According to ‘a wise man’ cited in an Irish Times article, there were once only three certainties in life: “death, taxes and a flat roof leak.” Thankfully, though, those days are long gone (apart from the death and taxes, of course), and flat roofs are going through something of a renaissance.
No longer limited to commercial and industrial buildings, flat roofs are now also used by homeowners to create a stylish, contemporary aesthetic – while bringing few of the problems with which flat roofs were once synonymous.
It’s now environmentally friendly
The stereotypical image of a roofer shovelling hot tar onto a roof is a thing of the past. With materials like fibreglass and EPDM rubber now mainstream, any property owner who chooses a flat roof is buying into as eco-friendly a roofing system as there’s ever been.
Fibreglass roofs are meticulously designed to be fitted with a single piece of material, so nothing goes to waste in design, while EPDM is actually made from recycled rubber. With people always on the lookout for an environmentally kind option, this roofing solution offers longevity, durability and eco-friendliness in abundance.
Enhanced options for homeowners
Another reason why flat roofs are becoming trusted and installed more often these days is the high number of home extensions taking place all over the UK. As people opt to enhance their homes more often as opposed to moving, the affordability of a flat roof – combined with its efficiency – makes it ideal for any outbuildings or extensions on the property.
The variety of materials and finishes available make flat roofs an option even for people who own older properties and have secure planning permission for their extensions. Subsequently, towns and cities with a high proportion of classic buildings are seeing high numbers of flat roof projects being undertaken – great news for the likes of Durham roofing companies such as Findley Roofing & Building.
A better option for the future
Green roofing is another form of flat roofing that’s on the rise, with even public planners starting to take an interest in their (excuse the pun) growing appeal. Homeowners may have to wait a little while longer before green roofs become mainstream in the domestic market, but having a flat roof ready and waiting already at least means that the possibility exists.
From the point of view inside the home, too, looking out onto a flat roof, even with a few carefully placed (and structurally sound!) plant pots, is more appealing than seeing an old-school, felted flat roof. Naturally, flat roofs can come with negative points, too, but this is usually to do with the way these roofs have been installed.
A professional roofing contractor is realistically the only person who should ever attempt to install a flat roofing system – so, if you’re in the process of choosing a contractor for your home, it’s worth asking for an example of their previous work beforehand. However, once you’ve chosen the right company and had your new flat roof installed, you’ll have a surface that’s ready to tackle what life throws at it now and in the foreseeable future.
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