House with a flat roof: advantages and disadvantages

Flat roofs are usually found on commercial buildings rather than residential buildings, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a flat roof built onto your home. There are several things to consider when choosing a flat roof, such as materials, weather conditions, and maintenance. Here are the pros and cons of building a flat roof on your home.

House with a flat roof: advantages

Many people prefer a flat roof system over a shingle or tile system. Here are some benefits of choosing a flat roof for your home.

• Easy construction : It’s easy to build a flat roof, so you don’t have to worry about your contractors having problems with the project.
• Flat roofs are durable : If durability is important to you, then a flat roof is the system for you. A flat roof is water resistant, so you don’t have to worry about water damage. If you use a flat concrete roof, you have a roofing system that can withstand high winds. The risk of falling decreases when you opt for a flat roof for your home.
• Repairs are possible : In case of problems, repairing the flat roof is just as easy as building it. The cost of repairing or re-roofing a flat roof is affordable compared to other roofing systems. You can have your flat roof repaired without breaking the bank or putting much stress on it.
• Easy to clean : A flat roof is easier to access than most systems, which makes maintenance easier. You want to remove algae, mold, and stains from your roof on a regular basis to prevent debris buildup. Pressure washing is the best way to clean your flat roof without damaging it, especially if you have a concrete flat roof.

House with a flat roof: disadvantages

It’s important to know the disadvantages of a roofing system to determine if it’s a good fit for your home. Here are the disadvantages of choosing a flat roof for your home.

• Lack of drainage : The biggest disadvantage of a flat roof is the lack of drainage, which is why it is important to check your roof regularly. If you don’t inspect it regularly, your drains can get clogged with snow and water. You should clean your drains as needed and make sure you use a leak-proof seal regularly to prevent leaks. Remember that there is no slope that water or snow could slide down.
• Debris and dirt can accumulate: Snow and water aren’t the only things that can cause problems on a flat roof. Leaves, twigs, dirt, and other debris can also clog the drain, preventing snow and water from draining properly. You can avoid a clogged drain by regularly inspecting and cleaning dirt and debris from the roof.
• Limited roofing materials : Most flat roofs use roll roofing materials, which include TPO, EPDM, rubber and bitumen. These materials are cheap but only last 10-15 years. There are alternatives, such as using rubber shingles with a rolled rubber cover, but these are more expensive and it’s unclear how long the materials will last.

The pros and cons of what to consider if you’re looking to buy, or already own, a flat roof home.

In Victorian homes, flat roofs played a fairly minor role. However, if we fast forward to today, we see that while flat roofs have grown in size, their quality has not always improved.

Many homes have significant flat roof extensions, giving rise to the misconception that felt blankets have a 10-15 year lifespan. Felt roofs this age can continue to perform well, especially if the homeowner continues to maintain and protect them. However, too often, poor maintenance or a lack of additional treatments such as shingle or sun-reflecting paint, as well as movement within the roof structure itself, can lead to premature failure.

It is therefore advisable to inspect a flat roof twice a year, preferably in spring and autumn, in order to organize the removal of leaves, debris and dirt that may prevent proper drainage or cause decay, and to identify any signs of subsidence early. . stage. Inspections should also be carried out after thunderstorms. This inspection should cover rainwater collectors, marshes and rainwater drains.

Flat roofs may need to be inspected more frequently if internal use is moisture critical eg computer rooms, operating theatres, paper or document stores, telephone switchboards or if the warranty requires an inspection regime.

Some homeowners have been using flat roofs for years, while others find it just isn’t right for them. It’s best to review the pros and cons of flat roofing and decide if it’s right for your home.