Flat roofs are popular among many homeowners. Not only can flat roof installations prove to be less expensive, but they offer easy maintenance and an extended life span. In terms of energy efficiency, flat roofs are considered to be one of the best roof types to go for.
Although flat roofs can be found in many properties and commercial buildings, it’s not to say that this roof design is suited for everyone. There are both pros and cons to having a flat roof – we’re going to dissect the advantages and disadvantages of having a flat roof installed. To find out more information, continue reading.
What is a Flat Roof?
What is a flat roof? A flat roof is a roof structure that’s completely or almost level. Flat roofs are laid on a slight decline, which helps rain water run off easily. Efficient drainage is key when it comes to installing a flat roof – if water builds up, your flat roof construction will become damaged. Flat roofs are starting to be seen on commercial and residential buildings now more than ever, especially in urban areas and cities.
It can be challenging trying to figure out which roof type is best suited for you. Although flat roofs are a great option to consider, they might not work for everyone. Unlike sloped roofs, flat roofs allow you to get creative by utilising the space you have. Green roofs and balconies are on the list of design possibilities that come with having a flat roof.
Due to their easy access, flat roofs are easy to manage and repair. It can prove to be both challenging and complicated to repair other roof structures, often because of their more complex design. There are plenty of factors to weigh up before choosing the type of roof you want to be installed. Talking with a team of professionals will help give a clear insight into whether a flat roof is best suited to your building type.
Best Suited Coverings for a Flat Roof
Most modern flat roof designs are built with hardwearing materials – after all, your roof is there to protect your home and withstand harsh weather conditions. Liquid roofing is one of the most popular choices of flat roof coverings, providing excellent protection and offering durability, longevity and efficiency.
Liquid roofing can be used on both new builds and refurbishments. Liquid roofing solutions are often used on walkways, balconies, flat roofs and terraces. EPDM roofing solutions and green roofs are also suitable for flat roofs. Green roofs are great to have installed over flat roofs, offering a safe space for wildlife to thrive.
Flat Roof Insulation: The Pros and Cons
There are pros and cons to everything, including flat roofs. Whether your flat roof is being built over an existing roof structure or is part of an extension, you can rest assured that it can be thermally insulated to prevent heat loss. There are two main options to go for when it comes to insulating your flat roof – a warm or cold roof system.
Warm roofs are ideal for residents living in the UK, helping trap heat for long periods of time. Not only do warm roofs lower the cost of energy bills, but they don’t require ventilation due to the low possibility of condensation occurring. In a warm roof, the insulation layer is positioned differently than in cold roofs.
Insulation is situated on top, meaning the overall roof structure is on the warmer side of the insulation. Cold roofs are insulated between the rafters and the roof deck, which leaves a cold under the main board of the roof. Both options are available for those with a flat roof.
Many individuals make their final decision of choosing either a warm or cold roof by weighing up the insulation factors – homeowners living in warmer climates are best choosing a cold roof. One of the biggest advantages of having a flat roof is how affordable they are to have installed.
Planning an extension project can be an expensive job, which is why so many people opt for a flat roof to try and bring their expenses down. If installed correctly, flat roofs can be one of the best roofing structures. Let’s take a look at the main pros and cons of flat roofs.
Pros
- Easy to repair
- Easy to maintain
- Better accessibility
- Maximum use of space
- Low cost
- Energy efficient
- Thermal efficiency
- Faster installation
- Versatility
Cons
- Lack of drainage
- Tendency to absorb heat
- Less space inside
- Appearance
- Debris build-up
Flat Roof Solutions from Restec
Restec produces high-quality products suitable for flat roofs. We mainly sell to the merchant market, allowing trained roofing contractors to use our products while taking on new projects. Our products are proven to last, providing contractors with a robust and long-lasting solution.
Our flagship product, Flexitec2020, is a multi-surface flexible roofing system that has a full overlay and new deck capabilities. This solution perfectly combines the best elements of fibreglass with overlay systems, performing across an array of applications at a level, unlike any other solution.
If you’re working on trafficked applications, we recommend Resgrip, a slip-resistant solution that offers longevity, durability and toughness. This solution is straightforward to apply and provides enhanced safety.
Available in a plethora of colours, Resgrip can be applied in blue, green, red, yellow, black, grey, white and blue. Resgrip is commonly used on walkways, steps, access ramps, loading bays, platforms and of course, flat roofs.
Here at Restec, we have changed the landscape of the liquid waterproofing market, having created a selection of extra tough, impact resistant and hardwearing systems for contractors to choose from.
It can be challenging to know which product is best suited for the project you’re about to embark on. To find out more information about our wide range of products, feel free to send our expert support team a message today here. We look forward to hearing from you.
