Introduction

Before getting into the pros and cons, let’s first give a brief introduction to flat roofing. Naturally we don’t give the roof of a building much attention because it’s pretty much out of sight, we tend to pay more attention to the bricks and mortar of a building. However, the roof plays a very important role as it keeps all the Earth’s elements out. With this in mind, it would behove of you to invest in the right type of roof which is of good quality. A flat roof construction is a very popular type of roofing that has a wide array of applications.

Advantages of Flat Roof Construction

Most types of roofing which you will encounter generally will have a very long installation time, they probably won’t be very cost-efficient, won’t be able to handle extreme weather conditions very well, won’t have a long life expectancy, and are usually quite difficult to maintain. This is terrible because it’s the exact opposite of what you should be looking for in a roof! This is where flat roofing comes in; by investing in a flat roof construction you will gain the following benefits:

Minimal installation time

• Cost-efficient as it is more durable and cheaper than most other types of roofing
• Can withstand all types of weather because of the clever design
• The clever design also results in a long life expectancy
• Easiest type of roof to maintain and much safer than other types
• The roof is usually built at a slight angle (approximately 10 degrees) which will prevent an excess amount of water from collecting on there.
• Minor problems can be fixed by the home-owner

Another major addition to a flat roof design – which is especially popular in the summer and in warmer areas such as Cornwall – is that they can double as a living area or a communal area for picnics and such. So not only are you getting a sturdy roof that will potentially last a lifetime, you also benefit by having multiple uses for the area.

Disadvantages of Flat Roof Construction

Even though flat roofing seems to have an abundance of advantages, it doesn’t come without its fair share of disadvantages. You will have to take your climate into consideration as areas which receive more snow fall may not be a viable place for a flat roof, this is because the accumulation of the snow could result in a heavy load which could collapse the roof. However, procedures can be put into place to increase the load capacity of your roof, this is usually quite expensive however so may not be worth it.

Another big disadvantage is that even though the roof is sloped to prevent excess water building up, it is still prone to water leakage and seepage so you must take extra note of this. Water will also be a problem if there is any damage in your roof, this is because the water will be able to seep through and will cause problems to the structure and anything else under the roof.

Conclusion

To conclude, there are definitely a lot of advantages which come with a flat roof. However, there are also a handful of disadvantages which could prove to be a real deal-breaker so it might be best to take these into account first. There are some procedures you can take regarding strengthening the structure but these may cost more than they are worth so it’s important to check that out also.