The Pos and Cons of Flat Roofing
Of all the different types of roofs that are available, a flat roof is definitely one of the more controversial. Commonly used on large buildings and outbuildings, flat roofing will bring its own set of challenges and requirements. If you are considering installing a flat roof for your home, be sure to familiarise yourself with the benefits and drawbacks.
Advantages of Flat Roofing
By far one of the best benefits of flat roofing is the cost. From the materials needed, to the cost of the labour, flat roofs are very affordable to install. Flat roofs are extremely popular for many homeowners, especially since flat roofing materials are cheap and it offers many benefits.
Another great advantage to a flat roof is the fact that you can use the additional space. For example, you can put your air conditioning systems on the roof and take them off the ground or install solar panels on the roof to make them less obvious from the curb. You can even plant a rooftop garden if you want. There are so many great uses to a flat roof.
With flat roofing systems, you can enjoy a more versatile interior space. You can easily add an additional top floor apartment or even an attic, as you will have the space you need, as well as no sloped walls that usually come with a pitched roof.
Flat roofs are more accessible than sloped roofs. You can easily clean your gutters, repair the roof, or do installations like satellite dishes. This would have been more expensive to do, but since you can either do it yourself or use an affordable flat roofing specialist that can easily access the entire roof, you’ll save money in the long run.
Disadvantages of Flat Roofing
One of the biggest drawbacks of flat roofing is its drainage. Flat roofs do not drain easily and they are not as efficient as roofs that have some kind of pitch. As a result, water can slowly accumulate on the roof, leading to other issues and even leaks over time.
Although flat roofing materials are relatively inexpensive, you don’t want to regularly do maintenance and repairs to your roof. Maintenance is easier to do with a flat roof, but you may need much more maintenance over the years, which can quickly become expensive.
Another disadvantage is the lack of flat roofing materials. The majority of a flat roof is built using rubber, EPDM, rolled roofing or TPO. These materials are relatively inexpensive and they are easy to install. Most of these materials have a lifespan of around 15 years.
Some materials may last longer than others, for e.g. PVC roofing, but it is more expensive too. You can also choose to enhance your flat roof with rubber roofing and shingles, as well as rolled rubber roofing for your home. These various materials can provide great style choices, but installing them may be a bit expensive, which is why a flat roof is not for everyone.
Although flat roofing is not the most modern or glamorous option to have at your home, they are cost-effective and very beneficial to have. When you choose to install a flat roofing system, make sure to familiarise yourself with the possible drawbacks so that you can be prepared and carefully look after your flat roof for decades to come.
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