What is rubber roofing?
Rubber roofing is made up of rubber or plastic materials, often including recycled tires, saw dust, and slate dust. It can be installed as-rolled material, often seen on flat commercial roofs, or as shingles on residential homes, and appear very similar to asphalt shingles.
What is Euroshield® rubber roofing?
Euroshield® offers residential rubber roofing products that are eco-friendly and highly durable. Made up of 95% recycled materials, Euroshield® products utilize recycled rubber and further recycle any scraps used in the installation process to create additional products.
This Alberta-based company offers different products, depending on the desired function and aesthetic, all of which can be used for re-roofing projects or new home construction. The Ranchlands Shake gives the appearance of classic wood shingles, and the Rundle Slate is a lightweight extra-thick chiseled edge.
Rubber roofing advantages
There are many advantages to installing rubber roof on your new build or re-roof project, including:
Made with recycled materials
Made of recycled materials, rubber roofs offer an excellent option for those concerned with their environmental footprint. Any scraps created in the installation process can also be recycled.
More durable than asphalt shingles
Rubber roofs offer much more durability over traditional asphalt shingles and are much less likely to crack, rot or crumble. They have a high resistance to snow and ice, key concerns for roofs in Edmonton and Calgary.
Increased insulation with fewer seams
There are fewer seams in rubber roof installation, resulting in a much lower risk of leaks into your home or building, and can also offer increased insulation, saving you money on your energy bills.
Low maintenance with long term warranties
Because of the durability of rubber, these roofs are much more low-maintenance, and many manufacturers carry long-term warranties. In fact, the first-ever rubber roof installed on a home in 1980 is still functioning!
Rubber roofing disadvantages
As with any roofing system, there are pros and cons to each type of material. Rubber roofs may not be right for your building, depending on your unique needs. Some disadvantages include:
Need of extra snow and ice management
While rubber roofs are great at protecting your home on the inside, they sometimes need some extra help managing it on the outside. It is not uncommon to see these types of roofs, depending on which type and the type of roof they are going on, to have snow and ice guards at the eaves. These guards are a small added cost and don’t stand out visibly but depending on the system can be necessary to slow down the travel of snow and ice and prevent it from falling off the roof quickly.
Fade in colour over time
Although there are more and more products available that resemble shingles of another material, rubber shingles can fade in colour over time.
Need a roofing professional to installation & repair
Because of the unique material, rubber roofs must be installed by a professional roofer with experience in rubber roofs, like A. Clark Roofing & Siding or other local Edmonton and Calgary roofers. Repairing rubber roofs isn’t so hard as it is necessary to have someone with the rubber roofing expertise to properly care for and restore or modify the roof.
Rubber roofing is more costly than asphalt shingles
Rubber roofing is more costly than asphalt shingles. This is countered by the benefits such as environmental benefits, longevity and strength of the rubber product over a longer period of time but that initial price tag can be difficult to pay at once compared to asphalts. Financing is available to help.
Edmonton and Calgary rubber roof repair and installation
Rubber roofs can be an excellent option for your new home or re-roofing project, whether you are looking at a home or a commercial building. Because of the complex nature of rubber roofs, they must be installed by an experienced professional. To learn more about rubber roofing and see if it’s a good fit for your home or business, get a free no-obligation contactless quote from the roofing professionals at A. Clark Roofing & Siding, with years of experience in installing rubber roofs in Calgary, Edmonton, and surrounding areas.
