Flat roofs are buildings without an attic and less than a 10-degree roof slant. They’re most commonly used on buildings and tall structures due to how quick they are to install, how energy-efficient they are, how easy they are to maintain, and their longevity. They are better for arid climates due to the issue of water retention. Flat roofs are also trendy and popular among new flat buildings, office buildings, universities, and car garage buildings.
Flat Roof Insulation
A couple of the most popular options for insulation inside flat roofs are fiberglass, cellulose, and spray foam insulation in order of quality and price. A polyurethane sprayer is very versatile as it provides the best coverage and can fit into any crack or small space. The price of replacing a flat roof is usually 7 to 10 thousand dollars. Like other roofs, insulation of a flat roof will cost from 0.50 to 1.50 USD per square foot.
Warm Roofs vs Cold Roofs
One of the first considerations with flat roofs is which of the two types to choose – a cold roof or a warm roof? In a cold roof, the insulation is between the joists and the roof deck, while in a warm roof the insulation is above the joists and under the roof covering. The term comes from the deck being warmer due to insulation being on top of it. A warm roof keeps the ceiling warmer with a vapor barrier on top of it and a control layer beneath it. Here are some of the benefits of a warm roof:
- It saves you the necessity to have to vent the ceiling
- The roof is kept at a high enough temperature that condensation does not occur
- It saves power
Here are the benefits of a cold roof:
- It’s more economical
- Warm roofs require reconstruction service of the roof by a professional company
- It takes up less space
- They’re more convenient to walk on
Safety Precautions
A slant on the roof is necessary to make sure that water runs off it. If water does not drain from the roof, the following problems can occur:
- odors
- bad aesthetics
- higher maintenance cost
- Water damage to machinery caused by water & rust
- Lowered building value
- mold
- Ice
- slipping hazard
Regulations for flat roofs insulation dictate that the slope be 1:80, draining should go to one edge or two, and that cold roofs have ventilation. Another detail is that a thickness for the building of 18 mm is recommended, and the company should make sure that a flat roof is suitable for the object.