![]() Knowing the pros and cons such as the price of flat roof repair, the roofing material required, potential ponding water and roof leaks help make a decision that is best suited for your building. To prevent interstitial condensation, the roof should include insulation and, in most cases, a vapour control layer. Concrete Flat RoofĪ concrete slab flat roof is typically constructed of a structural layer of concrete finished with a smooth screed on top of which a water-resistant layer, such as a membrane, is laid. slate roofs are increasingly being recycled for environmentally friendly projects or used as a substitute for granite countertops and floor tiles. Slate was once a popular roofing material in the United States and some isolated areas still use it today. Slate is formed when layers of shale, an early sedimentary rock, are compressed over many years.Ĭoal waste was often used as a binding material. Slate roofs were traditionally made from slate, a sheet-like rock which grew abundantly in Wales and England. Synthetic slates can be nailed or stapled to roofs in a similar manner as asphalt shingles. Synthetic slate is made of polymer (a class of plastics) granules that, when compressed, have physical properties similar to natural slate, such as rigidity and durability.īecause the internal cellular structure of synthetic slate is not the same as natural slate, synthetic slates are able to withstand heat-related stress better than natural slates.Ī key difference between synthetic and natural slate is that synthetic slate does not require an adhesive layer. ![]() They are very durable and long lasting however, they do not offer the same level of insulation as synthetic slate roofing. Slates are typically made from granules of natural rock that are bonded together by heat and pressure. The slates are usually rested on an overlapping shingle base. ![]() The metal is secured with nails, screws or staples. Slating is the process of constructing a flat roof by installing long sheets of thin metal on an existing roof frame. There are two types of flat roofs materialsĪsphalt & gravel (also known as hot tar) and synthetic slate. Hence, you have a lot of options to choose from, depending on your requirement and budget. The demand for flat roofs is higher in cities with a relatively smaller population this is because they are more cost-effective and can easily be built.įlat roofs are available in many different styles and designs. Hence, you won’t see any significant differences when comparing it with a sloped roof. The look of a flat roof is similar to that of a conventional roof. This is because they not only help in minimizing the amount of maintenance required by your building, but also their visual appeal. The construction is simpler than that of a sloped roof, which makes them more cost-effective than traditional roofs.įlat roofs are seen as the best choice for many commercial and residential properties, but they are also installed on some office buildings. They are very durable and capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions like heavy rain and strong winds. Flat Roof Constructionįlat roofs are becoming increasingly popular these days as they don’t require much maintenance when compared to a sloped roof. To the naked eye, the slope is nearly invisible. To put it another way, the roof must slope one-fourth of an inch for every 12 inches. In traditional buildings, a flat roof is more unlikely, as they are usually built with sloped roofs with inclined planes to help gather rainwater.Ĭurrent construction codes require a minimum two percent slope, or one-fourth unit vertical for every 12 units horizontal, for drainage considerations. In modern buildings, a flat roof is built with the help of strong tar or rubber to cover any number of different materials. A flat roof can be constructed in a variety of other ways, but the most common are sloping or standing seam roofing. ![]() As mentioned above, the term “flat” does not imply that it has no slope, but that the slope is very slight. The flat roof is commonly constructed in reinforced concrete, flat stone supported on rolled steel joists, bricks, tiled, etc.Ī flat roof is a roof with a surface that is level. Flat roofs are an ancient form mostly used in arid climates and allow the roof space to be used as a living space or a living roof.
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