The Roof

The roof is like the icing on the cake.

There are eight basic roof shapes and hundreds of variations. They are gable, shed, hip, gambrel, mansard, gambrel, flat and butterfly. We are going to talk about flat roofs.

“Pitch” or slope is minimal, usually ¼” per foot, is the term used to describe the degree of roof slope. Good flat roofs include isometric insulation panels that are deigned to direct water to the scuppers that drain through the parapet wall built around the parameter. These panels taper from 1” to 1/16”. We prefer flat roofs because they offer a great deal more opportunities that other roofs do not.

 A flat roof provides the opportunity to construct an enclosed penthouse, garden, or patio for entertainment or if the roof is large enough for all three. A roof top quickly becomes your private sanctuary.

If you are the kind of individual that prefers to save money on electricity a flat roof is ideal for installing solar panels, for a more energy efficient, energy independent home. A flat roof covered with solar panels is almost invisible and a 10KW system can save $200-$300 monthly on electric bills.

This style roof is easier to construct than pitched roofs, it requires fewer building materials, keeping the costs down.

The most common materials used are tar and gravel, roll roofing, metal sheets, PVC, TPO, and rubber membrane. Roofs designed for personal use generally will use TPO. For traffic areas there are a variety of pavers that will not only protect the roof but provide drainage.

I have attached pictures that will give you an idea of the steps involved. Next time we're going to talk about windows and what to expect.

Stay tuned, there's a lot more to come,

Dik Muller