Flat roofing is experiencing some significant technological advancements. Specifically – it is transitioning from hot tar methods to what is known as “single ply.”

For more than 75 years, hot tar has been the main method of roofing a flat structure. This technology has stood the test of time, but it has its downfalls. Hot tar is limited to only 15 years of life in most cases. It is very unsafe and difficult to install – requiring equipment like tar kettles with propane tanks, pumps, pipes, mops, bad fumes and so on. I have personally witnessed countless scars and burns on roofing insallers. Single ply marks a departure from this dangerous, environmentally unfriendly technology.

Single ply is much, much more superior to hot tar roofing. It lasts 2 to 3 times as long as traditional hot tar (40 years or more) and is not dramatically more expensive. In fact, in many cases the costs are comparable. The material is like a large sheet of rubber plastic – it has a highly reflective surface which dramatically reduce energy costs. It also withstands water pooling and other chemicals and debris that typically wear out traditional roofs. Installation is also safe!

Single ply (also called TPO or PVC) roofing is big rolls of various combinations of rubber, plastic, pvc and other chemicals. The material is “heat welded” to other sheets to create a continuious watertight surface. What looks like a small hair dryer is used to adhere the material together – another machine the resembles a lawn hedger may be used for larger jobs.

Rising prices on oil has had a direct impact on the hot tar roofing industry. It used to be that hot tar was less expensive to install than single ply – so, only forward-thinking, environmentally-concerned individuals used it. But, with the increasing oil prices, hot tar is now about the same price as single ply (in some cases single ply is cheaper), making it a much clearer choice and better alternative for pretty much everyone with a flat roof.

I have spent my career installing many different types of roofs. I do not consider myself a salesperson, just an enthusiast because I see single ply as a major leap ahead in the industry. I hope I helped to shed some light on this exciting new innovation.

Tommy Scherer has been in the roofing industry for decades and his company, T ang G Roofing, has over thirty years of experience in the industry. To find the best advice on single ply roofing, visit his site.