Residential Flat Roof Layers

Flat roof coatings are available in a variety of types these days.

Residential flat roof layers.

Learn about the different materials that are available for flat roofs including epdm rubber built up roof and modified bitumen. A bottom layer or two of insulation board multiple intermediate layers of tar or asphalt alternated with layers of roofing felt and a top layer of gravel. Roof coatings manufactured for existing roofs and used to extend their service life by 10 15 years. Overall the amount of layers that can be added to flat roofs depends on the initial layer of roofing.

This could mean flat roofs may not raise the same red flags they used to. Homeowners no longer need to use tar with toxic fumes to seal their flat roofs. If the roof seems to be good and solid throughout its base and layers there is no need for a replacement and an layer of epdm tpo or asphalt roofing should be strongly considered in order to maximize the stability of the roof. On most flat roofs such as epdm tpo or modified it is perfectly acceptable to two layers of roofing.

Rubber and pvc coatings are newer products you can use to seal your roof from the elements. Steep sloped roof products such as tile slate metal and shakes only allow one layer. Built up roofing bur was the most common type of flat roof before modified bitumen and membrane roofing were developed. Pvc single ply membrane arguably the most popular of all flat roofing materials some contractors even install only pvc membranes for higher end residential installations pvc membranes are a single layer of thermoplastic material.

For many years it was acceptable to put even the third layer. Also known as the built up roof bur this type of flat roof features three or more layers of waterproof material mixed in an alternating fashion with hot tar and a layer of smooth stone like gravel. There are two main types. Spray foam insulation sprayed directly onto the roof deck and then coated with acrylic or urethane coating as well as a layer of crushed stones sand.

As you might imagine this is the cheapest version possible and good for covering a shed. It is a waterproofing layer made of regular felt stacked above the solid decking board and then completely covered by the shingles or other roofing materials. Single layer membrane roof. Synthetic rubber is the most common single ply membrane roof material in both residential and commercial use.

They are typically installed on top of single ply modified or low slope metal roofs. Bur consists of many layers. Some observers suggest it s harder to replace a flat roof than a traditional pitched shingle roof because of the labor required to remove its layers especially on older flat roofs. Flat roofs are hard to replace.

Pvc roofs are especially strong and durable featuring a minimum breaking point of 300 pounds per inch. Roof covering typically of flat and rectangular shapes and made of various materials such as slate wood flagstone plastic metal and composite materials.