What are the benefits of flat roofing? Find out more about the advantages of installing a flat roof including: price, installation & maintenance, maximum use of space, easy maintenance and ability to deal with temperature changes.
What is a Flat Roof?
Contrary to their name, most flat roofs feature a small slope to assist water draining away more easily. A flat roof is a nearly level roof made out of a horizontal base that is affixed to the joints of the ceiling and covered with a waterproof membrane.
This sort of roof is frequently built on small structures, expansions, garages, or carports, and its usual pitch is seldom larger than 10-15° to the horizontal.
A flat roof is totally or almost completely level. While they are referred to be "flat", practically all flat roofs are sloped to allow rainfall to drain off to the lower side. They are often intended to have a minimum fall of 1:40, which should result in a minimum fall of at least 1:80 in the final building given on-site imperfections.
Advantages of Flat Roofing:
1
Price
If you ever decide to extend your home's top level with a conservatory or another room, a flat roof will end up being substantially less expensive than a pitched roof expansion; this is one of the key causes behind the rising popularity of flat roofs. In addition to having a more difficult installation process, pitch roof expansions are more expensive than flat roofs.
Overall, a flat roof is the least expensive alternative; this is one of the first ways that flat roofs outperform peaked roofs in terms of cost, fewer resources are needed to build flat roofs, and the materials themselves are less expensive than tiles and rafters.
Additionally, labour expenses are inexpensive since they require significantly less time to install. Maintenance costs are also low, and some businesses provide warranties that last for a long time.
2
Installation and Maintenance
Flat roofs are particularly advantageous if you require a time-efficient roofing option because they are simple to instal and thus take less time to complete. When it comes to maintenance, flat roofs are safer and require less time because there is no concern about falling off the roofs when cleaning the gutters.
3
Maximum use of Space
A flat roof is ideal for you if you need a more useable area on your property, you can easily build one as a patio or veranda with a doorway leading into your home. The lack of pitch prevents you from extending your house upward and perhaps obstructing vistas, thus flat roofs also free up room.
Garden roof
Maximum use of space
4
Maintenance
Although maintaining a flat roof is simpler than a pitched roof, it is necessary much more frequently - you should be ready for the need to periodically examine your flat roof as flat roofs do not drain properly if they are not properly maintained. Drains can become blocked and cause leaking; the repairs can be costly if leaking happens.
5
Temperature Changes
Due to their consistent exposure to the sun throughout the day, flat roofs are more able to absorb heat than sloping roofs.
This can make your home quite warm in the summer, but in the winter, you might need to spend more on heating because flat roofs require less installation area and are susceptible to cold weather.
6
Better Accessibility
Even for experienced roofers, accessing a steeply pitched roof is difficult, to put it mildly. A flat roof is likely to be significantly more convenient to maintain than a pitched one if you plan to do it frequently.
Flat roofs are approachable, making it simple to check for damage and leaks, in contrast to sloping roofs. The rooftop may also be used in a variety of ways, including as a deck, a garden, or for entertainment purposes like parties and other social gatherings.
The ideal places to instal solar panels are flat rooftops since they are more energy-efficient than sloping roofs due to the membrane system that is laid on top of stiff insulation sheets, which prevents air from passing through.
More Accessible
More able to absorb heat than sloping roofs
7
Durability
High-performance membranes that are incredibly resistant to adverse weather conditions are a feature of modern flat roofs. One such material is EPDM, a rubber-based product that is ecologically benign, waterproof, fireproof, windproof, and capable of holding up for up to 50 years.
As a result, you won't have to be concerned about your flat roof following a storm, a change in the weather, or a lot of rain. Modified bitumen, which was launched in the early 1960s and includes polymer-reinforced sheets for even greater durability, is another option for EPDM.
8
Outside Storage
By installing a flat roof, you may make use of the more useful outside area. The area on a flat roof may be used in countless ways, and this is unquestionably its greatest benefit.
Installing these things and more on a flat roof is a safer (and more covert) solution that avoids ruining the aesthetics of a pitched roof. The increase in outdoor usable area is one of the most prominent benefits of flat roofs.
If your home is on a small lot with a little yard, your roof may be transformed into an excellent outdoor lounge place to barbeque or simply rest; it is also a great spot to build up a garden, and solar panels to save money on power, or whatever else your heart desires.
These roofs are excellent for maintenance since they are safer and easy to check on a regular basis. When you don't have to worry about falling every two seconds, cleaning gutters, inspecting sidings, or even fixing a hole becomes a breeze.
Ways to Make Use of a Flat Roof:
Extra Space for Various Functions
What you wish to do with your flat roof can be planned. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, gardens provide several advantages, such as less stormwater runoff and improved interior cooling. If planned and constructed properly, a flat roof can offer a second office space for meetings and business operations.
A Place for HVAC Units
Commercial HVAC systems often find homes on flat rooftops. Your HVAC system will be safer and more secure if it is installed on the roof as opposed to the ground.
However, before installing the units, your roofing contractors should inspect the substructure to ensure that the roof can support the weight of the units. It is not uncommon for an HVAC to be vandalised or destroyed by people, trees, and surrounding appliances.
Solar Panel Installation
The best locations for solar panels are flat rooftops as opposed to sloping roofs. Installing these energy-efficient and environmentally friendly solutions on a flat roof will enable you to maximise the solar panel angles, allowing you to get the most out of them.
{company_name) offers flat roofing services throughout Preston and the surrounding Lancashire areas. If you are looking for domestic and commercial roofing installations and repairs follow the link below to get in touch.
