---
title: "Flat Roof Materials in Ontario: EPDM, TPO, PVC, Torch-On, BUR"
description: "Compare the five main flat roof systems used in Ontario: EPDM, TPO, PVC, modified bitumen and built-up roofing. How each is installed, repaired and priced."
url: https://flat-roof-repair.ca/materials/
last_updated: 2026-10-23
---

# Flat roof materials

Most flat roofs in Ontario are one of five types. Each behaves differently in a freeze–thaw winter, on a busy rooftop, or under a rooftop deck. Start here to see how they compare, then open the page for the one you have or are considering.

## Pick a material

- [EPDM (rubber)](https://flat-roof-repair.ca/materials/epdm-roofing/): Black synthetic rubber in large sheets. Few seams, easy to patch, common on houses and small commercial roofs.
- [TPO (white membrane)](https://flat-roof-repair.ca/materials/tpo-roofing/): Heat-welded white single-ply. Reflective, popular on commercial buildings with a lot of roof area.
- [PVC](https://flat-roof-repair.ca/materials/pvc-roofing/): Heat-welded single-ply that handles grease, chemicals and heavy rooftop traffic better than most.
- [Modified bitumen (torch-on or SBS)](https://flat-roof-repair.ca/materials/modified-bitumen-roofing/): Asphalt-based rolls in two or more layers. The usual choice for Toronto-style house roofs and tight details.
- [Built-up roofing (tar and gravel)](https://flat-roof-repair.ca/materials/built-up-roofing/): Layers of felt and bitumen, often topped with gravel. Older buildings have it; some owners still choose it.

## Side-by-side comparison

| Item | Starting price |
|---|---|
| [Looks like](https://flat-roof-repair.caWhite or grey sheet) | Black rubber sheet |
| [How seams join](https://flat-roof-repair.caHot-air welded) | Tape or liquid adhesive |
| [Common attachment](https://flat-roof-repair.caFully adhered or fastened) | Fully adhered, ballasted or fastened |
| [Typical service life](https://flat-roof-repair.ca15 to 25 years) | 20 to 30 years |
| [Starting price](https://flat-roof-repair.cafrom $9 per sq ft) | from $8 per sq ft |
| [Often chosen for](https://flat-roof-repair.caLarge commercial roofs) | Houses, garages, small commercial |
| [Repair by patching](https://flat-roof-repair.caModerate, needs welding or adhesive) | Easy |

Service lives are common ranges, not promises. Maintenance, drainage and the quality of the install matter as much as the membrane.

## How to choose without a sales pitch

Start with the building, not the product. A flat rear roof on a Toronto semi, a condo podium deck and a warehouse the size of a football field call for different things. The deck underneath (wood, concrete, steel), how much foot traffic the roof gets, what the roof drains do in spring melt, and what is already up there all narrow the field before price comes into it.

Then look at the details. Most leaks start at flashings, drains and penetrations, not in the open field of the membrane. A system that is easy to flash around your chimney, vent stacks and parapet walls is often worth more than a few cents per square foot saved on the main sheet.

The [guide to choosing a flat roof material](https://flat-roof-repair.ca/guides/choosing-a-flat-roof-material/) goes through this step by step, and the [replacement page](https://flat-roof-repair.ca/services/flat-roof-replacement/) explains what a full tear-off or recover involves.

## Starting prices by material

| Item | Starting price |
|---|---|
| [EPDM roof replacement](https://flat-roof-repair.ca/materials/epdm-roofing/) | from $8 per sq ft |
| [TPO roof replacement](https://flat-roof-repair.ca/materials/tpo-roofing/) | from $9 per sq ft |
| [PVC roof replacement](https://flat-roof-repair.ca/materials/pvc-roofing/) | from $11 per sq ft |
| [Modified bitumen (torch-on or SBS) replacement](https://flat-roof-repair.ca/materials/modified-bitumen-roofing/) | from $8 per sq ft |
| [Built-up (tar and gravel) roof replacement](https://flat-roof-repair.ca/materials/built-up-roofing/) | from $9 per sq ft |

Starting prices in CAD before 13% HST, based on typical Ontario contractor rates (mostly Toronto and the GTA). The final price depends on roof size, access, the layers to remove, the membrane, drains and flashings, and is confirmed in your written quote.

See the full [pricing page](https://flat-roof-repair.ca/pricing/) for repairs, inspections and coatings.

## Questions about flat roof materials

**Can I put a new membrane over my old flat roof?**

Sometimes. A recover (new membrane over the old roof) works only if the existing layers are dry and the deck is sound. A moisture scan during an [inspection](https://flat-roof-repair.ca/services/flat-roof-inspection/) tells you whether it is an option.

**Which material suits a house with a small flat roof?**

EPDM and modified bitumen are the usual choices for houses, garages and additions because they are practical to install on small, cut-up roofs with many details.

**Does a white roof matter in Ontario?**

Reflective roofs reduce summer heat gain, which helps buildings with rooftop air conditioning. For a house roof in a cold climate the difference is small compared with drainage and flashing quality.

**Can different membranes be mixed on one roof?**

Not directly. Many membranes are chemically incompatible with each other and with old asphalt, so transitions need a proper termination detail or a separation layer.

## Related

- [Flat roof replacement](https://flat-roof-repair.ca/services/flat-roof-replacement/)
- [Choosing a flat roof material](https://flat-roof-repair.ca/guides/choosing-a-flat-roof-material/)
- [Flat roof prices](https://flat-roof-repair.ca/pricing/)
- [How long does a flat roof last?](https://flat-roof-repair.ca/guides/how-long-does-a-flat-roof-last/)

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Get a quote: https://flat-roof-repair.ca/request-a-quote/ · Email: info@flat-roof-repair.ca