Multi-purpose PVC pipe has long been a favorite material for do-it-yourself enthusiasts. Its durability, light weight and cheap availability make it a versatile and handy product. Few people outside of the commercial roofing industry, though, know that PVC can be manufactured into a sturdy, relatively inexpensive single-ply membrane for flat and low-slope roofs.
In fact, PVC has become one of the most popular roofing materials around, delighting business customers for its cost-effective properties and pleasing Charleston roofing professionals with its concise installation and performance. PVC, along with several other thermoplastic membranes such as TPO, make up the fastest growing sector of the nation’s roofing industry. With its many benefits, PVC may be a strong contender for your next roofing system.
Polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, differs in a few important ways from the classic white pipes used in home improvement projects. Manufactured into sheets of roofing membrane, PVC contains stabilizers, plasticizers and other materials to create a flexible and strong membrane. Usually white or gray, PVC roof membranes are a single-ply application available in a number of colors and sizes, giving it a unique versatility.
Cost is also a strong selling point for PVC roofing systems. Usually comparable in price to the other single-ply roofing membranes EPDM and TPO, PVC can be slightly more expensive but more effective in its factory-reinforced form.