1st Choice Roofing Company specializes in Flat Roofs for Residential and Commercial Roofing Systems. We have been installing Flat Roofs for 23 years. Flat Roofs on residential structures may have many different types of materials installed onto the substrate. The most common is a material called roll roofing. Some Roofing Contractors use 3 tab shingles with 30lb felt and this is a roof leak waiting to happen. Home Depot sells a material made for Flat Roofs called cold tar process that is very easy to apply. Unfortunately, these systems mentioned above are short term in nature. As you can see, We have many different material choices available when it comes to re roofing your home.
Flat Roof System
The Roofing Contractor in the picture is installing roll roofing. Notice how the seams are exposed on the Flat Roof. The seams are exposed to the Sun causing them to dry out over time. In about 18 months the process of spreading cement over the seams will have to be repeated.
The cold tar process is nothing more than liquid cement which is poured onto the entire Flat Roof surface. The tar will dry out and shrink causing the roof to leak.
Shingles installed onto Flat Roofs is a grand mistake. Water will run underneath the shingles and into the water bond joint. Roofing Companies will install 30lb felt which will keep the roof from leaking while still under the warranty. These techniques allow the Roofing Contractor to save money on the roof installation.
Modified Bitumen
The roof system installed most often is the Modified Bitumen. Some roofers will refer to it as a “Torch Down Roof System”. As the picture shows, a torch is used to heat the material so that the seams are melted together. This gives you a seamless roof system which works well for a Flat Roof. The only draw back to this roof installation is there are very few Roofing Contractors who know how to “butter the seams” for maximum protection.
Flat Roofs that have large surface areas may require drains to be installed into the roof system. The drains aid in the removal of water from the substrate. A tapered system may be installed onto the Flat Roof before the torch process begins. This system raises the roof up in the middle about 4 inches while tapering down to a 1/4 inch at the roof’s edge.
While there are many different roof systems available, 1st Choice Roofing recommends Modified Bitumen for most Residential Roofs. When choosing a Roofing Contractor for your next Flat Roof installation, be sure to consider all your options.
1st Choice Roofing will be obliged to give you our professional opinion as well as a free estimate!
