Benefits of Flat Roofing
A flat roof is basically a roof that is exactly level compared to the slanted varieties of flat roofs. Flat roofs have less than 10 degrees of slope compared to slanted ones. They can be constructed with various materials such as clay tiles, shingles, slate, wood shakes, concrete, and steel. Flat roofs are usually an older form and are usually used in hot arid climates where there is little or no chance of moisture getting into the roof space. These types of roofs installed by Roofers provide the greatest amount of space for the roofing materials to work freely without being restricted in any way. This allows the roofing materials to get wetter and therefore more effective in their ability to serve their purpose.
These flat roofs also provide the greatest degree of durability when compared to slanted roofs and therefore they are a much more popular choice for those building a new home. However, there are numerous benefits that come with having flat roofs over slanted roofs, one of the greatest benefits comes from how flat roofs can help to conserve energy. With a flat roof construction, the heat of the summer is dissipated quickly and effectively by the roof structure itself.
Flat roof construction also allows building codes to be easily followed during the building process. The building code can make the difference between being built correctly and having your building code certificate disapproved. With the proper building code in place, you can ensure that your roofing materials are safe to use and that your house will look the way that you envision it to look. Many different types of materials are used during the construction of flat roof constructions, these materials include plywood sheets, asphalt shingles, and metal flashing. These materials are all used because they all offer different benefits to the end-user. One of the main benefits is that these materials are environmentally friendly and durable, these are two very important issues for anyone to take into consideration when making their final decision on the roofing materials that they will be using for their new roof construction.
Most flat roofing systems have a single or at most two levels. The first is usually called the “low slope,” and the other is called the “high slope.” There are several advantages associated with flat roofing systems.
The foremost advantage is the fact that it reduces the risk of roof leaks. There is no runoff water with flat roofs, so there will be no wetness on the ground. Flat roofing installations will also be considered when it comes to safety as they can be installed much higher than the normal installation height of commercial buildings. Another important advantage is that they can also be installed above grade, even on the attic.
There are several disadvantages of flat roofs as well. First of all, they present a significant risk of collapse due to their elevated nature. Secondly, they can increase the cost of insurance as they pose a greater fire risk. Lastly, they can damage or render the property unfit for habitation.
Several flat roofing methods can be employed during the installation process. Among these methods is the installation of a metal uplift. This is one method in which the flat roofing material is placed on the actual surface of the roof. Once the metal uplift is installed, the roof is brought up to a certain height. It is then left to rest on top of the substrate and is kept in place by torsion braces.
Another type of roofing is gravel flat roofing. This is done by placing gravel on the surface of the flat roof. Gravel is used because it is a more cost-effective roofing material than tar or stone, though it requires extensive cleaning, which can be a chore. Compared to tar and stone, gravel does not require the same number of replacement pieces over the years. Gravel is, however, susceptible to mildew and must therefore be painted or washed regularly.
Lastly, another common type of flat roofing material to be installed is the gypsum board. This is also a cheaper roofing material than both gravel and the tar roofing systems mentioned above. Gypsum boards are made of inexpensive synthetic materials.
One major downside of having these types of roofing systems installed is the leaks they can cause. Unlike the other two mentioned above, leaky membrane roofing is tough to repair. These leaks can either come from metal flashing that is not tightly attached to the rest of the roof deck or caused by water seeping into the roof deck through gaps in the membrane. Though these leaks may pose a risk, there are still ways homeowners can repair these leaks. For example, some of these leaks can be fixed using caulk or caulking, though if these repairs are not sufficient, homeowners may have to replace the entire roof deck.
Flat roofing surfacing systems are more effective in preventing leaks and providing greater protection against extreme weather conditions. These surfacing types are designed to be installed underneath the existing roof so that they do not interrupt the home’s structural design. Instead, the surfacing system is installed on the surface of the existing roof. For this reason, this type of surfacing system is considered more cost-effective when it comes to installation.
The EPDM or ephedra-based thermoset single-ply membrane roofing system is also a cost-effective solution for flat roofing material. Ephedra has been found to provide excellent resistance to fire and is highly resistant to ultraviolet radiation. If you want to add a barrier against mold, fungus, algae, wood rot, and insect infestation, then the EPDM is a great choice. Although it cannot prevent or fix existing mold, EPDM is a mold and mildew inhibitor.
One of the most effective and economical commercial flat roofing materials on the market today is the modified bitumen roofing system. This material is created by mixing thick asphalt tar paper with powdered rubber granules. Modified bitumen is proven to resist extreme weather conditions such as hurricanes, strong storms, heavy rains, extreme heat, hail, tornadoes, and snowstorms. Because of its extreme strength can withstand extreme temperature swings and can last up to 20 years if properly maintained.