There are many roof design options for a private house. Today, along with hipped-roof structures, modern technologies and materials make it possible to create flat versions. It is worth considering in more detail what a flat roof house is, its design features, pros and cons.

Description

Traditionally, in the temperate and northern latitudes, a hipped roof with inclined slopes was erected, which prevented the accumulation of snow cover on the surface and allowed abundant rainfall to drain down onto the rain drain system. Houses with flat roofs were common in the southern regions, where there was no heavy rain and no snow 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 floor 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 according to the warranty period.

For buildings with straight roofs, functionality is increased as the roof surface can be used. In many ways, the installation of such buildings is simplified in comparison with the hipped-roof options, where it is imperative to erect a rafter system. They also have a lot of 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, so that water does not accumulate and its drain is carried out, a surface slope of about 5-7 ° is provided. The principle here is the same as for pitched roof weirs - they are located at a slight slope, which is invisible from the ground, but allows all 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 break a lawn on it or equip a recreation area.

The drainage system on a similar roof contains special funnels, into which rainwater flows under the action of gravity and then, with the help of a system of hoses, goes into the sewer or underground. These devices are made of plastic that is not exposed to moisture and decay, they are mounted in layers of insulation on the roof, and they are equipped with a protective mesh on top so that the neck and drainage systems do not clog. One such funnel is designed for approximately 100-150 sq. m of roof area, from here you can calculate their total number. Usually for a small country house, 1-2 pieces are enough.

A flat roof can be exploited and unexploited. If it is practically not used, that is, it is climbed several times a year to check the integrity and maintenance, then the coating contains the following layers from bottom to top: 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 unexploited flat roofs: corrugated board and monolith.

• The first option is wireframe. First, a crate made of metal profiles or wooden beams is mounted on a concrete base, insulating materials are placed in it. Then, profile metal sheets are attached to the frame. This is a relatively cheap option, easy to install, and the structure 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, followed by mineral wool and waterproofing, 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 precipitation 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 procedure for laying materials is as follows: first, a bitumen-polymer membrane is placed on the floor slab, then a layer of foam, foam or expanded polystyrene insulation 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 on top of these insulators, and then a fertile layer on which natural grass will grow.

Such a roof with a fertile layer can be freely operated throughout the warm period; with a properly installed drainage system, it is not afraid of rains. On the roof you can place a playground or a sports ground, put sun loungers or benches, make flower beds and even have a picnic. Operated green roofs are now common not only in country houses, but also in city houses.

Arrangement of a flat roof does not end with flooring and pouring insulating layers and laying drainage systems. For proper operation, it is necessary to create ventilation. Moisture and its vapors can accumulate between the layers of insulation, later, during frost, the insulation 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, which are mounted inside the roofing. The air entering through them, due to the pressure difference, erodes water vapor from the insulation layers, they remain completely dry.

Another important point after flat roofing is the construction of lightning protection. You should not neglect it, because, despite the low probability of occurrence, a thunderstorm can lead to the most catastrophic 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 mesh 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 in operation 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 rafter system, and roofing work is simplified;
• speed of construction in comparison with gable and even more 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.;

• there is an opportunity to mount windows in the ceiling, this is a very original interior design 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 rupture of massive rafter structures and cladding.

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 by hand;
• installation of a drainage system is required;

• you will need 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 horizontal roofs came from Europe, where the climate is milder. Therefore, such decisions must be adjusted in accordance with our more severe weather conditions.

What to make of?

A flat roof can be made of various materials, their choice depends on the structure of the building itself.

• If the house is brick, made of gas silicate or concrete blocks, then a reinforced concrete slab can be used as a roof covering. 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 protection against moisture, therefore, in any case, you will have to make a waterproofing layer from rolled bitumen or a screed with a lower bitumen-polymer membrane.

• Wooden roof slabs of a similar design will cost less than concrete ones; they can be made in a suburban area yourself. A frame with beams is installed on the walls, you can take planed beams of 10x4 cm or others as them, the main thing is that they are able to withstand the weight of future insulation and other objects located on the roof. The wood is treated with an antiseptic and a refractory solution. The roof from the bar can be covered with wood-based panels, boards or metal sheeting.

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

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

• 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 the synthetic fabrics and polymers in the composition, it emits less harmful substances and odors. Euroruberoid is produced in rolls, for strength it is sprinkled with special mineral chips.

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

• To protect against precipitation, coating waterproofing is widely used. It, like liquid roofing material, is applied to the roof surface with a roller or brush. Among such materials, emulsion, rubber, polymer mastics and 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 include expanded clay and crushed stone. Their advantage is that no complicated installation is required - the granules simply rise to the level of the roof, crumble and evenly smooth out over the surface.

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

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

Design options

A flat roof can be installed both in a one-two-storey 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 veranda. Roofs can also be different in shape: square, rectangular and more complex. The main thing in 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 is to 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 rise upward with a railing. There are many designs for a used inverted roof with blueprints to guide you when building your home.

Installation instructions

Before the construction and arrangement of a flat roof, it is worth breaking down the plan of all work step by step.

• It begins with the choice of the shape, type and materials for the overlap. It should be borne in mind that the load on such a structure is always more intense than on the 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, sizes, colors, materials, necessary communications. It is best to immediately have a visual idea of ​​what the future roof will look like for your home.

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Flat roof houses - options and projects

Recently, there has been a growing interest in projects of low-rise houses with flat roofs. Architects and developers are attracted by these unusual buildings, where you can equip an observation deck or even create a real hanging garden. Of course, in practice, everything turns out to be more complicated than in theory.

The design of a flat roof raises many questions regarding its cost, the choice of materials for insulation and waterproofing, the organization of water flow, maintenance and operation of the roof. Finding answers to them is not so easy. The fact is that domestic under row firms working in the field of cottage and summer cottage construction are well aware of the most popular design - pitched, and they, as a rule, do not have experience in erecting flat roofs, arranged in a completely different way.

Which roof will come out cheaper?

The fact that the area of ​​a flat roof is less than that of a pitched roof immediately attracts attention, which means that less materials will be required, and the work will be cheaper. However, this statement is true only for regions with a warm climate and low snow load, moreover, if we are talking about an unexploited roof. In central Russia, to ensure the reliability and durability of a horizontal roof, rather expensive engineering solutions are required.

It turns out that 1 m 2 of a flat concrete or steel base, the bearing capacity of which will allow to withstand the weight of the snow cover, costs 2-2.5 times more than a wooden girder structure of a pitched roof. The difference in the volumetric consumption of insulation is leveled out due to the fact that a more expensive high-density material is needed for a flat roof. There is still hope to save on roofing, however, modern polymer membranes - the optimal waterproofing for horizontal roofs - are not cheaper (and sometimes much more expensive) than shingles.

There is no need to install snow guards, but you cannot do without a roof hatch and drainage system. If you try to reduce costs according to the estimate, then later you will have to pay with the need to repair the roof every 10-15 years.

Finally, it should be borne in mind that flat roofs are appropriate only for houses of modern architecture - with a large glazing area and sophisticated finishing with the latest facade materials. Then and the other is not cheap at all.

Overlap under a flat roof

As a rule, in low-rise housing construction, a flat roof ceiling is a prefabricated or monolithic reinforced concrete slab.

Reinforced concrete slabs (PB, hollow PC, PV, etc.) can cover a span of up to 9 m and withstand a pressure of 8, 9 or 12.5 kPa (this value is indicated by the last digit in the product labeling). They can serve as a "base" for any roofing pies, including those with a top layer of paving slabs or fertile soil. However, for the installation of the structure, it will be necessary to provide a drive to the site of the truck crane (while the steel beams and the flooring are easy to lift with the help of winches). The depth of support of the ceiling on the wall depends on the material of the latter - for example, for a brick, this parameter should be equal to the thickness of the slab. Before proceeding with the installation of the roof, it is important to seal the joints of the elements with mortar and additionally seal them with an elastic polymer tape. A monolithic w \ 6 floor is erected from heavy concrete using removable (for example, from OSB slabs on jack racks) or non-removable (from corrugated board) formwork. It is reinforced with a two- or four-level welded frame made of rods with a diameter of 12 mm or more. The dimensions of a monolithic slab are not regulated (unlike a prefab), which provides the architect with freedom in designing a building; other advantages are the absence of seams, the comparative simplicity of the device of the passage units (chimney, ventilation ducts) and high bearing capacity (subject to the technological regulations).

Beam floor

In principle, when erecting a floor, you can use a combination of beams (wooden, steel) and load-bearing corrugated board. However, experts do not recommend the use of wooden beams (with the exception of those made of LVL beams with a cross section of 200 * 100 mm) in regions where the snow cover pressure exceeds 1.2 kPa (about 120 kgf / m2) - that is, in most of the territory of the Russian Federation. The roof covering made of steel I-beams and corrugated board with a wave height of 60 mm and a wall thickness of 0.7 mm allows covering a span of up to 12 m and withstands a pressure of at least 6 kPa. But in general, it is less durable than concrete, and is relatively rarely used in individual construction. It is wiser to use corrugated board as a fixed formwork, which, by the way, does not negate the need to build a reinforcing cage.

Flat roof types

In the low-rise sector, mostly non-attic flat roofs are in demand, because the attic requires additional costs and violates the architectural proportions of the house. This means that the roof must protect from winter cold and summer heat. At the same time, a common feature of flat roofs is that the heat-insulating layer is located on top of the supporting structure (in pitched roofs, it is usually located between the rafters). If the room is insulated from below, the dew point can shift into the thickness of the floor, which will lead to a reduction in the service life of the latter.

There are special requirements for thermal insulation for flat roofs. The material should not only have a low coefficient of thermal conductivity, but also resist well mechanical loads - both distributed (pressure of the upper layers of the roofing cake, equipment, snow) and local, arising during installation. In addition, it is important that the material is hydrophobic and non-flammable. At the moment, there are several ways to install thermal insulation: using mechanical fasteners, adhesive and free installation. In addition to the traditional two-layer insulation, laying in one layer is becoming an increasingly popular solution.

As for the roof options, there are dozens of them. Suffice it to say that only in the joint venture 17.13330.2011 more than 40 "recipes" are given. At the same time, manufacturers of coatings and insulation offer more and more new engineering solutions. However, they are always based on one of two basic schemes - traditional or inversion.

Traditional flat roof construction in general terms: a vapor barrier film (polypropylene, polyethylene, 6-bitumen-polymer) is laid on top of the supporting base, followed by insulation, for example, mineral wool slabs with a compressive strength with a ten percent deformation of at least 30 kPa, in one or two layers of total thickness from 200 mm. Above, there is a separating layer (for example, made of polyethylene film), over which a reinforced slope-forming screed is poured (a flat roof must be given a slope of 2-3% towards the center or edges to ensure water drainage). A dried screed serves as the basis for a roll or mastic waterproofing coating.

Other options are also possible.

For example, a slope-forming screed can be placed at the very bottom of the cake; in this case, the roofing waterproofing is fixed with gravel ballast, paving slabs on supports or special dowels. Some materials, for example the "ROOF UKLON" (Rockwool) or "TechnoNICOL Slope" system, allow you to do without a screed at all: the slabs have a variable thickness, and with their help it is easy to create smooth level drops to ensure water flow.

Flat roofs are classified into unexploited and exploited... The former are visited only for revision, maintenance and repair; for this purpose, a roof hatch is equipped, to which an attic staircase leads. The operated roof in cottages most often serves as a terrace, that is, a durable wear-resistant coating must be laid on it, and the supporting base is designed for increased loads. A kind of exploited - a roof with greenery, lined with a sod layer on top of the main thermohydro-insulating cake; usually they arrange paths and a recreation area on it. A convenient exit should be provided to the operated roof, for example, from the vestibule superstructure.

Inversion roof it is arranged differently: in it, a heater resistant to constant exposure to water (as a rule, extruded polystyrene foam - EPS) is located on top of the waterproofing. At the same time, the latter is reliably protected from mechanical damage and is located in the zone of positive temperatures (freeze-thaw cycles are destructive for almost any material). An inverted roof can be easily turned into an exploitable one, for example, by filling the insulation with a drainage layer of sand gravel and laying paving slabs. The disadvantages of the design include a more complex drainage system. However, gutters need to be discussed separately.

For exploited roofs, as well as roofs arranged in regions with harsh climatic conditions, the inversion scheme is ideal. Since the waterproofing layer is located under the heat-insulating layer, it is protected from mechanical influences, as well as from temperature changes and UV radiation, which significantly extends the service life of the roofing system. Waterproofing materials based on modified bitumen must be laid in at least two layers - this technology is more widespread, and in addition, it allows you to level out possible errors when fusing the material. For a polymer membrane, one layer is sufficient, and reliability is provided by automatic welding equipment, which greatly increases the speed of work. In addition, no open flame is used during the installation of the polymer membrane, so the technology is considered safer.

Roll materials based on modified bitumen, as a rule, are fused with a gas burner (a), while it is difficult to prevent small flaws that can cause leakage (if there is no second layer). Welding quality of PVC strips (6) is much easier to control

Flat roof gutter and water protection system

A flat roof is equipped with a parapet (attic) with a height of 30-90 cm, which helps to ensure an organized drainage of water; on an exploited roof, it also serves as a safety fence. At the same time, the design of gutters should be approached very responsibly, because in case of an error, a huge puddle can form over your head, which threatens with leaks and damage to the supporting structures.

As a rule, the choice is made in favor of an internal drain. Such a system is less exposed to the atmosphere and therefore more durable and reliable than an outdoor one. Let's tell you more about its main elements. Water intake funnels are installed on lowered sections of the roof. As a rule, on roofs with an area of ​​up to 150 m 2, two funnels are mounted - the main one, connected to the riser, and the emergency one with water discharge through the hole in the parapet. With an increase in the number of funnels and risers, the reliability of the system increases, but its cost also increases.

Flat roofs are in demand in modular construction. Among the advantages of this method are the affordable cost and high speed of housing construction, as well as the possibility of a phased increase in its area.

For inversion and green roofs, special funnels with drainage rings have been developed to collect moisture from the intermediate layers. The reception rooms should be equipped with electric heating based on a self-regulating cable - then they will properly perform their function with alternating thaws and frosts.

In systems of a new type, the so-called siphon-vacuum, special funnels are used to prevent air from being sucked in by the water flow. Thanks to them, the speed of movement of the liquid in the pipe (and hence the throughput of the latter) increases, which makes it possible to reduce the diameter of the system elements. However, for low-rise buildings, the savings turn out to be insignificant, moreover, such systems require a more accurate calculation than gravitational ones.

The downpipe is made of sewer pipes - polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, and it makes sense to use sound-absorbing products, for example RAUPIANO Plus (REHAU), or soundproof the downpipe, otherwise you will hear the murmur of water for hours. The riser is connected to the funnel using an elastic coupling. When laying pipes, the number of elbows and the length of horizontal sections that reduce the throughput of the system should be minimized. The drainage pipe, laid in the basement or insulated underground, connects the riser to the rain sewer or provides water discharge into the linear drainage tray.

In the second case, there is a risk of blocking the outlet with ice, so the riser should be equipped with a “winter” outlet to the domestic sewer (the latter should be equipped with a water seal). The branch pipe is cleaned through a dismountable joint or an inspection module.

When choosing a standard size of elements of a traditional gravitational system, one proceeds from the intensity of rains in a given area, focusing on SP 32.13330.2012.

The external drainage system is more vulnerable than the internal one, and also affects the appearance of the facades, but it does not require holes in the roof and ceilings and does not eat up the useful area of ​​the house. Water is discharged through parapet funnels or nozzles embedded in the parapet, under which classical funnels (like on a pitched roof) and downpipes attached to the walls with brackets are installed. The calculation is based on the fact that for each square meter of the roof area there should be 1-1.5 cm of the drainpipe section. Elements of the outdoor system can be made of PVC, steel, copper, zinc-titanium.

Flat roof landscaping

Since ancient times, turf-covered roofs have been used in countries with moderately cold and humid climates, and the green carpet served in them the main moisture-protective function.

As part of the modern concept of green roofing, a layer of fertile soil with plants is needed to give unusual features to the appearance of the building, to decorate the roof terrace and to extend the life of the coating by covering it from ultraviolet rays. In addition, it absorbs rainwater, relieving gutters, dampens the sound of rain, protects upper floors from overheating in summer and reduces heat loss in winter. Landscaping is believed to almost double the lifespan of a roof. Its disadvantages include an increase in loads on the supporting structures of a building and an increase in construction costs.

In addition, the green carpet needs maintenance, the intensity of which depends on the selected plant species. If you do not pay enough attention to the plantings, they will freeze and die from drought.

For greening the roof, an additional pie made of materials that will protect the waterproofing layer from roots, filter and drain rainwater should be laid on top of the main waterproofing layer (with an inversion scheme - on top of the insulation). For these purposes, special films, dense geotextiles, gravel bedding or drainage and moisture storage membranes made of high density polyethylene, for example PLANTER GEO or Delta-Floraxx, are used.

Then a mixture of minerals and fertilizers is poured - the so-called soil substrate. It can be prepared independently by adding fine expanded clay (5-15%), sand (about 20 96) and fertilizers to a light soil mixture from neutral peat. As for plants, it is easiest to restrict ourselves to meadow grasses and drought-resistant ground covers - sedum, herbaceous carnation, thyme.

They do not need to organize an irrigation system, and the thickness of the soil layer can be only 6-12 cm (this type of roof is called extensive). If you plan to walk on the roof among ornamental shrubs, you will have to provide watering and increase the thickness of the soil to 20-40 cm. Such a roof is called intensive, it creates a significant additional load on the floor, so it should be provided at the design stage of the building.

What is the best covering for a flat roof

Sheet and piece coverings are unsuitable for flat roofs: water will inevitably seep through the joints of the elements. Therefore, roll materials and mastics are used. Let's give a brief description of them.

ROLLED REINFORCED POLYMER-BITUMEN ROOF.

The mechanical strength of these materials is several times higher than that of roofing cardboard (roofing felt, roofing felt). And modifying additives increase resistance to moisture, air and ultraviolet radiation. The material is glued to the base with mastic, mechanically fixed or (most often) fused. There are coatings for the lower layers of the roof (Technoelast EPP, Uniflex EPP, Bireplast TPP, etc.) and for the upper ones (Technoelast EKP, Uniflex EKP, Gidrostekloizol TKP, etc.). The latter are sprinkled with mineral chips, which reduce the risk of fire and additionally protect against mechanical damage and UV exposure. The cost of waterproofing of both types is low, respectively, from 65 and from 150 rubles. for 1 m 2 and the average service life of the roofing carpet is 15-30 years.

ROLLED PVC MEMBRANES, for example Sikaplan WP, Logicroof, Ecoplast are durable and durable (up to 30 years without repair) and do not support combustion. However, they require a professional approach to installation (the joints of the strips must be carefully welded with hot air) and are relatively expensive - from 320 rubles. for 1 m 2. It is important to take into account that this material does not tolerate contact with bitumen.

ROOF COVER OPTIONS

Traditional with external drain
1 - overlap; 2 - slope-forming screed; 3 - vapor barrier; D, 5 - mineral wool insulation; 6 - waterproofing; 7 - drain
Inversion
with internal drain
1 - screed; 2 - PVC membrane; 3 - EPS; 4 - funnel with a drainage ring; 5 - drainage membrane; 6 - sand; 7 - paving slabs

Not so long ago, such a fashion came to the CIS countries as a flat roof in a private house. Most of the developers did not consider this advisable and continued with the construction of pitched roofs. They can be understood, because several decades ago, when the quality of materials remained in doubt, the construction of a flat roof was carried out only on temporary structures. But today, when the quality of materials has improved significantly, it is foolish to abandon this type of roofing.

Flat roof roofing pie

Needless to say, residential building with a flat roof is reliably protected from the wind... As for moisture removal, roofers have also learned how to solve this problem in a quality manner. They realized that a low-slope device would naturally remove excess moisture from the roof plane, but this could be prevented by materials whose structure has different roughnesses.

That is why installation work should be thought out in more detail, but it's worth it. After all, you significantly save on lumber and the time it will take to build a flat roof.

So, in order for all layers to perform their functions efficiently, they should be laid correctly. This is what a flat roofing cake should look like:

• Base... As a rule, it is made of reinforced concrete slabs, but some use thick profiled metal. This component of the roofing cake will carry impressive loads, therefore, it should be made as stable as possible. Often, flat roofs are made exploitable, for example, a lawn is sown on the surface. If you plan to do something similar with this plane, then check the base calculations several times.
• Vapor barrier layer... During operation, this component will play an important role. It will serve as a protection against moisture vapors coming from the underlying floors. Remember that if moisture gets to the insulation boards, then they will have to part with their positive qualities, therefore, this layer will become useless. For the installation of a vapor barrier, plastic wrap or bitumen is usually used, but developers who have the finances can afford a unidirectional membrane. It allows you to remove excess moisture from insulation and at the same time serve as protection for them.
• Thermal insulation layer... A flat roof differs from a pitched roof in that there is the possibility of laying unique materials, for example, backfill. They are perlite, slag, expanded clay and so on, but in addition to them, this layer also includes slabs of mineral wool or foam. By the way, roofers try to lay these materials in such a way as to give the roof some slope. As mentioned above, this allows atmospheric precipitation to naturally be removed from the roof plane. The requirements for this layer are as follows: light weight and low hygroscopicity
• The most important component of a flat roof is waterproofing layer... Bituminous, polymer or mixed products are used as it. You can choose slightly different materials for yourself, but remember that in addition to waterproofing qualities, they must be resistant to sudden temperature changes, good elasticity and a long operating period.

A high-quality choice of materials and their installation will significantly affect how long a flat roof will last in a private house. It should be understood that the failure of at least one of them will certainly lead you to repair, therefore, take the selection of roofing materials as seriously as possible.

Varieties of flat roofs and the nuances of their installation

Before making a flat roof device for a private house, you should figure out what purpose you will pursue.

• If you want to create an unexploited roof, then it is best to use as a base profiled metal sheets... This will save you money and will significantly affect the speed of the installation process. But if you are in doubt, then it is best to immediately think over this option and resolve this issue.
• Operated roof means that on its surface you will build some kind of additional structure or arrange a pool or lawn here. This type of roof will be an excellent solution in buildings, the size of which does not allow creating additional rooms. It should be understood that with the arrangement of the roofing space, the load will increase, which presses on the base, therefore, reinforced concrete slabs are laid as it. According to technical documents, the slope of such a roof should not exceed three degrees.
• Inversion... This type is a kind of traditional. Their difference lies in the fact that the inversion roofing cake is laid in a slightly different way. Waterproofing changes with insulation boards. This option is the most common in private construction, so the architects offer it.
• Ventilated... Although ventilation is more suitable for pitched roofs, there is a flat ventilated roof in construction. To do this, aerators are correctly positioned on its surface, which, under a pressure difference, pull the polluted air outward and thereby circulate it. Their device is advisable to carry out with large roofing areas.

Before starting construction, carefully consider all the details. As for load calculations, it is best to entrust this work to professionals in their field.

Flat roof construction on unheated structures

If it is necessary to cover a temporary structure, for example, a shed, a gazebo or a shed, a not very difficult structure is created. Support beams are used to adjust the slope. A slope of 3 cm per 1 running meter of the slope, which, in fact, will be 3% will be quite enough for atmospheric precipitation to be removed naturally.

The basis for the roofing cake will be a solid wooden crate. By the way, for ventilation between the boards it is worth leaving a small distance of 1-3 millimeters. This will remove any condensation that occurs. Self-tapping screws or long nails are used as fasteners.

The waterproofing layer on this structure will be a roll material - roofing felt. This product is a very cheap material and its qualities are quite enough to cover a temporary structure and protect it from moisture for 10 years, and if repair is required, then it is enough to buy a couple more rolls of roofing material and roll it up again, on the old basis.

The bituminous material is laid in layers. The overlap of the strips should be at least 10 centimeters. Fastening of the coating to the base is carried out by means of a device on its surface with wooden or steel slats. Their installation should be carried out, so as not to interfere with the natural descent of water from the surface.

Flat roof construction on temporary structures is usually not a difficult job that can be done by one or two workers.

Roofing on heated buildings

The device of a flat roof of a private house, in which heating is provided, will take place as follows:

• First, the installation of floor beams is carried out. During this process, it is especially important to keep track of the horizontal, so get a laser level for convenience and speed of the process.
• On the installed beams, unedged wooden planks are laid, the thickness of which is about 4-5 centimeters. If there is a very large distance between the installed support beams, then the section of the boards must be increased to the required design value.
• Strips of roofing material are rolled onto the created base, but other material can be taken as waterproofing. After cutting off unnecessary parts, some developers leave the bituminous product in this state for a day, but further work can be carried out without waiting for this period. For a reliable connection, the joints of the strips are laid with a ten-centimeter overlap.
• After waterproofing, as a rule, a thermal insulation material is laid. Remember that a fill product is often used for flat roofs. Its device hides some dangers in itself, because with a small mistake, you can come to the conclusion that huge puddles will collect on the surface of the roof, which will significantly reduce the life of your roof, so I advise you to invite a knowledgeable person to carry out this work.
• Next, the plane is poured with a screed, the thickness of which should be at least 20 millimeters.
• After the cement mass has solidified, the entire roofing surface is primed, and then the roofing is laid.

If these layers are executed as efficiently as possible, then your roof will last even longer than the manufacturers of roofing products assure about it.

Monolithic concrete as a roof

In addition to the well-known methods of erecting a flat roof in construction, a new method of creating a roof has recently appeared. So, here is the process for erecting a concrete roof.

• Concrete is far from being an easy building material, therefore, appropriate products should be used as floor beams. An I-beam steel beam with a thickness of 120-150 millimeters is ideal for its role. Their installation should be carried out without any slopes, ideally horizontally
• Experienced developers recommend using a concrete grade of at least 250. Its mixing is best done in a concrete mixer installed at the facility. If you do decide to knead the solution by hand, then most likely you will not achieve the desired consistency. Concrete is created in the following proportions: 4 buckets of fine gravel, one and a half buckets of cement, a bucket of sand and the required amount of water
• The basis is all the same lumber located on the lower flange of the I-beam. Wooden elements should be protected from the solution with a waterproofing material, for example, roofing material. After the waterproofing wraps the boards, a reinforced mesh with 2x2 centimeters cells is laid on top of it
• The next layer is fine gravel, and then there is prepared concrete

IMPORTANT: Complete the entire pouring process within one working day, otherwise it threatens the appearance of cracks on the future element.

• Let the screed harden. She will do it in 1-2 days, in addition, do not forget to take care of the concrete, of course, if quality is important to you. To do this, wrap it with plastic wrap or, after some time, water this element with water
• After complete drying, bulk material is delivered to the resulting plane - expanded clay. Then they make a slope and lay out a ballast sleeve from the paving slabs

In this article, I have mentioned the slope quite a few times, and probably not everyone knows what it is, so let's explain.

What is displacement

This process is typical only for flat roofs. It is arranged in order to ensure the natural descent of atmospheric precipitation from the roofing surface. As a rule, a flat roof is arranged with an internal drain, but there are options where it will be external. Therefore, at the very beginning of construction, it is building to think over the given moment, and decide which drain will be more profitable for you.

If your choice fell on the internal drainage system, then the slope is performed so that the water flows into special water-catching funnels. Their number in everything depends on the dimensions of the roof plane, for example, 1-2 funnels are provided for a roof of 25 square meters.

When an external drainage system is equipped, then with the help of a slope, the water is brought to the edges of the slopes, where the gutter is arranged.

Unfucking can be done in the following ways:

• Create the required slope using bulk material. Expanded clay or perlite is ideal for this. Having set the required slope, this material is covered with a screed, and the roof covering is already laid on it
• Thermal insulation boards are also able to set the required slope. But I think that playing with the laying of this layer is much more difficult and costly than purchasing expanded clay
• Specially designed formwork allows concrete to be poured so that it is already with the required slope
• The most expensive way of deflection is considered to be the device of plastic panels, which differ in their thickness from each other. By laying them out in a certain sequence, you can achieve the required slope.

A flat roof is a great solution for creative people. After all, this design will not only serve as an excellent protection for your comfort from bad weather, but will also give you additional square meters that you can use for your own purposes, for example, equip your workshop for crafts on the roof.

Having made special fences on the roof, you can build a rather interesting playground right on your roof! And if the options I proposed do not suit you, then perhaps you will find the use of these square meters on your own.

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

In this article

Varieties of flat roofs

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

By destination:

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

1. recreation areas, lawns, flower beds;
2. greenhouse or winter garden;
3. children's and sports ground;
4. parking;
5. pool;

The strength of the floor of the house and the load-bearing walls must be appropriate for the type of use of the roof. It is important to note that sound and vibration should be reliably absorbed.

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

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

With an unexploited roof, the roof is raised only in case of its maintenance, repair, as well as when it is necessary to service the structures located on it, such as ventilation caps, cable lines, antennas, overhead power lines, etc.

Important! In regions with abundant snow, flat roofs are usually not used due to sufficiently large snow loads.

By construction type:

• No attic space... Such structures require high-quality waterproofing, since they are, in fact, the ceiling of the last floor of the building. And in winter, the snow accumulating on the roof surface will constantly melt thanks to the heating of the room.
• With attic space... A free space is formed between the overlap of the last floor and the roof - an attic. Typically, roofs of this type are made without thermal insulation, and do not require special maintenance in winter.

For the arrangement of the roofing cake:

• Traditional- first, there is an insulating layer in the roofing pie, then waterproofing is equipped.
• 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

Homes with flat roofs stand out 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 rafter system, therefore, you can significantly save on building materials.
• Additional objects can be organized on the roofing surface, for example, a swimming pool, mini-gym, 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 electrical 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 erect such roof structures than pitched ones.
• Interior rooms will not have sloped walls.
• It is much easier to carry out repair work on a flat roof than on an inclined one.
• It is much more convenient to install and fix additional equipment on a flat surface: solar panels, air conditioners, etc.

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

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

• In some cases, the organization of an internal drainage system is required, which is often clogged and freezes in winter. If it is not cleaned in time, it can lead to adverse consequences.
• It is required to constantly check the tightness of the roofing cake, the moisture content of the insulation material.
• 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.

A flat roof structure in a private house is not complicated, so it can be completely built with your own hands. But at the same time, you need to take into account some important points:

• In order to perform work at a quality 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 and snow loads.

Important! Using only high quality building materials.