Why Are Flat Roofs Used? and It's Cons

You may have noticed that flat roofs are more prevalent on commercial buildings than homes, which typically have pitched roofs. You may be wondering what are the reasons that so many businesses find flat roofs a better alternative to sloped roofs?

There are many benefits to flat roofs.

Provide More Space

A roof doesn’t have to just be a house topper – it can be a recreational area for people to enjoy. Flat roofs can function as rooftop gardens, a place for a barbeque cookout, or an outdoor space to relax. Sometimes swimming pools can even be installed on a flat roof.

Aside from being used as a place to hang out and chill, flat roofs also can be used for storage.

Although flat roofs don’t provide interior storage space, some commercial or industrial buildings store HVAC units or ventilation systems on their flat roofs. A flat roof is also the perfect roofing style if you want to install solar panels.

Affordable

Flat roofs are relatively inexpensive compared to other roofing styles. Not only are the types of materials cheaper than materials for sloped roofs, but there is less surface area to cover than a sloped roof, which saves money on roofing materials.

Increase Curb Appeal

Because people can’t really see a flat roof from ground level, it really puts a focus on the architecture of the home. A flat roofing offsets a home from all the others around it that have pitched styles.

Flat roofs are a great choice for homeowners looking for roofing with a contemporary touch, as flat roofs give homes a sleek, modern look.

Low Maintenance

Flat roofs are easily accessible, which makes them low maintenance and easy to repair.

To clean a flat roof surface, just grab a broom or leaf blower to remove any debris off the roof. You can also use a vacuum to clear off debris. Additional upkeep includes unclogging the gutter system and trimming back any overhanging tree branches.

Avoid using a pressure washer for cleaning, as the rough jets of water can cause damage to your roof. Instead, use a hose and soap to rinse off your flat roof.

Chlorine and sodium hydroxide can also be used to clean your roof, although be careful, since these chemicals can be harmful to the environment and they must be thoroughly rinsed off, otherwise they might damage your roof.

Every so often, your flat roof needs to be recoated, as the protective coatings on flat roofing don’t last forever. Water problems such as ponding or leaking are a sign that your roof needs to be recoated.

How often your roof will need to be recoated is dependent on age, type of material, and roof size. Usually, a flat roof needs to be recoated every five years or so. However, the older a flat roof gets, the more frequently it needs to be recoated.

Although routine cleaning is an easy DIY job, recoatings are challenging and are best performed by a professional roofing contractor. You also can hire a roofing company for any cleaning, repair, or recoating jobs.

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Energy Efficient

Flat roofs are an energy-efficient option, particularly in warm climates. Flat roofing material is rigid and has a uniform membrane system, so it doesn’t have as many seams as pitched roofs. The lack of gaps provides good insulation and helps keep indoor temperatures stable.

Quick to Install

Flat roofs require less roofing material, which makes the installation process easier and requires less labor.

Flat roofing can be installed quickly, usually taking an average of one to two days for a roof to be installed.

Make Roof More Accessible

The flat surface allows people to navigate a flat roof much easier than the difficult angles of a pitched roof. The accessibility of a flat roof makes it much easier to perform roof maintenance and repairs.

Cons of a Flat Roof

snow on roof

While there are many advantages to owning a flat roof, there are some drawbacks.

Drainage Issues

One of the most prominent problems of flat roofs is they commonly have drainage problems and they’re susceptible to ponding water on the roof.

Due to the gentle slope, flat roofs don’t drain as well as sloped roofs. Flat roofs will have to be checked if they are not draining properly, and standing water on a flat roof is a sign that it will need to be repaired.

No Attic Space

Although flat roofs can be used as storage areas for outdoor HVAC units, they don’t provide any attic storage space. While this might not be a big deal for commercial properties, the lack of attic space might be a nuisance for homeowners who may need the additional storage for items inside their home.

Snow Accumulation

Snow will keep piling up on a flat roof. With a sloped roof homeowners can count on gravity to pull down snow and keep it from piling too high on the roof. But flat roofs don’t have that benefit, and snow will continue to pile in heavy heaps on your roof. This puts immense structural pressure on your roof, which can be dangerous and lead to your roof collapsing if the weight becomes too much.

Shorter Lifespans

Certain types of flat roofing have long lifespans, such as metal, EPDM, PVC, and green roofs. Those types of materials can last 20 to 30 years or more. But many flat roofs are made of less expensive materials that can’t stand up to the elements. For instance, modified bitumen has a lifespan of only 10 to 15 years.

Bad for Cold Climates

The ideal home for flat roofs are in warm, dry areas. Although flat roofs can work in colder areas, the majority of flat roofs work best in warm climates. There are certain types of roofing materials that do well in cold areas, such as metal roofs.