Is Having A Flat Roof Worth It?
ShareAre you currently building a home and picking out the type of roof it will have? If so, a flat roof may be on your list of roof types that you are trying to narrow down. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of a flat roof.
Flat Roof Advantages
One reason that people want to have a flat roof is so that they can have more usable space. A flat roof can be used as a patio or a garden in some situations. It really just depends on how you are allowed to use a flat roof according to local building codes, and how those rules work into your building plans.
Flat roofs are also affordable to create when building new construction. A lack of a steep pitch means that it will take fewer building materials and less time to construct the roof, which costs you money at the end of the day. A flat roof can be a cost-saving measure if you are on a tight budget and need to cut money somewhere.
You'll find that it is easier to perform maintenance on a flat roof because of how easy it is to navigate. There is not a steep slope that you need to navigate on, which means that you can slowly take your time to inspect a flat roof and do maintenance on your own.
Flat Roof Disadvantages
A big problem with flat roofs is dealing with drainage issues. Even though a flat roof still has a slight slope, it is more likely that you have issues with pooling water in places along the surface. If you do not stay on top of this problem, pooling water can lead to water damage that causes structural issues.
When it comes to the lifespan of a flat roof, know that a flat roof typically has a shorter lifespan. This is all due to how a flat roof can leak more, and typically requires more maintenance than other types of roofs.
Some people are against having a flat roof because they do not like the aesthetics of it. You won't really be able to see the roof from the ground, which is quite common with other types of roof designs. You are certainly limited when it comes to creating a home with interesting architectural design when you cannot use the roof to do so.
Reach out to a roofing contractor for more information on flat roofs.