Flat roofing opens a whole new door of roofing compared to some of our other roofing methods as mentioned in some of our earlier writings. Flat Roofing can be completed several ways but like other methods of roofing, will depend greatly on your local building codes and the design of the building. Drainage is the main concern when installing a flat roof.
Tar and gravel roofing applications have been commonly used over the last 100 years. These are known as buildup roofs. When it comes time to diagnosing a leak, the roof surface needs to be unburied with a guess and check method which is very labor some. When replacement is needed, the stone needs to be hauled off the roof. This not only becomes time consuming but also costly. Having access to the components of the structures roofing system is a huge benefit of other flat roofing applications.
Bitumen roofing is another option. This application requires two layers to be installed. A base sheet and cap sheet. Many times, this is applied with a solvent based glue or a heat activated adhesive such as hot tar or a torch down adhesion. Any application of this style roofing should only be performed by a reliable and credible local roofer.
EPDM roofing is another common style. These are composed of a rubber membrane that is ballasted or weighted down. EPDM is very common due to the longevity and integrity. Unlike asphalt-based materials, the rubber will not break down with rain. To protect the rubber from the sun, you have the option of weighing it down with stone. The UV rays will not erode the rubber roofing over time.
Most of these materials consist of Polyvinyl chloride, popularly known as PVC and thermoplastic polyolefin known as (TPO). These are our best options to weatherproof any flat roof. Our advice is to get the best material when roofing a flat section. Repairs can be costly so do it right the first time.
