When you make a flat roof you are likely to ask yourself what will become of it when it requires replacement. The roofing industry has been keen on the installation of roofs and their life span but what is very essential is what happens when a roof is no longer of use. GRP fibreglass roofs alter the way we perceive the construction of waste. They offer a solution that is effective and friendly to the environment. Consider it in the following way: the ordinary roofs are discarded after 10 to 15 years. That makes a lot of rubbish since the roofs are to be laid down and laid down. GRP roofs are durable and can last up to 30 to 50 years provided they are maintained. That long life is that you do not replace a roof as frequently. That saves the necessity of new materials, consumes less energy to create new roofs, and leaves much less waste in front of the lifetime of the building. GRP Roofing Makes Sense Environmentally The case of GRP fibreglass in the environment begins with the long life of the roof and continues. Smooth, water-resistant UK roofs may survive storms. A European study found that GRP roofs endure 40–50 years in good condition. Math is simple. A GRP roof can outlast four or five felt roofs, which need replacing every ten years. Four times fewer roof removals, material trucks, and landfill visits. GRP is very good in the following aspects: Lower embodied carbon during production since it is more efficient Reduced transportation emissions because it is less heavy Minimal maintenance required during the time of use Excellent thermal performance and therefore buildings do not need to heat or cool as much GRP manufacture is also important. GRP also consumes significantly less energy to produce compared to steel or concrete traditional roofs. GRP is light and therefore the trucks that transport it consume less fuel and this implies that there is reduced carbon emission on the road. Every kilogram that is saved in transportation is a bit less CO₂ in the air. The Present Situation in Fibreglass Recycling And now we will turn our eyes directly to the subject of recycling, into which the real interest enters. Fibreglass is not as easy to recycle as aluminium cans but the technology is available and it is improving. Fibreglass can be recycled in three major ways. Mechanical recycling Mechanical recycling refers to crushing and grinding of the material into small pieces or powder. The recycled fibreglass may then be incorporated in cement, asphalt or plastic products. This is the most prevalent technique since it is easy and does not require high temperatures or hazardous substances. Thermal processing Thermal processing involves the use of high heat to separate the glass fibres and the resin. As an example, pyrolysis separates the resin into gases and oils that could be utilized as fuel or produced into other chemicals. The glass fibres are not destroyed and can be used again in other fibreglass products. This technique is particularly effective in extracting high-quality fibres of composites. Chemical recycling Chemical recycling is the latest technique. It dissolves the resin in solvents or water and the glass fibres and, potentially, the chemicals in the resin can be recovered. This approach is potentially promising in terms of increased recycling rates but is yet to be refined to be used on a large scale and needs to be handled with chemicals carefully. Studies indicate that fibreglass can be recycled to 80 percent of the material in case it is handled correctly. The actual difficulty is to develop the systems to ensure that recycling is possible, affordable and accessible to a large number of individuals. Research indicates that recycling of PVC membranes can reduce the emission of CO₂ by 97 percent as opposed to the production of a new one. The long life and durability of GRP roofs make their overall carbon footprint small though fibreglass recycling is not at that point yet, the number of replacement cycles is lower. What is the sustainability of GRP compared to EPDM? GRP and EPDM provide both durable and long-lasting roofs, which are easy to maintain and environmentally friendly. GRP is extremely robust, EPDM is recyclable, and both are environmentally friendly, as compared to ordinary felt covers. The two materials are a giant leap in the environment as compared to the old felt roofs. They reduced waste over long periods of time and perform tasks more efficiently. Feature GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) Lifespan 25–50 years when properly installed, forming a tough, seamless waterproof layer. 25–50 years of service, maintaining elasticity and UV-resistance over decades. Recyclability Recycling processes are still developing, though modern advancements in fiberglass recovery show promise. Fully recyclable and can be produced from recycled rubber, lowering overall waste. Environmental Impact Manufacturing uses more energy due to resins and glass fibers, but minimal emissions once installed. Lower production energy requirements with fewer chemicals and a smaller carbon footprint. Maintenance Long-lasting and impact-resistant, requiring minimal maintenance. Easy to repair or overlay, extending sustainability without full replacement. What You Can Do Right Now Due to the fact that homeowners and contractors who work with EPDM rubber roofs and GRP roofs should consider the end of the roof life and not leave it too late, it is just a good planning. When your GRP roof finally comes to the end of its life (perhaps in 30 to 50 years), then you should dispose it appropriately. Use licensed waste carriers who are aware of how to dispose of fibreglass. GRP should be collected separately unlike other plastic waste since the glass fibres require a different process. In the UK, fibreglass is now accepted by some of the local recycling centres, though these are not available everywhere. You should call the local facilities and find out their regulations before you begin to take a roof off. A lot of commercial waste firms provide special collection of fibreglass and composites. The positive side is that the roofing business is also working towards enhancing recyclability. Manufacturers are also producing resins that are easier to break when a roof is old. Europe already has some facilities that operate specific fibreglass recycling lines that take in boat hulls to wind-turbine blades. With the increased use of wind power, and the glass-reinforced plastic used to make turbine blades, the recycling network is growing rapidly. Installation Quality: The Sustainability Foundation GRP has only environmental benefits that become evident when the roof is installed properly. A roof that is poorly installed and collapses after 10 years rather than 40 years forfeits all such advantages. This is why the use of good materials and skilled installers is very important. Our heavy-duty fibreglass roofing kits at Apex include all that you require to do a proper job including resin, topcoat, fibreglass matting and hardener. The 600g matting is more durable than the 450g matting and assists the roof to expand and contract through the years. GRP has a number of important steps in the installation process: Cleaning and drying a substrate GRP trims should be installed on edges Wrapping up weak places with fibreglass bandages Laminating the primary roof surface with mat and resin Using a coating of UV inhibitors Each step matters. Omission of appropriate edge detailing or haste in the lamination process results in weak areas which may break prematurely. Take a look at our blog about leaky roofs and how to fix them. You'll find common mistakes and tips on how to avoid them. The Bigger Picture: Circular Economy Thinking Sustainability in roofing is not only the material. The concepts of a circular economy indicate that the products must be designed in such a way that they can be disassembled, reused and recycled at the very beginning. New flat roof systems are adhering to these concepts. They have mechanically fixed membranes, which can be disassembled without damage, and components which retain value when the roof is terminated. Another way of making flat roofs sustainable is through green roofs and solar panels. Solar panels are a good place to be installed on a flat roof and they generate clean energy over a number of years. The article we have written on flat roofs and solar systems demonstrates their collaboration. Think about the entire life of the product when selecting roofing materials. GRP kits such as Ultra-Flex can be applied to existing roofs without re-boarding to save on materials, labour and construction wastes. Maintenance: Making The Most of What You Have The most likely, yet least utilized, method of being sustainable is through regular maintenance. A roof that is 50 years old rather than 30 due to proper care prevents an entire replacement cycle. In the case of GRP roofs, it is a simple matter of maintenance: Clean gutters and drain points at least once a season Check after harsh weather to see whether the surface is damaged Wipe the body with light detergent once a year Check edge trims and upstand details of any separation Topcoat should be reapplied after every 10 to 15 years to ensure UV protection These tasks are described by our guide on GRP roof maintenance. Simple maintenance is worth the time spent on it as it helps to ensure that the roof works longer and does not break prematurely. Frequently Asked Questions Is it possible to recycle fibreglass roofing? Yes, fibreglass roofing can be recycled either by mechanical, thermal or chemical process. Fibreglass is not recycled by all local councils, but commercial waste companies that specialize in composites are able to collect and recycle GRP. As long as it is well processed, 80 percent of the material can be recycled. What is the actual length of life of a GRP flat roof? An installed GRP roof that is properly maintained typically has a lifespan of 30-40 years and some may even live beyond 50 years. It is a lot longer than felt roofs, which have a lifespan of 10 to 20 years, and it is approximately the same or even better than EPDM rubber roofs. Does GRP roofing have environmental friendliness? GRP roof is eco-friendly. It is durable thus requiring less replacements. It consumes less energy to manufacture compared to most other roofs, is lightweight and therefore costs less to transport and can be recycled at the end. This is all translating to reduced wastage throughout the life of a building. What becomes of old fibreglass roofs? Mechanical recycling of old fibreglass roofs into filler cement or asphalt, thermal recycling into glass fibres and fuel, or chemical recycling to separate the resin and fibres can be done. To dispose of it properly, a licensed waste carrier dealing with composites is needed. How to Make the Right Choice in Your Project When it comes to roofs, it is possible to choose based on the initial price, the value in the long-term, and the environmental effects. GRP fibreglass roofs perform well in all these factors since they are highly durable, require minimum maintenance, and are becoming more recyclable. When you are ready to begin, our GRP roofing kits will include all that you require to install a professional roof that will last your building many years. To find out more, our beginners guide to GRP roofing is here too. The shift to sustainable construction is not about the ideal solutions. It is a matter of making improved decisions whenever we construct or repair. GRP roofs are among those good options, since they perform and their environmental impact continues to increase with the enhancement of recycling. Installation of a good fibreglass roof today does not just cover your building. It reduces wastage, conserves resources and assists in creating a more sustainable environment over the next 50 years. To get additional installation or maintenance tips, visit the other guides in the Apex blog page. When you have a new project, you can browse through our entire range of roofing supplies to get the specific materials you need to get the job done.
