For a lot of homeowners and business owners in Melbourne, a flat roof is one of the most cost-effective solutions for protecting against the elements and providing shelter. Naturally, a flat roof often doesn’t evoke the same charm as a tall pitched roof of a heritage home, for example, but the simple and humble flat roof is becoming quite popular and for many good reasons.Below are a few important things that you ought to know about flat roofs:
NOT Just for Commercial Properties
For a long time, flat roofs were commonly used for commercial properties and not so much for residential homes, although things are changing. Nowadays, a great deal of our valued clients are now choosing simple flat roofs for their homes, granny flats, sheds, and other residential structures.It’s not hard to see why. Flat roofs offer fantastic value and today’s roofing materials and colours mean that you can achieve just about any appearance for your flat roof.
Flat Roofs Tend to Be Cheaper to Build and Maintain
It should be fairly obvious that flat roofs are quite simple when compared to roofs with complex pitches. Firstly, labour is a lot more straightforward and safe since there is no need to rearrange labourers and materials across various pitches.Secondly, flat roofs simply tend to cost less per square metre than most pitched roofs because there is only one pitch to look after and fewer flashing points to install.Furthermore, flat roof repairs tend to be cheaper because it’s often a lot simpler to inspect the roof and replace roofing tiles as needed or to completely replace the roof.
Often Easier to Install Solar Panels & Skylights
Owing to the simplicity of a flat roof’s construction, roofers often find it much easier to make use of the roof’s uniform pitch and design to install features such as solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and skylights, for example.Homeowners looking to offset the increasing cost of energy can harness the power of the sun by installing solar panels for sustainable energy generation right at home. For beautification and to let healthy natural daylight in, a skylight can be an attractive option as well.
Wide Variety of Materials to Choose From
There are many great materials nowadays that homeowners can choose for their flat roof. Some of the most common materials we use include asphalt, built-up roof (BUR), EPDM, and other bitumen-based and other materials.These materials are generally very cost-effective although you should still consider the ongoing costs of maintenance as well as the typical lifespan of these materials since replacement may be needed more frequently than for slate, terracotta, or other robust (and much more expensive up-front) roofing materials.
Adequate Drainage is Essential
Although we’ve been keen on pointing out the advantages of flat roofs over pitched roofs, one must always take into consideration drainage. Perhaps the single greatest hazard to any home (or any structure, for that matter) is water, so managing the flow of rainwater is absolutely essential.Flat roofs direct water all in one direction and the area where it is directed to can quickly become saturated and potentially lead to puddling. When installing a flat roof, consider installing gutters and downspouts that direct and manage the flow of water to an appropriate area.
Guardian Roofing
Request a quote for flat roof construction from the professionals at Guardian Roofing.
