The mixture of synthetic rubberized polymers with asphalt makes torch on roofing very flexible. Torch on roofing is generally considered the best option for flat roofing.
Hot Tar and Gravel Roofing
Hot tar and gravel roofs are not only the least expensive but also the most common. These flat roofs are made up of layers of hot tar and then topped with gravel. While durable, they are also very heavy.
EPDM Roofing (ethylene propylene diene monomer)
EPDM roofs act as a water repellant cover. They are made up of a synthetic rubber and are installed in large sheets. This type of roofing is very durable and UV proof.
PVC Roofing
PVC roofs are composed of a soft material and can be applied in three different ways: mechanically, fully adhered, and ballasted.
TPO Roofing
TPO roofing is classified as “Cool Roofing” because its white colouring leaves the roof’s surface consistently cool. TPO is cheaper than PVC and has also been on the market for a longer period of time.
Please contact one of our Affiliated Roofing specialists. We’d be happy to provide you with an free estimate on your flat roof.
Single-Ply Membrane Roofing
A single-ply roofing membrane is a versatile and efficient option when installing roofing in your building. The most obvious characteristic of a single-ply roofing membrane is that it’s installed in just a single layer of material. This simple installation process can save you time and money for your next roof replacement project.
Single-ply roofing membrane is usually black or white in finish and is usually adhered or fastened directly above your roofing installation.
Single-ply membrane roofing is categorized in one of two groups:
Thermosets
Thermoset single-ply membranes are ideal for roofing projects requiring a large surface area, since their manufacturing process minimizes seams. In most cases, EPDM (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer) thermoset single-ply membranes use additional components to improve UV resistance. In black EPDM thermoset membranes, the component carbon black is added, whereas titanium dioxide is added to white membranes. The addition of these chemicals makes single-ply thermoset membranes the superior choice for UV protection.
Thermoplastics
Thermoplastic single-ply membranes are a great choice for smaller surface area projects, because their seams can be hot-air welded to form a watertight membrane seal. The most common thermoplastic materials are PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) and TPO (Thermoplastic olefin), both kinds of plastics. Thermoplastic roofing membranes are often manufactured to include a reinforcement layer, adding additional strength and durability to your roof.
Because of the versatility of single-ply roofing membranes, installation can vary from project to project, depending on the needs and limitations of the property. On roofs with a lower slope (less than 1”), single-ply membranes can be installed directly to your roofing insulation, making roof replacement simpler than ever. This process, known as a fully adhered roofing membrane, provides a smooth and aesthetically pleasing finished product, all while being fully leak and weather-proof.
Where possible, wood, stone, or steel ballasts can be mechanically fastened to the structural roof of your building, allowing for greater strength and durability of your single-ply roofing membrane. This is a great choice for roofs at all slopes and is especially useful in areas prone to heavy rain, winds, or weather events such as hurricanes.Pros
Cons
Looking for more information about single-ply membrane roof installation?
Get in touch with our experienced Vancouver and Lower Mainland roofing professionals at Macbeth Roofing today!
Metal & Zinc
A metal roof will last a lifetime
When properly installed and maintained a metal roof will last the average life of the house, or at least the homeowner, with 50-60 years being very achievable. Strength, style, energy efficiency and no need for re roofing every 15-20 years as is the case with less expensive roofing options.
While a quality metal roof will cost more up front, it can often be a valuable investment that pays off in the long term.
Metal roofing has long been considered a durable, low maintenance roofing system with a good variety of colours, styles, textures and designs.
Added benefits of Metal Roofs
Animals, moss, fungus and mold don’t affect a metal roof, nor does the roof break down over time in the same way that they do to other roofing materials. If you are concerned about the environmental impact of your roofing choice, you will be pleased to know that metal roofs are made of recycled material (percentages vary according to the manufacturer). When eventually the metal roof does need replacing it is readily recyclable. Both factors means that, if you are interested in building “green”, you should at least consider a metal roof.
Modern metal roofing products are built to last. Steel metal roofing which is the most common variety has a “metallic coating” made of either zinc or a combination of zinc and aluminum. This zinc coating is bonded to the steel at the factory and effectively makes the steel rust proof. Paint is then applied over the metallic rust proof coating to provide the colour to match your house.
Metal roofs also come with industry leading manufacturer’s warranty which, combined with Macbeth Roofing’s workmanship warranty, makes them a very strong candidate for those looking for long-term trouble-free roofing solutions.
Is a metal roof right for me?
Metal roofs are exceptionally long-lasting, but that doesn’t mean you can just forget about it. Periodic maintenance will still be required. Some metal roofs are built using exposed fasteners, and these should be replaced every 5 years.
Although a unique option, you will want to look carefully at all the pros and cons of a metal roof versus one of the other many alternatives. We’ll help you consider all your options including whether it fits within your budget.
If you already know that metal roofing is the thing for you, get a quote from Macbeth Roofing by filling in this form.
Vancouver and Lower Mainland Green Roofs
Green roofs in Vancouver and Lower Mainland and area have soared in popularity over the last few years, in part to increased interest in being environmentally friendly but also due to a 2006 bylaw requiring buildings of more than 5,000 m2 (equivalent to 53,821 ft2) to use green-roof technology.
These roofs cover completely or partially the top of a building with a single or multiple plants, serving purposes to both the homeowner and the environment and being at the same time aesthetically pleasing. A green roof is effective in absorbing rainwater and other moisture in the air that would normally collect on your roof and eventually cause decay and damage to your shingles. The vegetation is planted over a waterproofing membrane to ensure that no moisture can leak through in the home or building below. Green roofs usually also include a type of drainage system as a further precaution that any extra water not absorbed by the vegetation leaves the top of your building. Having vegetation on a roof helps reduce the noise that enters a house and extend its life. Despite popular belief, a green roof provides exceptional insulation to the home or building below and has also been proven to lower the surrounding air temperature and improve air quality, specifically in urban settings. A green roof really is an investment for yourself and your home. With the lowered heating and cooling costs you will see as a result of your roof, you will end up saving money in the long run. If you are interested in converting your current roof into a more eco-friendly one, contact our Macbeth Roofing roofing experts at (604) 593-1044 to start on a green path today!Cedar Shingles & Shake
Cedar shingles have been a popular look on the West Coast for many years. These rustic looking shingles are made from Canadian red cedar and are still used to some extent today.
The benefits of using cedar shingles are primarily for having that certain look. Wood shingles are still prone to the same issues that affect asphalt shingles such as erosion from water runoff, loss of oils from heating in the sun and wind damage. The option to choose between asphalt and cedar shingles is a personal choice.
Today there is a greater selection of shingle styles available. As well, economic and environmental preferences may cause you to consider converting your cedar clad roof to asphalt shingles.
Interested in Cedar Shingles & Shake?
For more information on the benefits of both kinda of shingles, call (604) 593-1044. We offer our expertise to help you make an informed decision.
EDPM Roofs
EPDM (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer) is a highly durable material used in low-slope roofing applications. Its two primary components, ethylene and propylene, are derived from oil and natural gas. Sold in black and white, the rubber material is sold in rolls in a range of widths, allowing great customization of your EPDM single-ply membrane roofing project.
Installation of EPDM Roofs
EPDM is one of the easiest and most flexible roofing materials to install. EPDM can be fully adhered to the top of your structure, sitting directly on top of the roofing insulation. EPDM can also be ballasted with wood, metal, or stone reinforcements for greater durability and strength. Seams between sections of EPDM material are closed with liquid adhesive chemicals or special roofing tape to create a weatherproof seal.
Advantages of EPDM Roofs
Disadvantages of EPDM Roofs
Need help with an EPDM, TPO, or other single-ply membrane roofing installation?
Contact the experienced Vancouver and Lower Mainland roofing professionals at Macbeth Roofing today!
TPO Roofs
TPO, otherwise known as (Thermoplastic olefin), is an environmental and economic choice for your membrane roofing project. TPO allows all property owners, commercial or residential, to reduce costs and environmental impact of your building and utilities. Because TPO reflects heat, you’ll be spending less money on air conditioning. In addition, TPO has superior ozone, UV, and chemical resistance.
Advantages
Disadvantages
There are three methods of installation for a thermoplastic olefin (TPO) roof:
- Adhesion – In this method, the TPO membrane is attached to the underlying substrate with a strong chemical adhesive. This chemical reaction creates a strong, watertight bond between membranes.
- Mechanical Attachment – The TPO membrane is fastened to the structure’s substrate with screws. The TPO membrane sections are overlapped to create greater waterproofing – these overlapping pieces are bonded together with hot-air welding to form a weatherproof seal.
- Ballast Installation – Ballast refers to a heavy material that improves the stability of a membrane roof. In the case of TPO, the membrane is laid on top of the roof, and then sealed around the perimeter of the material. Finally, a ballast, such as gravel or river rock, is placed on top of the membrane to maintain its position.
Need help with an EPDM, TPO, or other single-ply membrane roofing installation? Contact the experienced Vancouver and Lower Mainland roofing professionals at Macbeth Roofing today!
Metal Flashings
Flashing on residential roofs is made of thin continuous pieces of sheet metal installed to protect the underlying waterproof membrane from both physical stress and the sun’s UV rays. The flashing also provides a proper finished look for aesthetic purposes.
Macbeth Roofing uses only quality metal flashings. This important element of your roofing system should always be installed by a skilled tradesperson. Our roofers’ many years of experience in the roofing business will ensure that during high winds or windstorms the flashing won’t fly away, thus exposing the more fragile and protective layers of roofing materials underneath.
Flashing leaks most often occur because of improper installation. Macbeth roofers are very knowledgeable about the best practices and methods to seal your flashing, preventing even the tiniest break from causing big problems in the future. Our roofers will always consider your flashing needs within your overall roof strategy.
