Roofs... fiberglass or rubber?

[pacificnw]

Generally speaking, do you prefer a fiberglass roof or a rubber (TPO, etc.)roof on MH? And reasons why?

I have had a TPO roof on a Four Winds MH and its fine but I spend some serious time each year (at least 2X per year) cleaning and treating the material. So I keep it in good shape. But I am in the market for a new unit and not sure I want a rubber roof anymore.

As I have grown older I find those hours spent up on the roof maintaining the TPO are getting more stressful... I'm sure lots of you understand what I'm saying.

So is fiberglass better from a maintenance standpoint? Longevity standpoint? Or are there other factors I am failing to consider here?

Thank you for all input.

[wvabeer]

I have a 17 year old rubber roof it seems pretty good as in no cracks or old looking. I have seen two bubbles as big as a quarter. I'll keep an eye on it. I don't think Newmar would put junk on their coaches.

[Mile_High]

wvabeer wrote:
This is what my fiberglass roof looked like after I was done.It leaked at the front where the cap connected, the last place I ever expected. 😞

It is odd the edge caps lay on top of the roof sheet rather than under it. it kind of creates a trap and vulnerability for water to enter through that seal.

[Bruce_Brown]

mike brez wrote:
That's a crappy design.

And there you have it - just because it's fiberglass doesn't mean it's quality or a good design.

IMO far too many people get hung up on the buzz words and marketing of the material rather than the actual design and installation.

As mentioned before, I've seen crappy "fiberglass" and I've seen quality BriteTek and TPO. I've also seen crappy TPO and excellent fiberglass. Heck our first MH had an aluminum roof and it worked excellent. On the BriteTek, Newmar is the only one I'm aware of the specifies "BriteTek" in their marketing materials, and when asked I have yet to hear of someone who wasn't happy with theirs, although like everything, I'm sure somewhere there is someone who isn't.

[wvabeer]

mike brez wrote:
That's a crappy design.

I agree, its a 92 Airstream Landyacht 33. I loved that thing but quality was not there during assembly.

[mike_brez]

That's a crappy design.

[wvabeer]

This is what my fiberglass roof looked like after I was done.It leaked at the front where the cap connected, the last place I ever expected. 😞

[wvabeer]

Bumpyroad wrote:

wvabeer wrote:
If this is what fiberglass roofs are all about, I'll not have another. I sealed this stuff exactly like Airstream said and after reinstalling 144 1/4 rivets, it still leaked. 😞

doh, the fiberglass didn't fail. your sealing job did however.
bumpy

My opinion, fiberglass is too ridged, it doesn't flex/stretch .

[Bumpyroad]

wvabeer wrote:
If this is what fiberglass roofs are all about, I'll not have another. I sealed this stuff exactly like Airstream said and after reinstalling 144 1/4 rivets, it still leaked. 😞

doh, the fiberglass didn't fail. your sealing job did however.
bumpy

[wvabeer]

If this is what fiberglass roofs are all about, I'll not have another. I sealed this stuff exactly like Airstream said and after reinstalling 144 1/4 rivets, it still leaked. 😞

[Blaster_Man]

Higher end coaches use fiberglass, so I would 'assume' they are better.

[siggyd777]

My vote is for "BriteTek" , second motor home with No issues.
Siggy

[Bumpyroad]

Two Jayhawks wrote:

Ava wrote:
my 94 Bounder has an original rubber roof and still looks good and have had no problems with it.

The rubber roof on my 1995 Bounder served us well also. It cleaned up easy and did it's job. I sold it to a close friend and as of last time I checked it is still doing it's job.

true friends don't let their "friends" have rubber roofs.
bumpy

[Two_Jayhawks]

Ava wrote:
my 94 Bounder has an original rubber roof and still looks good and have had no problems with it.

The rubber roof on my 1995 Bounder served us well also. It cleaned up easy and did it's job. I sold it to a close friend and as of last time I checked it is still doing it's job.

[pacificnw]

I have a TPO roof and depending on who you talk to the clean/treat cycle is recommended at either once a year or once a month. One product application is for cleaning and a separate product is for treating (UV, etc.). I have generally completed the clean/treat cycle at least once every year and often twice per year. I don't consider that a huge burden but as I get older I can see this "up on the roof" becoming more and more dicey. I don't mind doing maintenance I just would rather do the kind that does not have me up there on wet TPO.