What’s the Best Material for Flat Roofs in Texas?

When you’re considering the best material for flat roofs in Texas, the first step is to look for a roofing material that can stand up to Texas heat. Flat roofs, especially, need materials that can handle intense sun and high temperatures. Typically, when we’re talking about flat roofs, we’re talking about commercial buildings, from offices to automotive shops.

A flat roof in Texas should be energy efficient, very durable, and, ideally, low maintenance. Here are the options:

Rubber roofing membranes (EDPM)
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

These are the two practical and popular flat roof material options. Let’s find the right material for your commercial building or project.

Rubber roofing membranes are a flexible solution.

Let’s start with rubber roofing membranes. Also called EPDM (for ethylene propylene diene terpolymer), it’s a popular choice for flat roofs in warmer climates around the world.

EPDM is made of four distinct layers and is thick enough to withstand heat and other adverse weather (it’s 100% waterproof). Still, the material is lightweight and easy to work with.

Rubber membranes are energy efficient. They’re also affordable.

Rubber membranes are cost-effective and simple to install, two reasons why they’re so popular for commercial buildings. That simplicity also factors into repairs: EPDM roofs can be fixed faster and cheaper than your other options. Expect to get around 25 – 30 years out of EPDM.

Is EPDM the best material for flat roofs? Let’s take a look at what it takes to make rubber membranes energy efficient.

Rubber roofing membranes can handle heat without reflective coatings.

It should be said that although they’re generally very efficient, untreated rubber roofing membranes can absorb a lot of heat instead of repelling it. So if you go with a barebones option, you’ll be missing out on energy efficiency. That’s even more true if you go with black EPDM (white is also an option).

PVC roofing is a heat-resistant alternative.

PVC roofing is a top contender for flat roofs in Texas. PVC excels at reflecting sunlight instead of absorbing it, which reduces the temperature inside commercial buildings.

PVC roofing reflects heat and reduces cooling costs.

In addition to their sunlight-reflecting qualities, PVC roofs are fire and chemical-resistant; So, PVC is a good option for commercial properties like restaurants or factories that deal in more dangerous substances.

Like EPDM, PVC lasts around 25 years as long as it’s installed properly.

But PVC can be expensive.

While it is durable, PVC tends to be pricier than other roofing options. Even though it lasts around the same amount of time as EPDM, PVC will be more expensive.

There are additional PVC options for specific applications.

Depending on your location and needs, you may also consider other types of PVC roofing membranes besides the standard option.

PVC KEE is more flexible and has a longer life expectancy than other flat roofing materials. Another type, fleece-backed PVC, is strong and a great choice if high winds are a concern. Both are still on the higher end, cost-wise.

Want the best material for flat roofs in Texas? It’s about your priorities.

If affordability and heat-resistance are your priorities, a rubber membrane may be the best material for the flat roof on your future commercial building.

Here’s the exception: Commercial operations that consistently produce residual heat, e.g., steel production, fabrication, paper milling, or chemical processes (I could go on; we’re talking about any industrial process), PVC may be a better option.