Fiberglass Roofing Vs Felt Roofing: Which is the Suitable One for You?

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Posted by Daniel Barden
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Nov 5, 2020
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While felt and fiberglass are two wide options for flat roofs, the stronger and durable option is fiberglass. It even lasts for more years compared to the felt roofs.


GRP fiberglass roofing and felt roofing systems are the two most popular systems for flat roofs. Both types are even suitable for use as pitched roofs in a few applications. Different requirements decide the popularity of these two systems. While felt is much cheaper, fiberglass is somewhat expensive. With felt roofing typically lasting for a minimum of ten years, fiberglass has a lifetime of 20 years. Eventually, there are chief differences existing between them but they share their own conveniences.

Let us analyze the difference between the two.


Fiberglass Roofing Systems


      By nature, fiberglass roofing systems are characterizedby:


  • Excellent Longevity
  • Durability
  • Higher Performance

Fiberglass might be the newer roofing system but it lends itself the best to flat roofing and is even suitable for the pitched roofs in certain applications. Compared to felt, fiberglass is more durable and stronger. Seams are absent here, so these have a lower possibility to let water in and so their tendency to fail is less. Hence, if damaged, then it is relatively easier for the professionals to repair them.

With durability, high performance, and longevity being its chief properties, the fiberglass roofs last for twenty years and above and its possibility to develop faults are minimized. Having no seams means repairing them is easier as the professionals can identify the issues soon and solve them right away.

Fiberglass roofing has its primary benefits for the roofers on being fabricated and is available pre-cut from the factory that allows it to be installed quickly. So, the wastage amount is zero that reduces the need of shifting to the local skip. Fiberglass roofs are a more environmentally friendly option.

Felt Roofing Systems

The factors qualifying felt as the ideal roofing systems are:

  • Cheap price
  • Effective for roofing
  • Easy to be replaced


     Traditionally, felt is the flat roofing system. With proper installation, it is impenetrable and vicious. Felt is being used for more than 50 years in the roofing industry and still, it is manufactured using bitumen, which is asphalt or coal-tar pitch.

Felt roofing has a number of benefits and it starts with its low costs and effective performance. On average, the roof felt is cheaper compared to the fiberglass and offers comparable performance on being properly installed. Its installation and replacement are both quicker as per the requirements.

Felt roofing even benefits with pliability as well as flexible transportation. Being extremely pliable, felt can be manipulated easily that deems it to be easily worked with. A van is often necessary for transportation as it is rolled up in the transport phase. But the only disadvantage of felt is that it lasts only for 5 to 8 years depending on the weather.


Therefore, which material is the right option for the roofs?


Application is the backbone of the decision. Felt roofs will suit the small outbuildings like the single garages and porches. Alternatively, fiberglass roofing is a must for the larger outbuildings like the converted workspaces and double garages. As fiberglass is a durable material so it will serve the requirement for longer.

When both are to be compared in terms of being waterproof, then both share equal status. Nevertheless, the stronger roof material is fiberglass that makes it the better choice in the windy areas and the regions with intense rainfall. Hence, the buildings experiencing severe weather will need fiberglass roofing suitable as the best roofing system. 

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