Roofing Systems Comparison

As a home or building owner, you have a number of choices when it comes to selecting a flat roof system. Please consult the table below for a quick comparison of roofing systems. At Lone Mountain, we've noticed that an educated home or building owner is often our best customer, so we're happy to explain any of the information in greater detail or answer any questions. Contact us.

Roofing System	Material Composition	Issues	Typical Lifespan	Typical Warranty	Energy Savings	Estimated Cost/Year*
Pro-Ply	Single-ply thermoplastic (TPO) membrane	Must be professionally installed	20-30+ years	Lifetime; non-pro-rated. Other options available.	High reflective membrane; can save up to 40% in energy costs	$700-$800**
BUR (typical tar & gravel)	Felt paper, Asphalt/tar and gravel	Heavy; needs regular maintenance; usually needs to be replaced every 5-9 years	5-9 years	3-7 years	None	$1,000-$1,200
Foam	Polyurethane spray foam, elastomeric acrylic coating	Fragile, cracks under sun's UV radiation, needs regular maintenance	7-15 years	10 years	Insulation R-Value, coating is sometimes reflective	$1,000
PVC	Single-ply PVC membrane	Plasticizers can leach out (draining with water run-off), this also leaves the membrane brittle, weak, and susceptible to damage	15-25 years	10-20 years	Usually reflective	$850-$1000
APP/SBS	Bitumen rolled roofing	May pose a fire hazard, requires regular maintenance	3-9 years	3-7 years	None	$1,100-$1,300

*Average for a 2500 sq. ft roof over 20 years (factoring in inflation, maintenance, and/or re-roofs). For comparison use only.

**This does not include energy savings and reduction in utility bills from Pro-Ply reflective membrane, which may decrease this amount by $360-$600 per year.