Does your home have a low-slope roof? This style of roof is common with those who like the look of a flat roof, but who want to avoid the potential water damage and pooling issues that come with a completely flat roof. Still, roofs with a low slope do behave quite differently from those with a more standard pitch. This needs to be taken into account when choosing a roofing material. The following are roof materials that tend to work well on low-slope roofs.

TPO

TPO stands for thermoplastic olefin. This is a membrane-type roof that comes in a big, rolled-up tube similar to aluminum foil or plastic wrap. It has been used on commercial buildings for years and is becoming more common in residential settings – particularly homes with low-slope and flat roofs. TPO is white, and it reflects sunlight well, which helps keep your energy bills manageable in the summer. It is quick to install, and many roofing companies have the skill to install it. TPO is essentially waterproof, so you don't have to worry if water takes a while to run off your low-slope roof. Leaks are unlikely as long as the material does not tear.

EPDM

EPDM is another type of membrane-style roofing that gets unrolled onto your rooftop. It's black, not white, which some people prefer because it shows fewer stains than a white TPO roof. The downside to EPDM is that, because it's black, it absorbs a lot of heat. Therefore, it may not be the best option in really sunny and hot areas. It is, however, thicker and tougher than TPO, which means it performs well and is less likely to tear if trees are hanging over the roof. 

Standing Seam Metal

Standing seam metal roofs are quite common on roofs with higher pitches, but they perform well on low-slope roofs, too. The seams themselves are raised, which keeps water from getting down in them. Water rolls right off the in-between parts of the metal, even if it does so slowly due to the low slope. Metal roofing has a more conventional look than EPDM or TPO roofing, and it comes in a wide variety of colors.

To learn more about these roof materials for low-slope roofs, talk to a roofing contractor in your area. They can take some measurements, give you an estimate, and help you decide which roofing material best suits your individual needs. Reach out to a roofing service, such as Commercial Solutions, Inc., near you to learn more.