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lastword's avatar
lastword
Explorer
Mar 24, 2019

Roofing repurpose pvc bilboard sign material

I am currently refurbishing my RV camper roof replacing some rafters and all the plywood decking and roof membrane

I also have a 10' x 22' x .011" billboard PVC sign tarp/cover used to advertise my stump grinding business
It stayed on the sign for 1 year.

My question is can I use this PVC as a roof membrane?????

I found this description on a sign re-purpose site

It is a 3-ply material: Vinyl (PVC) on the outside layers and a denier polyester scrim (mesh) sandwiched between. The mesh allows it to flex under windy conditions and reduces fraying or tearing. There is a UV layer to protect it from sun exposure too. Our strongest vinyl is 20 mil thick. Compared to conventional blue tarps at just 5mil thick, our tarps are over 2 - 4 times thicker!
https://materialresourcers.com/products/repurposed-billboard-signs

I have cut a small piece 1ft square and mounted it in a frame so the center will sag and put water on it it's been a week no leak through.

My plan would be to glue it down like a normal pvc roof and then paint over the printing with white roof paint.

I called the company that made the PVC and they have used for about $80.00

Would it be safe to use this material for a RV roof?
Seeking Advice
  • wanderingaimles's avatar
    wanderingaimles
    Explorer
    Mar 24, 2019
    Interesting thought, but another test would also be interesting.
    Will the roof coating adhere well to the pvc material? Many wont.
  • SidecarFlip's avatar
    SidecarFlip
    Explorer III
    Mar 24, 2019
    No, No and no. Will never hold up. I use them to cover round bales. Have a whole pallet f them in the barn. Think I paid about 5 bucks each.
  • lastword's avatar
    lastword
    Explorer
    Mar 24, 2019
    Thank you for the input

    What do you think using it as a replacement awning?
  • JerryofWV's avatar
    JerryofWV
    Explorer
    Mar 26, 2019
    I think that it would be too thick. Once you sewed in the welting it would be too big to slide in the channel.

    Plus it wouldn’t last as long as awning material.

    I hang vinyls on billboards as a part time job.
  • suprz's avatar
    suprz
    Explorer
    Mar 26, 2019
    SidecarFlip wrote:
    No, No and no. Will never hold up. I use them to cover round bales. Have a whole pallet f them in the barn. Think I paid about 5 bucks each.


    X2! I have one covering my rv for the winter right now. They make for a great cheap alternative to reg tarps but after only 2 years using it ONLY for winter use (Oct to April) it is showing wear, and cracking. I have a 36X12 one that only cost 28.00 including shipping. So I don't care if it cracks or etc.. In only 2 years. But no way is it roofing material for a RV
  • lastword's avatar
    lastword
    Explorer
    Mar 26, 2019
    I should have the roof repairs complete in a couple of weeks if the weather cooperates.
    Once the roof is complete I will use the sign to cover the camper till next spring, as the tarps I am using are beginning to show wear and are shedding little silver flakes.
    I have begun clearing a 100 x 100 site in the woods behind my house to put a pole building.
    By the time I get the trees saw milled and dried it will be next spring. So by mid-summer 2020 I will have a nice 30 x 30 pole building with metal roof/sides to park it in.

    Its an old camper no slides and just bare bones but works well for the wife and me. It's lightweight an pulls well behind my silverado 3500.

    Ill put a rubber roof on the camper and paint/caulk it every 2 years or so. Same material used now, last owner did not take care of it well. And he used black tar to do repairs, getting that stuff all over me.

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