There’s no point denying it – we live in a damp country! This may well be the reason why fibreglass flat roofs have become so widely popular as an alternative to traditional felt roofing, although the benefits are numerous. Glass Reinforced Plastic roofing, otherwise referred to as GRP roofing, is constructed using a clever technique which manages to combine the strength of glass fibre with the resilience and flexibility of plastic, offering a unique material which is ideally suited to providing a watertight roofing which will last for many years.
From porches to sheds, from garages to patios, fibreglass roofs provide a number of advantages when compared to alternative roofing methods, such as felt roofing. One of the problems with felt roofing is that over time it will inevitably deteriorate. Sadly this deterioration is often unnoticed, until small leaks or cracks develop, and then the rain finds its way into your home. Large damp patches on your ceiling, damp, mildew-stained walls and damage to furniture can easily result, and this will inevitably lead to damage and expense, not to mention the inconvenience and health aspects.
GRP roofing offers a solution which is clean and reliable, providing a watertight seal for many, many years. It’s easy to clean, and easy to fit, and is available in a variety of styles and colours, enabling you to match your existing decor or provide a roofing solution which works in harmony with your home.
Fibreglass flat roofs can be fitted either as part of the initial construction project, or fitted afterwards, or even as a replacement. One of the real benefits of GRP flat roofing is that it can be fitted cold. In other words, there is no need for a blowtorch or an open flame, as is usually the case when it comes to fitting most other types of flat roof. With no need for naked flames or blowtorches, the safety aspect is immediately improved. A fibreglass roof can be fitted while people are still in and around the properly, or whilst other workers are developing or building other aspects of the construction job. This reduces risk, and reduces disruption or inconvenience, all of which usually adds up to a lower cost as well.
With wet weather increasingly a problem, many of us are finding that existing roofs are simply not up to the job. Trying to repair an existing felt roof can prove to be time consuming, difficult, dangerous and not necessarily successful. A poorly repaired felt roof can often prove expensive in the long run, and when the next storm arrives, you may find that a significant amount of damage and water leakage can occur.
By using fibreglass flat roofs you can provide a solution which will take very little time to install, will be a low cost solution, and will last for a very long time, regardless of the monsoon like weather we so frequently seem to be experiencing. GRP roofing is lightweight, yet at the same time very strong, and this makes it an ideal solution for garages and sheds. It is quick and easy to fit, and because there is no need for a blowtorch, and the material is lightweight, it requires very few fitters to complete the job, meaning that your new fibreglass roof can be installed in the time it takes you to pop to the shop, grab a paper, make a coffee and check your emails. Nothing could be simpler!
There are a number of different grades of GRP or glass reinforced plastic, the real difference being the proportion of glass fibres included in each kilogram of plastic. The more glass fibre that is included, the stronger the material, whilst less glass will provide a lighter, more flexible material. Glass fibre has been used to create a wide number of different items, from airplanes to boats, and has been used extensively in the armed forces for many years. If the RAF are happy to fly miles up in the sky within a GRP chassis, then your shed roof is certainly going to offer a great deal of protection.
There are a number of different applications, and a fibreglass flat roof can be used successfully in several different areas. Perhaps you have a ground floor extension, or a garage, perhaps a shed or a sheltered drive. You may even have a porch or door canopy, and any one of these offers the opportunity to provide seamless, watertight protection, with minimal maintenance. In fact, when it comes to maintenance there’s really only one thing necessary, and that’s to run a hose or a sponge over it once in a while to keep it looking brand new. Mind you, with the amount of rain we get, you may find that even this is rendered unnecessary!
By: William Penworthy
Fibreglass Flat Roofs | www.fibreglassmouldings.co.uk | GRP Roofing
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Good information shared about fibre glass flat roof.