A solid and reliable RV roof is important if you want to continue enjoying your mobile home without the hassles brought by an inadequate roofing. A basic knowledge of the different types of RV roofs is crucial if you want to care for your roof.

There are basically three types of materials that your RV roof could be made of—metal, fiberglass or rubber. Identifying a metal roof is fairly easy. While they are not common these days, metal roofs such as galvanized metal and aluminum were widely used decades ago. Fiberglass roofs are also becoming rarer nowadays.

Around 20 years ago the RV industry found a new type of roofing material that works better than metals or fiberglass and has qualities not found in the old roofs. The product is a rubber roofing membrane that is lightweight, cost-effective, easy to install and maintain, seamless and resistant to UV light.

EPDM and TPO Rubber Roofs

The two popular types of RV rubber roofing are EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) and TPO (Thermal Poly Olefin). If your RV has a rubber roof, it could either be EPDM or TPO. When the time comes when you need to have an RV rubber roof replacement, you should be able to identify the type of rubber your RV has in order to install the right material.

How do you know which type of rubber roof is installed on your RV?

Check Owner’s Manual

The first thing you should consult is the RV owner’s manual. It should plainly state what type of rubber membrane was used on the RV. It will also lists the maintenance and cleaning instructions for your RV. If you have no access to the owner’s manual or for some reasons it does not specify the type of rubbing membrane used, there are ways to determine the type of your RV rubber roofing.

Gray or White Streaks

Look for gray or white streaks on the sides of the RV. EPDM membrane is designed to oxidize over time to protect it against UV rays and ozone. The oxidization or shedding produces the gray or white streaks found on the body of the RV.

Unlike EPDM, TPO rubber roof does not oxidize so you will not see any white or gray streaks on the sides of the RV. Another characteristic of a TPO membrane not found in EPDM is its glossy look.

Slippery When Wet

Another difference between the two types of rubber roofing is that EPDM is very slippery when wet while TPO is not.

Whether you are installing a new roof over your house or replacing an old one, roofing is a big project. Roofing Birmingham Al installation costs a lot of money such that homeowners should be certain there is a need for a new or replacement roof to avoid unnecessary expenses.

Before embarking on a roofing project, consider the following factors as these may impact and create unwanted consequences once roofing work begins.

Thorough Inspection

The entire roof must be thoroughly inspected by a licensed and experienced professional. Inspection includes all components of the roof system such as the flashings, decks, rafters and trusses.

Project Cost

Replacing or installing a new roof is expensive. That is why it is always advisable to know beforehand how much you will be spending for the entire project. After all, you do not want to run out of funds midway through the project. A functional and easy-to-use roof replacement calculator can do wonders to your budget management. It will help you obtain a realistic estimate of the costs and prepare you for what lies ahead.

New Roof or Resurface

Homeowners at times have the option of removing the old roof and mounting a new roof or just covering the old roof with the new one. While putting in a new roof without removing the old material cuts completion time, removing the old roof is advisable if its present condition will only weaken the new roof.

Roof Materials

Carefully think about the roof material that you will be using for your new roof. You might have used the old roof to save money but that constraint no longer exists now. Some home designs work better with specific materials.

Roof Age

The average roof lasts about twenty years, give or take a few years depending on the materials used and workmanship. If your roof is considerably less than this age, other factors might be causing your roof problems and not necessarily the roof itself.

Written Contract

A written contract will ensure that both parties to the agreement knows precisely their rights and responsibilities before the project commences. The contract should contain details of the project, including scope of work, materials to be used and costs. New works to be performed or materials to be added must follow the steps outlined in the contract.

Noise

Putting up a new roof requires weeks of noisy work. If a member of your household is having trouble sleeping at night, it might be best to defer work until such time the noise that usually comes from roofing work is tolerated by everybody.

Replacing old windows do not come cheap. Unlike buying single unit improvements at home, you have to multiply the cost of each window by the number of windows you have in the house.

Before replacing existing windows, check first the condition of the window frames. If they are still sound and in good condition, then you can install replacement windows. However, if the frames are already rotten or out of shape, you have to replace them before installing new windows. The cost could increase up to 50% to 100%.

If you really must install new sets, here are useful tips to save you money:

1. Less is More

Remember that installing multiple windows at once will cost you less per window than installing just one window.

2. Getting Familiar

Check out the websites of large windows manufacturers to help you decide the best cost of window replacement for your home. They will help you identify the architectural style of your home and the window styles that suit it.

3. Windows Rating

Contractor-grade windows are priced lower than architectural grade ones. If you want to save money, get the contractor grade types.

4. Shop Around

Look for different sellers and never confine yourself to buying products offered by one authorized dealer. The store usually carries only one brand, which considerably limits your choices for other brands with cheaper prices.

5. Buy Standard Windows

Windows bought off-the-shelf cost less than windows customized to your needs such as upgrades, custom sizes, non-standard colors and glass types and hardware.

6. Extra Features Mean Extra Cost

If you do not need those extra features, then do not buy windows with these add-ons. They shoot up the price for things that you might not really need in the first place.

7. Big Names Big Prices

Well-known and big-name brands carry higher prices. You can buy the same type of windows at lower prices if you opt for lesser-known brand names.

8. Style Costs Money

Use common-styled windows such as fixed, sliders and double hung. They are cheap compared to stylish windows with circles, curves or hexagons.

9. Windows Material

Vinyl windows are widely available and by far the cheapest type there is. Fiberglass costs more than vinyl but is priced lower than wood windows. If the design of your house can accommodate vinyl windows, consider buying this instead of insisting on wood windows that are not only more expensive but may not harmonize with the overall design of your house.

10. Negotiate

There is always room for price negotiation. Never accept the first price quotation given by sellers. Always ask for discounts and make counter-offers of at least 20% less than the selling price. There are a lot of sellers and dealers willing to negotiate for the right price.