The RV industry used metal roofs for years, although not nearly the thickness you will find in your home. Some of the roofs were seamed and then caulked which were find until the caulking broke down and of course high-end motor homes still used fiberglass. Some of them used one large piece of metal and I believe that metal is still obtainable, although I have never tried to redo a metal roof.
I think the switch to rubber was motivated by cost in part, but a properly installed rubber roof on an RV which is maintained will last for a very long time. The normal warranty is at least ten years and I have seen many that are 20 years old and still going strong. Eventually the white wears off to the black on some materials and does well with a recoating.
All rubber roofs do not use the same material and the thicker material is hard to seal tightly at the edges before the trim strip is screwed into place. It doesn’t look as nice as is the case with my new NorthStar, but it is fully serviceable and not likely to cause trouble. The rubber roofs I see flapping in the wind that I have seen are normally on entry level units and there is cornercutting on other areas as well.
The rubber roof on my Hallmark is now 15 years old and still is in perfect shape as is the one on our 12 year old fifth wheel.
Rubber may not be perfect, but it has a lot going for it! 🙂
Steve and Andra
2012 F350 6.2 gasser SRW LB
Fab Fours front and rear in case we run into a rhino
2019 Northstar Laredo SC
