Flat roofs are becoming increasingly popular. These roofs have immense commercial popularity but at the same time, they aren’t just for businesses. Flat roofing systems are also considered to be an ideal option for residential structures.
A flat roof adds to the strength and beauty of your home. Don’t we all want our homes to look the absolute best? Well, a flat roofing system enables you to achieve that minimal grandeur along with ensuring that the core structure remains strong. Perhaps this is the reason that a lot of new people who are dwelling towards the idea of constructing a new home are actively demanding such roofs.
However, nothing is perfect. It’s important that before making any choice we fully understand its pros and cons. It isn’t wise to make any decision unless you are 100% sure. Let’s take a deep dive into some of the important considerations you need to think about before opting for this system.
1. Material:
The quality of material you use plays a crucial role. Therefore, always go with reliable construction companies. Someone you can trust and rely on. Many materials could be used for roofing purposes such as asphalt, EPDM which is s synthetic rubber, CSPE, or popularly known as Hypalon. For a layman, it might be very difficult to choose the correct material. However, if you hire expert roofing companies then the process would be made simpler for you as they can guide you accordingly.
2. Weather:
The next most important factor is the weather. Is it raining throughout the year or does the area experience heavy snowfall or do you enjoy warm sunny weather most of the year? A flat roofing system is typically good for sunny and dry weather. Most people even install solar panels on flat roofs to take maximum advantage of all the sunlight.
3. Maintenance:
Most people think that once they have constructed the roof then their job is done. That’s not the case at all. Once the roof is constructed then you need to maintain it as well. Hence one has to be extra careful during the construction stage and make sure the membranes are correctly installed. There shouldn’t be any leakage of any sort.
The next stage is analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of flat roofing systems. Flat roofs have certain advantages:
Advantages:
• Durability:
The biggest advantage of a flat roofing system is that it is water-resistant so you don’t need to worry about the fact that your roof is going to leak during a rainy season. Flat roofs can be used against heavy winds and are highly durable.
• Easy to Repair:
The cost of re-coating a flat roof or repairing it is much less in comparison to other roofs that are tiled or have slopes. You can get flat roofs fixed without breaking them.
• Quick Cleaning:
Since it’s easier to access a flat roof, you can clean it without hiring any professional help. You can clear algae, moulds, and debris without too much effort. Pressure washing is a great and quick way of cleaning the roof without any damage.
• Alternate Uses:
Flat roofs could be used for a lot of other purposes too. For example installation of solar panels. This could enable you to generate sustainable energy for your home without having to pay higher bills.
Disadvantages:
While there are a lot of pros, there are some cons of a flat roofing system as well which need to be thought about before making the final choice.
• Limited Roofing Material:
The majority of flat roofs use rolling materials such as bitumen, rubber, and EPDM. The materials are not very expensive but they can only last for 10 to 15 years. Hence, you would need to upgrade your roof after a certain time. You can use shingles but they would also, only last for a limited time.
• Poor Drainage:
The biggest con associated with a flat roofing system is lack of drainage, due to which your draining pipes could be clogged with water or snow. It’s imperative to regularly check pipes and install waterproof seals to prevent leaks.
Now that almost every aspect of flat roofing systems has been touched upon, it’s time for you to decide. There are some homeowners who’ve had flat roofing systems for years and they are quite happy with them too! No matter what your choice is, always go for someone reliable if you want to install a safe roof over your head.
