How to make a flat roof with your own hands. Flat roof house: design features, pros and cons

Still an unusual decoration country cottages- flat roof. It is believed that flat roofs are intended only for urban development or for industrial buildings. But it's not. The roofs of houses in historic neighborhoods are often pitched. And at a private house you can make a flat roof.

Now we will look at what it is, what are the advantages / disadvantages and how to make a flat roof with your own hands.

Types of flat roof

Structurally, flat roofs are divided into two main types: on beams and those with a concrete slab at the base.

Flat roofs are never completely flat, there is still a small angle (within a few degrees). This is necessary for the flow of water. Otherwise, it will stagnate on the roof.

Most often, internal drains are arranged on flat roofs: funnels are mounted in the roof, risers from them pass through the interior. Funnels are placed on the lower part of the roof, at the rate of one riser per 150-200 squares.

The waterproofing around the funnels is reinforced, cable heating is also recommended (so that the water in the riser does not freeze). If the flat roof is without a parapet, and the angle is decent (from 6 degrees), the drainage system can be standard external, as for pitched roofs: gutter and pipes.

Roofs are subdivided according to functionality, the device of the roofing pie and the type of coating. Here are some of the main varieties:

The unexploited roof is flat. It is built solely for the sake of originality and economy of material. It does not need to strengthen the structure.

Operating flat roof. It can be used for any purpose, from the placement of an outdoor pool and ending with a parking lot.

The type of overlap depends on the intended purpose: it is obvious that with high expected loads, the base should be a concrete slab. But this does not mean that the entire building should be brick or concrete. For example, a flat roof wooden house can also be exploited. Of course, it cannot be used as a heliport, but it is quite possible to arrange a solarium, set up a garden or put up a gazebo for tea drinking. Of course, a sparse crate cannot be made, only a solid one.

traditional roofing. The classic version of the roofing cake: a waterproofing layer on top of the insulation, the base is concrete, for the outflow of water - expanded clay concrete (sloping screed).

Inversion roof. Here, the insulation lies on top of the waterproofing and protects it from damage. The floor can be finished with paving or ceramic tiles, you can also plant a lawn here. A mandatory requirement for an inversion design is an angle of 3-5 degrees.

Roofs are attic and non-attic. Both types have their advantages: the presence of an attic allows you to place all the necessary communications on it (ventilation pipes, expansion tank heating, etc.), a barren roof can be made exploitable.

One of the options for a non-attic design is a flat combined roof: attic floor combined with the roof, the lower side is the ceiling in the living room.

note

According to the device, these roofs differ from simple non-attic ones; it is impossible to make them exploitable.

With a house height of ten meters or more, as well as on exploited roofs, a parapet must be installed without fail. For exploited - not less than 1.2 meters.

If the roof is not in use, and the cottage is low, you can make a flat roof without a parapet or install fencing bars instead, or even do without them.

General arrangement of a flat roof

It is obvious that in exploited roofs for various purposes device will be different:

When constructing a pool - increased attention to waterproofing;

A “green” roof is also a solid waterproofing plus soil filling, etc.

The most common coating is flat roofing. This is cheapness, simplicity and high laying speed, excellent waterproofing. The cheapest material that can be used to cover a flat roof is roofing felt.

Flaws roll materials(and roofing material in particular) - low durability, low mechanical strength. For exploited roofs "with high traffic" tiles are preferable.

A flat roof made of corrugated board and a flat roof made of corrugated board can only be made in a non-exploited version and with the necessary slope. When choosing a material, you need to read the instructions for the model: some types of profiled sheets and metal tiles can be laid on roofs with a slope of less than 11 degrees.

Some brands of corrugated board can also be used as a base for an unexploited roof, instead of plywood or concrete slab.

There are other coating materials for unused roofs:

Polycarbonate;

Pros and cons of flat roofs

Advantages:

Original look. Flat roofs in cottages are rare.
Possibility of exploitation.
Flat roof - easy installation and savings on materials. But it depends on how you plan to operate the roof. And that construction will cost even more than an expensive pitched roof made of ceramic tiles.
Laying, maintenance, repair on a flat roof is easier than on a slope.
Flat roofs are windproof, pitched roofs have windage.

Minuses:

A flat roof leaks more often than a pitched one. It is necessary to constantly monitor the condition of the waterproofing layer.
The need to clear the roof of snow.
Flat rolled roofing requires more frequent repairs and resurfacing than metal profiled, tiled and other pitched roofs.

So which roof is better, flat or pitched? Exclusively a matter of taste.

Building a flat roof

Consider the option when the profiled sheet is used as the basis of the roof:

1. Sheets are laid on the beams (rafters). The step between the rafters depends on the profile. For example, for load-bearing profiles with a corrugation height of 6-7.5 centimeters (H60, H75), the step between the beams is 3-4 meters.

2. Laying a vapor barrier film. The film is laid with an overlap, the joints must be sealed with mounting tape.

3. Thermal insulation. Mineral wool boards are usually used for this purpose. Please note that the corrugation depressions also need to be filled with insulation.

4. Waterproofing. For this purpose, a polymer film is suitable. If the insulation is mineral wool, you can also use built-up waterproofing, because. cotton wool is a non-combustible material.

5. Finishing coat. You can also use fused. A roll is slowly rolled out over the roof, heating it with a burner along its entire length. The deposited coating is pressed against the roof and smoothed out.

6. On flat roofs it is possible to lay the built-up roof in several layers.

In other cases, a flat roof wooden beams it is arranged more traditionally: a solid crate of plywood or OSB is nailed to the beams, a roofing cake is laid (vapor barrier + basalt wool), a waterproofing layer and a rolled roof are directed.

If you are interested in a flat roof with a more complex device, please contact us: we will perform a roof of any complexity quickly and at an affordable price.

For many people, the name "flat roof" is associated primarily with high-rise buildings. A flat roof - the pros and cons of which we will consider in this article - has practically not been used in low-rise construction since a dozen years ago. However, today the creation of such a roof in country house is not a problem: modern materials and technologies allow you to create a flat roof with proper consumer characteristics and at an affordable price.

flat roof much smaller in area than pitched roof, which allows you to save on materials and construction and installation work.
Due to the relatively smaller area flat roof opportunity to optimize costs.
The construction of a flat roof is easier and faster than pitched roof, because the the right materials for installation are located directly at the feet of workers on a flat surface. The same can be said about the repair and maintenance of a flat roof - working on an almost horizontal roof is incomparably more comfortable than on an inclined one.
On a flat roof, installation and subsequent service work with all kinds of equipment (air conditioning systems, solar panels, antennas, etc.) are more convenient.
The use of a flat roof is an opportunity to get additional useful territory that can be used as a place where you can relax on fresh air, go in for sports, create a garden, flower garden, etc. To date, there are technologies that allow you to cover the roof even with paving slabs or paving stones. Roof paved beautiful tiles, combined with a green lawn, garden furniture, a gazebo and a fireplace, can become a place for a comfortable family vacation.

Flat roof houses are very popular right now.

A flat roof, in addition to the advantages, has a number of disadvantages:

As a result of heavy snowfalls, a lot of snow accumulates on flat roofs, which, when melted, often causes leaks.
Sometimes internal drains are required.
There is a risk of clogging or freezing of the internal drain.
There is a need for mechanical cleaning of the roof from too large accumulations of snow.
It is necessary to regularly monitor the moisture state of the insulation and the tightness of the roof.

Varieties of flat roofs

There are four types of flat roofs:

Foundation for a flat roof

According to building codes a flat roof, the pros and cons of which we discussed above, should have a base in the form of reinforced concrete floor slabs or corrugated sheets.

Subtleties of waterproofing

The durability of the roof structure and its resistance to various negative influences depends on the use of special mixtures and technological processes production of roofing materials. Depending on the materials of the roof, it is customary to subdivide into three categories:

Bituminous roofs, as well as polymer-bitumen based on ruberoid. These materials are available due to their low cost. The built-up bitumen-polymer compositions are rolled waterproofing and roofing sheets based on synthetics, on both sides of which special bitumen is used, which remains elastic even under extreme conditions. low temperatures(up to -50 degrees Celsius). During the installation of waterproofing, carried out using gas burners, the rolls are fused together. Roof waterproofing can also be carried out with self-adhesive materials based on polymers and bitumen. In this case, the mastic is applied on the bottom surface of the roll and in the process of processing with a solvent acquires the properties of an adhesive. The disadvantage of bituminous roofing is fragility.
Membrane roofs with a base of foil, rubber or polymers. This material has solid strength, is resistant to fires and other negative environmental influences. The membranes are glued to the screed or simply lie on the base, being loaded with ballast, or they are attached mechanically or with glue. To connect the membrane sheets, special welding machines are used that fasten the material with hot air.
Roofs based on liquid polymers, which, after cooling, do not form seams. Such materials are especially often used for structures with complex geometries.

It is very important to make the correct waterproofing of a flat roof.

Whatever material is chosen, the joints between the rolls and the junctions with various roof elements must be waterproof. One of the main components of a successful waterproofing device is a quality sealant. During the period of operation, the roof is subject to negative environmental influences (moisture, hail, stones, strong temperature fluctuations, etc.). Therefore, a high-quality sealant must be resistant to mechanical and thermal influences.

As a sealant, mastic is usually used - putty, which is based on elastic polyurethane resins. After being applied to the roof, the mastic polymerizes, as a result of which a continuous rubber-like membrane is formed, which has waterproofing properties and protects the roofing from mechanical damage.

Mastic is ideal for flat roofing, is safe, has high adhesion to building surfaces, has high resistance to ultraviolet radiation, sediments and all kinds of microorganisms. It is applied by brush, roller or airless spray in two multi-colored layers, which allows you to control the quality, thickness of the layer and uniform distribution of the sealant.

How to arrange a water drain

Regardless of the materials used, a flat roof must have a certain slope to drain water (usually within 3-5%) that appears on the roof as a result of precipitation. The drainage system should be thought out at the design stage of the building. Gutters determine how efficiently moisture will be removed from the roof surface. To prevent freezing of gutters in winter, they are equipped with special thermal cables.

Drains are organized when both external and internal water supply is created, and unorganized. When creating an internal water supply, the roof surface is divided into approximately equal parts of 150-200 square meters every. In places with a slope, drain funnels equipped with baskets for catching garbage are arranged. Typically, the funnels are located in the center of the roof, and the pipes are inside the building.

Flat roof insulation and vapor barrier rules

Flat roofs need insulation. In the absence of a thermal insulation layer, condensation forms on the roof surface as a result of the contact of warm air masses and cold roof surfaces. Condensation appears on the ceilings of the house as water spots, and the roof structure is gradually destroyed.

The roof structure involves a base on which a layer of vapor barrier material is laid. The function of the vapor barrier is to protect the insulation from diffuse moisture coming from the premises of the building. The vapor barrier layer includes a glass fiber reinforced membrane (based on bitumen and polymers) or a vapor barrier film. The layer is laid on top of the screed, and along the edges of the roof structure it is wound vertically to a height exceeding the height of the insulating material. The seams are soldered.

Above the vapor barrier layer, a heater is placed, and on top of it - a waterproofing carpet based on bitumen. If expanded clay acts as a heater, then it is necessary to make a cement screed over it, then laying a couple of layers of waterproofing. If the roof is planned to be light (in the case when significant loads are not expected on it), then the waterproofing is simply glued around the entire perimeter of the roof.

For roofs without attics, both external and internal insulation methods are used. The external method is used more often, so its execution is easier. There are two options for thermal insulation: two-layer and single-layer. The decision on which option to apply in practice depends on the calculations for heat engineering and the requirements for the strength of the roof. Thermal insulation boards are placed on the roof structure based on the principle of "spread seams". With a two-layer coating with thermal insulation "in a run", the joints of the lower and upper plates also go. In the area where the plates adjoin the parapet, lanterns and walls, heat-insulating bumpers are created. Thermal insulation materials are attached to the base mechanically (screws, dowels), ballast (pebbles, paving slabs) or glue.

Features of roof ventilation

The roof structure must be ventilation system. As a result of a violation of the tightness of the vapor barrier layer, moisture enters the insulation layer. A thick layer of waterproofing prevents evaporation, and moisture accumulates in the insulation. As a result, the material loses its insulating characteristics, and moisture appears in the form of spots on the ceilings of the building. In addition, water causes swelling of the waterproofing, and at low temperatures, freezing water tears off waterproofing material from the base. Temperature fluctuations, mechanical damage contribute to the formation of cracks in the roof, the result of which is its flow.

To avoid these problems, the roof must "breathe". For this, aerators are used - special devices in the form of plastic or metal pipes. They are covered with umbrella caps and are evenly distributed over the entire territory of the roof, gravitating to its highest points. The aeration mechanism works on the basis of the principle of different pressure, which is created by air flows, removing excess moisture vapor from under the roof and preventing water bubbles from forming.

Roofing is a responsible technological operation. Any, even a minor mistake in the design or construction of the roof can cause it to leak in the future. Therefore, when creating a roof, special attention should be paid to the correct selection of hydro and thermal insulation materials, accurately calculate the upcoming loads on the roof structure, as well as select a team of competent builders.

The choice of a particular design largely determines the possibility of using the attic as an additional living space, solves the issue of the need for insulation and determines the type roofing .

A flat roof is a specific option that does not allow you to equip the attic as a living space (due to its absence).

But it offers a lot of opportunities for using the territory as an auxiliary site, a place for placing equipment or as a private recreation area, isolated from the external space.

In this regard, a flat roof can provide many interesting possibilities, but its use has its limitations.

The main feature of a flat roof is an almost horizontal surface. such surfaces is low - up to 8 degrees, it is needed only to drain rain or melt water.

According to the conditions of the plane location, there is practically zero wind load(with the correct device without hanging edges) at maximum snow.

Wherein, roof structure has a complex multilayer structure, which ensures the tightness of the coating and the working condition of the insulation.

The most favorable operating conditions for flat roofs:

A small amount of snow in winter period . The most successful use is in regions with warm or little snowy winters, when removing snow from the roof is not difficult.
The strength of the wind does not have a significant effect on the roof, therefore, it is permissible to build such roofs in areas with strong or heavy winds.

For areas with cold and snowy winters, the use of flat roofs is only recommended. for small commercial buildings with a relatively small area.

The use of flat roofs on residential buildings is more common in southern regions, where the problem of high snow pressure in winter time absent.

Flat roof

The structure of the roofing pie

There is no specific, classic composition of a flat roof roofing pie. The structure of the layers most often based on the following factors:

The purpose of the roof;
Cover type;
Roofing material.

The decisive factor determining the composition of the roof from the very beginning of construction is the purpose of the roof. It depends on it what material is needed for the construction of the ceiling, how exactly it will be insulated, what is the optimal coating material in this case.

flat roof insulation soft roof produced outside, since this method is much more convenient and reliable in terms of the tightness of the cake.

The general technology of insulation looks like this:

Base (concrete, wooden floor);
vapor barrier film;
layer of insulation;
The top layer of waterproofing;
Roofing.

This is a general plan, in practice it is often supplemented or complicated in order to more reliably protect against water penetration or the formation of cold bridges.

roofing cake

One of the flat roof options is inverted roof. This is relatively the new kind cake design, taking into account the shortcomings of conventional options.

The fact is that a common problem with flat roofs is the seepage of water through the insulation into the ceiling and the appearance of stains and stains.

To eliminate this phenomenon, an inverted roof is used when a reliable waterproofing carpet (often multilayer) is installed between the ceiling and the insulation.

The composition of the pie is built like this:

overlap;
Waterproofing preparation layer - usually a building primer;
Waterproofing carpet;
Geotextile layer;
Insulation (optimally - extruded polystyrene foam);
The top layer of geotextile;
Ballast bulk layer of gravel.

On top of the ballast layer, if necessary, a hard coating can be laid to maintain a uniform thickness of the ballast and ease of movement.

Inverted roofing cake

Roof base - wood or concrete?

Wood or concrete can be used as the basis for a flat roof. Both options are acceptable, but not interchangeable.

So, wooden base is used for small buildings, most often for economic purposes.

If there is no heating, then such a roof is not insulated, a simple truss system is made and the roofing is laid on top. Nevertheless, wooden floors used for residential buildings.

This is due to the desire to lighten the roof, remove excess load from the walls (for example, with the frame method of construction).

CAREFULLY!

This option imposes certain restrictions on the functionality of the roof, excluding the presence of heavy equipment on it, a large number of people, etc.

More often, for the roofs of residential buildings used, a concrete slab is used as the basis. Such an overlap has a number of significant advantages:

Reliability;
No noticeable deformation from loads;
The penetration of moisture into the material will not cause decay;
Finishing a concrete floor is easier than wood.

Since it is produced outside, the lower surface of the concrete floor (the ceiling of the upper floor) will be open, which allows the use of any available type of finish - from simple painting to the installation of a stretch ceiling.

If the ceiling is made of wood (beams), then the finishing should be done taking into account possible deformation - “sagging” of the ceiling from existing loads.

Photo of the foundations of the roof in section:

wooden base

concrete base

Flat roofs: arrangement of private houses

The composition of a roofing cake is never chosen at random. The main selection criterion is the general purpose of the roof:

Lightweight. A roof that serves only as protection from rain. It is mainly used for auxiliary buildings for household purposes;
Operated. Such a roof serves as a platform for accommodating various equipment, for arranging recreation areas, small greenhouses, swimming pools, etc.;
Green. On such a roof there is a lawn with grass, plants, etc. Serves as a mini-square for recreation.

Depending on the purpose of the roof, the type of overlap is selected, which, in turn, largely determines the optimal type roofing material. Therefore, the composition of the roofing cake may have its own individual characteristics.

So, for a flat roof of an outbuilding it will be enough:

Rafter;
crate;
Roofing (, metal profile, etc.).

Lightweight roof

For a used roof, which is used as a platform for installing solar panels, satellite TV dishes or other equipment, composition is much more complex.:

Concrete floor slab;
Cement screed forming a slope for water flow;
waterproofing layer;
Drainage material that removes water from under the upper layers;
insulation layer;
Geotextile layer;
Sand preparation layer;
Paving slabs.

In this case, paving slabs serve as an external coating, as a durable and cheap material.

ATTENTION!

At the same time, rain or melt water can quite easily penetrate into the insulation layer, so it must be resistant to moisture, impervious to water, or, alternatively, pass water painlessly for drainage through the drainage layer to the drain.

exploited roof

Green roof pie chart:

Concrete floor slab;
Layer ;
Multilayer waterproofing carpet;
insulation;
. It consists of a separating layer of reinforced screed, a double layer of technoplastic (EPP and Green), and a geodrainage rolled layer;
Soil layer with plantings.

In this case, there is a multi-stage hydroprotection that reliably cuts off the insulation material from the upper soil layer. Such a cut-off, at first glance, is too complicated, necessary to guarantee the creation of a reliable barrier to water.

The soil is an active accumulator of moisture, which will surely seep into the lower layers, so the complexity of the composition of the cake is fully justified.

green roof

How to cover a flat roof

The material for covering a flat roof is selected based on its purpose.

Unused surfaces are most often covered with roofing felt with sealing joints with liquid bitumen..

Recently, a large number of similar materials with improved characteristics have appeared, which make it possible to more reliably protect the roofing pie.

Operating surfaces require a more rigid and durable coating. At the same time, the task of hermetic cut-off of the insulation from external influences is not removed, therefore, most often a sand-cement cushion and a working layer - paving slabs are laid on top of the soft roof.

Coating

Installation of an operated flat roof

How to make a flat roof First of all, you need to decide on the main parameters - the type of roof, device, etc. Consider the option of installing an operated flat roof with a concrete floor and external drainage using gutters:

The surface of the overlap is covered with a layer of sloping concrete screed (decrease). To save concrete, a layer of gravel is first poured with a slope, after which a screed is laid on top. Since this stage refers to "wet" work, then it is recommended to cover the overlay surface with a layer of primer or similar material.
Laying vapor and waterproofing. As a material, various deposited films or rolled membranes can be used. Laying with an overlap, glue the joints with adhesive tape.
insulation layer. Either stone mineral wool or extruded polystyrene foam is used. Insulation is laid in several layers, at least 2 layers. This requirement is due to the need to exclude the penetration of cold through the cracks in the joints of the insulation.
over the insulating layer laying a layer of waterproofing.
Backfilling of the ballast layer - gravel, sand, etc.. The role of this layer is twofold: protection of the film coating and removal of water from melting snow or precipitation in the summer.
over the ballast layer if necessary, a layer can be laid paving slabs for ease of walking on the surface. In this case, you will need an additional sandy preparatory layer, a direct substrate for tiles.

The specified sequence is one of the options; there are many similar methods that are equivalent in result, but differ in details.

The device of a flat roof, traditionally considered an accessory of auxiliary buildings, can be carried out in such a way that the roof surface turns into an additional platform that can be used for various needs.

Depending on the climatic conditions of the area, the surface of a flat roof is turned into a green lawn, into a technical area for placing equipment, into a recreation area.

All variants of the operated roof require careful arrangement and expensive materials.. The qualitative result directly depends on the qualifications of the people doing the work and on the financial capabilities of the owner of the house.

But do not forget that you can build a flat roof with your own hands.

Investments in an equipped used flat roof will be justified only in regions with short mild winters and low average monthly rainfall. All other issues are solvable and do not cause serious problems.

Waterproofing

Warming

Useful video

In this video you will learn what is the device of a flat roof made of welded materials:

In contact with

Most people associate a flat roof with high-rise buildings. In private housing construction, such roof structures were practically not used ten years ago. Today they can be seen in many projects of country cottages. Therefore, many developers are considering a flat roof in a private house as an option, analyzing the pros and cons of its operation.

In this article

Varieties of flat roofs

Any building structures are divided into separate types, subspecies. So, for example, for some flat roofs country houses an attic space is provided, for others not. Therefore, they are classified:

By purpose:

Operated roofs - additional objects can be equipped on their surface, equipment can be installed, organized:

recreation areas, lawns, flower beds;
greenhouse or conservatory;
children's and sports ground;
parking;
pool;

The strength of the floors of the house and bearing walls must match the type of use of the roof. It is important to note that reliable noise and vibration absorption should be ensured.

The main features of the exploited roof. This is the sufficient strength of the floors and the protection of the waterproofing layer.

Unexploited roofs - the exact opposite of the first option. There is nothing superfluous on their surface, only snow can lie in winter.

When the roof is not in use, they rise to the roof only in case of its maintenance, repair, and also if it is necessary to service the structures located on it, such as ventilation heads, cable lines, antennas, overhead lines power transmission, etc.

Important! In regions with heavy snowfall, flat roofs are generally not used due to sufficiently large snow loads.

By type of construction:

No attic space. Such structures require high-quality waterproofing, as they are, in fact, a ceiling last floor building. And in winter, the snow accumulating on the surface of the roof will constantly melt due to the heating of the room.
With attic space. Between the ceiling of the last floor and the roof, free space is formed - the attic. Typically, roofs of this type are made without thermal insulation; in winter they do not require special care.

For the arrangement of the roofing pie:

Traditional- first, an insulating layer goes in the roofing pie, then waterproofing is installed.
Inversion- in this design, on the contrary, heat-insulating plates are laid on the waterproofing layer.

Private developers, paying attention to the above points, end up with a practical, high-quality flat roof structure.

Advantages, disadvantages of a flat roof

Flat-roofed houses stand out strongly in the private sector among houses with pitched roofs.

When choosing such a roof design for a country house, the developer receives the following advantages:

There is no need to equip the truss system, respectively, you can significantly save on building materials.
On the roof surface, you can organize additional objects, such as a swimming pool, a mini-gym, a summer recreation area, etc. But then a flat roof requires an increase in its strength, a waterproofing layer.
Ease of maintenance, the possibility of arranging an electric heating system, thanks to which frost will not form on the base of the roof in winter.
Due to the practically absent slope, it is much easier and faster to build such roof structures than pitched ones.
Interior rooms will not have sloped walls.
Much easier to produce repair work on a flat roof than on a sloping one.
On a flat surface, it is much more convenient to install and fix additional equipment: solar panels, air conditioners, etc.

Important! To prevent precipitation from lingering on the surface of a flat roof, minimum angle its slope should be 5°. This slope can be created by overlapping or using slag, expanded clay.

But a flat roof, like other roof structures, has, in addition to pluses, minuses, for example:

In some cases, the organization of an internal drainage system, which is often clogged, freezes in winter. If it is not cleaned in time, it can lead to adverse consequences.
A constant check of the tightness of the roofing cake, the moisture content of the insulation material is required.
In case of heavy snowfalls, it is necessary to remove snow from the roof (an excessive load that can lead to damage to the structure) manually.
Also, when a large snow mass accumulates on the roof surface, the snow below begins to melt - accordingly, leaks are possible.

The flat roof structure in a private house is not complicated, so it can be completely built with your own hands. However, there are some important points to keep in mind:

In order to perform work at a qualitative level, it will be necessary to first calculate the expected loads on the roof during its operation. So, for example, in addition to its own weight, the roof will have to withstand the elements of communication systems, the mass of several people, wind, snow loads.

Important! Using only high quality building materials.

A few decades ago, all developers on a large scale converted their houses with flat roofs into pitched ones. This is due to the fact that the materials used when laying flat roofs did not meet the quality and did not allow adequately protecting the base from moisture. To date, roofing on flat roofs even have some advantage over slopes. You will learn how to build a house with a flat roof, and at the same time take into account all the pros and cons, in this article.

Pros and cons of flat roofs

In European countries, the creation of sports grounds, lawns or flower beds right on the roof has long been practiced. country house. This saves usable living space. As for the CIS countries, they are not used to such things, until now, arranging something above their heads is considered a curiosity, but often there are people already who have adopted the experience of building from abroad and their houses are popular.

Certainly, appearance buildings with a flat roof are very primitive, but with a certain imagination, you can give it a unique look. Fortunately, the low cost of construction, durability, ease of installation and reliability of all structural elements allows you to come up with crazy projects.. As an example, this article offers photo materials of flat roofs, I hope thanks to them you will get some ideas for yourself for future construction. But first you should find out what are the pros and cons of this type of roof.

Advantages of flat roofs:

Low windage. If to speak plain language, then your roof is not able to demolish either strong wind, not even a hurricane
Low construction cost. This advantage is due to the fact that in construction you do not need bulky truss systems therefore savings on materials
Ease of installation. All work is carried out on the same plane, and you will agree that it is convenient
Snow cover is not something negative On the contrary, it performs the function of a kind of thermal insulation
Appears additional area which can be customized to suit your needs.

Disadvantages of a flat roof:

The need to design a quality drainage system
In cases where certain roofings are used, a device for heating them will be required
Clogging of drain pipes can lead to a large accumulation of water on the roof surface, so it is advisable to check this point every time after precipitation.

Types and classification of flat roofs for a frame house

All building structures are divided into types and subspecies. For example, the flat roof of a country house may or may not have attic space.

Such moments are selected purely individually, so let's talk about them.

For the purpose of the roof:

Operated. The formed area as a result of construction is occupied by some equipment
not exploited. The opposite of the first point. Nothing is provided on the surface, and in the winter season only snow lies on them. By the way, in some regions of the country, it is precisely because of the snow that the construction of flat roofs is impossible, since a very large amount of precipitation falls.

By design type:

With attic space. I hope you understand this very well and you know what an attic is. As a rule, these roofs are laid without a heat-insulating layer and do not require maintenance in the winter.
No attic. They also do not require any maintenance, but you will need to provide maximum surface waterproofing. This is due to the fact that the snow will melt due to the heating of the house, therefore, there will always be some moisture on the roof.

For protective layers:

Traditional. The roofing cake is arranged in such a way that a waterproofing layer is placed behind the insulation boards.
Inversion. Here everything is already somewhat different, and the waterproofing is protected by a heater

Paying attention to all the points described above, developers receive the highest quality and expediently created roof.

Building houses in construction can never look the same. In appearance, this is exactly what happens, but the materials are always slightly different from each other, and such differences can play a rather strong role in the construction of your comfort.

Some developers will find that the use of these materials is acceptable in this case, while for others the same work will turn out to be a mistake.

That is why the construction of houses with a flat roof is an individual lesson and compliance with the following rules will help you avoid embarrassment:

Design. At this stage, all the smallest details are worked out. It is worth noting that, despite the fact that the roof is flat, it must have a certain slope so that moisture does not accumulate on the surface, but gradually goes into the drainpipes. Such a slope, as a rule, is formed from the facade of the building
There are two ways to build such roofs. The first method involves the installation of the ceiling and the roof with a single monolithic slab, and with the second method, a gap is arranged between them to improve the heat-insulating layer, but at the same time complicates the diagnosis and repair of the roof in the future, and the use of the roof as an additional usable area becomes impossible
Foundation. If you are a little versed in construction, then you probably understand that the construction of powerful foundations for frame construction is not required. Here you can save and set the necessary parameters. It is better to work out the system of rafters in more detail, because they will have a hard time in a frame building with a flat roof
Wall construction. Ease of installation will allow you to finish the job very quickly. To do this, you will need to lay the harness on the foundation for future attachment to the floor. After that, bearing supports are mounted, which will transfer the load of the roof. And this process ends with sheathing and filling voids with insulating material
Finishing. Properly selected decorative cladding will help distinguish your home from an outbuilding. Here it is best to consult with experienced designers in order to give comfort a decent appearance.
Flat roof decking. Almost any material is suitable as a roof covering, but it is worth considering the design concept and high loads. From the article you learned that a flat roof still has some slope, despite this, the material to be laid must withstand enormous loads, because in the winter season on truss elements there will be pressure not only from the coating, but also from the snow. The slope is set insignificant, but in the rainy regions of the country it can be more than 10 degrees, as for drier places, an angle of 5 degrees will be enough

The flat roof of a country house is mounted in just a few days, this is due to the fact that you do not have to work at different heights, everything happens in one plane, therefore, everything is simple and safe.

Lightweight flat roof. Features during its installation

In some regions of the country, there is the option of installing a lightweight flat roof. Such places, as a rule, have a very dry climate and precipitation is rare for them.

The construction of a building with a lightweight version of the roof is no different from the standard one until the moment when the supports are installed. Their choice requires a very careful approach. Here, all loads should be taken into account, and the higher they are, the larger the cross section of the beams should be used. As a rule, material with a cross section from 10x10cm to 15x15cm in increments of 0.5 - 1m is ideal for such construction.
The load-bearing beams are covered with boards, plywood or drywall. Layers of waterproofing and vapor barrier are laid on top of them, and special construction tape is used at the junctions of the strips of material. After that, the thermal insulation boards are laid. The most applicable materials for this are mineral wool or expanded polystyrene (styrofoam). All joints and cavities are filled mounting foam. In cases where cotton wool is used, it is worth laying an additional vapor barrier so that moisture cannot penetrate inside the insulation, but always has a way out of it. This will make a one-sided membrane
Best suited for roofing shingles or euroruberoid

The nuances of roofing with heavy materials

The use of solid types of coatings will lead to the fact that the mass of the entire building will have a decent value, but also thanks to them it will also be able to withstand the high pressure of precipitation and natural phenomena.

In this case, it is advisable to use not wood, but metal as a material for overlapping. As for the walls, their margin of safety should also be increased. The concrete screed must have a reinforced body.

As a positive effect, you will gain greater safety and a longer service life of the entire building compared to soft coatings.

As a conclusion, I want to say that a flat roof is very rare, but it has undeniable advantages over pitched ones. On their surface, you can arrange a sports ground or dot the lawn.

Also in European countries, they arrange entire greenhouses for rare plants, and you will agree that this is already quite exciting when you have one of the wonders of the world above your head - a hanging garden.