Flat & Low-Slope Roofing for Homes

Flat and low-slope roofs show up on more homes than people realize. Mid-century homes, modern builds, additions, enclosed porches, attached garages -- if you've got a section of roof with a slope less than 2:12, you need a flat roofing system, not shingles. Shingles on a low slope will leak. It's just a matter of when.

We install and repair flat roofing systems on homes throughout the Traverse City area. Whether it's a small section over a sunroom or an entire flat-roofed home, we'll match you with the right membrane system and make sure it's installed to handle our winters.

Flat Roofing Systems We Install

TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin)

TPO is a single-ply membrane that's heat-welded at the seams. Those welded seams are actually stronger than the membrane itself, which gives you excellent leak protection. TPO is white or light-colored, which reflects heat in summer. It handles ponding water well and is resistant to UV, ozone, and chemical exposure.

For residential flat roofs, TPO is often our go-to recommendation. It's cost-effective, performs well in our climate, and the welded seams give us -- and you -- confidence that it's going to stay watertight through the freeze-thaw cycles.

EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer)

EPDM is the classic "rubber roof." It's been used on flat roofs for decades, and there are EPDM roofs around Traverse City that have been going strong for 30+ years. The material is flexible, which is important in a climate where temperatures swing 100 degrees over the course of a year. It won't crack or become brittle in sub-zero cold.

EPDM comes in black (which absorbs heat and helps with snowmelt) or white. Seams are typically glued or taped rather than welded, so the quality of seam work is critical. We use Firestone EPDM and follow their installation specs to the letter.

Modified Bitumen

Modified bitumen is an asphalt-based system that uses reinforced rolls applied in overlapping layers. It's been a reliable flat roof option for decades. The multi-layer approach gives you redundancy -- if one layer gets damaged, there's still protection underneath.

We use torch-applied or cold-adhesive modified bitumen depending on the situation. Torch-applied gives you the strongest bond, but cold adhesive is safer for occupied homes and areas near combustible materials. Modified bitumen works especially well for smaller residential flat roof sections and repairs to existing flat roofs.

Northern Michigan Flat Roof Challenges

Flat roofs need extra attention in our climate. Here's what we account for on every residential flat roof job:

• Snow load -- Flat roofs don't shed snow like pitched roofs. The structure needs to support the weight, and the membrane needs to handle standing water during spring thaw. We check your framing and add support if needed.
• Drainage -- Water needs somewhere to go. We install tapered insulation to create positive drainage toward scuppers or interior drains. No ponding water means no leaks and no premature membrane breakdown.
• Insulation -- Proper insulation above the deck prevents condensation problems and helps manage heat loss. We use polyiso rigid insulation boards and can hit any R-value target.
• Membrane flexibility -- Materials need to expand and contract without cracking. That rules out some products that work fine in milder climates but fail up here.
• Flashing details -- Every wall junction, pipe penetration, and edge condition needs to be flashed correctly. Most flat roof leaks we repair trace back to flashing failures, not membrane failures.

Repair or Replace?

If you've got an existing flat roof that's leaking, it doesn't always mean you need a full replacement. Sometimes a membrane patch, resealed seams, or new flashing solves the problem. We'll inspect the whole system and tell you honestly whether a repair makes sense or if you're better off replacing it. We're not going to sell you a new roof if a $500 repair gets you another 10 years.

Give us a call and we'll take a look. Flat roof issues only get worse when you wait.