What is a Flat Roof?

Contrary to popular believe, flat roofs may not actually be flat! In fact, a roof can be considered a 'flat roof' if it has a pitch of up to 10 degrees. Flat roofs can have a range of coverings and are extremely versatile when it comes to the type of build up you go with. In general, a flat roof will be made of a structural deck of concrete or timber joists. These will then be overlaid with a plywood layer, or infill blockwork in the case of concrete beams. Flat roofs may also be made from in situ concrete, which is concrete that is poured on site into a formwork.

'Warm Deck' flat roofs have an insulation layer that sits on top of the deck. It is good practice to utilise a vapour control layer underneath the insulation to prevent moisture build up within the roof. Insulation can be fixed down with special screws or glued down to the deck. 'Cold Deck' flat roofs are constructed without insulation, or with insulation between the joints with a ventilation gap to prevent condensation. Finally, the insulation is covered with a top layer of felt, rubber, single ply, asphalt or PVC membrane. In rare cases, 'flat roofs/ can be constructed with tiles which are capable of being fitted at low pitches

If you need to properly repair or replace your flat roof, Roofers Glasgow will take care of any core sampling, so that the design of the roof system is right for your property.

What are the Advantages of Flat Roofs?

Flat roofs can have some advantages over traditional pitched roofs and this makes them a great option for new and existing buildings alike. Flat roofs are cheaper to install and repair than flat roofs, although they generally have a shorter lifecycle. As a rule of thumb, we advise that most well constructed flat roofs will last 25 years, whereas a pitched roof will last in the region of 50 years plus.

Flat roofs are a great option to consider for new extensions due to their ability to provide excellent thermal efficiency and their cheaper installation costs as opposed to pitched roofs. Flat roofs can achieve u-values of 0.18W/m2K when installed to building regulations, which is great to help you save on rising energy bills!

Flat roofs have the added benefit of saving space allowing you to build higher, without obstructing daylight from upper storeys and surrounding buildings, as is often the case with pitched roofs. Flat roofs also require less materials to construct, which helps to reduce  the overall cost and environmental impact of your project.

Looking to install solar panels on your roof? Flat roofs can easily accommodate solar panels, which makes them a great option for improving the energy efficiency of your property. In addition, flat roofs can easily be used to store important building plant and machinery. In domestic settings, flat offers can even offer a space that can be used for leisure purposes.

Flat roofs can also be turned into green roofs that facilitate the growth of plants on the roof to make the building more environmentally friendly. Green roofs can even be used to harvest rain water for use within the building itself!

With all these great benefits of flat roofs, why not get in touch with the team at Roofers Glasgow today. We can help to ensure that your flat roof is designed and installed correctly so that you get all the benefits from your flat roof. We can also discuss the different flat roofing materials on the market and recommend the best one for your particular project. Call now to get specialist advice on your flat roof.

How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Flat Roof?

The cost of your flat roof replacement will depend on the extent of the work required. In general a typical garage flat roof replacement will cost on the region of £2500. Small flat roof extensions will be in the region of £3000 and full property flat roofs around £4000. If your flat roof requires repairs to the structural deck, insulation, or significant alterations, then the price of your flat roof replacement will increase. In addition, if your flat roof is above two storeys in height, then the scaffolding and labour costs will increase. For commercial flat roofs, expect to pay in the region of £150-£180 per m2 for a full flat roof replacement including replacement of the existing structural deck. To get an accurate estimate for the work, then we recommend getting in contact with one of our friendly roofers in Glasgow to arrange a free roof survey.

How Long Will it Take to Replace my Flat Roof?

At Roofers Glasgow, our large team of flat roofers can normally complete small flat roofing jobs within the space of 48 hours. This includes time to set up the access equipment, strip away the existing roof and apply the new covering. Larger and more complex jobs may take up to 7 days to complete, but don't worry, we will always make sure to keep your property watertight during the flat roof replacement and we will always keep you up to date with progress of the work. Bear in mind that the time for completion will vary depending on the complexity of the job, size of your roof and scaffolding requirements. Call our roofers in Glasgow today to arrange a free roof inspection and to schedule your flat roof replacement.

How do Flat Roofs Drain Water?

Even though they are called 'flat roofs', flat roofs nearly always have some type of slope on them to allow water to find its way to the gutter. The slope can be created by cut to falls insulation, which is insulation that is cut specially to form a graded slope across the roof. Alternatively the sloe of the roof may be integrated into the deck construction itself. Generally, it is good practice to install flat roofs with a slope of 1 in 60 falls to allow water to quickly drain away. Some modern flat roof coverings such as single ply can comfortably withstand water pooling on the surface without any negative consequences. The gutter system is what is used to carry water away from the flat roofs and these will be positioned around the building perimiter at the bottom of the roof slope. Alternatively, some flat roofs have internal drainage systems where the water drains to a central downpipe located at the low point of the roof.