What Is Considered A Flat Roof

What Is A Hip Roof

Hip roofs or hipped roofs are perhaps the second most common type of roof after gable roofs.

What is the difference between a hip vs gable roof?

Hip roofs are composed of slopes on four sides that come together to make a ridge at the top, while gabled roofs have two sides.

This variance makes hip roofs even more ideal for snowy and icy areas, since the slopes allow precipitation to run off the roof easily.

Hip roofs are also considered to be more stable than gable roofs due to the inward pitch on all four sides coming together.

Hip roofs also provide more shade than gable roofs since there is an overhanging eave on all four sides.

Hip roofs often include design elements like front gables to highlight a porch or entryway, or dormers or crows nests to add extra storage or living space underneath the roof.

They can be crafted from most standard roofing materials like asphalt shingles, standing seam metal or metal tiles, or clay or concrete tiles.

While hip-style roofs tend to be more expensive than gable roofs due to their more complicated design, they are still fairly common due to their versatility and durability.

After all, hip roof framing and overall builds require more materials and more expertise to construct, but you do end up with more stability and storage and living space underneath the roof.

And of course, regular care, inspections, and maintenance are required to keep your hip roof in the best possible condition.

What Pitch Is Considered A Flat Roof

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Correspondingly, what pitch should a flat roof have?

2:12

Additionally, can a flat roof be pitched? There are several ways to convert a flat roof to pitched.The typical way is to remove the existing roof and add new framing to the home that create a pitched roof over the old flat roof area. On houses, new pitched roofs typically are supported by the exterior walls, as with standard sloped–roof construction.

In this regard, what is considered a flat roof?

A flat roof is a roof which is almost level in contrast to the many types of sloped roofs. The slope of a roof is properly known as its pitch and flat roofs have up to approximately 10°. Flat roofs are an ancient form mostly used in arid climates and allow the roof space to be used as a living space or a living roof.

Is a pitched roof better than a flat roof?

A pitched roof provides more structure and stability than a flat roof, as well as excellent drainage in areas that receive large amounts of rain. However, a flat roof is an inexpensive and practical option for those who live in areas that receive little rainfall.

Ponding And Flat Roof How Much Ponding Is Acceptable On A Flat Roof

The great news is that ponding is not a serious issue if your roof is constructed with suitable materials and correctly built with an effective drainage system. Ponding that drains or evaporates within two days is safe and not cause for alarm, but ponding that occurs on a regular basis should be addressed.

If the ponding persists after two days, you should consult a professional roofer since this indicates that the roof drainage system is malfunctioning or that there is an issue with the sloping roof, roofing material, or roof deck.

Most single-ply manufacturers demand that 80% of water be removed from a roof within 48 hours following a rainstorm. So, if there are a few locations on the roof with ponding water after 48 hours, it is within the roof systems design.

Ponding water is less flexible in most coating techniques. Requirements vary, but in general, if there is ponding water, coating warranties either exclude these areas or mandate the use of a more costly and heavy-duty flashing grade coating.

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Synthetic Membranes For Flat Roofs

Due to the challenges of asphalt for flat roofs, new synthetic roofing membranes have been increasing in popularity. Synthetic roofing membranes fist came on the scene in the 1950s. They increased in quality and became more common as materials science advanced. With new developments in rubber and plastic materials, it was possible to create very secure and watertight roofing membranes.

These modern membrane materials are much easier to install and produce a more secure seal. With a more secure seal these membranes can create roofs that are almost completely leak proof. In the past, a flat roof was almost sure to leak eventually, but with modern synthetic membranes leaks may be very rare or may never happen at all. This has been a great advantage for owners of homes, businesses, and other structures designed with flat roofs.

There are a number of different synthetic membranes available today. Generally, they fall into three categories.

What Is A Dome Roof

Dome roofs are rarely seen in most residential settings, although they may be available in a prefabricated form and could fit into a contemporary design as a detail or even as the main roof.

The inverted bowl shape is striking and memorable.

This type of roof is expensive but very durable, and perfect to use for small additions to a different type of main roof think features like cupolas, gazebos, and crows nests.

Shingles, metal, or even glass will work for a dome roof, but metal requires the least maintenance and is generally considered to be the best choice for most structures.

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What Is A Butterfly Roof

This is a type of roof that is v-shaped with two raised wings that meet in a valley in the middle much like a butterfly that is mid-flight.

Butterfly roofs can have a dramatic effect and they are a good choice for homes with contemporary styling and for homes in arid or desert climates since the valley in the center allows for rainwater to be collected (there is usually a reservoir for this purpose incorporated into the design.

Butterfly roofs also allow for larger windows bringing in more natural light and PV solar panels are fairly easy to add on, making this an increasingly popular option for areas suited to this type of construction, like the southwestern U.S. and tropical areas of the southeast.

That said, these types of roofs are more complicated to build and maintain, and it is essential to ensure that the drainage system and waterproofing are top-notch.

Solid membranes are suggested, although metal and other organic materials may work to keep a butterfly roof watertight depending on your location.

The large windows and open design of a butterfly roof may also increase your heating and cooling costs since it will be more difficult to regulate the temperature inside the home.

What Is The Difference Between Commercial And Residential Roofing

Usually, a commercial roof consists of a flat, or nearly flat, metal or membrane roof. Residential roofs are typically much steeper and have numerous options. It takes professional, qualified roofing experts to meet the demands for all roofing. They offer the best advice on which materials work best for each situation.

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How Thick Is A Commercial Roof

EPDM roofing membrane is available in a variety of widths ranging from 7.5 to fifty feet. According to Righteous Rubber Roofing, there are three thickness options: 45 Mil, 60 Mil, and 90 Mil. A Mil is a unit of measurement denoting a thousandth of an inch. A 45 Mil EPDM roofing membrane is about as thick as a dime.

What Is A Pitched Roof

A pitched roof is probably the type of roof you think of when youre thinking of a typical house. Any roof that has a peak and slopes downward is considered a pitched roof. They are the most common roofing style.

Advantages

• Pitched roofs tend to have a longer lifespan compared to flat roof styles. The average lifespan of a pitched roof is about 20-50 years. This can vary according to the type of roofing materials used in constructing your roof and other climate factors.
• Another pro to a pitched roof is that they usually dont require much maintenance. Their sloped design helps to lead precipitation off your roof and decrease the possibility of water damage.

Disadvantages

• The main disadvantage to a pitched roof is the installation cost, which is higher than that of a flat roof.
• Considered a disadvantage for those with an eye for the modern design, pitched roofs can contradict a modern façade.

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Flat Roof Definition And Attributes

Although a common term, there is not really any such thing as a flat roof or at least you shouldnt want one! Your roof should always have a slight slope so that the water can drain off the roof so in reality, your flat roof is a low-slope roof. Still, it does appear flat and the slope is not generally noticeable.

Did You Know? The slope is measured by the roof fall over 12 inches. For instance, if there is a one-inch fall over twelve inches, that is known as a 1 and 12 while a three-inch fall is known as a 3 and 12. Everything under a 3-inch fall is considered a low slope roof.

A flat roof cannot be constructed with shingles, rather is fabricated with some type of membrane material designed to keep any standing water from resulting in a leak. However, flat roofs are known to leak more than sloped roofs. You want to make sure that your flat roof is draining properly, both to prevent leaks as well as to avoid structural damage which can occur due to the weight of standing water.

If you see excessive ponding on the roof, have a roofing contractor check the integrity of the underlayment, insulation and roof structure to make sure the slope is correct and the water can drain.

On the positive side, flat roofs are excellent in industrial situations, as air handlers or other equipment can be stored on the roof, and are easily reached by workers. Flat roofs are generally easier and safer to walk on and do not catch the wind in major storms like a sloped roof may.

What Is The Best Roofing Material For A Low Pitch Roof

Rubber roofs are a top choice for flat or low pitched roofing as it adheres to the roofing materials below it and, when installed correctly, provides a watertight seal to the elements. Choosing the best low slope roof materials often comes down to weighing the pros and cons based on your home and your needs.

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Installing A Membrane Roof

Any roof installation should begin by contacting Eagle Watch Roofing. When you contact our representatives, we will provide a no cost and not obligation roof inspection. The inspection will help us to determine the unique needs of your project. We can do both residential and commercial roofs.

Once we have an idea of what your project entails, we can get you a written estimate. The estimate includes all labor, materials, and accessories, so you will know exactly what is going into the quoted price. Once we have agreed on a price, Eagle Watch Roofing will oversee the whole project from start to finish. You dont have to worry about anything until the project is complete and we walk you through your new roof.

When we do the walk through we will answer any questions and address any concerns. When you are totally satisfied we will ask for payment and provide a written warranty, although we doubt you will have to ever use it.

What Is A Commercial Flat Roof

A roofing system that works great in one building may not work for others. When it comes to commercial roofing, experts recommend flat roofs. Flat roofs are economical to install, easy to maintain, and they also allow effective use of space. Hence, flat roofs are a great choice for commercial buildings.

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The Basics On Asphalt Roofing Systems

Along with a select number of other well-known manufacturers, IKO Industries offers a full line of asphalt based commercial roofing systems. A long-dependable choice for low slope roofing, asphalt falls into three basic categories: Built Up Roofing, Modified Bitumen and Hybrid Systems . From SBS to APP and BUR, IKOs asphalt applied membrane systems include base sheets, cap sheets and self-adhered membranes.

Built Up Roofing SystemsPopular in North America for more than 100 years, Built Up Roofing Systems are composed of alternating layers of bitumen and fabrics called roofing felts. The felts are reinforced with either glass-fiber mats or organic mats and when joined with the bitumen form a durable roofing membrane. The number of plies on a roof implies the number of layers, i.e. four plies denotes a four-layer flat roof membrane system.

BUR systems are redundant, meaning if one layer breaks down, multiple remaining layers provide immediate protection. These systems also offer great tolerance for building stress and resistance to thermal shock, high puncture resistance and outstanding membrane strength and toughness for proven long-term durability.

With standard application procedures, IKO BUR Systems offer robust protection for todays buildings and are available in traditional four-ply. Product options include the following:

Base Sheets Saturated or coated felts placed as the first ply in some low-slope roof systems.

• Easy-MeltTM 200

Mod Bit Systems Options:

What Is A Built Up Flat Roof

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. Also, what is a built up roof?

Built–up roofing, also called BUR, is the most common roofing material used on low-slope roofs. It is composed of alternating layers of reinforcing fabric and bitumen and is finished with a top layer of aggregate, such as stone or gravel.

Subsequently, question is, how do you repair a built up roof? Press it into the roofing cement, making certain to cover as much of the area inside the cut as possible. Cover the blister or hole with roofing cement to seal the patch, and then apply cement about 2 inches beyond the edges. When the cement begins to set up, sweep the gravel back over the top of the patch.

Furthermore, what is the best material for a flat roof?

High-Performing Commercial Roofing Material Types

• PVC Roofing. For many projects, PVC roofing is our preferred choice as the best flat roof material on the market.
• Metal Roofing. A commercial standing seam metal roof is the ideal choice for a building with a roof slope greater than 2 inches.
• TPO.

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Factors That Affect The Longevity Of A Flat Roof

The durability of your flat roof will determine the value-for-money you get from it.

We have several climatic factors here in Alberta that other parts of the country dont experience. That will affect your choice of material but there are other important factors to weigh up too.

So, lets go through the main ones:

How Much Does It Cost To Turn A Flat Roof Into A Pitched Roof

Evaluating the costs of a project like this can be difficult, as they can range significantly depending on region, season, and current costs of materials. However, our research indicates that as a very rough ballpark figure, you should be prepared to spend upwards of $30,000 for an average- sized residential structure.

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Standard Pitches: 3/12 Through 9/12

Standard pitch roofs are the common roofing pitches you’ll find on the main living areas of residential homes. Unlike low slope roofs, areas that have a standard slope can use regular roofing shingles without worry. Because there’s enough of a slope, you don’t have to worry about water drainage as much as you would with something like a 2 over 12 low slope roof.

In degrees, standard roof pitches are between 14.04 degrees and 36.37 degrees.

Minimum pitch for shingles

3 over 12 is the minimum slope a roof needs in order to qualify for roofing shingles.

Some roofers still opt for low slope materials with a 3 over 12 pitch, but this is not entirely necessary and just adds to the cost of your project.

Steepest standard pitch

A 9/12 roof pitch . is the steepest standard slope.

Anything above a 9 over 12 is considered steep slope.

Types Of Low Slope/flat Roof Systems

Built-Up Roof

• Multiple layers of roofing felt are mopped in place with hot asphalt or coal-tar pitch to build up a strong watertight membrane.
• Membrane is then surfaced with a coating or gravel imbedded in a pour-coat of more hot bitumen.
• This type of roof has a long history of performance.
• This roof system is not known as a flexible membrane, may have some environmental concerns & at times cost-prohibitive due to crude oil prices.

Single Ply

• Entire membrane roofs are manufactured in factory-controlled conditions that can then be installed as a single ply.
• Thermoplastic membrane roofs are heat welded single-ply membranes.
• Usually white which makes them very heat-reflective and highly-scored Energy Star products.
• Roof seams are very durable since they are welded together.
• These roofs are generally more environmentally friendly in their manufacture, transportation, installation, performance & disposal.
• Thermoplastics are the fastest growing type of low-sloped roofing.
• Proven track record of performance
• Broad range of application methods
• Available as part of a Class A fire-rated roofing system
• With insulation, provides an even better-performing building component
• Wide choice of top-coatings, including Cool Roofing options
• Superior waterproofing characteristics

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How Much Slope Is Acceptable To Prevent Ponding On A Flat Roof

In general, the minimum slope for water to flow down is 1% . However, the minimum pitch for a flat roof required by building regulation in most areas in the United States is 2%. . If you have a lowly inclined slope, you will most likely require membrane roofing to prevent ponding.

Moreover, it would help if you didnt have dips or depressions on your flat roof. Consequently, puddles should not form on a roof since roofs are not meant to support the weight of a considerable amount of water.