We are in the process of getting bids for a new roof. Our old one is tar and gravel, because of low pitch, and have gotten bids on two kinds of roofs. Can anyone give me pros and cons of both? EPDM and also something called modified torch down...(or something like that). I am so confused! Can't decide which is best.

-- Karen Braun (jbraun@one.net), December 04, 2001

Answers

Its been 25 years since I held a roofing contractors license. I think EDPM is what we once call Mineral Surface Rolled Roofing and the torch down was known as Single Ply. The question you need to ask is "warranty". And what about the company's reputation? Ask for referances, ask your building officals if licenses are required; does the company carry insurance and can prove it? The Workers Comp for hot tar (and gravel) was equal to half their wages 25 years ago, so these other methods were developed so the contractor could survive. Does the contract state that the contractor will remove all debris? What is the cost per square foot? Is Standing Standard Seam metal available in your area, its costs more but lasts for many more years.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), December 04, 2001.

KAREN.....I TALKED TO A ROOFER AND HE SAID HE WOULD DO HIS HOUSE WITH MODIFIED TORCH DOWN.BUT HE ALSO SAID YOU COULD PROBABLY GET A SINGLE PIECE OF THE EPDM TO DO THE WHOLE ROOF.I`M A CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISOR AND ALL I CAN SAY IS THEY USE THE RUBBER MEMBRANE WHICH I BELIEVE IS THE EPDM. IF YOU PLAN ON LIVING THERE FOREVER.WHY NOT CONSIDER PUTTING A PITCHED ROOF ON THE BUILDING.I LIVED IN AN APARTMENT BEFORE I BOUGHT MY HOUSE.EVERY BUILDING IN THAT SECTION OF APARTMENTS HAD FLAT ROOFS.ONE BY ONE THEY ALL WENT TO A PITCHED ROOF.THATS BECAUSE OF ALL THE TROUBLES WITH FLAT ROOFS.[LEAKS,HEAVY SNOW AND ICE DAMAGE ETC]

CORDWOODGUY PS:I`D GO PITCHED MYSELF.

-- CORDWOODGUY (cordwoodguy@n2teaching.com), December 05, 2001.

Thanks CORDWOODGUY, I'd like to see more pitch on this roof, but we built our house ourselves and my husband HATES heights. It was hard enough to get him on the roof, period! We had talked at one time about adding a second floor, but that was a short discussion - no roofs for him! Sad to say - I'm no roofer either. Looks like we're going with the torch down anyway. Thanks again, all.

-- Karen Braun (jbraun@one.net), December 05, 2001.