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A flat roof comprises supporting beams, trusses, decking, underlayment, and roofing material. A lot goes into keeping a business facility safe from climate factors. Whether you're planning to construct a new flat roof or replace an existing one, it's crucial to know the terminology so you can communicate effectively with your roofing contractor. The following are some of the most significant flat roofing terminologies to be familiar with.
EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) is a synthetic rubber made from raw gas and oil. Because of its easy installation process and longevity, it has become one of the most popular commercial flat roofing systems in the United States in recent times.
Modified Bitumen roofing systems are single-ply membranes placed to the roof surface by rolling. They are comparable to asphalt roofs. However, they contain extra polymers in their ingredients to give additional weather security and extend their lifespan.
Flat roof flashing is an integral part of a roof that should not be overlooked. Flat roof flashing is strips of metal bent at a 90-degree angle. Their primary function is to protect against ice, snow, water, and even some trash.
The material surface put to built-up roofs to safeguard the top layer of bitumen from direct sunlight and reflect solar radiation is known as aggregate. It aids in lowering the highest surface temperature, the black surface's short-term variations, and the seasonal temperature range.
To cover flat roofs, TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin) roofing systems comprise a single layer of synthetics and reinforcing scrim. TPO membranes come in 10-, 12-, or 20-foot wide sheets. Because of its inherently reflective surface, which safeguards the roof from UV damage, this roofing solution has received industry popularity.
The most well-known flat roofing element is built-up roofing, often called BUR. It comprises alternating layers of bitumen (asphalt) and reinforcing fabric, with a top coating of aggregate, which is usually stone or gravel.
The most common flat roofing element is PVC single-ply membrane. Flat roofs can even be installed using only PVC membranes. A PVC membrane is generally a single sheet of a thermoplastic element with heat-welded PVC seams to make a waterproof bond.
A roof slope is an angle at which the roof slants. The minimal slope for water to run down a roof is 1 percent (1/8′′ per 1′) in most cases. The minimal slope for a flat roof, according to building regulation, is 2% (1/4′′ per 1′). Even though a sufficient slope will enable rainfall to drain off the roof readily, your flat roof will almost certainly require a waterproof membrane.
The R-value of a roofing material indicates how well it resists heat flow. Many states mandate roof systems to have minimal heat resistance; therefore, knowing the R-value is critical for retail flat roofs. Your roofing contractor will consider the underlayment, membranes, insulation, cover boards, and adhesives when calculating the R-value of a roof system.
Roofers place water-resistant or waterproof items precisely onto the roof deck as roofing underlayment. It's frequently used as an additional coating of weather shield behind the rest of the roofing elements.
Where the paraphernalia panels meet, there is a roofing seam. TPO, PVC, and metal roofs are examples of this. Roof seams are usually the feeblest part of the structure.
Flat roofs can also be made with roofing felt, which is a common and traditional approach. Felt roofing, often referred to as tar paper, is applied with hot bitumen to form a strong adhesive between the roof and the felt.
Some of the most prominent flat roofing terminologies have been outlined and discussed above. We hope that you find this article useful and can utilize them when necessary. Visit us at 366 Grand Street Williamsburg, NY 11211 (718) 690-7084 https://www.williamsburgroofingny.com/ for more inquiries.
Flat roof ventilation has been given less attention, whereas, it causes a lot of damage to your roof. Aside from some of the popular flat roofing problems, poor roof ventilation shortens the lifespan of your roof.
While insulating your roof is good, ventilation is also important. In fact, they are made for each other. You can insulate your roof as well as ventilate it.
While insulation makes your roof cooler during summer and warmer in the winter, ventilation makes the air in your house circulate and makes excess air escape through your attic.
If you want your roof to last longer and probably exceed its lifespan then you should pay more attention to the ventilation of your roof.
Now, if you have already ventilated your roof, or maybe you just built your house, or maybe you have never ventilated your roof, what are the signs that your roof is crying for help like a homeless child?
Here, you will learn essential signs that point to nothing but the fact that your roof needs immediate ventilation. Or else, you might be risking damaging your roof.
The following are signs that your roof has poor ventilation and needs immediate ventilation;
Increased Cooling Costs:
Poor ventilation can increase your cooling costs. How you may ask?
When you have poor roof ventilation, it becomes difficult for heat to escape through your attic; therefore, your cooling costs increase during summer. Because you will have to use a cooling system like AC to reduce the heat coming from your attic.
One of the best ways to know if you have poor ventilation is by checking the temperature of your attic compared to other parts of your building. If you noticed excess heat stemming from your attic, then it means you have poor roof ventilation.
Although you can ventilate it yourself, it is better to employ the services of a professional roofer.
Ice Dams In The Winter
When you have poor ventilation, according to the last point, it increases your cooling costs during summer. What then happens during winter?
When your roof is filled with snow, the heat in your attic melts the snow, which eventually turns to water. This water then flows towards the end of your roof, where it can no longer melt, after which, it freezes in your gutters and causes an ice dam.
Moisture In The Attic
When your roof has poor ventilation, not only does it trap the heat in your attic, but it also traps the water, leaving no option to flow to.
As you know, water always finds its way no matter how long. This can lead to water damage in your building. When you notice this problem, you should quickly ventilate your roof to avoid further problems.
Reiterating, you can ventilate your roof yourself, but it is always advisable to employ a professional roofer in your area. To learn more about roof ventilation or flat roofs in general, you can contact us at Williamsburg Roofing, 366 Grand Street Williamsburg, NY 11211, 718-690-7084, [email protected].
This is one question homeowners and industrial building owners ask themselves. They are not even sure if their flat roof needs waterproofing after installation. What is really the essence of waterproofing your roof? You might ask.
Waterproofing is one of the best ways to keep your roof in shape and check. It reduces the amount of exposure your roof has to weather conditions like heavy rains, scorching sun, etc. Which, if not taken care of, affects the lifespan of your roof.
Waterproofing can be used for both sloppy/pitched roofs and flat roofs. It is easier to add waterproofing to a pitched roof than a flat roof because of its sloppiness. But waterproofing is as effective in a flat roof as it is in a pitched roof.
That said, there are elements to consider when waterproofing your flat roof. You should consider the following elements when you want to waterproof your flat roof.
The following are the 3 processes of installing waterproofing on your roof
This waterproofing method involves the use of liquids like fiberglass, fleece membranes, reinforced plastic, etc.
This waterproofing method has a lifespan of at least 20 years and a maximum of 40 years. But this depends on the quality of the waterproofing material used, how it was installed, and the level of maintenance done after it was installed.
This is one of the most applied and used waterproofing methods. It involves putting a membrane on your roof. You can use 2 membranes but most people prefer 3 so they can be sure of its longevity.
After putting the layers on your roof, you then use hot bitumen to bond them together. If you are using it on a warm flat roof (BUR), you should join the layers with a polyester bearer, and place them on the insulation horizontally. But if you are using a cold roof, you should place it on the structural deck.
The self-adhesive, torching, and cold applications are processes used for installing the membranes on your flat roof.
As suggested, this is usually used on warm roofs like EPDM, PVC, TPO, etc, to get the best result and longevity. It has different measurement ranges you can use on your flat roof.
This material is usually laid across the insulation. And just like the reinforced bitumen membrane, it can be used on the structural deck too. For more effectiveness, it is also added under the insulation. The methods for installing adhesion, ballasting, and fastening.
With all that has been said, your roof should be waterproofed. It is not necessary but rather compulsory. If you want to enjoy your flat roof for a long period, then you should install a waterproofing system on your roof. To learn more about how to waterproof your flat roof, you should reach out to Williamsburg Roofing NY through 366 Grand Street Williamsburg, NY 11211, 718-690-7084 https://www.williamsburgroofingny.com/.
With the harsh economic climate plaguing different parts of the world, everyone wants to save more money. Nobody wants to spend big on a project when they can spend less and still get the same value.
So if you’re in the market for new flat roofing material, you must definitely consider going for cool roofing as the best way to save money on energy bills. Besides that, cool roofing has proven to be greatly environmentally friendly.
The concept of cool roofing is the trend these days. And with the ever-changing technology, which is always creating better ways for you to utilize less energy, thereby saving you a great deal of money from energy usage in your home, the market is saturated with many acclaimed energy-efficient products. Amidst all this noise, what is the best energy-efficient flat roofing material? How can you pick the right energy-efficient material?
Literally, TPO is made from plastic, but technically, TPO is one of the various types of rubber. It is made from a mixture of polypropylene and ethylene-propylene rubber. It is manufactured in sheets that measure 10ft., 12ft., and 20ft. width.
When reflecting heat away from home, no other flat roofing material does it better than TPO roofing membrane. If you’re looking for a flat roofing material that will help you cut down your energy bills significantly, TPO is the best bet. It has an Energy Star rating and a thermal emittance level.8 to.9. Also, TPO is certified by the CRRC (Cool Roof Rating Council) and is 100% recyclable.
EPDM, a type of single-ply membrane roofing, is one of the oldest flat roofing materials used in the US. This rubber roofing material is very common as it is inexpensive, easy to install and maintain. Because it is a rubber material, EPDM is quite elastic and flexible enough to withstand movements and adverse weather conditions.
EPDM comes with special coatings that help them reflect UV rays. Unfortunately, EPDM is not as reflective as the TPO and can still absorb some amount of heat. Nevertheless, a study from the Department of Energy and the EPDM Roofing Association showed that ballast and paver systems like the EPDM could save as much energy as a reflective or “cool” roof.
EPDM can be installed in different ways. It could either be mechanically fastened to the roof deck, fully adhered across the entire roof, or laid loosely and covered with ballast.
Spray roofing might seem like a new kid in the block, but this option has been around for a while. Instead of the usual sheets and shingles, SPF, a composition of two chemicals blended at the sprayer, would be spread on the whole roof. These chemicals and the sprayer trigger foam formation that provides excellent waterproofing and insulation.
Energy-efficient roofing materials promise reduced cost of heating and cooling costs in your home. It also offers longevity to your roofing system, reduces the frequency of roof maintenance, excellent resistance to wind, UV rays, rain, and storm.
While the debate about which is more energy-efficient between flat roofs and pitched roofs continue to linger, the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources Building Guide has demonstrated that flat roofs are generally more energy-efficient, thanks to one factor, “insulation.”
Cool roofs are usually reflective with light-colored roof surfaces created to direct the impact of heatwaves away from the building interior. Flat roofing materials are coated with colors that allow them to reflect UV rays. To find out more about energy-efficient roofing, contact Williamsburg roofing, 366 Grand Street Williamsburg, NY 11211, https://www.williamsburgroofingny.com/.
What do they always tell you when you want to embark on a roofing project? How important choosing the right material is? Or how indispensable a professional roofing contractor is to the success of the project? But what about roofing maintenance?
Like every other roofing type out there, proper installation of the flat roofing system is never enough. A good maintenance culture will always make a huge difference. But unlike the more traditional pitched or sloped roofs, flat roof maintenance is much more important.
No doubt, your flat roofing system is very much capable of standing against damaging impacts of the weather. But for how long? Besides the wind, what about dead leaves clogging your gutters? Ever thought about how that will affect your roof?
A simple flat roof inspection can help you prevent many damages, including clogged gutters and any potential leak case. Detecting this early will help avoid a more disastrous flat roof problem.
Think about how much you’d be spending should there be any need to engage the services of a professional roofing company near you for some basic flat roof repair and installation. If you’re a homeowner or property manager in Williamsburg, then you’re most likely to be in the know of how costly flat roof repairs can get. But you can always cut these costs with regular flat roof inspection and maintenance.
Identifying any potential flat roof problems and taking it head-on not only saves you money for costlier repairs but helps keep your energy bills from going higher than necessary. It also saves time that would have gone for expensive repairs.
Some flat roofing problems like leaks started from minor holes or cracks that were left unchecked. Leaks on your roof will undoubtedly lead to the growth of mildew and mold. And no doubt, staying in a home with mold and mildew growth can never end well with your health. A routine roof maintenance practice is all it takes to keep mold far from your home.
No matter how durable a roofing system may be, without routine inspection and maintenance, it will surely give way to the impacts of the elements earlier than it’s supposed to. Being ignorant of minor problems on your roofing system will eventually lead to a complete roof replacement earlier than necessary.
If there’s one thing any homeowner or property manager will enjoy most with regular flat roof maintenance, it’s the peace of mind that comes with it. No matter how bad the weather might be the previous night and how many other roofing systems fell to the weather’s impact, you’ll wake up with the confidence that your roof isn’t affected.
Flat roofs are quite strong, durable, and reliable. However, the ever-unending effects of the elements will eventually have their toll on the flat roofing system. And the best way to nip any problems early while also saving money is through flat roof maintenance. Constant flat roof inspection and maintenance will always ensure that the structure and quality of your roofing system are always intact.
A regular inspection and maintenance can always make a difference. If you have any questions about your flat roof in Williamsburg, NY, or want a thorough inspection, contact us at 366 Grand Street Williamsburg, NY 11211, 718-690-7084, https://www.williamsburgroofingny.com/.
