A flat roof is becoming a better choice for homes than it was in the past. Materials and construction improvements have helped to alleviate a lot of the issues with flat roofs that used to occur. Here are four building tips if you are planning on building a flat roof.
Not So Flat
One of the most important and unexpected facts about building a roof that is flat is that it is not perfectly flat. It needs to be built with at least an eighth of an inch per foot incline that helps prevent water from staying on your roof and working its way inside your home. It is also possible to slope out slightly in all directions to make the water run off your home in all directions. On a larger roof you will need to fill in the area created between the slanted roof and the top of the house with foam. Once your roof is built, if you notice any pooling of water at all this should be cause for concern and you should immediately contact a respected roofing company in Toronto like the highly sought after Professional Roofers to resolve the issue.
Green It Up
A more recent trend when it comes to a flat roof is building a rooftop garden or greenhouse. Your plants will get a large amount sun, even in the fall or springtime in Toronto Ontario. Look into the services offered by your local roofer, as they may also be able to help you create your roof oasis. Solar panels are another amazing use of the flat area on top of your home. You can create your own electricity that can help to power your home and save you money in the long run. A large flat area like this is a perfect place for sun catching solar panels.
Opening Up New Spaces
If you choose to have a flat roof on your home, one of the biggest benefits is that you can use the roof as a floor for another area of your home. You can build a set of steps that lead to the roof and even build chairs and tables into the structure to be able to enjoy the weather on nice days. Make sure anything that you put up there is sturdy and will not be destroyed or blown away by the weather. A parapet, a short wall around the outside of your roof, is a good idea for safety reasons if you are going to use this area as an extension of your home.
Weather Conditions
The weather in Toronto Ontario is not traditionally viewed as the best for a flat roof, unless you and the roofing company you hire take the correct precautions to keep water from standing on your roof and freezing. It will also hold a large amount of snow that could end up being more weight than it was built to hold. These roofs are generally used in hotter areas that receive little rain.
Having a flat roof can be a tremendous benefit to your home. Turn it into a new area of your house that you and your family can spend time in with these building tips – it can be so much more than just a regular old sloped roof.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.