Is Roll Roofing Any Good?

Let’s say your roof suffered damage recently, and by all indications, it seems the entire structure may need to be replaced. What are your options if you’re currently financially unable to start a re-roofing project?

Thankfully, conventional shingle-type roofs are not the only option. You can save a significant amount of money on materials and installation costs if you go with rolled roofing.

But what is roll roofing exactly? What are its advantages and disadvantages, and is this type of material worth using on your home?

Let’s find out!

What Is Roll Roofing?

As the name suggests, MSR or rolled roofing is a roofing material that has a mineral surface and is usually purchased in rolls. Even though it’s less durable, thinner, and cheaper than traditional asphalt shingles, it’s still a viable roofing material. 

There is a caveat, however. Most people use it on the unoccupied structures or outbuildings on their property. For instance, it’s common to see roll roofing on shops, garages, and sheds.

But why is it rarely used on homes?

Truth be told, it’s not that attractive to look at. If you’re ever planning on selling your home, the resale value will likely be smaller since you have roll roofing. 

Now that you know what is roll roofing let’s take a more detailed look at it.

How Does Roll Roofing Work?

Just go down to any home improvement store, ask for MSR or rolled roofing, and you’ll find it in a matter of minutes. It comes in rolls of 100 square feet, with individual rolls usually 36 inches wide and 36 feet long. 

How does roll roofing compare to a square of composite shingle? Well, they’re pretty much the same - a roll of MSR is equal to a single shingle square.

Most homeowners are also impressed with how easy the process of roofing is with this material. 

Typically, while using the conventional approach, you would line your entire roof with individual shingles.

Rolled roofing, on the other hand, is a lot more simple - so much so that you can do it alone. Since the individual rolls are larger, you only need to horizontally roll it out in long strips, and you’re pretty much done. When you consider how cheap it is and how costs of labor are non-existent if you do it yourself, it’s no wonder why some homeowners are wondering what is roll roofing and if it is a viable option.

However, you should also consider the pitch of your roof. Earlier, we said that rolled roofing is usually used on structures such as sheds or garages, which all have low-sloped roofs.

MSR is the best option for roof pitches that decline about 1 inch vertically for every 12 horizontal inches. This is most commonly referred to as a 1:12 pitch, and it’s well suited for this roofing method if you use concealed nail fastening. 

To be on the safe side, don’t consider this method for pitches above 2 inches of vertical decline for 12 horizontal inches (2:12 pitch).

Hence, if you have the classic 4:12 roof, shingles are a better option.

Pros And Cons Of Roll Roofing 

We have officially learned what is roll roofing and the process of installing it - now  is the time to look at the good, the bad and the ugly.

Pros Of Roll Roofing 

We already mentioned that this material is by far the most affordable roofing material. This goes for the rolls themselves and the nails you will use to fix them on your roof.

We also have to mention the easy application, especially when compared to composite shingles which need to be applied one by one. In other words, you can cover a whole square of the roof with roll roofing in a matter of minutes. 

The same applies to the ease of transportation. You can basically put the rolls in the back of your pickup and you’re done. They’re also just 75 pounds, meaning you can load them on your own if you’re in fairly good shape.

Just compare this with shingles, which require cranes and forklifts to transport. 

You also have a choice in how you cut and arrange the rolls. For instance, you can cut into different-sized strips and use them as ridges or hips, but you can also cut them smaller and use them for rakes or eaves.

Cons Of Roll Roofing 

Unfortunately, not all is sunshine and rainbows with roll roofing. For starters, you have to consider the poor durability. 

We’ll once again use shingles for comparison. They are laid out in a way that forms a network of interlocking pieces, contracting and expanding when needed. Thus, a solitary shingle never has to endure unnecessary stress alone, since everything is equally distributed between each of the pieces.

Rolled roofing is more like a huge shingle, and as such, prone to tearing.

While you’ll pay a cheap price to get roll roofing, you can only count on it for about five years while the lifespan of the traditional shingle roof is about 20 years or so. 

It’s also worth noting that roll roofing is the least attractive roofing material there is. In fact,  certain homeowner’s associations won’t even allow you to have any structure on your property that uses rolled roofing. This is understandable because there are only two colors (black and white) available and they may not fit in with the aesthetics of the community. 

As such, if your home uses roll roofing, expect a poorer resale value as potential buyers will avoid even looking at your listing.

The Verdict

So is roll roofing a viable option?

It all depends on what you’re trying to achieve. If you want to fix your roof in a pinch and save money for future upgrades, then the answer is yes. Roll roofing is a great temporary solution.

As a long-term option, it simply doesn’t cut it, even though it’s cheap and easy to lay down. You’ll have to replace it anyway in about five years, so you be the judge if it’s financially worth it. 

Schedule A Roof Inspection With Guardian Angel Inspections

You don’t have to replace your entire roof simply because it suffered minimal damage. By getting in touch with the inspectors from Guardian Angel Inspections, you can get a clear idea of the condition of your roof. All of our inspectors are experienced and can recommend the best options for your roof.

Call us today at 561-512-7854 or fill out our contact form to schedule the best roof inspection in town!