Roof materials

[wfo1955]

Greetings, love the website. Im fixin to look at a 2007 gulfstream conquest endura (chevrolet). The owner says it has a vinyl roof. Ive not been able to find an article about vinyl roofs. Having not seen it yet of the following, which type of roof is best. Aluminum, fiberglass, rubber

[Bumpyroad]

I would rate roofs as best, aluminum/fiberglass, then TPO, and lastly rubber. rubber might be guaranteed for a million years but it covers material only, not cost of labor/etc. and it sucks.
bumpy

[theoldwizard1]

Dutch_12078 wrote:
Aluminum can pinhole from acid rain, ...

That is likely will only happen if the rain water can pool.

[theoldwizard1]

SidecarFlip wrote:
In order of longevity and maintenance Aluminum is first, fiberglass is second and rubber is last. Cost wise rubber is the cheapest to apply and the most expensive to replace (because you will have to replace it at some point if you plan on keeping the unit any length of time).

Concur on the aluminum and fiberglass comments.

The best thing to extend the life of a is to keep it clean and keep it out of the sun.

Regular cleaning, a couple times an year, a re-applying a UV protectant after each cleaning.

Fiberglass resin will break down with sun light so it will need to be painted every 3-5(?) years if continuously exposed.

[JIMNLIN]

Like asking a which truck is best question ...there is no best roof material other than in ones mind.
They all require maintenance. Some materials more than others.
I would look at which one requires less annual maintenance and less costly to repair.

[ScottG]

After spending two days repairing a fiberglass roof, you could not give me one.
The vinyl roof is the same product used on commercial buildings all over the country. It's a fine product that will last a very long time.

[Isaac-1]

Keep in mind there are also sub categories here, Fiberglass May be a thin roll material like Filon, or may be solid thick fiberglass like a boat deck. Aluminum may be thin sheet metal like roll material, or it may be a thicker solid material. Thicker may be better for wear resistance, but is also heavier, leading to the potential of a top heavy RV. In other words there are trade offs, my current coach has a 2 piece Aluminum roof, which is low maintenance, but not maintenance free, as the caulking and sealing tape around the roof penetrations must still be maintained.

[DrewE]

Vinyl is probably a TPO roof. It's somewhat similar in general appearance and form to a rubber roof (i.e. a flexible roll material), but somewhat more durable and not prone to leaving black stains on the sides of the RV as it ages.

[Dutch_12078]

Aluminum can pinhole from acid rain, fiberglass can crack from a tree limb strike, rubber roofs are typically guaranteed for 10-15 years and usually last much longer, but they can be damaged by tree limbs, etc. Repairs are generally pretty easy though, requiring no special expertise. I would not be concerned about the roofing material as long as the RV has been properly maintained.

[Lwiddis]

Consider a professional inspection to determine if anything needs fixin’.

[SidecarFlip]

In order of longevity and maintenance Aluminum is first, fiberglass is second and rubber is last. Cost wise rubber is the cheapest to apply and the most expensive to replace (because you will have to replace it at some point if you plan on keeping the unit any length of time). Fiberglass, holds up well but aluminum is forever barring damage.

I have a one piece fiberglass roof on my unit. Other than washing it, no issues in 4 years. My last unit had an aluminum roof and when I sold it at 13 years old, the roof was as good as the day I bought it.