A well-maintained flat roof can last for decades, depending on the materials. A constructed roof or modified bitumen layers can last up to 20 years. Lightweight thermoplastic polyolefin or polyurethane, acrylic, or silicone foam spray coatings have a similar lifespan. The length of your flat roof depends on the type of flat roof material you choose.
A flat membrane roof lasts 25 to 30 years, depending on the type you choose. On average, a flat roof has a lifespan of about 15 years. However, factors such as materials and roof maintenance influence the actual lifespan of the roof. Some flat roofs can last for decades, especially if properly maintained.
The lifespan of a flat roof depends on the material that covers it. Asphalt coatings use layers of felt combined with molten asphalt and covered with a layer of gravel. This is an economical option for flat roofs, but it usually only lasts about 10 years. Rubber roofs, which can be made of EPDM or elastomeric membrane, are a synthetic rubber roofing membrane that is not covered with gravel.
A typical commercial flat roof membrane should last an average of 20 to 25 years before it needs to be replaced. In the short term, it may need to be replaced in 10 years and, in the long term, it could even last 50 or more years. This depends on the climate, the quality of the installation, the type of membrane, maintenance and roof penetration. You can take steps to maximize its lifespan or stop making repairs to a roof that will need to be replaced.
The TPO flat roof membrane is made of thermoplastic polyolefin, which is a single-layer roof that is mechanically fastened, fully bonded or ballasted. This type of cover requires periodic maintenance, but is available in natural or pre-tinted and aged finishes, giving the roof a worn look. Unfortunately, these types of roofs tend to have a shorter lifespan and tend to need more maintenance than other types of roofs. Since 1990, the Bill Ragan Roofing team has provided high-quality flat roof services to thousands of homeowners in Nashville and the surrounding areas of central Tennessee.
Whether it's old or just installed, regular roof maintenance is crucial to the longevity of your flat roof. For more than 30 years, the Bill Ragan Roofing team has helped homeowners understand their investment in flat roofs and what they're getting out of it. Roofing contractors and commercial building owners can increase the longevity and effectiveness of their flat roof membranes with RoofSlope. That's why keeping your roof flat is an important factor affecting the final lifespan of a flat roof.
To help you do this, look for a roofing company that specifically offers flat roofing services for residential homes. If you do, I guarantee that you'll spend more money in the long run on repairs and eventually on a complete flat roof replacement before you need it. See how much it costs to replace a flat roof to find out how much you can expect to pay for a new flat roof. Generally speaking, a flat roof has a longer life expectancy than a sloped roof, assuming that all other variables are the same.
The longer the stagnant water stays on the roof, the greater the risk of damaging the roofing materials, which can cause a leak in the roof. For all this and more, it's absolutely crucial to keep the flat roof running smoothly throughout its lifespan with roof maintenance. A sloping roof relies on gravity to drain moisture, but a flat roof has no lateral gravity.
