For a flat roof, bitumen is the most proven choice: highly durable, reliable and ideal for overlaying. EPDM is a low-maintenance rubber with few seams. PVC is light and weldable. Which suits you depends on your roof, substrate and wishes — we are happy to advise you honestly.
Bitumen, EPDM or PVC: what’s the difference?
For a flat roof, three coverings are used most often: bitumen, EPDM and PVC. All three keep the water out, but they differ greatly in lifespan, maintenance, installation and suitability. At Dakservice van Belzen we work mainly with bitumen — it is our specialty, including the overlay method — but we install EPDM roofs too. Below is an honest overview so you can make a well-informed choice.
In short: bitumen is an asphalt-based covering applied in torched or bonded layers. EPDM is a synthetic rubber, often laid as one large sheet. PVC is a plastic membrane welded with hot air.
Comparison: bitumen vs EPDM vs PVC
The table below sets the key properties side by side. Note: there is no single “best” covering for everyone — it depends on your roof.
| Property | Bitumen | EPDM | PVC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lifespan | Long (two layers, expertly laid, lasts decades) | Long (single sheet, few weak spots) | Medium to long |
| Seams / joints | Seams torched or bonded; requires experience | Very few seams with one sheet; glued joints | Welded seams, strong but depends on craftsmanship |
| Maintenance | Low to medium; easy to inspect and repair locally | Low; rubber is stable | Low; more prone to mechanical damage |
| Repair | Easy to patch locally or overlay | Repairable with EPDM patches | Needs weld repair, specialist work |
| Suitability | Almost any flat roof; ideal for overlaying an existing roof | Large, flat surfaces with little detailing | Roofs with chemical load or heavy UV |
| Detail work (upstands, penetrations) | Excellent; flexible around corners and edges | Good, but edge finishing needs care | Good, if welded expertly |
| Environment / recycling | Increasingly recyclable; long life means less waste | Long life, recyclable rubber | Plastic; recycling possible but more complex |
Why bitumen is our specialty
Bitumen has proven itself for decades on Dutch flat roofs. Laid in two layers — a base layer and a mineralised top layer — you get a robust, watertight construction that copes well with our climate. Its big advantage lies in detailing and repair: around upstands, roof edges, skylights and penetrations, bitumen finishes flexibly and reliably, and damage can usually be patched locally without replacing the whole roof.
Our real strength is overlaying: instead of stripping the old roof, we torch or bond a new bitumen layer over the existing covering. This is faster, cleaner, often more affordable, and delivers an extra watertight, better-insulated layer. Read more in our article on the bitumen roof overlay. A good example is a 615 m² renovation in Pijnacker, where we applied a double layer of mineralised bitumen over the existing roof.
When should you choose what?
A few practical guidelines we use in the field:
- Choose bitumen if you want to overlay an existing bitumen roof, if your roof has many upstands, corners and penetrations, or if you want maximum reliability and easy repair.
- Choose EPDM for large, flat roof surfaces with little detailing, where you want a low-seam solution and minimal maintenance.
- Consider PVC mainly for specific demands, such as heavy UV or chemical exposure — less common for a typical home roof.
Not sure? This doesn’t have to be solved on paper alone. With a roof inspection we assess the state of your substrate, insulation and existing covering, and only then do we honestly advise which option best suits your situation. To learn more about flat roofs in general, see our page on flat roofs.
What determines the choice (and the cost)?
The right covering — and what it costs — depends on factors such as the roof size, the state of the substrate, the extent of damage, the desired insulation, the number of upstands and skylights, how accessible the roof is, and whether old covering must be removed. That’s why we don’t quote prices without having seen your roof: an honest price is only possible after an inspection.
Want to know which covering best suits your flat roof? Feel free to send us a message — you’ll get a reply within 2 hours via WhatsApp and we often come by within 24 hours. You receive a free, no-obligation quote, and our roofing work comes with up to 15 years’ warranty. With us, you’re never just a number. Get in touch and we’ll gladly think along with you.
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Frequently asked questions
Both are excellent; it depends on your roof. Bitumen is ideal for roofs with many upstands, corners and penetrations, and is our specialty — especially if you want to overlay an existing roof. EPDM performs strongly on large, flat surfaces with little detailing and, as a single sheet, has very few seams. We're happy to advise after a roof inspection.
Often, yes. With overlaying we apply a new bitumen layer over the existing covering, provided the substrate is still sound and dry. It's faster, cleaner and delivers an extra watertight, better-insulated layer. Whether it's possible we assess during a roof inspection.
An expertly laid bitumen or EPDM roof lasts decades. The exact lifespan depends on the quality of the work, the substrate, the insulation and maintenance. We provide up to 15 years' warranty on our roofing work.
It depends on the roof size, the material, the state of the substrate, the insulation, the number of upstands and skylights, and accessibility. We can only give an honest price after seeing your roof. You'll always receive a free, no-obligation quote from us, often after a roof inspection.