Residential Flat Roof Detail

Traditional homes often have sections of flat roof over shed dormers above porches and garages and on balconies.

Residential flat roof detail.

Most often used in commercial and industrial applications this flat roof system contains layers of waterproof membrane such as a treated fiberglass basemat tar and gravel to seal the flat roof surface. But flat roofs take a pounding from harsh weather which is why they rarely last as long as a good sloped roof. All three types of flat roofing cost 250 to 350 per square 100 square feet but prices vary according to region and size of the roof. Flat roofs usually come with a 10 to 20 year warranty but can last 25 years if you build the roofs right and maintain them using commonsense rules.

And their horizontal lines abound in the west and in urban areas. Most flat roofs are typically not as long lasting or durable as sloped ones because the latter shed snow and rain a lot quicker. Introduction to flat roof details the roof is a key element of the building structure providing protection from the elements and has a vital role in reducing heat loss from the building. However over the last few decades new and advanced materials have been developed.

In the warm flat roof construction there is insulation packed into every possible space where air can flow. Just enough slope to drain water but also flat enough to be a problem if not constructed properly. From there the flat roof system you choose will determine the materials you apply. A roof is defined in bs 6229 as a flat roof if it has a pitch of 10 degrees or less.

Underneath the basics flat roofs are usually constructed with a ceiling nailed to joists which support a deck usually wood in residential construction a vapor barrier insulation and a roof board. Roofs tend to be either pitched or flat and typically in residential construction timber is the most common material used. Of course flat roofs are not flat but have a very slight roof pitch of between 1 4 to 1 2 per foot. The major difference between the warm flat roof and the cold flat roof has to do with the air flow between the roofing timbers known as joists that help to hold up the roof.

This flat roof system is still used in some residential applications because of its affordability and fire resistance. A classic flat roof is either almost completely level or has a very slight pitch of 3 in 12 inches or less.