Facts About Flat Roofs
Many commercial or industrial buildings have flat roofs. These roofs are aesthetically pleasing and inexpensive, and they are becoming increasingly more popular as construction continues to boom. Whether you are building a business or building your home, you may be interested in a flat roof system. El Paso Roofing is ready to help. Here are a few facts to weight as you making your roofing decision.
What is a Flat Roof?
In comparison with the sloped roofs that you see on most residential homes, a flat roof has a very slight “pitch” (the roof-savvy way to say “slope”). The National Roofing Contractors Association defines a flat roof as having a pitch of 3-in-12 or less, and most flat roofs have approximately a 10 degree pitch.
Five Flat Roof Options
Homeowners and business owners can choose from several different types of flat roofs. Here are five of the most popular flat roof materials.
- The Built-Up Roof (BUR), is the cheapest and most popular option. A BUR is built from three or more piles of waterproof material alternated with hot tar and ultimately covered by a more aesthetically pleasing material such as river stone.
- Modified Bitumen: This is a single ply roofing system that is often rolled onto the roof surface. It is one of the most environmentally friendly flat roof options because it reflects the sun and cuts back on energy costs.
- PVC: This is one of the top flat roof options because it is easy to install, highly reflective, and durable. Because it lacks water permeability, it is also resistant to water ponding. PVC is one of the longest lasting flat roofs, and it is also considered 100 percent recyclable. This roof system is applied in rolls, so there can be problems with the seams if not properly bonded together.
- EPDM: EPDM is short for ethylene propylene diene monomer (so we are just going to keep using “EPDM”, if that’s okay! EPDM is similar to PVC, but it is made of rubber instead of plastic. It is engineered to resist damage from sunlight, and it is incredibly durable overall.
- Spray-Applied Roof Coating: This is a silicone roof coating system that’s spray-on technique makes for seamless application. Like modified bitumen, this type of roof reflects the sun and helps reduce energy consumption inside the building.
Find Out if Flat Roofs are For You!
If you are in need of a commercial or residential roof replacement, there are several reasons to consider a flat roof. If you have questions about how a flat roof system will work on your home or business, contact the building team at El Paso Roofing today!