Residential Flat Roof Specs

Roofing nails long note.

Residential flat roof specs.

However over the last few decades new and advanced materials have been developed. Advantages of a flat low slope roof system. Verify color with owner. The vast majority of flat roofs use a type of rolled roofing.

We love the flexibility of a flat roof for certain design limitations but they have a bit of reputation for leaks and repairs. Most often used in commercial and industrial applications this flat roof system contains layers of waterproof membrane such as a treated fiberglass basemat tar and gravel to seal the flat roof surface. Used as an architectural device for residential homes flat roofs are more commonly seen in large industrial manufacturing or commercial buildings. Never 100 percent flat these roofs have a slope of less than 10 degrees.

Pros and cons for flat roof materials all three types of flat roofing cost 250 to 350 per square 100 square feet but prices vary according to region and size of the roof. Flat roofs usually come with a 10 to 20 year warranty but can last 25 years if you build the roofs right and maintain them using commonsense rules. Rubber epdm tpo or bitumen. Photo by russell kaye.

Most flat roofs are typically not as long lasting or durable as sloped ones because the latter shed snow and rain a lot quicker. These are all relatively inexpensive materials and easy to install but most of them have a limited lifespan of 10 to 15 years. Some degree of tilt 3 to 4 degrees is best able to help keep solar panels clean when it rains. Of course flat roofs are not flat but have a very slight roof pitch of between 1 4 to 1 2 per foot.

Underneath the basics flat roofs are usually constructed with a ceiling nailed to joists which support a deck usually wood in residential construction a vapor barrier insulation and a roof board. Furnish and install new aluminum coil stock to cover all fascia and roof trim. Technology has improved to install non penetrating ballast systems to prevent leakage. A classic flat roof is either almost completely level or has a very slight pitch of 3 in 12 inches or less.

Just enough slope to drain water but also flat enough to be a problem if not constructed properly. The most important thing to know about a flat roof says tom is that it s not flat to prevent water from pooling and eventually invading the home flat roofs are always built on a slight incline at least 1 8 inch per foot. All shingles shall be installed by galv. This flat roof system is still used in some residential applications because of its affordability and fire resistance.