Flat Roofing
Many buildings in Las Vegas have a flat roof, many of which are commercial or industrial buildings. There are a few reasons why people choose flat roofs compared to their sloped counterparts.
Flat roofs construction Types
Built Up Roofing (BUR)
This is the generic term for roofs that are built up by many alternating layers of roofing felts and waterproofing materials. These can include asphalt, coal tar pitch, cold application adhesive, and insulation plus others.
It is more commonly known as a “tar and gravel” roof as they are finished with a layer of gravel, or some other crushed rock/ mineral.
MBR (Modified Bitumen Roof)
The construction from these is slightly different as they are constructed from fiberglass-based asphalt sheeting. These are applied in layers with hot bitumen in between each layer.
These are the most common commercial flat roof materials rather than on residential buildings, yet it can be a good alternative should you so wish.
Built up roofing is the cheapest option choice, yet over time the intense sunlight breaks down the asphalt base leaving it needing replacing sooner than other options.
Single-Ply Roofs
Elite Las Vegas Roofing spends more time installing this sort of flat roof deck materials than any other. They are the most practical, modern and the most reliable. This roofing type also comes in two varieties.
Thermoset membranes which are rubber polymers and use less tape or adhesive to form the watertight seal that is required on the edges. On the other hand, there are Thermoplastic membranes which are constructed from plastic polymers and have their waterproof seals formed by heat or chemical welding.
Included with these is also a protective reinforcement layer of either fiberglass or polyester which gives them their strength and stability.
This type of roof also lasts longer than the other kinds, so it can be a better choice, regardless of the fact that they do cost a little more.
“I had a problem with my flat roof; the first two companies said it needed a replacement. I decided to have a third opinion. I wish I had called Elite Las Vegas Roofing first. My flat roof only needed resealing.”
– Bryan H (Rhodes Ranch)
Flat Roof Advantages and Disadvantages
Flat Roof Systems have a few advantages over their sloped cousins, for one flat roof material prices are much less, and the installation costs are cheaper as installation is much quicker. Inspections and repairs are also easier and faster as they require less specialized equipment to access the roof.
You can also take advantage of your flat roof in Las Vegas and have it converted into extra usable space.
The main question of the downsides is “How long does a flat roof last?” this is an easy question to answer. They do not last as long as a pitched roof. Once they reach between ten and twenty years old, you should be looking at having your roof replaced.
These roofing types will require re-coating and re-sealing every few years compared to the 20 plus years of a tiled roof.
Roof Repair
Elite Las Vegas Roofing has many years of working with a roof of this design and can instantly see where your problems are. It might be you have water leaking to the interior of your building? Moreover, this would lead our experts to know, you either have a puncture in the covering, or there is a seal leaking as it has deteriorated.