Underneath the basics flat roofs are usually constructed with a ceiling nailed to joists which support a deck usually wood in residential construction a vapor barrier insulation and a roof board.
Flat roof details uk.
What pitch is a flat roof.
A flat roof usually consists of the following.
The longevity of the roof depends on the quality of the materials used.
As a mass rebuild of housing got underway it was discovered to be a cheaper alternative to the traditional pitched roof style.
A waterproof exterior layer is essential and there are a number of options including bitumen based felt or asphalt epdm rubber and pvc based systems as well as cold applied liquid systems bitumen coverings.
Having a manual for warm flat roof construction with details and a summary of rules to follow helps.
On a basic level flat roof construction comes in the form of roofing timbers or joists as they are more commonly known or steels that are laid across two uprights walls in most cases.
A roof is considered to be flat when it is of a slope of 1 5 o to the horizontal.
A flat roof must be strong durable and stable throughout its lifetime.
Of course flat roofs are not flat but have a very slight roof pitch of between 1 4 to 1 2 per foot.
It must provide adequate protection against the elements keeping the buildings structure and interior dry.
Flat roof options help to free up internal space and are often cheaper that pitched roof options as they require fewer materials to cover the same roof span.
There is also the scope to incorporate a green roof onto the flat structure.
For additional stability you can also use steel joists that are built into one or both of the walls.
A roof is defined in bs 6229 as a flat roof if it has a pitch of 10 degrees or less.
The steels or rsj s rolled steel joists are often built into one or both walls to give added stability to the roof structure.
Just enough slope to drain water but also flat enough to be a problem if not constructed properly.
In the traditional poor and roll process bitumen is supplied in blocks broken up and heated on site in a boiler until molten.
Flat roofs were uncommon in the uk until after the second world war.
Although flat roofs are cheaper to build than pitched roofs they have a shorter life span.
Flat roof construction for residential.
We love the flexibility of a flat roof for certain design limitations but they have a bit of reputation for leaks and repairs.
Bitumen felt flat roofs are affordable in price and provide a great waterproofing result.
From there the flat roof system you choose will determine the materials you apply.
Types of flat roof coverings other flat roof construction details often refer to the types of flat roof coverings.