The white is really great both as a cover and as a light-reflective (anti-global-warming) surface. They have to seal the seams, but that big mess at the bottom looks pretty sloppy!

I was thinking more, and I think mine was sealed with something silver. But my last flat roof was... 20 years ago.

It should not look like that, there should be white material used for sealing.

Search ”white EPDM roof” for examples.

What is sealed for global warming mean?

Happy, i’m interested in your question as well :)

I appreciate everyone’s input. I will research the sealer before I speak with the installer.

This does not look professionally done. White epdm roofs are seamed with more of the same so everything is white.

I like my question answered about the global warming in the rubber roof or the silent whatever you were talking about

@happyleg White roofs are better for ’global warming’ because they absorb less energy than dark roofs. Therefore they transfer less heat to the rooms below and use less energy to cool

Okay Thank you Sasha But in the Winter I think the black roof is yeah I think the black rough is better with the snow

@happyleg Black roofs absorb heat from the sun only until they are covered with snow. They wont absorb enough heat to melt snow unless you on,y get an occassional dusting. I live in Syracuse NY and my roof is covered with 1’-2’ of snow at least 4 months a year.

If you live someplace that only gets to 70F in the summer, and is cold but snowless in the winter, then a black roof would be a good choice.

That is roll roofing. Can't tell through the window screen, but white granulated asphalt vs SBS. You can (they could have) sprinkled white granules on the exposed lap sealant. However, they could have been neater on the lap sealant to begin with. The mess close to the window looks like transitioning between different heights or something, not sure.

I spoke with installer; it’s GAF roll. I think it’s should have been installed all the way up to the wall and tucked under the siding and without all the patching on the edges… maybe they measured it wrong. I want it redone the installer wants to put GACO on top…

Not a top notch install. C- you need to divert that gutter downspout off the roof too.

even if it this job was perfectly done, I'd hate for that to be my view out the window. is there any option to convert this into a patio?

or, is there any way it can be decorated -- such as turn it into a living roof? (you would need to do it carefully to prevent leaks.)

I am just giving you information so you are armed with knowledge. How this proceeds after this is up to you. Obviously roofing is one of the most important building trades to get right, yet often is done wrong because contractors fail to follow easy-to-obtain manufacturer instructions. Show your roofer this thread and teach them.

This roofing job is DIY beginner at best. There were only 4 main parts here to complete: 1.) rolls (proper base prep) 2.) flashing (at walls) 3.) penetrations 4.) edge. They did 3.5 parts out of 4 incorrectly. It appears to be a rural area, so maybe any actual roofers are hard to find, and this one is certainly not certified with GAF.

- The product, if GAF, is Liberty SBS (rubber modified) white roll roofing: Lowe's GAF Liberty

- It is a self-adhered product, and can be chosen to be installed over plywood. The cement roof sealant should never be used to 'putty' large areas and used as the primary transition for flashing and edge details - it will fail. Edge requires a metal drip edge. The Pipe penetrations should not have bitumen on the rubber boot (pipe detail: GAF Pipe detail). Flashings should extend under siding and Weather Resistant Barrier (housewrap) should extend over it. Here are the installation instructions including picture details: GAF Liberty SBS Installation Instructions

- There are roofing granules that can be sprinkled over the lap cement that shows at seams and flashings/penetrations to blend them GAF Roofing Granules

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GACO roof coatings are applied over old, weathered roofing materials to try and extend the life and appearance. Probably would use GACOFlex S42 Series. GACO Roof Coatings

- you paid for a new roof, why do you have to pay to coat it because of their incapabilities

- GAF provides a list of compatible coatings that can be used with their specific products which will be warrantied as a complete installation (whether installing a 3rd party coating like GACO will void any GAF warranty should be verified, although nothing about your poor installation can be warrantied). Here is their recommendations: GAF Roof Coatings for SBS Roll Roofing

Thank you all for the feedback. Turns out the flat roof leaked a few days after the installation. The installer is licensed, insured and I have not yet paid for the job so I do have options. The area will need to be reinstalled…

I want to echo Hallett & Co's point about the downspout shown in the photo: It's directing water right where the siding intersects the low-pitch roof. It's rarely a good idea to discharge a downspout from one roof onto another roof, but this one is particularly bad.

I seen that 2.

Thank you all for your comments and help. I disputed the installation, got a credit and reinstalled the black basic liberty roll with a different roofer.

"I disputed the installation, got a credit and reinstalled the black basic liberty roll with a different roofer."

I applaud you for not letting them cover their mistakes with another mistake that would have failed shortly. 90% of those coming here for help lack the courage and determination for standing up to contractors that jerk them around. If more folks had your mindset,there would soon be no hack contractors because they couldn't collect money for 2nd rate work.

@happyleg I think it looks OK for what it is. Liberty roll does not make the best looking flat roofs…

I have been roofing for 16+ years and that is not EPDM (Rubber), white or black. That is rolled roofing. Still I good roof but I would have recommended either TPO or EPDM membrane. First would have installed either 1/2” HD Board Insulation, 2”, or even thicker insulation (whichever customer/client preferred). Then have that insulation held down by screws and plates. Then made the TPO or EPDM fully adhered and would have tucked membrane at least 1’ behind the siding.