I have a flat roof that needs replacement. I plan to reinforce the damaged 2x4's and repair/replace the plywood. The roofing itself I may do myself or have done - not sure. The current roof looks like 3 foot rolls of paper w/ granular coating. It did not last and I want to avoid it. What are the best alternatives for a flat roof ?

 

EPDM (rubber) would be the best bet.Installed over a layer of board insulation.

 

GMAN69: That sounds good. The plan is:

1.) Remove the old roof and all roofing nails
2.) Replace plywood as required
3.) Install ADE lip to dip edge to guide water away
4.) Clean up plywood surface
5.) Install black EPDM roofing directly to the plywood

This site was helpful:

http://www.flatroofsolutions.com/installation.html

Also this FAQ answered some questions:

http://www.flatroofsolutions.com/faq.html

Any other hints ?

Thanks.

 

I wouldn't go directly to the plywood. At least a layer of 1/2" fiberboard fastened with plates and screws over the plywood.
If you go over the plywood you will have problems with fasteners backing out and seams popping.
Also the drip edge gos on after the epdm and then gets stripped in.
And I wouldnt depend to much on that website. Theres a bit of misinformation there.
Use the link they have to Firestones details and go by that.
If they have there own line of epdm why link to Firestones details?

 

Thanks GMAN

When you say the drip edge gets "stripped in" - how do you do that ?

Also, I have a 90 degree surface (clapboard siding) that will need flashing. The sites below recommend a corner piece on top of the EPDM. Is that a good technique ?

I plan to add a bead of roofing cement on the top edge, roof edge and nail heads of the flashing install. One roofer I talked said remove a few pieces of clap board, install the corner flashing, then reinstall the clapboard.

 

GMAN:

What thickness is best ? Its going on a garage. Also, there is a transition from the EPDM to asphalt with asphalt toppers at the peak. Remove and replace with EPDM underneath ?

 

No asphalt caulk on epdm it eats it up.
Remove a few siding boards and run the sheet of epdm up the wall and reinstall the boards.
Remove the asphalt shingle caps run the epdm over the peak and reinstall caps.
45 mil is fine but 60 is better if you can afford it.
Theres a material that's 5" wide on a roll(form flashing) you prime the epdm and the drip edge then install the 5" strip and roll it in.
If you don't have any exp installing flat roofing you will run into problems on these details. You cant teach 20 years of experience in a few paragraphs. It takes hands on.