Flat roofs are among the most controversial of all types of roofs for buildings and homes. They are most commonly used in outbuildings and large structures. While flat roofs aren't the most glamorous option, they have advantages. Knowing the pros and cons, such as the price of repairing a flat roof, the necessary roofing material, potential water accumulations and roof leaks, will help you make the decision that best suits your building.
Advantages of flat roofs include lower construction and repair costs. Flat roofs take up less space and, as a result, use less material than sloped roofs. This cheapens the initial construction, but it also means savings if extensive repairs are necessary. Flat roofs are popular in both apartment buildings and businesses.
They are most commonly used in large structures, such as outbuildings. Usually made of synthetic rubber and asphalt, this type of roof isn't really flat, but instead is sloped between ¼ and ½ inch per foot to drain water efficiently. Flat roofs are popular spaces for housing commercial HVAC units. Instead of placing your HVAC on the floor, placing it on the ceiling increases safety and protection against damage. It's not uncommon for people, trees, and nearby appliances to destroy or damage a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. The biggest advantage of a flat roof is the expense.
From construction and installation to materials commonly used for flat roofs, they are relatively cheap. Flat roof insulation board costs approximately 80 cents per foot. It makes a flat roof very affordable for both installation and maintenance. Labor is cheaper due to the lower risk when installing a flat roof. Installing flat roofs is faster and easier.
There is less damage and repair costs over the life of the roof. Installing elements such as solar panels, which save electricity, and satellites, makes repairs and cleaning of gutters less expensive and easier to carry out on flat roofs. The second advantage is that the space can be used for other purposes. Air conditioning units can be placed on the ceiling instead of on the floor. Flat-roof solar racks installed on a flat roof are less evident from the ground than on a sloped roof.
You can design a livable ceiling that becomes an outdoor living area for relaxing or barbecuing, or plant a rooftop garden. The list of possibilities for using a flat roof is almost endless. A flat roof also makes the interior space more versatile. Top floor apartments and finished attics are possible without the sloped walls produced by traditional sloped ceilings. In homes that need maximum interior space, flat roofs are a significant advantage. Flat roofs are often more accessible than sloped roofs.
It's easier to climb on them to inspect them. Care and caution must be taken every time a person climbs onto a roof. Flat roofs are easier to check and much safer. Flat roofs are substantially more stable than sloped roofs when the building is small. In the right environment, they are economical as long as they are properly maintained.
Because flat roofs are faster to install, the wait to move is shorter. If repairs or replacements are needed in the future, reroofing is relatively simple and quick. As the areas of a flat roof increase, stability decreases. Industrial buildings and businesses that have flat roofs have to compensate for the weight inside. Material for flat roofs is a bit scarce. There aren't many options to choose from.
Rolled roofs are used in most flat roofs. The material is bitumen, TPO, thermoplastic polyolefin, EPOM or rubber. Each of them is relatively inexpensive and easy to install with life expectancy between ten and 15 years. There are rubber shingles that can be installed together with rolled rubber roofs. Some new materials are available such as PVC and polycarbonate roofs but because they are recently developed products there is no information on how long they will last. Drainage or rather lack thereof is the biggest disadvantage of flat roofs.
They don't drain as efficiently as sloped roofs so water tends to accumulate and stay on the roof which can cause roofing material to break or future leaks especially along the seams. A flat roof contractor is likely to install additional mechanisms to address proper drainage but water disposal options can be time consuming and costly so proper sealing of both top layer and bottom layer is critical to its integrity. The coating must be periodically tested for leaks on flat roofs to ensure that there are no leaks. Flat roofs are normally installed in warm weather but buildings with them are more affected by extreme temperature changes because there is less space for installation so most can't bear weight of snow accumulated in winter. There are flat roof companies that consider problems with insulation and snow weight to be misconceptions suggesting that flat roofs can be installed in cold climates when they have substantial thickness leaving room for sufficient insulation. A thick roof can also withstand snow accumulation as long as it's not due to an avalanche since snow adds to insulation.
