What is PVC Roofing? And is it Right for Your Home ...

While PVC roofing is widely used on flat and low sloped roofs around Seattle and Puget Sound, it is not a widely known or understood roofing material. As local roofing professionals, we often get asked questions about PVC roofing. We will dive right in and answer all your frequently asked questions about PVC as well as explain the benefits of PVC for flat or low sloped roofs.

 

 

• What is a PVC Roof?

 

 

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) is a plastic polymer used in several building materials like windows, doors, plumbing pipes, and roofing membranes. This plastic polymer can be either hard or flexible. When it comes to roofing membranes PVC is engineered to be flexible. The flexibility of PVC roofing makes it easier for roofers to install the product around roof penetrations like vents, chimneys, and skylights found on many homes around Puget Sound. The polymer is married with a fibrous backing, called the skrim, that adds strength to the flexible plastic making this material ideal for longevity in residential applications. The science behind the design creates puncture and tear resistance. The membrane is also UV reflective, meaning it won't break down from UV exposure. Because it is a plastic membrane, PVC is sealed by welding together the seams where the material meets. This is done using hot air. Once welded PVC creates a watertight barrier that provides superior protection. PVC roofing can easily last 20 years here in the Pacific Northwest.

 

 

• Why Does Valentine Roofing Choose PVC for Low Slope Roof Installation?

 

 

There are FOUR key reasons that Valentine Roofing chooses PVC for residential roof installation on low slope roofs in Puget Sound. When it comes to installation PVC is installed using hot air to weld the material at the seams. This is a safer install than other materials that use open flames during the installation. As a roofing material, PVC is far more durable than other low-slope materials. PVC resists break down from UV rays, it withstands ponding water and it is constructed to be puncture and tear-resistant. This durability is ideal for the Northwest. Where annual rainfall is often up to 78 inches and seasonal storms will blow large branches, pinecones, and other debris down onto your roof. PVC is engineered to last longer than any other low-slope roofing material, with proper maintenance. In fact, PVC roofs can last upwards of 20 years here in the Seattle area. When it comes to maintenance, a PVC roof requires far less than other roofing materials. With the right roof cleaning methods and an annual inspection PVC roofs rarely requires seal coating or expensive repairs like other low slope materials can. Valentine Roofing chooses PVC for residential roof installs because it is simply the best choice!

 

 

• Does Valentine Roofing Install PVC Roofs Year-Round?

 

 

We often talk about our ability to roof year-round at Valentine Roofing, and we do! PVC as a material is more dependant on weather and temperature than other materials we install, so we consider those factors into our installations. PVC can be installed throughout the year as part of what we refer to as a combination roof project. Meaning that the roof has some pitched areas with more traditional materials and some flat areas that require specialty PVC. We can also repair PVC roofs any time of year with our fully integrated repair program. For larger PVC roof jobs we usually only install for 8 months out of the year. This avoids most rain and cold, which can compromise the weld if not careful. So the answer to this question is yes we do install some PVC year-round, but limit the size of our installs during the colder and rainier months for a successful installation that will last for years to come!

 

 

• Is PVC Meant for Residential Roofs?

 

 

You may have heard that PVC is ugly or that it is meant for commercial applications only. Lucky for you, those things just aren't true. PVC roofing is by far the most superior option for low slope, residential roofing applications here in the Northwest. When installed by a professional roofing contractor with expertise in PVC roofing systems, like Valentine Roofing, PVC roofing is a sleek and unique product that will add value along with curb appeal to your home. To learn more about PVC or to schedule an estimate for your flat roof replacement, call our office today at (206) 766-3464!

You can find more answers to your PVC roofing questions here.