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Shed roofs

KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,756
in Tools and techniques
Just about to buy a shed for the allotment.  We've always purchased bitumen roof felt in the past, but a rubber roof is an option.  Has anyone everyone used this, and would you recommend it as better and more long-lasting than bitumen?  

Posts

  • cyprycypry Posts: 21
    Absolutely no experience of rubber as a roof covering, but have had to re-felt many a shed over the years. What I will say on the subject of rubber, is I know for a fact that rubber was used in the digging process of many of the lakes around London, and when finished with, these rubber conveyor belts were just left in situ and the lake flooded over them, and I can also confirm that even after 40-50 years, the rubber is still there and as strong as ever.
    Whether (and I would think it would be) it will behave differently when exposed to UV light from the sun, that is a different matter.
  • FireFire Posts: 17,116
    Is it actual rubber, @KeenOnGreen ?
  • Hampshire_HogHampshire_Hog Posts: 1,089
    edited July 2019
    By rubber I would assume they are offering either Epalyn or Butyl both of which are very hard wearing and used in many roof applications these days and have a life expectancy in excess of 40 years.

    Epalyn and Butyl are both known for being high quality materials used for the containment of water in garden ponds. The flexibility of Epalyn and Butyl means they can be readily manipulated into various shapes and sizes. They are both durable and stable at extreme weather conditions, UV resistant and can be readily repaired if required.

    The technical difference between Epalyn and Butyl is the polymer. To be called Butyl the sheet must contain more than 50% butyl polymer. The polymer is the ingredient that makes the sheet elastic. In most pond grade Butyl there is usually a percentage of EPDM polymer mixed in. Epalyn, however is made with 100% EPDM polymer. EPDM polymer is more readily used around the world in a range of industries as it is generally cheaper.

    Epalyn has a higher specification than Butyl.


    "You don't stop gardening because you get old, you get old because you stop gardening." - The Hampshire Hog
  • ColinAColinA Posts: 367
    I replaced my felt roof two years ago with a rubber roof covering I bought from a builders merchant selling on Amazon. It arrived cut to size for my roof with adhesive and instructions included, was very easy to fit and has a 25 year guarantee
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 9,958
    I bought a shed 3 years ago with a rubber roof, still looks like new and no leaks - so far so good
    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • dpatel2130dpatel2130 Posts: 179
    Roofing rubber known as EPDM is good alternative to traditional roofing felt. I used on my extention roof and never had any problem. It was there for ten years and it is serving my garage roof. I will recommend. 
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 10,784
    We replaced our shed roof ordinary felt with a heavier quality felt which has been much better. We get very high winds sometimes and the thinner felt was just useless.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,756
    Thanks everyone, your experience of rubber is very encouraging.  @Hampshire_Hog I will research the two different types you mention.  I must admit our experience with the usual Butyl is not great.  
  • Forester_PeteForester_Pete Posts: 152
    I would recommend the rubber roof wholeheartedly. Fitted to my shed last year. It's a one piece and really helps if it's fitted in warm weather as it's more supple. 
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 16,522
    Awfully long way to come from Sydney Australia with a pandemic on.
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