How Do You Soundproof A Roof
You can soundproof a roof in numerous different ways. Each soundproofing idea and technique has its pros and cons. Sometimes you may even have to use multiple ideas in conjunction to achieve the desired result. Here are a few roof soundproofing ideas
- Insulating the Attic
- Choosing the Right Roofing Material and Shape
- Insulating the Ceiling
Your Homes Existing Architecture May Affect Your Flat Roofing Replacement
If youve looked at all the alternatives and determine that a roofing conversion is really the best option for your home, its time to start planning your homes new architectural design. There are a couple of different ways to go about a conversion. You can install a shallow pitched roof over your existing flat roof, add a trussed ranch-style roof to convert to cathedral walls, or even build a new floor and install the pitched roof above that.
Either way, your homes existing design may interfere or affect the changes you can make. For instance, if youre not building a new floor into your home, your design may be limited if the existing ceiling joists arent arranged correctly. That means you may have to tear out the ceilings below the roof as well.
An architect or structural engineer should be able to provide advice on whats possible in your homeand what additional changes youll need to make before you can get your dream roof.
Replace Your Old Flashings
Flashings are weatherproofing barriers comprised of thin pieces of metal that cover the area where the roof surface meets an opposing surface, like a chimney or parapet wall. Flashings are essential for preventing water leaks in especially vulnerable areas. Because of your roofs flashings constant exposure to moisture, they can loosen and deteriorate, eventually requiring replacement.
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Keep Unnecessary Weight Off The Roof
A common problem that many homeowners with flat roofs neglect to consider is sinking. This is a typical problem for older roofs with materials that have weakened over time and roofs that have not been properly maintained.
However, excess weight can also result in significant damage to the seal coating of your flat roof. Before bombarding the top of your home with a full outdoor renovation, make sure that you consider the weight of heavier objects, as these are likely to create depressions or ponding in the roof over time.
Flat & Low Slope Roof Conversion To Pitched Gable Roofs
- about converting a low slope roof to a steeper pitched slope
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Flat or low slope roof conversion to sloped roof design:
Roof Re-Cover procedures, roofing codes, fire hazard & moisture warnings. This article describes & illustrates the construction of a sloped gable roof over the flat-roofed home shown above. The original tar and gravel low slope roof lasted many years but ultimately a combination of roof age, wear, ponding, and leaks led the owners to construct a gable roof over this building.
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Clear Any Clogging Away
Components like vents, drains, and scuppers can clog after heavy storms. Scuppers provide an outlet for water to pass through parapet walls or gravel stops on the edge of a roof and down into the drainage system. Keeping your gutters, vents, drains, and scuppers clear increases the lifespan of your roofing materials and your drainage system.
Simple Flat Roof Maintenance Guide
Flat roofs have become increasingly more popular. And its no wonder, either. Flat roofs complement open-floor plans within a clean and modern structure. This type of roofing is common for homes in urban areas and on new construction like commercial roofs.
Despite being an exciting and modern addition to any home, flat roofs might be a huge change of pace for those used to traditional pitched roofs. As such, a flat roof might pose a few challenges due to the specific kind of maintenance and upkeep they require.
Here are the top maintenance tips you need to know to keep your flat roof in good condition.
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What Materials Are Good To Use On Flat Roofs
There are several types of roofing materials that are good for flat roofs. Some are primarily used for commercial roofing, and others are used for residential and commercial roofing.
Here are some common flat roof materials:
- TPO Stands for Thermoplastic Polyolefin it is made of polypropylene and ethylene-propylene rubber. It is white, which makes it a heat reflective roof that is energy efficient. This type of roof system is used on both commercial and residential roofs.
- PVC Membrane Is made from two layers of PVC roof material, then a polyester added in between the layers for reinforcement. PVC is generally more flexible than TPO. However, TPO is a little more weather resistant than PVC. Both are great to use on residential and commercial roofing systems.
- EPDM Rubber Is made of ethylene and propylene which are derived from oil and natural gas. EPDM Rubber is a very durable roof system that can last over 50 years. The downside to EPDM rubber is that it doesnt look as nice as the TPO or PVC Membrane.
- Modified Bitumen Given in its name Bitumen we know that its an asphalt product. It is can be a cold-applied or hot-applied system. It has a similar disadvantage to EPDM Rubber because its black it absorbs more heat than the white TPO and PVC systems.
Complete Flat Roof Installation
While the step above is solely for replacing an old roof, if youre installing a new flat roof from scratch, here are the steps to follow.
- Frame the roof, nail long wedges to the joists
- Add a layer of 5/8-inch plywood sheathing
- Cut out your underlayment and fasten it to the plywood sheathing
- Screw a 2x4s into the joint connecting the roof and the wall
- Lay down your membrane and glue it to the roof
- Use a termination stops to work on the edges and fasten a lead-coated copper flashing on the front edge of the roof.
Although flat roofing can be easy to install compared to other roof types, flat roof installation is not a DIY project. To get the best out of your next flat roof, always hire the services of a professional roofer. And to get the most rewarding flat roofing solution in NYC, contact us now at 118-35 Queens Blvd Forest Hills, NY 11375 414-6067 .
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A List Of Materials For Flat Roof Installation
Depending on the type of roof youve chosen either warm flat roof or cold flat roof youll need to gather a number of important materials to build a flat roof.
In addition to basic tools such as a drill, utility knife and measuring tape, youll need the following basic materials, knowledge of local regulations, and a set of detailed instructions:
- Rubber EPDM membrane
- Water-based adhesive
How Much Does It Cost To Seal Coat A Roof
The average cost to seal a roof is $1,185 and typically ranges between $446 and $1,962. However, you may pay as little as $100 or as much as $3,200 or more. Thats a total average of $0.65 to $5 per square foot.
How often should I coat my flat roof?
Silver and aluminum coating is s one way to maintain your flat roof. The average lifespan of a flat roof is not more than ten years, but if you coat it every four to five years, it can extend the roofs life enormously.
Is it good to put silver coating on roof?
While you cannot truly protect your roof from the damaging effects of the sun, the reflective nature of silver coating can help you prolong your roofs life. You do not believe us?
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How To Shingle A Flat Roof
Putting shingles on a flat roof is probably not the best way to go, but in the event you decide you want shingles on your flat roof instead of shakes, tile or metal here are a few good pointers to follow.
But remember, the lowest pitch accepted by most cities and counties for applying basic asphalt shingles is a 3 inch rise to a 12 inch run. Read on to learn how to shingle a flat roof.
When To Repair A Flat Roof
Its usually time to repair a flat roof when you have mold or mildew smells in the home, high energy bills, watermarks or mold spots on the ceiling, cracks in the roofing material, or if the roofing material is peaked, cracked, creased or pulling up.
Multiple patches mean more seams for water to infiltrate. So, when a flat roof has accumulated many patches over the years, it is usually a sign that its time to replace the roof.
NOTE: If the roof is older than 10 to 15 years, it might be time to have the entire roof replaced, as the roof may be toward the end of its lifespan.
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Dont Panic Mr Mainwaring
The first rule of flat roof ownership is dont panic! Pooling, in particular, is common on many flat roofs yet contrary to popular belief, its not the end of the world and can be easily addressed. Regular inspections and basic maintenance can help to resolve issues quickly.
If the roof is easily accessible with ladders, then a quick visual check at the start and end of winter should identify any problems. Also a quick check after any particularly heavy rain at any time of year is a good idea.
Adding slope to flat roof projects isnt always the major re-build that it might sound. The facelift approach is basically just that, removing the layers that comprise the flat roof and repairing part, or all, of the structure as necessary
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How To Determine Roof Pitch
You will also need to know the desired pitch of the roof. Pitch is the slope or angle from the wall plate to the roof ridge line. Pitch can vary a great deal, from a shallow slope up to a very steep pitch. Pitch for a gable roof, the most common, is generally 1/4 or 1/3 which is equal to 1/4 or 1/3 the total span of the building, not counting any overhang. Pitch also has its own denotation, determined by the rise in inches in 12 inches. For instance a 4/12 pitch denotes a roof rising 4 inches for each 12 inches. Having the correct pitch is important. In many instances, a certain pitch may be necessary or even required by local codes. Pitch is determined by snow loads, other weather factors and the covering to be applied to the roof. For those in the northern parts of the country, an 8 in 12 pitch, or more, is commonly used to keep excessive snow loads off the roof. Those in the southern climates may utilize lower pitches. The minimum pitch, however, that can be used with many roofing materials such as asphalt shingles or corrugated metal is 3 in 12 . For lower pitches, a built-up or continuous roll roofing must be applied to keep the roof waterproof.
Pitch is the amount of angle or slope the roof has. This is denoted two ways, a 1/3 or 1/4 pitch in fractions, and a 6/12 pitch in inches, which means the roof rises 6 inches for each 12 inches of run. A framing square is traditionally used for laying out the roof and determining pitch.
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Why Flat Roofing Materials Are Different Than Pitched Roofing Materials
Pitched roofs have a physical advantage over flat roofs in their ability to let rainfall cascade down into gutters for drainage to the ground. Therefore, pitched roofing materials like asphalt shingles are engineered to ensure water flows well over the surface. Flat roof shingles tend to do more harm than good when it comes to protection from the elements. Water tends to seep between each shingle and can penetrate your roof membrane.
While flat roof systems are more affordable from the outset, they can be more expensive over the life of your building. Leaks are harder to diagnose and repair in a flat roof, especially on pebble roofs where you cant actually see the roof structure.
Until recently, flat roofs have had to be installed in multiple layers to protect against moisture damage and water leakage. Flat roofing materials have improved drastically over the past several decades to provide better waterproofing. Below, we review the best new roof material options for different types of flat roofs.
Pros And Cons Of Flat Roofing
Its a con if its leaking into your home. Its a pro if you love the look, but a con again if drainage is not maintained and the roof collapses under the weight of pooling water. Yes, flat roofs are known for leaking, but all roofs can leak. With advancements in structural design in new home building or upgrading your roof to better materials, you can have a reliable flat roof in a sunny, rainy, or snowy climate.
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The Advantages Of Flat Roofing
There are many people who prefer a flat roofing system over shingles or a tile roofing system. Here are several benefits of choosing a flat roof for your home.
Fill Depression With Wet Patch
Water will pool and potentially leak in depressions, so they must be raised to the level of the surrounding roof deck. Use the putty knife and wet patch to fill in the depression. Proceed immediately to the next step to avoid the patch from drying up on you.
Apply wet patch in temperatures greater than 0° F and less than 120° F. Though most wet patch repair products can be applied to wet surfaces, dry surfaces usually yield the best results.
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Eliminating Problems With Your Flat Roof
While there are plenty of high-quality solutions, when the time comes to upgrade your flat roof, for those who have experienced a lot of issues over the years, you may want to install pitched roofing to eliminate these problems entirely. Unfortunately, some flat roofs made from poorer quality materials or those which werent installed well when originally chosen can experience recurring issues. This includes leaks, water pooling, blistering and tears. High performance flat roofs can resolve these problems, or you may decide that pitched roofing will create the effective drainage system you want, while increasing the longevity of your roof.
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Types Of Roof Membranes For Flat Or Low
Materials & Systems> Thermal & Moisture Protection
Flat roof membranes are used in both residential and commercial roofing projects. In residential, it is used predominantly for large apartment buildings, garage roofs, and small extensions. It is also increasingly used for larger main roofs in single-family housing with modern designs that integrate flat roofs.
Most large commercial projects such as apartments, warehouses, sports facilities, schools, and hotels utilize membrane roofing on flat roofs. Most of these commercial buildings require roof access for mechanical systems or they have occupied roof terraces, making membrane roofs an ideal cost effective solution.
The two most common types of flat roof membranes are EPDM and PVC. While modified bitumen is also still used, most owners are moving away from asphalt based products due to the environmental and health hazards.
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Install The Intersected Beams
On top of the 8×2 rafter and aligned above each of the original beams, install the intersected beams of equivalent size in a calculated straight line one after the other in a pecking order. If they are 6×6, then install 6×6 beams in a standing position.
All new beams must be of exact height so that the lowest part of the roof will have an even surface to sit on.
How To Maintain A Flat Roof
Maintaining a flat roof is relatively simple. The best method for flat roof maintenance is consistency. Constantly inspecting the roof is an essential part of your maintenance plan. Regular roof inspections empower you to nip any potential issues in the bud that would otherwise become a costly and possibly dangerous issue over time.
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