Flat Roof Layers

On most flat roofs such as epdm tpo or modified it is perfectly acceptable to two layers of roofing.

Flat roof layers.

But now flat roofs often are constructed with fewer layers because of improved waterproofing technology. Of course flat roofs are not flat but have a very slight roof pitch of between 1 4 to 1 2 per foot. Modified bitumen an asphalt based multi ply flat roofing system is considered a modern take on its close cousin bur or built up roof. On the plus side.

It s all about the money. Why would you want to recover vs tear off. These flat roof systems contain one layer of rubber or a rubber type material that is applied without heat. Modified bitumen is installed in multiple layers multi ply roof each of which is torched to the surface below at every turn of the roll.

Four plies denotes a four layer flat roof membrane system. The slope of a roof is properly known as its pitch and flat roofs have up to approximately 10. Rubber is waterproof and is relatively easy to install. 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.

The number of plies on a roof implies the number of layers i e. Built up roofs are manufactured using built up layers of either tar saturated paper and liquid tar with gravel asphalt rolled asphalt or modified bitumen. Orient the spade at a 30 to 40 degree angle to the roof and start thrusting a spot in the middle of the roof repeatedly. Drawbacks include potential leakage at the seams or from product shrinkage.

Bur consists of many layers. Tar and gravel 2. Flat roofs are hard to replace 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. Always stand on a firm section of the roof and wear long pants long sleeves and safety glasses.

Adhesive metal straps or gravel are used to secure the rubber roof systems. Built up roofing bur was the most common type of flat roof before modified bitumen and membrane roofing were developed. Bur systems are redundant meaning if one layer breaks down multiple remaining layers provide immediate protection. Just enough slope to drain water but also flat enough to be a problem if not constructed properly.

A flat roof is a roof which is almost level in contrast to the many types of sloped roofs. However in almost all areas it is not acceptable to install more than two layers of roofing on any commercial building.