What is a flat roof?

A flat roof is a roof which is almost level in contrast to the many types of sloped roofs. The slope of a roof is properly known as its pitch and flat roofs have up to approximately 10°. 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. Flat roofs, or “low-slope” roofs, are also commonly found on commercial buildings throughout the world. The National Roofing Contractors Association defines a low-slope roof as having a slope of 3 in 12 (1:4) or less.

Around the world, many modern commercial buildings have flat roofs. The roofs are usually clad with a deeper profile roof sheet (usually 40mm deep or greater). This gives the roof sheet very high water carrying capacity and allows the roof sheets to be more than 60 metres long in some cases. The pitch of this type of roof is usually between 1 and 3 degrees depending upon sheet length.

*As per Wikipedia

Types of flat roof?

Fibreglass Roofing

As you’ll see on www.roofingkitsdirect.co.uk Fibreglass roofing is a great material to use for that clean and sturdy look. It is made from Glass Reinforced Polyester and a specially formulated resin that bonds to create a material that stands the test of time. Find our Fibreglass Roofing Kits here

Rubber Roofing

Rubber roofing is another method of roofing RKD provide. Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer otherwise known as EPDM is a single ply Rubber Roofing system (Yes, we also sell Rubber Roofing Kits here) If your worries are expansion then Rubber roofing may be the right choice for you, due to its elasticity. 

GRP Overlay System

Our liquid roofing option found here, combines some of the best qualities of GRP roofing systems with the ease of an overlay method. It is designed to coat almost all roof surfaces such as felt, asphalt, concrete, GRP, PVC single-ply, metal or approved insulation boards.

Despite other options being available on the market, we whole heartedly believe the three options above are the best in the business.

Are flat roofs bad?

Let’s take a look at what some may say are disadvanages of flat roofs:

  • They don’t drain…Flat roof systems are carefully created with drainage in mind. There are many solutions to ensure that drainage isnt comprimised such as internal drains, scuppers and gutters. Our advice is to ensure drainage is a priority when planning your project; as long as this is adhered to, there is no reason for ponding or drainage to be an issue with a flat roof.
  • They don’t look nice…Interestingly one of the more popular questions we have is in regards to the appearance of a flat roof. Now, when it comes to aesthetics we believe it is an each to their own concept however our opinion is that flat roofs look clean, fresh and precise.

We don’t see the above as disadvantages, just queries that are less known.

Our final thoughts, Flat Roofs are not bad.