House with a flat roof. Advantages and disadvantages

Most often, a flat roof was used for small buildings, such as garages, sheds, various outbuildings. Recently, due to the advent of reliable and durable materials, flat roofs are increasingly used in the construction of cottages.

Materials

For a long time (traditionally) bitumen mastic or roofing felt have been used for the construction of flat roofs. As is known from experience, these materials are not durable and little reliable.

At present, the so-called bitumen membrane is most often used for waterproofing flat roofs.

It is a roll material consisting of modified bitumen (i.e. bitumen mixed with various polymers) reinforced with fiberglass or polyester fiber. Scattering of a thin layer of gravel is applied on top to protect the material from the harmful effects of ultraviolet sunlight. In most cases, euroroofing material is glued to the surface using a gas torch. The durability of roofs covered with euroroofing material reaches 30 years.

A more modern solution is the use of a polymer waterproofing membrane based on high quality plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with an internal reinforced polyester mesh. This material is stable against ultraviolet light. It does not burn, as it contains specific stabilizers. It is characterized by high elasticity, which facilitates installation at low temperatures. The planned service life of such material is more than 40 years.

Technical merits and convenience of service

It is not difficult to arrange air conditioning units, fans, solar panels and other massive technical equipment on the flat roof, which in another case should be placed on the facades. You should also pay attention to the fact that maintain equipment placed on a flat roof is convenient and safe.

Disadvantages

There is a point of view according to which a flat roof is unsafe during heavy rainfall or snow melting. But do not forget that the flat roof has a slope of 1-2.5%. With proper installation, i.e. to the device of a coupler without hollows with the maintained biases, tight joints the flat roof is safe and tight.

It must be borne in mind that snow is a natural insulation. When spring comes, the remnants of snow melt and are independently removed by the drain holes specially built into the parapet.

Types of flat roofs

Not operated roofing is the most common type of roofing. A reinforced concrete slab is used as the foundation of the roof, and an inclined screed is used to drain water from the roof surface. As a heater, you can use foam, expanded clay, hard mineral wool, etc. It is not recommended to walk on such a roof, therefore special running ladders are constructed for maintenance of the installation of the equipment.

The operated roof is irreplaceable if a rest zone is placed on the roof, however, a number of problems arise: how to protect roofing materials from damage, how to ensure drainage, etc. Thermal insulation and waterproofing carpet of the operated roof undergoes significant loads. For the construction of the roofing carpet, special high-strength materials are used, stacked in several layers along which a screed or concrete slabs are installed, installed on special supports of adjustable height. The solution of these problems leads to the fact that such a roof becomes much more complicated and more expensive than a standard non-exploited roof.

The inversion roof is a relatively new solution. Inverted roof differs by thermal insulation, which stands not under the waterproofing carpet, but above it. This allows you to save waterproofing from exposure to solar radiation, to reduce the negative impact of temperature fluctuations, frost or thawing. The use of this facility allows you to lay paving slabs or arrange a lawn.

Cost

Unsupported flat roofs are usually the cheapest option than traditional pitched roofs. The flat roof area is much smaller than the pitched one. For the construction of a flat roof you need significantly less materials than for pitched blood. Yes, and labor costs for the construction of a flat roof is much less. In addition, the complete replacement of the roof, when the time comes, is much cheaper and can be completed in one day.

With AkvilonPro, flat roofs are becoming increasingly popular not only for high-rise, but also for single-double-floor houses!

See the project of houses with a flat roof HERE

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