Our Guide to Flat Roofs
Flat roofs can offer an aesthetic appeal, yet they are not right for you when it comes down to it. Learn more about how flat roofs may be the perfect roof for you, or learn more about how you may want to select a different property with a different style of roof. Read on to learn more and explore how the team at Storm roofing will have your abc when it comes to flat roofing, and all other types of roofing projects as well!
What is a Flat Roof?
First off, what is a flat roof? We’re glad you asked! The photo above presents a good depiction of what you can expect when you think of a flat roof. Now this is not to say all flat roofs resemble the roof above, but they’ll likely possess some form of flatness. With this benign said, let’s dive into the pros and cons of a flat roof, how long flat roofs last, and the various types of flat roof you can select when it comes to flat roof installation. Enjoy!
Pros & Cons of Flat Roofs
Below is a somewhat comprehensive list of the pros and cons of flat roofs and what one can expect to experience when having a flat roof on their property.
Pro: Easier to Maintain
The first positive is the fact that flat roofs are easy to maintain. Being that flat roofs are flat, a roofing expert can simply walk on the roof’s surface without having to worry about the angles you’d experience on a typical style of roof. This can be great for ease of maintenance and ensuring the roof is structurally sound, as most flat roofs are accessible through a crawl space or via a ladder on the side of the building.
Con: More Susceptible to Weather
Being that the style of flat roofs is flat, the roof itself is much more susceptible to weather damage over time if not properly maintained. This is in part due to the fact the roof itself allows water, snow, dust, and debris to pool on the roof if there are not adequate drainage systems installed from the start. With this in mind, ti’;s important to have the right roofing company successfully install, your flat roof with the proper drainage systems in the palace to avoid having a weather-induced incident. Over time, you’ll begin to notice areas which may become more susceptible to the elements (water pooling, flaking, color degradation, etc…). Angled roofs have the advantage of gravity pulling water down the 45-degree angle to the proper drainage areas.
Pro: Additional Space to House Roofing Components
An angled roof has limited space to house roofing components such as A/C units, generators, etc… A flat roof can store all of these with the right levels of support.
Con: May Require Expert Flat Roofing Installation Team
This is where we can assist! We have the right team of expert roofers to assist with your flat roof installation!
Pro: Possibly More Energy-Efficient
A flat roof can be more energy-efficient, in some cases. With less space to heat or cool internally, there is subsequently less area to cover within the home itself. This can lead to energy-efficient savings over time, which may make the flat roof the right choice of roof for you.
Pro: Easier Inspection Process
Due to the flat nature of the flat roof, it’s often easier for a roof inspector to inspect the area without having to scale up and down an angled roof.
How Long Do Flat Roofs Last?
This is a great question. Flat roofs can have a long-lasting life, or they can fall short of expectations. It all depends on the quality of the materials, the style of flat roof, and who’s installing said flat roof which will ultimately determine if your flat roof is going to stand the test of time.
Types of Flat Roofs
Let’s explore the various types of flat roofs:
BUR (Built-Up Roofing)
Built-Up Roofing has some advantages and disadvantages. The advantages of a Built-Up Roof are that it has the commercial-grade and industrial applications one can expect on a corporate-style building. These benefits associated with a Built-Up Roof include affordability and scalability. The disadvantages of this style of roof can be the gravel material on top of the roof which may end causing clogs in your gutters if not monitored regularly, and the sealing liquid can create quite the mess if not done by a true professional.
EPDM (Rubber Roofs)
Rubber roofing is common flat roofs, as it’s easy to install by the team of roofers, it has one layer of rubber which is adhered to the roof itself by an adhesive product, and it’s waterproof. The negative is the fact it can possibly leak at the seams or shrink over time due to wear and tear and temperature fluctuations.
MBS (Modified Bitumen Systems Roofing)
MBS roofs are becoming more and more popular within both commercial and residential flat roof projects. The reason behind this increase in popularity is due to the fact there’s a reduced installation time and a lower cost per square foot when installed correctly. In addition to its cost-saving attributes, an MBS roof has the opportunity to be sealant-treated, further extending its life over time.
Contact Us for Your Flat Roofing Team of Experts!
If you’re searching for a team of expert roofers to assist with your next flat roof installation, we’ll be happy to send one of our team members out to estimate a quote. Feel free to contact us using the button below and we'll be sure to respond to your message as soon as possible. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
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