General 
No Comments Flat Roofs
If you think that flat roofs collect puddles, need constant repairs to stop leaks and are generally unstable, think again. Thanks to new, improved materials and the latest technology, the modern flat roof is designed to withstand whatever the British weather throws at it.
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Traditional built-up felt and asphalt flat roofs are very popular, particularly for sheds and garages. The felt and asphalt flat roof usually consists of three layers which form a thick, weatherproof protective barrier. The felt may be made up of natural or synthetic materials and it is made waterproof by treatment with a substance such as asphaltic bitumen. Felt and asphalt roofs are often installed by a keen DIYers. However, there are a range of application techniques, so it’s best to get help from roofing professionals if you want a felt and asphalt flat roof that performs well and has a life expectancy of 20 years or more.
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Modern advances in roofing technology have produced the single ply membrane. It’s the preferred flat roofing material for houses and extensions due to its superior life expectancy – up to 40 years or more. Flexible sheets of single ply membrane are laid across the roofing surface and joined together with heat or self-sealed, forming a waterproof barrier. There are many types of single ply roofing membrane, made from various materials including synthetic rubber and PVC. One of the main advantages of single ply roofing membrane is its durability. It is resistant to extremes of temperature and humidity, chemical oxidation and UV radiation, so requires little maintenance. For these reasons, you can expect to pay more for a single ply membrane flat roof than a felt and asphalt one. It must be fitted by a specialist in this type of roofing for reasons of safety and quality.
Flat roofs fall into two categories – warm and cold – according to how insulation is fitted. In a traditional cold system, insulation is placed between the ceiling and the deck. The size and thickness of the insulation is limited by the available space. It is essential to ventilate the space between the insulation and the deck, to prevent condensation forming when warm air hits the cold deck. Moisture from condensation will seep into the deck, the ceiling and the insulation itself, causing damage and deterioration.
In a warm system, the insulation layer is placed on top of the main structure, outside the deck. This means that there is no restriction on the thickness of the insulation. This method conserves heat very effectively and stops condensation forming beneath the deck, keeping the deck and ceiling dry.
Currently, building regulations in the UK recommend the construction of warm roofs, as they are more energy efficient. If you want to convert your cold system to a warm system, contact a roofing or insulation company that offers this service. However, if you have a building that is unheated anyway, like a small shed, a cold roof should be fine, as long as it is kept well-ventilated.