Flat roofs are popular these days, and people are obsessed with the benefits of having them installed on their buildings.
Traditional roofs are being replaced with flat roofs in large numbers. A flat roof represents high-quality living and eco-consciousness in modern architecture.
Flat roofing is becoming a popular choice, largely thanks to its versatility. It is adaptable to many designs, and its sturdiness ensures peak performance.
Flat roofs are opposed to tilted or pitched roofs. A flat roof has an approximate angular position of no more than 10°.
It is a traditional roofing system popular in areas with lower rainfall and dryer climate zones.
This roofing option is ideal if you require additional capacity, such as a veranda or vegetable patch, on top of your roofs.
Even so, flat roofs are not perfectly flat. They have a subtle pitch to allow water to run off the roof.
A flat roof has a life span of at least 10 to 15 years. However, it depends on the material used and the roofing option installed.
Flat roofs have several advantages if the proper materials, roofing system, and contractor are used.
If you do not take special precautions for your flat roof, you may experience roof problems such as leaks or pooling water.
If you intend to set up flat roofing on your property, you should be aware of the benefits and drawbacks.
Table of Contents
Pros of flat roofing system
Many people prefer flat roofing systems to shingles or tile roofing systems. Here are some flat roof advantages of your home.
1. Affordable And Cost-effective
Using a flat roof is one of the most energy bills ways to reduce expenses on infrastructure design.
Flat roof costs are less expensive to construct than pitched roofs due to the limited materials required.
Also, you don’t need a large crew or the engineered trusses and rafters required for pitched roofs.
The common misconception is that the flat roof design is more expensive than traditional steeped roofs.
Even so, the reality is the polar opposite. The flat roof structure has much lower setup and material costs than conventional roofs.
2. Durable
High-performance components used in advanced flat roofs are solid and durable in adverse weather conditions.
EPDM, a rubber-based material that is ecologically friendly, is one such resource. This roofing is waterproof, fireproof, and windproof, and it can last for up to 50 years.
You won’t have to be concerned about your durable and long-lasting flat roof during a storm, change in temperature, or torrential downpours.
Another EPDM substitute is modified bitumen, developed in the early 1960s and encompassed polymer-reinforced layers for added durability.
So, unlike more fragile roofing systems like clay and tiles, which can fracture or break, a flat roof will remain operational year after year.
3. Installation And Repair
Flat roof material is often available in large sheets, whereas residential roofing content, such as asphalt shingles, is available in small sheets.
Installing a flat roof system consumes less time and effort. The same holds for patching up a flat roof system.
Patches for various flat roof systems are available, making repairs faster. When an asphalt shingle needs to be repaired, such as when a tree branch punctures it, one must often restore the nearby shingles.
Asphalt shingles are intricate – half of a shingle, compressed between the platens and half of the one above it. There are always at least two layers of asphalt shingles on your roof at any given time.
4. Extra Space
As you are aware, placing a flat roof can increase the size of your residence. You can seek a variety of projects on your roof.
You can grow vegetables on your roof to help the environment or even produce your poultry!
The vegetable patch will keep your room cool and help you save electricity simultaneously. Furthermore, the sun’s heat will not explicitly hit the ceiling.
You can also set up photovoltaic panels, purchase gym equipment, and work out on your roof.
If you want to get more creative, you can use your roof as a dining hall or flower bed if you feel particularly unconventional.
5. Build flat Roof Extensions
A flat roof makes the process easier and less expensive whenever you need to stretch or extend your property or add up a few extra rooms. Flat roofs allow you to build an extension if you need extra space.
They are an excellent choice for home extension projects. You finish your extension job faster because they are simple to work with.
While a flat roof extension may appear to be a simple task, we should never attempt it independently.
Employ the services of a reputable roofing contractor for a reliable setup that will last you an eternity!
6. Eco-Friendly Factor
A flat roof prevents heat from entering the house and retains the temperature of the building modestly. This reduces overall costs and energy consumption substantially.
As a result, the nature of this roofing type is eco-friendly, and it is becoming popular among environmentally conscious people.
Cons of flat roofing system
Of course, it is not all good news! If it were, you would see flat roofs all over the place. Here are some of the drawbacks you should be aware of before investing in a flat roof system:
1. Less Insulation
There is less insulation scope with flat roofs because there is no sloped roof and thus no attic. Insulation is a space between the unfavorable (outside) and favorable (inside) spaces where we reside.
Your attic provides that insulation if you have a sloped roof. As the flat roof systems do not have any attic, forget about insulation during extreme temperature fluctuations.
2. Water Accumulation
There is a possible explanation for why historical and contemporary pitched roofs are more common around the globe than flat roofs.
Well, rain is something that your home will almost certainly need to protect its inhabitants from!
Heavy downpours can easily slide off a sloped roof due to the roof’s intersecting pieces that depict fish scales.
On the other hand, flat roofs do not spread water as effortlessly. This is due to the roofs’ shallow slopes, ranging between 14″ and 12″ per foot in structurally sound roofs.
If you go with a flat roof, ensure the dips are sufficient to keep standing water from becoming a significant concern.
It would also help if you adequately sealed flat roofs to prevent moisture from entering inside the roof.
3. Maintenance Costs
We understand that we discussed flat roofing’s ease of maintenance requirements as a benefit. It could, even so, be viewed as a vulnerable position.
Foot traffic during setup or upkeep can potentially ruin membranes. While sealed, fittings between membrane plates can be common leak points.
More leakage means more fixes, which means more money. Hiring an accomplished construction company to carry out the work reduces routine maintenance and guarantees the roof is installed correctly.
4. Less Aesthetically Pleasing
Flat roofs cannot compensate for aesthetics and taste, so we apologize profusely if you find flat roofs more appealing than tiled roofs. Flat roofs are far less appealing to most people than sloped roofs.
Fewer alternative materials are available, and one can’t get the shades and styles that match the building’s artwork. Even if you get one, flat roofs are not visible (if not inconceivable) from the land surface.
5. Requires Higher Insurance Premiums
Insurance providers frequently charge exorbitant premiums because of the high risk of leaks on a flat roof.
This is not the case with pitched roofs, which are frequently made of aluminum or zinc and can withstand extreme downpours while draining water and snow thoroughly.
6. Degradation By The Sun
Flat roofs receive more sunlight throughout the day because of their structure. On the other hand, pitched roofs of various shapes receive less solar visibility due to their inclination angle.
This disadvantage should not deter you from installing a flat roof. Implementing reflective roof pigments is one functional method to safeguard your roof from the sun’s radiation.
Summary of flat roofing system pros and cons
| Pros |
|---|
| Affordable And Cost-effective |
| Durable |
| Installation And Repair |
| Extra Space |
| Build flat Roof Extensions |
| Eco-Friendly Factor |
| Cons |
|---|
| Less Insulation |
| Water Accumulation |
| Maintenance Costs |
| Less Aesthetically Pleasing |
| Requires Higher Insurance Premiums |
| Degradation By The Sun |
Fully understanding the pros and cons of flat roofing needs, the roofing material required, the potential for standing water, and roof leaks can help you make the best choice for your building.
But if you reside in a dry and warm climate, what’s better than a fully functional flat roof with a vegetable patch, right?
To get the best possible price, be a wise buyer who weighs the pros and cons of each option.
But remember that skilled and dependable roofing professionals are the best option for constructing a long-lasting and functional roof.
If you do not regard flat roofs as the perfect choice for your apartment buildings, here are the pros and cons of tile roofing. Find out whether its aesthetic value is of curb appeal or its breakdown of roofing material will be a headache to building owners.
(Last Updated on August 31, 2022)
