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Flat Roof Conversion

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Flat Roof Conversion Many first-time home owners and those on a limited budget choose to construct their new home with a flat roofing system, because of the low materials cost, installation price, and ease of DIY roof repair and maintenance. However, flat roofing systems are more susceptible to water damage, punctures, and other damage that makes regular roof repair an unfortunate reality. Until the last decade or so, which has seen the introduction of incredibly strong and durable synthetic materials such as EPMD and PVC onto the market, most flat roofs were constructed using tar, gravel, and sheet metal, which while effective, have problems with durability and whose look is simply not associated with traditional residential buildings. …show more content…

Additionally, sheet metal roofing systems offer very poor insulation and can increase the temperature inside of a home by ten or more degrees. Sheet metal can also produce very loud noises when exposed to heavy rain or hail. Given the problems associated with flat residential roofing systems, many homeowners are turning to flat roof conversion in order to avoid the need for regular roof repair …show more content…

This is important to keep in mind if you plan on selling your home within the next few years, as this may not be the best investment if that is the case. However, if you are planning on staying in your home for a decade or more and are set on converting to a pitched roof, the impact on your home’s value may not be as important of a consideration. Weak Support System One of the benefits, and potential weaknesses, of a flat roof is the fact that it requires a much less robust support structure to keep the roof in place. However, many roofing contractors will then create a less-than-ideal roofing structure which can degrade quickly and become a threat to the integrity of your home. If you regularly hear creaking or movement in your home’s flat roof structure, you may be in need of a costly roof repair project. If this is the case, it may make sense for you to go ahead and install a pitched roof at that time.

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