New Flat Roof Construction
Considering a new build with a flat roof? Good call. We install flat roofs on all kinds of buildings from residential homes or multiplexes, to commercial properties and institutions like schools and hospitals. Every flat roof installation starts with an inspection and discussion to find the right solution for your building. On the day of installation our workers will setup protective barriers and may move outside furniture, but don’t worry, we will set everything back to how it was when we found it, and will clean the job site so you’ll never know we were there. You will not have to clean up after our crew.
Let’s get a few myths about flat roofs out of the way:
Flat roofs can’t support heavy snowfall.
Sure they can. In fact, local building codes require builders to design the building to withstand all major weather effects including snowfall.
Flat roofs leak more.
All types of roofs can leak. Choosing materials that withstand local weather, as well as regular maintenance will decrease the likelihood you will have to fix a leak.
Flat roofs are expensive.
Actually, flat roofs require fewer materials to build and are simpler in design. The cost of materials may be higher upfront but both flat and pitched roofs vary enough that you really have to compare specific roof makes and materials as sometimes a flat roof will be cheaper than a pitched, and vice-versa.
Flat roofs are flat.
Some flat roofs are indeed flat while some have a slope. In either event, we can make sure your roof will be designed to properly drain water and help preserve the life of the roof.
Flat roofs can’t be insulated.
Whether you can insulate your roof or not depends on the dimensions of the structure, but most building have enough space to allow for a flat roof to have insulation.
Flat roofs hold a lot of water.
Yes, some flat roofs naturally hold water for many reasons such as poor design, age of roof, roof deck type, drainage issues, etc. We can assess your roof and provide solutions to any flat roof issue including water retention. A properly designed flat roof will not hold water.
Flat roof options:
Choosing a new flat roof to install is a big responsibility. We start with a comprehensive discussion about your vision and goals, then help our clients make informed decisions about the a wide range of materials to choose from. These include:
PVC – Polyvinyl chloride is a type of single-ply roofing membrane used on commercial or industrial roofs and is known for its durability and cost-effectiveness.
TPO – Thermoplastic Polyolefin is a single-ply roofing membrane that is one of the fastest growing commercial roofing systems on the market. TPO roofing systems are made up of a single layer of rubber and reinforcing fabric.
EPDM – Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer a durable synthetic rubber roofing membrane widely used in low-slope buildings.
MB – Modified Bitumen roofing is an asphalt-based, close cousin of the older Built-up-Roof (BUR) and is known to withstand harsh exposure to extreme environmental elements.
Built-Up Roofs (Tar and Gravel) — these roofs have a long history in the roofing industry and can last up to 50 years. We all recall the unpleasant odour of this type of roof when it is being installed, they are notably heavier than new roofing systems meaning they require a strong support structure. The biggest disadvantage to Tar and Gravel roofs is undoubtedly that it can be unusually hard to find a leak on one.. However, they are proven for their cost-effectiveness and durability.
Whether you are in charge of the construction of a new commercial office space, industrial building or residential complex you owe it to yourself to take a serious look at flat roof solutions.
Contact FS Roof Systems to start the conversation.