| RubberBond FleeceBack EPDM |
Fibreglass (GRP) roofing | |
| Is the product available only to trained installers? | Yes. Installers have to undergo a two stage training course and regular site inspections to meet & maintain approved status. |
No. There are training courses but the product is available to anyone through sites such as eBay leading to incorrect installations & a leaking flat roof. |
| Cost. | The products have comparable costs but the slower installation times of GRP can lead to higher installation costs. | |
| Quality | Engineered sheets with preformed details and Factory Applied Tapes provide a flat roof covered with a product waterproof straight from the factory. This ensures low labour involvement when installing. | Fibreglass GRP flat roofs are very labour intensive with the mixing of resins and application of gel coats done on site. The quality depends on the person mixing the ingredients & their understanding of the right quantities. These constantly change depending on the current climatic conditions. |
| UV Resistant. | Yes. EPDM membranes are manufactured to be UV stable. |
They are UV stable dependant on the correct mixing of resins by the roofing contractors. |
| Strength. | Yes. Both are strong flat roof surfaces |
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| Flexible | Yes. The membrane can elongate up to 300% and doesn’t crack or craze. This allows for any building movement. |
No. The roofs do allow for a very small amount of expansion & contraction but they can crack due to movement. |
| Hazardous. | The RubberBond membrane is an inert material adhered with a water based acrylic adhesive, low in odour and easy to clean when wet. | GRP roofs use polyester resins are dissolved in styrene which is the source of the hazard. Styrene is inflammable and is classed as an irritant. Styrene has no known health effects associated with it but it has a very strong smell which most people can detect at very low levels. You should always use polyester resins in a well ventilated area. |
| Noise. | Due to the very hard surface of the fibreglass flat roofing rain and hail noise can be amplified and is a common source of complaint. | |