Residential Flat Roof Layers

Single layer membrane roof.

Residential flat roof layers. 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. Roof covering typically of flat and rectangular shapes and made of various materials such as slate wood flagstone plastic metal and composite materials. Built up roofing bur was the most common type of flat roof before modified bitumen and membrane roofing were developed. Learn about the different materials that are available for flat roofs including epdm rubber built up roof and modified bitumen.

The type of coating you choose for your roof will depend. Overall the amount of layers that can be added to flat roofs depends on the initial layer of roofing. Pvc roofs are especially strong and durable featuring a minimum breaking point of 300 pounds per inch. Roof coatings manufactured for existing roofs and used to extend their service life by 10 15 years.

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 roof coatings are available in a variety of types these days. 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. For many years it was acceptable to put even the third layer. Synthetic rubber is the most common single ply membrane roof material in both residential and commercial use. Rubber and pvc coatings are newer products you can use to seal your roof from the elements.

Homeowners no longer need to use tar with toxic fumes to seal their flat roofs. Flat roofs are hard to replace. But now flat roofs often are constructed with fewer layers because of improved waterproofing technology. Steep sloped roof products such as tile slate metal and shakes only allow one 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. 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. This could mean flat roofs may not raise the same red flags they used to. There are two main types.

They are typically installed on top of single ply modified or low slope metal roofs. 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.