Flat roofs are among the most ancient roofing styles. They are common across the globe, but are particularly prevalent in areas in areas with little rainfall, like traditional houses in Israel. An interesting fact is the fact that these roofs are getting more prominent across America. United States; they are becoming more popular in contemporary design. But the question is to be asked: why this design and can it provide the security that is currently offered by the traditional sloped roofs?
Basic Description
The name suggests that it is a flat roof However, the name is actually the wrong kind as this design requires the use of a slight slope in order to remove rainwater. In regions that are not prone to rain the majority of flat roofs are built using concrete and masonry. For instance, in the United States at locations where there is plenty of snow and rain concrete won’t be enough and waterproof roofing materials should be utilized to stop the water from pooling and getting into the roofing material best roofer.
There are a variety of materials that are available and different configurations that can be used to construct flat roofs but the conventional method of building using gravel and tar is the one that is most often used. The decking is the plywood’s thickness that is used to support the rest the components that will be set upon the support. Many layers of interwoven fibrous material known as plywood sheets act as reinforcement. Hot tar is sprayed onto the structure in each step of layering and forms a water-tight seal. When the final layer is applied of the tar, fine-grained gravel is placed on top to shield the tar from cracking because of continuous sun exposure.
Common Material
As mentioned earlier it is possible to choose from a vast range of building products that could be utilized to construct the type of roof.
Asphalt asphalt is a byproduct of the process of converting crude petroleum into petroleum. It needs to be heated for it to be able to be applied easily which makes installation quite messy. When done properly it will result in an edging system that has an extremely long-lasting, waterproof seal. Since asphalt can become dry and brittle due to prolonged exposure to sun mineral granules or fine gravel are used to protect.
EPDM:
EPDM Ethylene Propylene Diene Monmer is a membrane type that is waterproof that is a synthetic form of rubber. Installation is simple since it is as simple as unrolling the rubber by aligning the edges, then adhering the adhesive that was applied to its place.
Bitumen – Modified Bitumen is an alternative to asphalt that’s been altered to improve its characteristics. Modifiers like APP (Atactic Polypropylene) and Styrene Butadiene Styrene (SBS) are added to enhance its flexibility. They are also available in pre-cut sheets that make it easy for setup and storage.
PVC Polyvinyl chloride is a different kind of membrane that originates of crude oils. It is known for its qualities as solid and fire-proof material. It is available in rolls that can be manipulated, which allows for easy cutting and handling. When the edges are welded to form a bond which is more durable than the material.
Advantages and Disadvantages
One of the major advantages of a flat roofing system is its affordability, as there aren’t any trusses build or work on. Work can also be completed on the flat surface without much effort. Furthermore, the material is also affordable. While asphalt is difficult to install however, the work involved does not match the effort of nailing individual shingles in place. Another benefit of this kind of structure is the attic can be well made use of. The attic’s elevation is roughly equal on all sides . It can could be utilized as an additional space or storage space.
The disadvantage of flat roofs is that it can be prone to damming by water or ice. This happens when water and ice build up on the surface of a low slope and cause the water to get absorbed into the layers of roofing and eventually leading to the penetration of the interior of the roof. This is why it is crucial to clean up any accumulation of snow during winter as often as is possible. Also, foot traffic needs to be restricted to prevent cracking in water-proofing layers.
Flat roofs are an affordable installation system that is easy to install. Maintenance and care should not be overlooked to get the longest possible life-span from the flat roofing. This article hopefully has provided an important understanding of the benefits and disadvantages of flat roofing on residential structures!