When building a home, it can be very tempting to implement a flat roof design. With the right effort and construction, they can be a practical choice for properties both residential and commercial, as they are efficient, cost-effective, and can also be pleasing on the eye. The only problem is when you consider their long term reliability. How will the roof face the test of time? The harsh winds and blustery rainstorms that swamp Australia? Is there accommodation for insulation and drainage avenues? If the answer isn’t yes, it might be time to a consider tapered roof insulation system.
What is a tapered roof insulation system?
When a flat roof proves problematic, a tapered roof insulation system can be erected in which a slope or gradient is created over the existing flat service, using the insulation itself. This not only applies quality insulation to a property, but also creates drainage pathways for water and natural debris to run off the building rather than ponding.
Overcoming ponding
A common cause for roof failure is what is known as ‘ponding’. A flat roof with a low pitched surface acts as a level collection plate of anything that lands on top of it, mainly rainwater. As the water sits there, often for weeks with inadequate sunlight to cause evaporation, it can stimulate plant and algae growth, weakening the roof’s structural integrity with thermal stress. A warning sign of this will be when the inner membrane of your roof becomes sunken and is holding water.
The solution? Short of manually removing all water and growths (or building an entirely new roof), tapered roof insulations systems are the best way to go. Their gradually rising slants encourage heavy drainage before water has the chance to pond. And as the industry has revolutionised alongside modern requirements, your tapered roof insulation system can be erected upon modified bitumen, single ply roofing, and also out of environmentally conscious, recycled resources.
Additional benefits
Beyond its initial application, installing a tapered roof insulation system has a myriad of additional benefits. Thanks to its lightweight build, the system is easier for labourers to handle and demands less structure from the building to be held in place, as opposed to other screen based options. Also, a new waterproof membrane can be used to cover the original roof, removing the need to open the roof up to deck level. With these in mind, you will save money on your roofing costs and aid in the lifespan of your building’s structure.