Each flat roof is identical, is not it? Completely not. Many householders are stunned to be taught that there are 4 primary varieties of flat roof. Whereas the worth for these roofs is comparatively related, various kinds of roofs provide totally different advantages. If you’re contemplating putting in a roof on a brand new residence, it is best to fastidiously contemplate your choices and talk about them with an expertise roofing contractor. Within the meantime, let’s talk about the three important varieties of flat roof: built-up roof, modified bitumen roof, and rubber membrane roof.Roof Repair

Constructed-Up Programs

These are the commonest kind of flat roofs and embody the normal hot-tar-and-gravel roof. That includes a minimum of 3 layers of waterproof materials with tar and gravel between every layer, a lot of these roofs are comparatively cheap whereas benefiting from improved expertise that makes them extra sturdy. Among the many important advantages of built-up roofs is that they provide glorious safety in opposition to fireplace as gravel is a superb fireplace retardant. They’re additionally the most affordable flat roof system and are a pretty selection you probably have home windows that overlook the roof. Alternatively, built-up roofs are usually very heavy and joists might require further assist. Furthermore, set up and restore is just not really useful for the DIY-inclined as it may be troublesome to seek out the supply of leaks and this technique is messy to put in.

Modified Bitumen Programs

Modified bitumen roofing programs have been first developed in Europe within the Nineteen Seventies as an alternative choice to low efficiency asphalt programs. These are normally single-ply rolled roofing programs which are much like ice-and-water shields, however they function a mineral-based put on floor. There are two subtypes of modified bitumen roof: torch-down programs and peel-and-stick programs. Torch-down programs should be heated to be able to activate the adhesive whereas peel-and-stick programs don’t have to be heated making them protected and simple to put in.

Peel-and-stick roofs ought to at all times be put in by an expert roofer, however they’re simpler to supervisor for a DIY house owner. Nonetheless, torch-down software is way more difficult and poses a big fireplace danger so ought to solely be utilized by professionals. Furthermore, torch-down programs shouldn’t be put in on occupied buildings. One other profit of those roofs is that their light-coloured floor helps to mirror warmth and scale back vitality payments. A majority of these roof programs are reasonably priced.

Rubber Membrane Programs

Dearer than built-up or modified bitumen roofing programs, rubber membrane roofs function a sturdy development produced from rubber. Engineered to withstand harm from daylight, rubber membrane roofs are normally anchored with fasteners and could also be ballasted with stone or glued.

Rubber membrane roofs are straightforward to put in and the fabric may be very mild. These roofing programs are additionally extremely resistant to wreck resembling scratches or tears and they’re additionally straightforward to patch. Sadly, the black materials of those roofs tends to soak up warmth so they might require a light-coloured coating to cut back vitality prices. Sadly, this coating can add as a lot as 30% to the price of the roof.