Is a FlexArmor roof a bad idea?
When you own a business, you spend the majority of your time working on showing people why your product is superior, or your customer service is better, or some other positive aspect. The reality is, every product or service has pros and cons. Several times a month I have a customer call with questions and add a phrase along the lines, it is at the service center now and they said don’t get your roof because ____________. So let’s take a few minutes to filter fact from fiction and weigh some pros and cons of a FlexArmor roof compared to standard RV roofs in the industry.
It’s all about the money
The first, and most common reason, a service center tries to dissuade a potential customer from a FlexArmor roof is they want the roof job. Service centers get upwards of $10,000-$18,000 for a EPDM or TPO roof replacement. Two sets of prices, one for insurance and one for a consumer, ensures high mark-ups in many areas, and no business wants to lose any revenue. Personally, I am always more leery of another business’s motives when they are telling me to not go to another place for a second opinion or price, or if they discourage me from doing my research. FlexArmor applicators feel our pros outweigh our cons once compared to other RV roof options. We have no worries if you want to do your research. We know if our pros meet your needs, you will be back and ready to get a roof.
Roof Weight
The second most common reason given by other service centers or roof applicators to RVers is the weight of our roofs. Many service centers inform potential customers that our roofs are heavy. This is not factual, and has no basis. FlexArmor roofs weight an average of .5 pound per square foot. So on a 40 foot RV the roof weighs around 175 pounds. If you have ever tried to pick up the rubber roof membrane off a 40 foot RV, you know that our roof isn’t heavier. Honestly, it probably isn’t any lighter. RV roofs are not light to start with so getting a FlexArmor roof on your unit is not going to cause your roof to cave in or effect your overall weight in a manner to cause concern.
Replacing components
The third most common reason is if you have to replace anything you have to come back to a FlexArmor applicator. Yes, this is true. And it can be a big con for some people. You do not have to come back if your air conditioner needs to be replaced and that is the most common roof component that fails. Those units sit on top of your new roof with a compression gasket just like it does on your current roof so there is no difference in removal and replacement. If you damage a fan frame and need to replace it, you will have to have that area resprayed to keep your no leak warranty. Depending on your circumstances, many customers go back to service centers to have those roof items replaced anyway when needed. Going back to a FlexArmor applicator for a respray might only be a con if you are a DIY type person. We worked hard to make the system as customer friendly as possible. Most vents can be taken apart and all parts replaced without removing the frame. We encourage the newer TV antennas that do not crank up and down since they have less chance of being torn off the roof, leading to a repair. Awnings can be changed without interfering with the roof seal. More and more customers are removing the skylight by having us spray over them eliminating the worry of a broken skylight.
The benefits
In our estimation, we have few drawbacks to our roof system. Getting replacement parts resprayed and the fact we cannot come to you and do a roof in your driveway are the main drawbacks for most people. In exchange for those drawbacks though you get:
- A roof completed out of the weather, in a controlled environment, reducing the likelihood of a rushed job due to upcoming environmental conditions.
- A network of applicators across the county who will inspect and help you with any FlexArmor issue that might come up.
- A no-leak warranty you can transfer with your RV, adding to the value and sales appeal of your unit.
- A roof that will never need to be fully replaced again. You did manage to tear off your antenna? No problem, we can fix just that area. A cut or tear doesn’t compromise the integrity of the roof.
- No more caulking seams to maintain and worry about drying out.
In conclusion, we hope you find our pros outweigh our cons when you are comparing roofs. And we always welcome you to call us with concerns or visit one of our locations while you are researching this substantial investment in your RV.
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions, have other items to add to our list of rv roof pros and cons or request a quote from one of our many authorized shops.
21 Responses
How come no service in California.
Cousins in Yakima, looking at Pasco
Hi John:
We have been approached by shops, but we have not had any from California that are willing, or able, to meet the requirements set by the state. Without knowing where in CA you are, I’ll just post this: the closest shops to CA would be Pasco, WA and Prescott, AZ.
I’m purchasing a 32 ft Coleman this up coming weekend. It’s 2018 and I’m getting it from camping world.
I’m really considering having this ton to my travel trailer for a peace of mind. But my question is does the room have to repeated every year with some kind of sealant? I live in Rhode Island and we can get some tough winters. However I do plan on covering my new to me travel trailer. So I guess what I’m trying to ask is this. Is there a yearly up keep for this product?
Hi Matthew!
FlexArmor doesn’t require any special maintenance to keep your RV in great shape or keep your warranty in effect.
You do not have to caulk your roof or apply special cleaners or conditioners on the FlexArmor roof system.
Please let us know if you have any other questions.
Have a GREAT day!
Does flex armor come in multiple colors or tan?
The radius can be matched to the colors of your RV. I’m attaching an example…
What maintenance needs to be done to your roof system?
Hi Edward:
FlexArmor doesn’t require any special maintenance to keep your RV in great shape or keep you warranty in effect.
You do not have to caulk your roof or apply special cleaners or conditioners on the FlexArmor roof system.
You can find this answer and more on our FAQ page: https://rvroof.com/what-is-flexarmor/faqs/
We are considering this application for our fifth wheel RV. Can you describe the surface finish when complete? Is it pitted or smooth so not to capture dirt, bird droppings, etc.?
Thanks
The final roof texture varies from application to application. Some substrates are smoother than others, so that will affect the final look. How many different components you have on your roof can also affect the finished product. The roof material dries quickly so if we are spraying around things, little droplets will form across the roof. We do a final pass to get as smooth a finish as possible but there is no set way to make each one look the exact same. There is usually no more texture when we are finished than found on fiberglass roofs. Any “pitting” you see if not deep or rough, it’s more slightly bumpy. There haven’t been any issues about it collecting dirt or other debris.
Please let us know if you have any other questions.
Have a GREAT day!
*You asked this in two places, so I’m copying the answer on both.
Does Flex Armor require anything at all to maintain the warranty? Can the warranty be transferred to another owner if the unit is sold?
Patrick:
FlexArmor does not require any special maintenance to keep your warranty valid.
Yes, your warranty can be transferred if you sell your RV.
Please let us know if you have any other questions. Have a GREAT day!
Do you spray the slide out roofs? What about repairing any roof damage under the EPDS?
Good morning John!
We do not spray slide-outs. The material interferes with the mechanisms.
As for roof damage, the shop you bring your RV to will assess the damage and give you a quote on the repairs that need to be done prior to FlexArmor being applied.
If you haven’t gotten a quote yet, or started talking to one of our shops, you can get the ball rolling here: https://rvroof.com/get-a-quote
If you aren’t sure what shop is closest to you, you can find them listed here: https://rvroof.com/find-a-location/
Please let us know if you have any other questions.
Have a GREAT day!
I s the existing membrane removed prior to installing your material?
Does the old rubber roof come off or does it get sprayed over?
That would depend on the condition of the existing roof. If there is no damage, there is no reason to remove it.
How long does the application take on a 42 ft. Fifth wheel?
2019 Grand Design Solitude.
Hi Dennis! Different shops have different timelines. Many shops will have a roof done in 2.5 days. If you know what shop you are interested in taking your RV to, I can get a more accurate answer for you.
I have a factory installed solar panel on the roof. Is it removed during the Flex Armor process? Is there an extra charge for that?
Hi Rich!
Yes, solar panels are removed during the application of FlexArmor.
We don’t currently charge extra for them here at the main shop in Keystone Heights, FL, but each shop is individually owned, and we can’t really answer that for everyone. Our recommendation is to submit a request for an estimate from the shop most convenient to you here: https://rvroof.com/get-a-quote/ Once they reply you can ask them that question.
Please let us know if you have any more questions.
Have a GREAT day!