Houses with a flat roof - selection of materials and technology for the implementation of roofing (70 photos). Flat roof How does a flat roof of cottages

The construction of a gable or hip roof is not always rational and expedient when it comes to outbuildings, industrial and commercial facilities, and sometimes private houses in a modern style. High material consumption, a complex truss system make the construction of these structures an economically unprofitable, protracted undertaking. While flat roof projects greatly reduce construction costs, build quickly and are suitable for almost any structure.

A house with a flat roof is reliably protected from increased wind load. However, without slopes, it cannot quickly drain rain and melt water from the roof surface.

The situation is complicated by the fact that the surface of roofing materials has a rough structure that does not allow moisture and snow to slide off freely. Therefore, a do-it-yourself flat roof device must comply with the stringent requirements of building codes for waterproofing, ramping and construction technology.

The structure of the roofing pie

The need for a high level of protection against moisture forces the roofing materials of a flat roof to be arranged in layers, one above the other, forming the so-called "pie". If we consider its device in section, we can see the following layers:

  1. Flat base made of concrete slabs or profiled metal sheets. It provides structural rigidity, bears the weight of the roofing pie, transferring it to the load-bearing partitions and, as a result, to the foundation. At the exploited roof, the base should be as rigid as possible.
  2. vapor barrier. A layer that is necessary in order to protect a flat roof from the penetration of vapors from internal heated rooms into the thickness of the insulation. Settling on thermal insulation in the form of condensate, water irrevocably reduces its insulating properties by more than two times. As the simplest vapor barrier, polyethylene film or bitumen-based coatings are used.
  3. insulation. For thermal insulation of a flat roof, backfill materials are used, such as expanded clay, perlite, slag, rolled, for example, mineral wool and in the form of plates, in particular expanded polystyrene. By the way, insulation is used not only to regulate the temperature regime, but also to flatten a house with a flat roof. The main requirements for insulation are low hygroscopicity and thermal conductivity, light weight.
  4. Waterproofing. A flat roof allows the use of rolled materials for protection from moisture: bitumen, polymer and bitumen-polymer. In addition to high waterproofing qualities, they must be resistant to temperature extremes, elasticity, and long service life.

Types of roofing and the nuances of their installation

The device of a flat roof determines the design and nature of use. The following are distinguished into separate types that require a special approach during construction:


Roof installation for unheated buildings

If a flat roof is erected with your own hands for an unheated utility room, for example, a shed, gazebo, shed or extension, the slope is organized using support beams.

They are installed at an angle of 3 degrees, which is 30 mm per linear meter of the length of the beam. Then a base of unedged boards is laid on the beams, fixing them with nails or self-tapping screws.

Roofing material is used as a waterproofing agent - the most affordable material. It is produced and sold in the form of rolls. Carry out the cutting of the waterproofing, cutting the strips so as to lay them in the direction of the slope of the flat roof.

Roofing material strips are gradually laid with an overlap of 10-15 cm and fixed with wooden slats or steel slats every 60-70 cm in the direction of the drain, so as not to block the path of flowing moisture. The flat roof of an unheated room is easily mounted by one's own hands, even by one worker without the help of helpers.

Roof installation for heated buildings

If they are building a private house with a flat roof, which they plan to connect to the heating system, then the work takes place in the following order:


To build a house with a flat roof, the length of which exceeds 6 m, a bar with a section of 150x150 mm or more, or a steel I-beam, is used for the manufacture of support beams.

Monolithic concrete roof

Another option, how to build a flat roof with your own hands, is the use of monolithic concrete. The process looks like this:


Decline process

- the device of a small angle of the roof surface for organizing a drain. Before building a house with a flat roof, it is better to decide in advance which drain you will install, internal or external, and make a drawing.

If provided, water should drain with the help of a ramp into the water-catching funnels, which are located 1 per 25 sq.m or more often. If you make an external drain, then moisture should fall into the gutter. The slope is formed by the following methods:


A flat roof without a proper slope is an unreliable shield between you and the weather. Moisture that has no way out will accumulate on the surface of the roof, provoke the destruction of the roof and leaks.

Video instruction

The domestic consumer has long been familiar with the features of a flat roof, and believes that it is used for multi-storey government buildings. But modern manufacturers decided to expand their market, and found a new application for it.

It is surprising, but appeared with a flat roof, featuring the same set of functional features. It is suitable primarily for the area in the territory in which snowy winters and strong winds occur at the time accompanying their manifestation.


Their power will quickly blow away large layers of snow, and the roof will always be clean. And powerful hurricanes will not be afraid of such a roof covering. The thing is, it doesn't actually exist.

But this is only part of its capabilities. It will be possible to place many useful buildings for different seasons on it. This may be a greenhouse or a small garden, or maybe a dance floor. Other options are available, based on the strength of the imagination of its owner.

But in order for everything to work out well, it is necessary to study the nuances of creating such structures. Now let's take a look at many issues related to this topic. To begin with, we advise you to familiarize yourself with the photo of houses with a flat roof, which have already proven their suitability for various purposes.

What is the benefit of this roof structure?

If we talk only about a private house, then they lie in the following points:

This version of the roof will take up a smaller area in comparison with the most gently sloping pitched modifications. This will help save on the amount of materials.

The process of its construction is noticeably faster than the installation of a gable or hip version. Due to this feature, it is much more profitable to create modern houses with a flat roof.


Comfort and safety of the necessary rafter work processes are ensured. It is quite spacious and difficult to fall off.

It differs from the gable design in that there is no need to carry out dismantling work from the outdated coating. It can be used as additional waterproofing or protection. This will help save energy and time.

Its surface is suitable for use as an additional territory for organizing a flower garden, a cozy terrace, a greenhouse.

You can mount various transparent elements that help organize a beautiful view of the open starry sky at night or clouds with the sun in the daytime. And a charming view opens up to admire the rain or a strong storm - there are fans of this state of nature.

Helps to adjust the house to the basics of the minimalist style. It has now gained notable popularity.

What are the disadvantages? “Unfortunately they are…

If there is no strong wind, this option generously collects a lot of snow on its surface. You will need to clean it often in order to use the territory for your own purposes. Sometimes it can lead to noticeable leaks.

Clearing snow will often have to be done by mechanical means. They can damage the roof.

The structure of the roof is particularly complex in comparison with other types of forms. It will have to organize a lot of drains. They, in turn, often get clogged.

From the pitched version of the roof covering, water flows off on its own and this happens very quickly. She doesn't do much damage.

On the flat version, the water usually stands still and builds up as the rainfall lasts. You will have to control the humidity of the insulation and make the coating at a small angle so that the water gradually finds the drains.


It will require less materials than pitched. But the creation itself is much more complicated. There are many subtleties that not everyone knows about, and therefore often this version of the roof does not turn out the way it was intended.

Because of this, many believe that a flat roof in a private house is not the best option. But now domestic manufacturers have learned about the positive Western experience and have learned how to create the right materials.

And installation specialists adopted the methods of quality work in this direction, and the situation began to change for the better. This approach has already taken root in Russia.

Is it suitable for frame versions of houses?

Yes, today you can see a frame house with a flat roof, more and more often it is perceived as commonplace. This roof can be two directions. For operation and without it.

If the roof is to be used, then it will be adapted for the convenient movement of people on its surface. For this, a rigid version of the screed or another version of the rigid base is used. Due to the pressure from the movement of people, the roof can leak. In this regard, it is necessary to consider the creation of reliable isolation from water.


But there is a version without human exploitation. Usually no one walks on it or rarely appears to clean its surface. The load on its area is distributed over the entire surface. But she has one major problem. Its service life is too short. Although such a version, due to possible, situation-satisfactory features, is often used.

There is also a classic version of a flat roof. It is often referred to as a soft roof option. It is formed by a carrier plate. Thermal insulation on it is laid on top of the coating for vapor barrier. And then a bituminous version of the waterproofing in the form of rolls is rolled over the thermal insulation.

Due to the advantageous features, this option is used to form such a roof modification on a frame house more often than any other.


But experts also distinguish an inversion version for the formation of a flat roof. Sometimes this modification helps create the style of a flat roof house with the creative mind of an experienced designer. It is distinguished by the fact that the waterproofing will have to be applied to the waterproofing carpet.

This will help protect against temperature changes and ultraviolet rays from the sun, which is important if it is located in an open area and under their direct access. And this version also allows you to increase the service life - the force of impact on the waterproofing from the processes of melting or freezing of snow precipitation is noticeably reduced. It is quite suitable for installing furniture, mounting a greenhouse.

Important Points

For a high-quality arrangement of a flat version of the roof, in any case, laying the correct version of the carpet will be required. It will help soften the base in case of thermal or mechanical stress. This will help ensure the durability of the coating.

Now, based on the influence of Western culture, Russians have begun to pay more and more attention to this roof option. The domestic user realized that a cup of coffee at any time on such a roof is a wonderful option. Here the sky is open at any time. And there is constant access to clean air. This is a great option, but a pitched roof cannot offer this.


Of course, not everyone can afford such a roof. Usually the maximum for a Russian is access to a balcony. But over time, it will become a reality for every inhabitant of our country.


If you have the opportunity to create it today, there is no doubt that this is the best option. Today, high-tech style houses are gaining great popularity and, on their basis, a flat roof is mainly used. She has become their full-fledged companion.

Photo of houses with a flat roof

If earlier flat roofs were made only on urban high-rise buildings and were associated with constant leaks, today the situation has changed radically. These structures are used not only during the construction of multi-storey buildings, but also in the construction of prestigious private houses according to exclusive projects. Such changes have become possible due to the emergence of completely new building materials and technologies.

Flat roofs - one of the many types of roofing, has both positive and negative sides. The advantages of such roofs include the following characteristics.

  1. Saving building materials and speed of construction. The effect is achieved due to physical savings - the area of ​​\u200b\u200ba flat roof is much less than a gable roof. In addition, for this design there is no need to make a complex truss system with various purlins, props, crossbars, mauerlats, etc. A small number of roof elements makes it possible to build flat roofs on their own without involving expensive professional specialists.
    True, for this you should have the initial skills of performing roofing work, understand modern technologies and materials. Otherwise, attempts to reduce the estimated cost of the structure can lead to large additional costs for unplanned repairs. And not only the roof itself, but also the interior of buildings.

  2. The ability to use the roof as exploited. On flat roofs, winter gardens, recreation areas, flower beds, small sports grounds, etc. can be equipped. But in these cases, the roofs have a very complex structure and require a professional approach to all construction work.

  3. Flat roofs facilitate installation and periodic maintenance various engineering equipment: air conditioning and ventilation systems, solar panels, antennas, etc.

Unfortunately, such architectural structures also have disadvantages.


We have listed the real advantages and disadvantages, each developer should carefully analyze them before making a final decision.

Varieties of flat roofs in private houses

Thanks to new materials and technologies, designers have been able to create several types of flat roofs with unique performance characteristics.

flat roof typeBrief description of technical and operational characteristics

The most commonly used, simplest and cheapest type of roof. It is most often found on utility buildings, it is rarely mounted on private houses.

Very prestigious roof, allows you to use the area to increase the comfort of living in the building. The arrangement of such roofs requires high-quality materials and special technologies. The operated roof is often inverted.

It differs from the usual arrangement of layers of the roofing cake. Waterproofing is done directly on the bearing base, this feature protects the coating from mechanical damage. Geotextiles, extruded polystyrene foam, another layer of geotextiles and a ballast layer are laid on top of the hydroprotection. The geotextile allows water to flow to the drain system, and the ballast prevents the layers from being blown up by strong gusts of wind.

Important. The cost of flat roofs varies widely, some options for the price can be several times higher than gable structures.

Roofing pie device

All flat roofs in residential buildings must be insulated, the structures consist of several layers. Each of them performs its function and is critical for the roof.

Base

It can be reinforced concrete or wood.


Professional builders prefer reinforced concrete slabs, but not all houses can use them. Plates are mounted only on brick or concrete facade walls; such elements are not used for wooden or frame buildings.

vapor barrier

Prices for material for vapor barrier

Vapor barrier material

It is used only in two cases: the base of the flat roof is wooden and mineral wool is used as insulation.

But such options are rare, most often the base is made of a concrete slab, and durable extruded polystyrene is used for insulation. Both of these materials are not only not afraid of steam, but also do not react to direct contact with water. Accordingly, when arranging roofs from such materials, vapor protection is not required.

insulation

There are two types of insulation that can be used in the construction of flat roofs.


Heaters can be installed in two ways.


Currently, architects in most cases prefer the second option for flat roof insulation, keep this in mind. But practitioners advise installing heaters from inside the premises. Each builder must make their own decision.

Prices for thermal insulation materials

Thermal insulation materials

Practical recommendations for arranging a flat roof on a frame house

For example, we will take the option of arranging a flat roof on a wooden frame house. These buildings are very popular with many developers, they are quickly assembled, relatively inexpensive and provide residents with a modern level of comfort.

How to make overlays

For the ceiling, you need to use I-beams, ordinary beams will not work because of very high loads. If the linear dimensions of ordinary beams are significantly increased, then their own weight will play a significant role in calculating the acting forces, and this is highly undesirable for all structural loaded elements.

Important. If the size of the house is large, then it is much more profitable to order short beams and splice them on the spot. Due to this method, the process of transportation and installation of structures is simplified. During the installation of ceiling beams, you need to make a slight slope for the water to drain.

Video - Wooden floor

What to make waterproofing

Prices for PVC membranes for roofing

PVC membrane for roofing

For sealing, it is recommended to use a modern high-quality membrane that has protection from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays. The membrane thickness is not less than 1.5 mm, the service life of such coatings is more than thirty years. The membranes must retain their original properties at temperatures of -30°C and below. It must be borne in mind that situations may arise when it is necessary to remove snow from the roof in winter, the hydroprotection must withstand mechanical stress and not be damaged.

How to install a funnel for receiving water

The diameter of the funnel must correspond to the area of ​​​​the roof and the maximum debit of water. The data are available in comparative tables and are attached to the instructions for using the elements. If for some reason there is no such instruction, then you should consult with the seller.

The funnel is installed at the lowest point of the roof. The roof plane is divided into several sectors and each has a slight slope towards the drain. To prevent ice from accumulating in the funnel in winter, it is recommended to connect an electric heating system. Heating functions temporarily and only during the period when the temperature several times a day changes from positive to negative.

How to properly lay a waterproof membrane

The joints are welded with a building dryer and additionally filled with a special two-component adhesive. You should start from the very bottom edge, the width of the overlaps is at least 10 cm. To increase the strength of the fastening, each strip of the membrane is separately fixed with special fasteners, then the wide washers are closed.

Along the perimeter of the parapet, the membrane is also screwed with washers of large diameter, the distance between them is about 20–30 cm.

How to drain water from a roof

Experienced builders do not recommend trying to install external gutters and pipes on flat roofs to drain water to the ground. The best option is to run plastic pipes through the interior. The installation of the system should be done immediately after assembling the frame of the house; during the sheathing of the internal walls, the pipes are hidden. Due to such an installation location, the possibility of freezing is completely excluded, the reliability of the system is significantly increased.

The better to process OSB boards

There are many options, the effectiveness depends not only on the materials used, but also on the professionalism of the master. But practice shows that, under all equal conditions, bituminous mastics have the greatest reliability. Surfaces must be lubricated at least twice, this guarantees the tightness of the coating for a long period of time. Of course, the top membrane must also be of good quality and correctly installed.

It cannot be said that houses with a flat roof are so common in our area. Still, we are more accustomed to seeing classic gable or multi-pitched roofs. It is believed that houses with a flat roof look exclusive, even eccentric, and speak of their owner as a great original, a modern person who thinks outside the box.

By and large, "flat roof" is a rather arbitrary name. There should always be a small but mandatory slope. Otherwise, rainwater or water after the snow melts will accumulate on the roof, which, in the end, will lead to serious trouble and repair costs not only for the roof, but also for the interior.

In addition to its direct functions - thermal insulation and protection of the house from atmospheric precipitation - a flat roof can be used as an additional recreational area.

Let's try to figure out how expedient the choice of a flat-roof house project is in our area. To do this, you need to imagine the advantages and disadvantages of this type of roof.

Advantages of a flat roof

  • A flat roof allows you to optimize costs. It is smaller in area than any pitched roof. This allows the developer to save significant amounts on materials.
  • The simple shape of the roof significantly reduces installation time.
  • For the same reasons, the repair and maintenance of a flat roof of an already built building is incomparably easier than in houses with pitched roofs.
  • But the most important advantage of flat roof house projects is the additional usable area that the owners of the house can use at their discretion. Some elements of engineering systems, for example, ventilation and air conditioning systems, can be placed on the roof of such a house. And you can install solar panels.
  • But most often the space of a flat roof is used as an additional zone of comfortable rest. Here you can equip a solarium or a place for sports. By the way, there are even projects that make it possible to equip a pool. The rooftop garden is very impressive. Modern technologies make it possible to pave the roof with paving stones. And in combination with a lawn and decorative trees, comfortable wicker furniture, a garden gazebo with a fireplace, this place will become the center of a family holiday.

Naturally, like any roofing system, a flat roof has its drawbacks.

  • More careful design and installation of the roof will be required, otherwise retribution in the form of expensive repairs to the interior is inevitable.
  • You will also have to lay additional costs for the organization of internal drains.
  • There are certain inconveniences associated with maintaining a flat roof. Firstly, constant monitoring of the moisture content of the insulation and the tightness of the roof is necessary. Secondly, there is always the possibility of clogging or freezing of internal drains. Thirdly, in snowy winters there is a risk of leaks due to the large accumulation of snow. But this minus can be easily circumvented by installing the Anti-Ice system on the roof. True, this leads to additional costs.

Flat roof house project: is it worth it?

It can be said quite definitely that with careful design study and competent work of builders, it is worth building a house with a flat roof. In the end, you get original housing with additional square meters of usable space and save money on construction work and materials. And the Dom4M company hopes that you will live for many years in a cozy and comfortable house built according to our project.

There are many roof design options for a private house. Today, along with tent structures, modern technologies and materials allow you to create flat options. It is worth considering in more detail what a house with a flat roof is, its design features, pros and cons.

Description

Traditionally, in temperate and northern latitudes, a hipped roof with sloping slopes was erected, which prevented the accumulation of snow cover on the surface and allowed heavy precipitation to flow down to the rain drain system. Flat-roofed houses were common in the southern regions, where there was no heavy rainfall, and snow did not fall at all in winter. But the development of building technologies and the emergence of modern materials, especially waterproofing, made it possible to create a horizontal roof without problems in any region, even in the Far North.

A flat roof is a ceiling that is located horizontally directly above the residential floors of a private house. Several layers of insulating materials that protect against moisture, cold and steam, as well as a drainage system, allow you to create reliable top protection in a one-, two- or three-story private house.

Do not be afraid that leaks will appear on the ceiling of the last floor, since with a competent approach and high-quality materials, they are completely excluded. The main thing is to properly operate such a roof and change the coating in a timely manner in accordance with the warranty period.

In buildings with a straight roof, functionality is increased, since the roof surface can be used. In many ways, the installation of such buildings is simplified compared to tented options, where it is necessary to build a truss system. They also have many other advantages.

Principle and types of construction

To begin with, it is worth noting that a flat roof in a private house is not strictly horizontal, in order to prevent water from accumulating and draining it, a surface slope of approximately 5-7 ° is provided. The principle here is the same as that of the weirs of a pitched roof - they are located at a slight slope, which is invisible from the ground, but allows all the accumulated moisture to drain into the downpipe. Also on a flat roof: water collects in a certain place due to the unevenness of the surface, but the site looks horizontal, you can safely lay out a lawn or equip a recreation area on it.

The drainage system on such a roof contains special funnels, into which rainwater flows under the influence of gravity and then, using a hose system, goes into the sewer or underground. These devices are made of plastic, not subject to moisture and decay, are mounted in layers of insulation on the roof, and are provided with a protective net on top so that the neck and drains do not become clogged. One such water intake funnel is designed for approximately 100-150 square meters. m of roof area, from here you can calculate their total number. Usually 1-2 pieces are enough for a small country house.

A flat roof can be exploited and non-exploited. If it is practically not used, that is, it is climbed several times a year to check the integrity and current repairs, then the coating contains the following layers from the bottom up: thermal insulation, vapor barrier and waterproofing. The flooring technology here is practically the same as in residential multi-apartment and industrial buildings.

There are the following common types of non-exploited flat roofs: from corrugated board and monolith.

  • The first option is the frame. First, a crate made of metal profiles or wooden beams is mounted on a concrete base, insulating materials are placed in it. Then profiled metal sheets are attached to the frame. This is a relatively cheap option, easy to install, the design is lightweight. But it is practically impossible to walk on such a roof, because the profiles will bend and deform.

  • Monolithic coating for a flat roof contains several layers. A vapor barrier film of hot bitumen is laid directly on the concrete slab, then mineral wool and waterproofing are applied, and a cement-based screed reinforced with a reinforced mesh is poured on top. Such an unexploited roof will have a lot of weight, but it will reliably protect the house from rain and cold.

Another option, if the roof is constantly involved, people walk on it, there are some objects. Then the insulating layer changes in order: first comes the waterproofing, on top of which the thermal insulation is installed. Therefore, such a roof is called inversion.

The order of laying materials is as follows: first, a bitumen-polymer membrane is placed on the floor slab, then a layer of thermal insulation from foam foam, foam plastic or expanded polystyrene is laid. If there is a desire to create a green lawn on the roof of your house, then a separating and filtering layer of geotextile is laid over these insulators, and then a fertile layer on which natural grass will grow.

Such a roof with a fertile layer can be freely used throughout the warm period, with a properly installed drainage system, it is not afraid of rain. On the roof you can place a children's or sports ground, put sunbeds or benches, break flower beds and even have a picnic. Exploited roofs with a green coating today are common not only in country houses, but also in city houses.

The arrangement of a flat roof does not end with flooring and pouring insulating layers and laying drainage systems. Ventilation is essential for proper operation. Moisture and its vapors can accumulate between the layers of insulation, further, during frosts, the insulating cake can crack, bubbles appear on it, and delamination occurs. In order to avoid this, aerators are used - plastic or metal tubes with umbrella-shaped caps that are mounted inside the roofing. The air entering through them, due to the pressure difference, weathers the water vapor from the insulation layers, they remain completely dry.

Another important point after laying a flat roof is the construction of lightning protection. It should not be neglected, because, despite the low probability of occurrence, a thunderstorm can lead to the most disastrous consequences in a country house. The lightning protection mesh is installed inside the insulation layers, if they are not combustible, or if they are combustible, on top of them on special holders at a height of 10-12 cm from the surface. All nodes of this grid are connected into one lightning rod made of thick conductive wire, which goes to ground.

Advantages and disadvantages

Low-rise buildings with a flat roof, built according to various projects, have been operated in our country for more than a year. Feedback from owners who have lived in such houses for several years will help highlight all the advantages and disadvantages of such structures.

They have the following advantages:

  • saving materials - no need to build a complex truss system, and roofing is simplified;
  • speed of construction compared to gable and especially hip roofs;

  • ease of repair and replacement of roofing;
  • the device of a flat roof allows you to make a platform on it for various needs: a lawn, a recreation area with a gazebo, a gym, a children's corner, etc .;

  • in the ceiling it is possible to mount windows, this is a very original interior project plus an additional source of natural light on the ceiling;
  • roofing work will be much safer than in the case of a hipped roof;
  • with strong gusts of wind, there is no risk of failure of massive roof structures and sheathing.

According to the reviews of the owners of such houses, one can also point out the disadvantages of a flat roof:

  • unlike tent structures, snow will accumulate in large volumes on such roofs in winter, which must be regularly removed manually;
  • installation of a drainage system is required;

  • it will be necessary to constantly monitor the integrity of the roof, the absence of leaks;
  • despite the apparent ease of installation, flat roofing has many nuances, insulator layers and gutters must be done as correctly as possible, otherwise leaks cannot be avoided.

Many projects of private houses with a horizontal roof came from Europe, where the climate is milder. Therefore, such decisions must be adjusted in accordance with our more severe weather conditions.

What to do?

Flat roofs can be made from a variety of materials, depending on the structure of the building.

  • If the house is brick, made of gas silicate or concrete blocks, then a reinforced concrete slab can be used as a roofing. In this case, the roof will be as strong as possible, bulky and heavy objects can be placed on it. Such a floor material does not have moisture protection, therefore, in any case, it will be necessary to make a waterproofing layer from rolled bitumen or screed with a lower bitumen-polymer membrane.

  • Wooden roofing of a similar design will cost less than concrete, they can be made on a suburban area yourself. A frame with beams is installed on the walls, as they can be planed beams 10x4 cm or others, the main thing is that they are able to withstand the weight of future insulation and other items located on the roof. The wood is treated with an antiseptic and a refractory solution. Roofing from a bar can be covered with wood boards, boards or metal corrugated boards.

  • As a waterproofing for houses with a flat roof, bitumen is traditionally used. It is a hydrocarbon-based organic material that is produced during the refining of petroleum. It has excellent waterproofing properties, is not subject to moisture, rotting, and is not afraid of frost. The main disadvantage of bitumen is its non-environmental friendliness - it contains harmful components, and when heated, it emits a pungent odor. Nevertheless, bituminous insulation is still in demand, including in the construction of flat roof houses.

Bitumen can be rolled and liquid. Usually, a combination of these two types is used for maximum efficiency. First, a hot solution is poured onto the prepared, cleaned surface, then rolls of solid bitumen are rolled up. Such a combination allows you to close any microscopic cracks and cracks and reliably protects the roof from moisture.

  • There are other modern waterproofing materials that are cleaner and more harmless than bitumen. These include, for example, euroruberoid. It is also made on a bitumen basis, but, thanks to synthetic fabrics and polymers in the composition, it emits less harmful substances and odors. Euroruberoid is produced in rolls, for durability it is sprinkled with special mineral chips.

  • There is sprayable waterproofing for roofing in the form of powders and aerosols. It is applied to the surface using special equipment. Similar mixtures are produced from plasticizers, cement, synthetic resins and hardeners. Their advantages are that they not only protect against moisture, but also reflect the sun's rays, do not let steam through.

  • Coating waterproofing is widely used to protect against precipitation. It, like liquid roofing material, is applied to the roof surface with a roller or brush. Among such materials, emulsion, rubber, polymer mastics and a primer are especially common.

  • There are options for bulk waterproofing in the form of granules that absorb moisture well and prevent it from seeping into the living space. Examples are expanded clay and gravel. Their advantage is that complex installation is not required - the granules simply rise to the level of the roof, crumble and evenly smooth out over the surface.

  • As a vapor barrier, a polyethylene film 0.1-0.5 mm thick is usually used, which is laid across the entire width of the roof under the heat-insulating layer. To protect against the cold, many effective materials are used: mineral wool, polystyrene foam, polystyrene foam, polystyrene foam and others.

  • Solid glass roofs are very spectacular and impressive in appearance. The transparent ceiling in the house visually increases the space, creates a unique airy atmosphere, the rooms are always as light as possible. It is not very difficult to mount such ceilings, it is enough to create a frame from metal profiles or wooden frames and glaze it. But the operation of a glass roof becomes more complicated, in winter it is necessary to constantly clear it of snow cover. Therefore, it is best to make a solid ceiling with small ceiling windows.

Design Options

A flat roof can be installed both in a one-two-story house with a small area, and in a spacious cottage. In a large building, you can combine a pitched hipped roof with a horizontal one, for example, using it for an outbuilding or a veranda. The shape of the roof can also be different: square, rectangular and more complex. The main thing with a non-standard project is to correctly calculate the slopes and the weir system so that moisture does not accumulate on the surface.

Air conditioners, ventilation systems, television antennas, communication boxes and other equipment can be located on an inverted flat roof. If the roof will be used as a platform for recreation or other active pastime, then it is necessary to mount a fence along its edges.

Also, when installing such a roof, you should immediately take care of a convenient climb up with a railing. There are many projects of the used inversion roof with drawings that can be used as a guide when building your home.

Installation Instructions

Before building and arranging a flat roof, it is worth breaking down a step-by-step plan of all work.

  • It begins with the choice of shape, type and materials for overlapping. It should be borne in mind that the load on such a structure is always more intense than on tent options. Based on this, you need to make a drawing of the frame system with beams and ceilings. The sketch indicates the geometric shapes, dimensions, color, materials, necessary communications. It is best to immediately have a visual idea of ​​​​what the future roof for your home will look like.