Due to the way flat roofing is installed, it will be exposed to the elements that pitched roofing will be expected to endure but received in different way and in different volumes. Flat, the strength of the roofing is always designed to be able to withstand traffic from people on top of it if they are not overly aggressive with their stepping nor wearing any shoes that would focus weight on a singular point or points like high heels.

Low down with little vertical surface area, flat roofing will still be exposed to winds like pitched roofing, but due to its low vertical height, much less wind will be able to put strain onto the roofing whilst pitched roofing is taller, revealing a larger vertical surface which can be buffeted by wind.

Lack of an overall surface area will also mean that there is less roofing to be exposed to other natural elements like hail, sleet or rain. Which could wear away at the surfaces of a pitched roof and due to the larger area used in pitched roofing, there are more areas where damaged patches could occur due to the elements attacking the roofing.

Because of the lower surface area of a flat roof, less materials will be required when installing and due to its simplistic design and implementation, we can install flat roofing much quicker and cheaper than it would cost to have pitched roofing installed. It’s the ease of fitting that also makes flat roofing possible for any sized roof, although better suited for smaller structures as larger areas covered with flat roofing have a weaker structural integrity.

Flat roofs are ideal when easy access is required for maintenance. It’s very acute angle, no more than a few degrees, make walking on top of the flat roof very simple and safe when access is needed to install a guttering system on a structure for example.

With the right materials installed, a flat roof can be used for outdoor gardens in areas where outward space is needed. Solar panels and AC units can also be moved or installed on top of the flat roof for those looking for more internal spacing or to create cleaner energy that can be used for the building. When fitted to a structure’s ceiling joint, if high enough, it can also be used to create another room, allowing it to be used as required without any hindrances that pitched roofing may cause with its slopped surfaces.

Lighter than pitch roofing, flat roofing will cause less structural strain on the building’s external walls and its foundations which could lead to a building wall becoming damaged and breaking under the strain if weakened.

Flat roofing will require annual maintenance to ensure longevity and continued use. While a pitched roof is exposed to the initial attacks of nature like hail and rain, flat roofing is exposed to the remnants of the weather. At a slight angle to allow most water to run off into a gutter system, some small remnants can remain behind.

These remnants will remain until natural evaporation has occurred but constant exposure to various sizes puddles in the same area can encourage the growth of mould or moss. Unattended, these growths can weaken the flat roofing’s integrity, causing damage and reducing functionality. These damages can be easily repaired varying on the materials used when fitted but is always best to remain on top of any growths before damage occurs.

Also, examine any damage that may have occurred from heavy physical attacks. While the flat roofing and its protective layer may have not been penetrated, it is always best to identify any areas in need of repairs before the issue becomes a bigger problem, which can cause damage to the structure it is fitted on and on the roof itself.

Thankfully, due to its sturdy and level nature, flat roofing is easy to walk on so maintenance is not a tricky task or neither is it a dangerous task compared to performing maintenance on pitched roofing.

The material that can be used in flat roofing is important. They not only affect cost and longevity, but also the finished aesthetics once installed. Choosing the right material to suit your needs is as important as you would want something that is cost effective long term depending on what weather the flat roofing is expected the cope with.

A synthetic rubber can be used for your flat roof. Often referred to as EDPM, it features many positives once fitted. While not the cheapest material that can be used for flat roofing, it is still very reasonable, tied with its longevity compared to other materials available and involved with a pitched roofing, it is very cost effective.

Best suited when dealing with structures that have simplistic roofing needs without much variation in width or segments, the synthetic rubber can still offer reliable protection from the elements for your structure. Its natural flexibility will mean that during the cold season, whereas most materials used in flat roofing would become frozen and brittle causing them to be damaged easier from weather and natural elements. EDPM still retains its pliability, ideal for environments that are particularly cold or have harsh winter seasons.

This resistance also allows the rubber roofing to have protection against repeated or prolonged barrages from physical weather like hail or rain without taking any damage. Despite its flexibility, the flat roofing will still hold its shape and integrity during high wind speeds without falter, this is the reason it is often chosen as a material to be used in areas with stricter building codes due to the wind that structures are to endure yearly.

If repairs are needed, the synthetic rubber used in the flat roofing can easily be patched to remove or protect the damaged areas from further harm, removing any potential damage that it would have caused the remainder of the roof or structure it is fitted on.

Fibre glass roofing is one of the best flat roofing materials that can be used in terms of endure and longevity, often outlasting many other flat roof materials many years. They can even boast low maintenance cost due their strength meaning little to no repairs will be required for many years once fitted. Slightly more on the expensive end compared to other materials like rubber used on flat roofing, it remains a much cheaper alternative to pitched roofing and its life time will mean that will annual maintenance, it will provide a great investment long term.

Often called GRP, fibre glass flat roofing is capable of coping with attacks with a more focused impacted that would damage or penetrate other materials. Due to the was fibre glass is manufactured, a fibre glass will be able to withstand knife attacks or other signs of vandalism towards your property. This means you can trust your flat roofing defensively when being maintained, not requiring gentle steps to ensure accidental damage or wear whilst being walked on.

Outdoor roof gardens can also be made on top of a fibre glass flat roofing and because of its durability and surface, excess water would run off the roofing so extended exposure to water would not become an issue nor will the continues increased weight of the garden. If and when damage has occurred, GP flat roofing is very easy to be repaired or replaced with a seamless result when done properly and because of the wide availability of fibre glass, the material is easy to find for replacements whilst still remaining relatively inexpensive to purchase.

Most importantly, fibre glass roofing is simplistic but aesthetically pleasing. Maintaining this appeal will require some work but not effort. Simply using a power washer to quickly remove any grim or dirt that the roofing has accumulated is an easy task, with water quickly running off the surface and its slip proof surface will ensure safety when this task is performed.

Although a power washer is quicker, it is not esotery needed to clean a fibre glass roof, a simple mop or even a sponge and soapy water will do the task. Finally, the fibre glass roofing is an excellent source of additional insulation as it is capable of trapping internal warmth, reducing the cost of a heating system because of the temperature trapped inside.

While it will not drastically reduce the need of air conditioning or heating, it will aid in making a building more energy efficient long term because of the roofs longevity.