How to choose between pitched and flat roofs? Flat roofs, their types and designs Types of flat roofs.

The final and one of the most important stages of construction is the construction of the roof. Pitched structures are considered a classic solution, but in recent years there has been a clear trend towards the device flat roofs. The secret of their popularity lies in the mass of advantages. Previously, flat, or, as they are also called, combined roofs were erected on administrative, civil, medical, and sports buildings. Today, the scope of their application has expanded significantly and includes residential and suburban construction.

Features of a flat roof

The main difference between this type of roofs is the use of sheet and piece materials, which form a continuous carpet when laid. These include materials of bitumen and bitumen-polymer type, mastics. To increase resistance to temperature fluctuations and mechanical deformations, such carpets must have increased elasticity. The function of the basis for the carpet is performed by the bearing plates, the surface of the heat-insulating layer and the screeds. Layers stacked one on top of the other form a roofing cake as a result.

Advantages of flat designs

Until quite recently, many people avoided the installation of flat roofs, not being sure of the appropriateness of such a solution. However, in reality, these designs have a number of obvious advantages:

Flat roofs allow you to get additional usable area that can be used as a recreation area, turn it into a pool, garden, etc.
An important advantage is the ability to save on material, since with the same architectural basis in terms of area, a flat coating is much smaller than a pitched one.
Laying flat roofs is incomparably more convenient than pitched roofs: all materials can be placed side by side and work in a safe position.
Flat roof maintenance and repair work is greatly simplified.
Additional area is added without increasing or changing the contours of the structure, which is very important in large cities, where lack of territory and ecology are on the list of the most pressing problems.

Flaws

One of the disadvantages of flat non-attic roofs is the need to regularly monitor the degree of moisture content of the insulation and maintain the tightness of the waterproofing coating.
With frequent and heavy snowfalls, a large amount of snow accumulates on a flat roof. snow mass, which increases the load exerted on the structure and often leads to leaks.
There is a certain risk of blockages in internal system drainage or freezing.
To avoid damage to the roofing, it is necessary to clean the surface from snow accumulations from time to time.

Roof knots

For reliable protection of the roofing pie from external influences, special care must be taken to carry out the areas of its adjoining to such building structures like parapets, walls, pipes, external parts ventilation systems etc.

Main nodes flat roof are:

junction node;
overhang node;
roof passageway.

The nodes are installed on a reinforced concrete base in those areas where the cut of the roofing pie is adjacent to the vertical structures. Often manufacturers roofing materials carry out the development of their own systems: each of them may have certain design features.

The main requirement for the nodes is to ensure the tightness of the joint and its thermal protection.

The main components of flat roofs of different types

Exploited and non-exploited roofs

The device of roofs of the exploited type is justified on buildings that provide for the periodic exit of people to the roof or the placement of heavy objects on it.

A design feature of such roofs is the need to create a rigid base or a special screed over the waterproofing layer. Such a measure is necessary to increase the strength of the structure and evenly distribute the load over it. The increased rigidity of the base will preserve the integrity of the waterproofing layer and prevent it from bursting.

A distinctive feature of unexploited type roofs is the absence of the need laying hard foundations over waterproofing. In this case, soft insulation is used. The creation of this type of roof is advisable when there is no need for maintenance of the structure, since there is no pressure on the roof surface. In cases where there is a need to care for such a roof or carry out certain work, the issue is resolved through the installation of special bridges or ladders, thanks to which there is a uniform distribution of pressure over the surface.

By arranging an unexploited roof, you can spend much less money than when installing an exploited one, but it should be noted that it will last much less.

Other types of flat roofs

The design features of flat roofs formed the basis for their division into the following types:

classic;
inversion;
ventilated.

The traditional solution is classic flat design. Otherwise they are called soft.

In the classic version, the base plate functions as a base. On its vapor barrier coating, heat-insulating material is laid - in many cases, slabs based on mineral wool. Since the thermal insulation layer also needs to be protected (in particular, from the effects of precipitation), a waterproofing carpet is arranged, the basis for which are bitumen-containing roll materials.

The structure of flat inverted roofs is fundamentally different from the classical type: in this case, the insulation layer is located above the waterproofing membrane, and not below it. This specificity allows you to protect the waterproofing from the negative effects of ultraviolet rays, from loss quality characteristics as a result of freezing and subsequent thawing, with a sharp change temperature regime. This arrangement also prevents mechanical damage to the waterproofing membrane, which significantly increases the life of the roof.

Inversion structures are very convenient to use as operated ones. Plants, grass, light furniture, etc. can be planted on them.

The device of ventilated roofs allows solving the problem of moisture accumulation in the insulation and ceiling slabs, which often causes the formation of bubbles, leading to subsequent leaks and rupture of the roofing carpet. The specificity of the nodes of ventilated flat roofs is the partial fixing of the first layer of the carpet with glue to the roof or laying on mechanical fasteners. This feature allows you to create an air gap between the roof and the base, excluding significant water vapor pressure. Communication with external air is carried out through the junctions along the roof contour or through the installation of special exhaust deflectors.

The base is one of the significant components of flat structures

To obtain a high-quality, functional and durable roof, it is necessary to think in detail about the plan of a flat structure in advance. Such a measure will greatly simplify the installation process itself. In many cases, the main nodes of a flat roof are:

load-bearing structure - its functions can be performed by a monolith, a ceiling along a profiled sheet or a load-bearing concrete slab;
thermal insulation layer;
waterproofing layer;
slope-forming layer, the function of which is to drain water;

The initial step in creating a flat structure is the preparation of the base. The load-bearing covering of such a roof in most cases is profiled steel sheets or solid wood-based coverings.

When uneven surface reinforced concrete base requires the creation of a leveling screed from sand-cement mortar or sandy asphalt concrete. The thickness of the screed is determined by the type of base:

on a concrete base - from 10 to 15 mm;
on rigid insulation boards - from 15 to 25 mm;
on soft insulation boards - from 25 to 30 mm.

With a roof slope of less than 15%, the screed is first located on the grooves, after which - on the slopes.

With an indicator of more than 15%, the actions must be carried out in the reverse order: first of all, align the slopes, and then proceed to work with valleys and grooves.

All elements protruding above the roofing surface (parapet walls, chimneys, etc.) are treated with plaster to a height of at least 25 cm. Special rails are installed above the plastered surface. Their function is to fix the roll type of the carpet.

To improve the quality of adhesion of the base and the rolled carpet, the roofing screed is primed with mastics for the roof. Before starting work, the surface is thoroughly cleaned.

Soft roofing materials

When installing flat roofs at the initial stage, it is necessary to prepare all roofing materials for further use.

If rolled materials are used, they are carefully inspected for the presence of different types defects: cracks, bumps, oil stains. After that, they are rolled out and kept in this form or turned inside out for 24 hours.

Roofing mastic performs two functions at the same time:

It is used as an independent material for providing a seamless coating and for repair work.
It is used as an adhesive agent for bonding roll-type materials to the base. Bituminous mastics are used both cold and hot.

Mastic as an independent roofing material

The composition of flat structures does not always include rolled materials: they can be arranged using only mastic.

Mastic is essentially a liquid material made from pure elastic hydrophobic polyurethane resins. After being applied to the surface of a flat roof, under the influence of moisture contained in the air, the process of its polymerization begins, as a result of which the material is transformed into a rubber-like continuous membrane with excellent waterproofing and protective properties.

Due to a number of features, mastic is an almost ideal material for flat structures. Its main advantages:

reliability;
safety;
resistance to ultraviolet radiation;
resistance to precipitation and the development of microorganisms;
excellent adhesion to any type of building surface;
preservation of the original volume (it does not change even as a result of polymerization);
ease of use: liquid mastic can be applied manually - using a roller or brush, or a special method of airless spraying.

Roll materials for roofing

An important part of a flat roof is the roofing material itself. The most suitable for flat structures are rolled materials. Their laying is carried out on the surface with an overlap. With a roof slope of more than 5%, the overlap in the inner carpet layers should be 70 mm, in the outer - 100 mm. With a slope of less than 5%, the width of the overlap in all layers is 100 or more millimeters. Rolled strips are laid in a certain (one) direction.

In the case when the panel deviated to the side during gluing, you should try to move it and not peel it off. In the absence of a result or its insufficiency, the glued part is cut off and glued with a 100 mm overlap.

Laying of rolled canvases is carried out in layers. When attaching them to cold mastic, a 12-hour interval must be observed between gluing layers.

Thermal insulation in soft flat roofs

The layer of heat-insulating material can be mounted in two ways: external or internal.

The external (external) method is easier, as a result of which it has become more widespread. In addition, it can be used for thermal insulation of the building both at the construction stage and after its completion, in the operating state.

Depending on the number of layers to be mounted, flat structures provide two types of thermal insulation:

single layer;
two-layer.

The choice of a particular type is determined thermotechnical calculation and strength requirements that apply to the roof. When laying thermal insulation boards along the upper part of the supporting structure, the so-called “spread seams” principle is applied.

In the case of a two-layer coating, the joints of the upper and lower slabs also run "in a row". In the areas where heat-insulating plates adjoin walls, lanterns and parapets, transitional heat-insulating bumpers are arranged. Thermal insulation is fixed in the following ways:

mechanical, in which the fastening of the corrugated board is carried out using self-tapping screws, and the reinforced concrete base - using plastic dowels with a core;
adhesive;
with the help of ballast: it can be paving slabs or pebbles;
on the base.

Horizontal ventilation

During the operation of the roof, damage to the vapor barrier layer can occur, as a result of which moisture enters the insulation, which leads to its freezing in the cold season. All this significantly reduces the thermal insulation characteristics of the material. For this reason, the installation of a ventilated roof is of great importance.

Ventilation of flat structures is a system of aerators (plastic or metal tubes) that are located above the roof membrane. The system emerges on the roof surface in the form of umbrellas protected by nets. They should be located at the highest points of the roof.

drainage system

The magnitude of the roofing slope plays a very important role in the process of drainage - it should be at least 2%. Even a slight slope prevents the penetration of moisture inside.

In the case of flat structures, the drainage system is of great importance.

Its components are receiving funnels, pipes (through them water flows into the sewer, special storage tanks or into the ground).

Drainage is carried out in two ways:

According to the internal system - in this case, fittings (funnels) located on the roof surface collect water flows, after which they are sent to pipes: they are mounted inside the building and are completely isolated from residential premises.
By external drainage - pipes are fastened along the outer surface of the walls of the house, so that they can be easily cleaned of accumulated dirt.

minus outdoor system is the frequent freezing of pipes in winter.

The specific number of funnels, their diameter, location areas are calculated taking into account the architecture of the building, the operating conditions of the roof and the maximum amount of precipitation in the region. As a rule, funnels are equipped with filters to prevent leaves, small birds, etc. from entering the system.

Materials for the drainage system are polyvinyl chloride or metal funnels. The former are more popular because they do not corrode.

CONCLUSIONS:

The main difference between flat roofs is the use of sheet and piece materials.
The structure of a flat roof resembles a multilayer cake.
Such designs allow you to get additional usable area, which can be used at your discretion.
The main nodes of a flat roof are: the junction node, the overhang node, the node of the passage through the roof.
A design feature of operated roofs is the need to create a rigid base or a special screed over the waterproofing layer.
A distinctive feature of non-exploited type roofs is the absence of the need to lay a rigid base on top of the waterproofing.
The design features of flat roofs have become the basis for their division into classic, inversion, ventilated.
The initial step in creating a flat structure is the preparation of the base.
Flat roofs can be installed using roll materials or only mastic.
The most suitable roofing for flat structures are roll materials.
Thermal insulation is laid in one layer or in two layers.
Ventilation of flat structures is a system of aerators above the roofing membrane.
Flat roofs can have an internal and external drainage system.

What are the requirements for a flat roof to be covered with rolled materials, you can find out from the video.

Flat roofs, their types and designs can be classified:

According to the purpose of the surface. It can be operated and non-operated.
According to the method of laying the roofing cake. It can be traditional and inversion.
By type of construction. It can be attic and non-attic.
Separately, ventilated and non-ventilated structures are distinguished.

exploited roof

The exploitable flat roof can be used as a parking lot, helipad, tennis court, swimming pool, green roof and just a terrace. In any case, it is necessary to calculate the possible load on the roof.

Load from operation (weight of a person, car, water in the pool, etc.).

In some cases, the roof is subjected to a pressure of 20 tons per square meter.

Also, due to the nature of the flat roof device, it is highly exposed to ultraviolet rays.

Together, these factors mean that the choice building materials for such a roof must be approached with special care.

The device of the roofing pie of the operated roof is as follows:

Reinforced concrete floor slab.
Sloping layer. It is made of slag, concrete, expanded clay, wedge-shaped mineral insulation and other similar materials. From above it is fixed with a concrete screed. Slope up to 3%. It is necessary for high-quality water drainage in the required direction. Sloping is always arranged in front of waterproofing to ensure that water flows through it.
Leveling concrete screed .
Waterproofing. It is made of bituminous, polymeric, PVC materials and sealants. Roofing material is often used, laying it in two layers, while it is important that the joints of the upper and lower rows do not coincide.
thermal insulation. Keeps indoors warm in winter and cool in summer. Requires a careful approach to the calculation of thickness. In the event of a mistake, condensation inside the room cannot be ruled out. If not an inversion type of roof is used, but a traditional one, the insulation must be resistant to steam. Otherwise, there must be resistance to water absorption.
drainage layer. Given the technology of a flat roof, water must flow over the surface into drainage trays. But in other cases, moisture can get into the joints between the tiles used as a finishing paving element, or soak into the ground when using a green roof. So that the elements of the roofing cake do not get wet, they arrange a drainage layer that drains water in the right direction.
Further, it all depends on the type of roof being used. If this green roof- geotextiles are laid, which will not allow the roots of plants to destroy the roofing cake. If this is a roof-terrace, or a parking lot, a concrete screed under the tile, or other finishing material, goes behind the drainage layer.

Please note that when using a traditional roof, the order of the elements of the roofing cake changes. A vapor barrier is laid along the slope-forming layer, then a heater, and only then waterproofing.

The advantages and disadvantages of this method are discussed below.

Unexploited roof

An unused flat roof is notable for its economy. It is not designed to withstand any load other than snow. This allows less careful approach to the choice of building materials.

The device of a roofing pie of this type of roof is as follows:

Reinforced concrete floor slab. Instead, it is allowed to use profiled sheets with a large wave height, such as H-153 and H-158.
Slope layer.
Vapor barrier.
Thermal insulation.
Waterproofing.
Ballast layer of gravel. The thickness of such a layer should be from 10 to 20 centimeters. It is necessary to protect the waterproofing from UV rays and to prevent fires.

Once again, we draw your attention to the fact that the layers of steam, heat and waterproofing can change places depending on the type of roofing used.

traditional roof

The device of a flat roof according to the traditional type has been used for a very long time. In this case, the roofing pie will look like this:

Slope layer.
Vapor barrier. It is necessary to protect the insulation from steam emanating from the room. Otherwise, even in the case of one percent moistening of the heat-insulating layer, a significant increase in thermal conductivity occurs. It is made of specialized vapor barrier membranes and films.
Thermal insulation. It is allowed to use almost all types of insulation, even with a low percentage of moisture resistance.
Next, according to the traditional drawing of the roof of a flat roof, a layer of waterproofing should be laid. Please note that it must certainly be of high quality, since it is absolutely not protected from temperature extremes.

The advantages of a traditional roof are that it guarantees the protection of the heat-insulating layer from getting wet. Firstly, it allows you to use the entire range of roofing insulation. Secondly, the insulation will not lose its thermal conductivity characteristics, which means that a comfortable temperature regime will always be maintained in the room.

At the same time, this flat roof design compromises waterproofing. It is most susceptible to temperature differences, which leads to its accelerated aging. Also, the insulation does not protect the waterproofing from external power loads, which again negatively affects its service life. In general, this type of roof is less durable and requires fairly frequent repairs.

inverted roof

It is a more progressive type of flat roof device. Assumes the device of the following roofing pie:

Reinforced concrete floor slab, or corrugated board.
Slope layer.
Leveling concrete screed.
Primer for waterproofing, for a better fit. During this process, the screed is carefully inspected for cracks and water bubbles. Cracks are covered with mortar, water bubbles are removed.
Waterproofing.
Thermal insulation.
Further, either a drainage or ballast layer, depending on whether the roof will be exploited or not.

An inverted roof has the following advantages:

Protection waterproofing film from temperature fluctuations. As a consequence, this extends the life of the film in particular, and the life of the roof in general.
The insulation redistributes the power loads on the waterproofing in such a way that it does not affect it.
Extruded polystyrene foam, which is commonly used as thermal insulation for this type of roof, is cheaper than mineral wool used for traditional roofing.
The inverted design of a flat roof allows more repairs, if necessary, replacement, or adding insulation.

There are also disadvantages, which include:

It is permissible to use heaters only with closed cells in order to prevent them from getting too wet.
The need for more installation complex design gutters.

attic roof

The technology of a flat roof with an attic implies the possibility of using two types:

The attic roof is a light superstructure, and attic floor serves as the main supporting structure.
The attic floor and the attic roof are independent of each other and are able to withstand power loads equally well.

The advantages of a roof with an attic are:

Possibility of continuous monitoring of the tightness of the waterproofing layer.
The ability to regularly monitor the condition of the insulation.
Insulation can be laid after the roof has been installed.
The attic itself performs the function of thermal insulation.

The disadvantages include:

The impossibility of mechanical removal of snow, provided that the attic roof is used as a light superstructure. Instead, the attic is blown with hot, dry air, which ensures that the snow melts from above and gradually melts.
This type of roof is more expensive.

roofless roof

More popular is the bare roof. She:

It costs less than an attic.
Easier to install.
Provides snow melting by conducting heat from the room.

A non-attic flat roof also has a significant drawback:

There is no way to timely determine the violation of the waterproofing layer. These damages appear as a wet spot on the ceiling, making it impossible to determine the exact location of the leak.

Ventilated and non-ventilated roof

Roof ventilation is arranged between the insulation and the waterproofing layer. Thus, constant air circulation is achieved, which ensures the constant dryness of the insulation. Used in the traditional type of roofing cake.

When installing ventilation, it is important to adhere to the following recommendations:

The height of the vent is at least 1/30 of the width of the building.
Hole diameter not less than 1/150 total area roofs.
The air inlets must be lower than the outlets.
The holes are evenly distributed across the width of the entire building.

In turn, a non-ventilated roof does not require the creation of additional roof elements for flat roofs. But this somewhat shortens the service life of the heat-insulating material.

All city high-rise and industrial building These are houses with flat roofs. Moreover, today many who love modern style in architecture, prefer to have a flat roof in their private homes. It really looks stylish, but, among other things, houses with such a roof are more functional - they can be equipped winter Garden or use the roof as a place to relax in the warm season. Therefore, we immediately proceed to the description of the installation steps and consider in detail its device.

A flat roof is great for those who use it as an open floor.

The subtleties of installation and the design of the roofing "pie"

Installation of a flat roof involves the presence of a roofing "pie". It has high heat-shielding properties that prevent overheating of the attic in summer time and keep warm in winter. In addition, the roofing “pie” is able to prevent the formation of condensate, the insulation will be protected from moisture, and icing and icicles will not appear on the roof. It is important to observe its correct device.

The design of the roofing "pie" involves the presence of several layers:

bearing base;
vapor barrier layer;
multilayer insulation;
hydroprotection.

You should start by preparing the foundation. It needs to be leveled, cleaned, cracks in concrete filled with polyurethane sealant, based on a consumption of 180 g per 1 running meter with a joint width of 5 cm and a depth of 0.3 cm. The next step is priming using an epoxy primer. On porous surfaces, you will need 0.2 kg per 1 sq.m, on non-porous surfaces - 0.12 kg. The primer is mixed with a low-speed mixer until a homogeneous mass is obtained, after which it is diluted ½ with water. Apply to the surface paint roller or brush. After all of the above, the base surface can be reinforced. For this, a special mastic is applied (14 kg per 1 cubic meter). Before polymerization, a construction bandage is laid on it, and after polymerization, another layer of mastic is laid.

Any roof needs a vapor barrier. For this, polypropylene and polyethylene films are used, which are fastened with nails or binders or glued. At the same time, it is necessary to maintain a 10 cm gap for ventilation so that steam does not accumulate under the film. The thermal insulation material must adhere tightly to the roof surface, pipes and ventilation units.

Roof insulation and thermal insulation materials

Insulation is responsible for maintaining warmth and comfort in the house. Properly selected thermal insulation materials will not only bring comfort to its walls, but will also significantly save on heating. Therefore, you should always pay attention to such qualities of roof insulation as low thermal conductivity, fire safety, vapor permeability, which is necessary for good ventilation of the room; resistance to moisture and various mechanical damage.

It is very important that the material of which the insulation consists is resistant to point loads. In 80% of cases of damage to roofs, they are the cause of many problems. The main ones are:

violation of waterproofing, as a result of which moisture reaches the roofing “pie” and destroys it;
causing serious damage during a thaw due to freezing of snow;
the appearance of "cold bridges" that increase heat loss.

To protect the roof from such troubles, you need to ensure that everything happens in accordance with all the rules and regulations of construction, and you also need to control the quality of the materials used. One of the most common materials, without which thermal insulation is indispensable, is stone wool. It is very easy to install and withstands temperatures up to 1000°C. In addition, polyurethane foam, foam concrete, foam glass and extruded polystyrene foam are often used as roofing heat-insulating material. Let's take a closer look at each type of material.

Polyurethane foam (PPU) is highly adaptable and has additional waterproofing properties. However, it cannot be left as a finishing coating, since ultraviolet radiation on the PPU will make it brittle and reduce its service life, insulation is its main purpose. But this material has good maintainability and is easily amenable to local repair. For 1 cubic meter, 60-80 kg of polyurethane foam will be needed. This amount is due to the fact that polyurethane foam is prone to burning, but its use in this particular ratio reduces its combustible qualities. When exposed to direct fire, PPU melts, and when the source of fire is eliminated, it instantly fades.

Foam concrete has a higher thermal conductivity compared to polyurethane foam, so reliable insulation will be obtained if its thickness and material costs are higher, on average, 250 kg per 1 cubic meter. However, this increases the load on the roof above the roof.

Extruded polystyrene foam belongs to board materials thermal insulation. Warming with its use has become very widespread and is very popular due to the ease of installation. The slabs are tightly laid over the entire surface and glued together, after which the roof is considered to be fully insulated.

Thermal insulation using stone wool implies a laying method identical to the previous one. The difference lies in the material itself. Stone wool slabs usually have two degrees of density. The side with increased density is often marked with a black stripe. This side of the plate should lie up.

Foam glass is laid on a flat, dry surface filled with molten bitumen. Blocks of foam glass are superimposed at some distance from adjacent blocks and move towards them diagonally. To fix the position of the plate and remove excess bitumen from under it, you need to press your foot in the middle. Foam glass is high-strength, resistant to high temperatures and many acids, has low thermal conductivity, which ensures maximum insulation. However, its high cost often makes it less attractive for use as a thermal insulation material.

It can be carried out in many ways, but the most popular of them is bituminous. Let's stop on it. Bituminous mastic stir with a drill with a nozzle for 5 minutes. The first layer is made more liquid than subsequent ones. It is applied with a density of 90-120 g per 1 sq. cm. The next layer of bitumen is applied after the previous one has dried, after about 10-12 hours. The more layers there are, the higher the protection.

Features of a flat roof device

The device of flat roofs divides them into operated, non-operated, inversion and traditional. The device of the inverted roof is different in that the thermal insulation layer is located above the waterproofing, and not below it. This allows you to protect it from ultraviolet radiation, mechanical damage, temperature changes. does not imply additional use of the roof, its installation is most affordable. involves the active use of the roof surface (the presence of a sports or helipad, a cafe). In this regard, its device is more expensive than the device of non-exploited roofs, but also more durable.

Despite the fact that the roof is called flat, it still has a slight slope (1-4%). This design allows precipitation to descend on its own. The device of any roof structure must withstand a load of 200 kg per 1 sq.m, its own weight and the weight of the roof covering. Therefore, it is laid on durable reinforced concrete slabs 4-5 cm wide and 40 x 40 cm in size to increase reliability.

The shape of the roof, just like the type of its covering, affects the design of the house as a whole. But the roof is not only a decoration of a residential building, it is also its safety, thermal insulation and protection from any weather influences. In order for housing to be cozy and comfortable, the choice of roofing must be approached with skill.

The main forms of roofs that are used in cottage construction are two: pitched and flat. There is no universal answer to the question which one is more practical and safer - each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

A pitched roof is a roof whose surface is inclined towards the outer walls. The slope of such roofs can vary from 5 to 90 degrees. A variety of types of pitched roofs and roofing materials makes it possible to implement the most daring architectural ideas when designing cottages.

The main advantage of a pitched roof is that, due to the slope, it provides an accelerated flow of water. In addition, there is an attic underneath that provides an air gap that reduces heat loss through the roof.

However, a pitched roof has a higher cost due to the need to create a truss system, and since it is part of the overall facade, it requires more expensive materials. Pitched roofing is difficult to maintain: in order to safely move on its surface, additional equipment is needed - stairs or fences. The steeper the slope of the pitched roof, the higher the cost of its repair.

The simplest material for finishing such a roof is slate (from 100 rubles / m²), but it has drawbacks - it leaves a lot of fight, absorbs moisture and quickly collapses, besides this material is harmful to health. However, Russian slate factories are still operating at full capacity.

Materials in the price niche from 150 to 400 rubles/m² are the most widespread in the market of mass cottage construction: metal tiles and various bituminous coatings.

The metal tile has won a leading position due to its affordability and decent aesthetic appearance. Among its obvious advantages are efficiency, long service life (up to 50 years), as well as low weight, which does not create additional load on the walls of the building. In addition, it is resistant to external factors and different kind mechanical damage, and is not afraid of fire. However, there are also disadvantages: corrosion during improper operation, increased noise, high material consumption and poor maintainability. Metal tiles are supplied to our market by domestic companies "Metal Profile" and Grand Line, as well as imported manufacturers - Ruuki, Metehe OY (Finland), Lindab (Sweden), etc.

Bitumen corrugated sheet, outwardly similar to slate, appeared on our market in the early 90s. This is a mixture of bitumen and cellulose with the addition of thermosetting resin and mineral pigments, a durable material (claimed service life - up to 50 years), with up to 25 years of warranty from various manufacturers. Sheets of bituminous "slate" do not contain asbestos harmful to health and are made from environmentally friendly materials, are easy to install and allow installation on an old coating, and in addition, due to the wavy configuration, it is provided natural ventilation roofs.

Bituminous (flexible) tile has all the above advantages, but at the same time it has a wide color palette and leaves a minimum of waste during production. This material is designed for pitched roofs with a slope of 11.3 to 90 degrees. It consists of fiberglass impregnated on both sides with a bituminous binder, with the addition of rubber or plastic, as well as sprinkles (slate or basalt). Service life - from 15 to 30 years. Among the most popular brands are KATEPAL single-layer and double-layer flexible tiles, TechnoNIKOL products Shinglas, Tegola, etc.

Cement-sand tiles will cost from 350 to 500 rubles / m². Its main feature is that it gains strength during operation. This is a piece product of various shapes and colors, so they can be laid with virtually no waste. complex roofs. The material is durable, but has a large weight and special requirements for rafter system. The disadvantages include complex laying technology and high cost.

Ceramic tiles are even more expensive - from 750 rubles / m². At the same time, its service life is from 100 years. It is characterized by a variety of shapes and colors, but at the same time by a large weight and complexity of laying.

flat roof

In a flat roof, the main advantage is the possibility of its operation. On the surface of a flat or slightly sloped roof, you can place a lawn, recreation area, swimming pool, solarium and much more.

The advantages of such a roof can also include convenient installation and ease of maintenance of roof equipment: antennas, air conditioners, solar panels, ventilation shafts, etc. And among the obvious disadvantages is the need for internal drains and regular mechanical cleaning of snow and ice. In addition, constant monitoring of humidity, the condition of the insulation and the tightness of the roof is required.

Not so long ago, a flat roof began to be actively used in low-rise construction, before that it was the lot of high-rise buildings. With the advent of modern roofing materials, it has become possible to provide a flat roof with reliable thermal and waterproofing. When installing a flat roof, you can save on materials and optimize costs due to the fact that its area is smaller than that of a pitched roof.

Another feature of exploited roofs is the need for a rigid foundation, otherwise the integrity of the waterproofing layer is impossible. The base is a screed made of concrete or corrugated board, which creates a place for a drain. The heat-insulating material on the exploited roof experiences serious dynamic and static loads and must be strong enough. If the insulation has low rigidity, a cement screed will be needed on top of it.

But unexploited flat roofs do not need rigid insulation. To maintain the roof structure, ladders or bridges are constructed to help properly distribute the load on the roof surface. Non-operated roofs are cheaper to build, but their service life is shorter than in the case of exploited ones.

One of the most common roofing materials is roofing felt, rolled bitumen materials, polymer-bitumen technologies. Top Tight elastomeric membranes from KATEPAL and a line of materials from TechnoNIKOL deservedly gained special popularity.

Text by Natalia Burkovskaya

To date, a flat roof is not the most obvious solution to the problem of roofing. But in the same Switzerland and Germany, this particular type of roof began to gain more and more popularity. It is possible that in the near future European fashion will come to us.

The following factors contribute to the growing popularity of flat roofs:

Ease of installation of the roofing pie. All materials are laid on a flat surface directly under the feet.
A flat roof has better heat transfer. The roof area is evenly heated throughout the entire sunny day.
Opportunity beneficial use space. On the roof, you can make a summer terrace, install a small pool, etc.

But there are also disadvantages:

A flat roof wears out faster. It will have to be repaired more often, although this does not cause much difficulty.
On a flat roof winter period a lot of snow accumulates. First, it creates an extra power load. Secondly, if it is not removed, over time it will begin to melt, and there may be so much water that it, one way or another, will find its way through the roof.
There is an opinion that a flat roof is cheaper than a pitched one. This is not so, and if you calculate all the costs, which include: floor slabs; deviating screed; a heater that experiences heavy compressive loads, and therefore more expensive than on a pitched roof; waterproofing; installation of parapets - it becomes clear that a flat roof will cost more.

Traditional or inverted roofing

Before you make a flat roof with your own hands, you need to choose the type of roofing cake. It can be traditional or inverse.

The fundamental difference lies only in the order of laying the elements of a flat roof.

The traditional type involves arranging vapor barrier first, then thermal insulation, and only then waterproofing. This allows you to protect the insulation, but jeopardizes the waterproofing material. The inversion type involves the arrangement of waterproofing, followed by thermal insulation. Thus, the waterproofing material is protected from temperature extremes and excessive pressure.

The device of a flat roof of a private house most often involves the use of the traditional type, and we will consider it in this article.

Foundation preparation

Foundation preparation begins immediately after construction bearing walls. It directly depends on whether the roof will be operated or not. Can be made from:

Reinforced concrete slabs, subject to the construction of walls of bricks, blocks or concrete panels.
If the roof is unused, it is allowed to install the base from corrugated board on iron beams. Profiled sheets must have sufficient wave height, type H-153.
A flat roof in a private house allows the installation of wooden floor slabs on wooden beams. They are used only on unexploited roofs of a small area. They are laid with an interval of two millimeters, which are subsequently compensated for by thermal expansion.
Possible use wooden planks with a minimum thickness of 40 mm and maximum width 180 mm. They also fit with a small gap. It is applied to the operated roof.

When using wood, do not forget to treat it with antiseptics and flame retardants to increase durability and resistance to fire.

Deceleration device

The next step is the ramp device. Necessary for draining water to gutters.

A screed is poured over reinforced concrete slabs with an approximate slope of 2-5 degrees. This is about 2 centimeters of slope per 1 meter. It is possible that the screed will be preceded by backfilling of expanded clay. Also, the slope can be created using a special wedge-shaped insulation.
The construction of a flat roof using corrugated board involves the implementation of a ramp at the stage of installation of the base. That is, profiled sheets are initially laid with a slope of 2 centimeters per meter. If this was not done, it was permissible to use a wedge-shaped insulation or to make a slope-forming screed made of polystyrene concrete.
Wooden slabs are also initially laid with a slope. In its absence, a wedge-shaped insulation is used.

When constructing a roof base made of corrugated board or wooden slabs, the walls of the box are initially made with a slope in the right direction to facilitate the subsequent installation of floor slabs.

Note that the use of a wedge-shaped insulation will cost you more than arranging a ramp with a screed, and even more so than a slope device at the stage of installing floor slabs.

vapor barrier

Vapor barrier is used only in the construction of a traditional type of flat roof. It is necessary to prevent the penetration of vapors from the room to the insulation. For vapor barrier use specialized films. They are laid with an overlap of 10 cm. The joints are carefully glued with adhesive tape. The film is glued no less carefully at the points of junction with various protrusions (parapet, steps, etc.). It is attached to the base with a construction stapler or special galvanized nails.

As a vapor barrier, bitumen-containing materials, such as roofing material, can be used. They are attached to the base with gas burner, joints are glued in the same way. Also, modern market building materials offers self-adhesive films, the installation of which does not require additional materials.

Please note that the ballast roof does not require mechanical fastening of the vapor barrier to the base.

In turn, a ballast roof is a roof, for the finishing coating of which weighting materials are used - paving slabs or bulk washed gravel.

thermal insulation

Do not forget that before you make a flat roof at home, you need to decide on a slope-forming layer. This will depend on the type of insulation.

The insulation is laid in several layers. To prevent the formation of cold bridges, each subsequent layer must overlap the joints of the lower one. Polyurethane glue is used to glue the layers one to one. In its absence, the use of mounting foam is allowed. Also, mounting foam all possible holes and cavities are sealed.

Before installing the thermal insulation layer, make sure that there is no moisture on the vapor barrier. The installation itself is best done in parts. That is, lay several squares of thermal insulation, and then immediately waterproofing upstairs. This is necessary so that in case of rain the insulation does not get wet.

Waterproofing

One of the most important steps in building a flat roof with your own hands is waterproofing. Can be made from:

Bituminous materials, roofing material.
Bituminous and polymeric materials, euroroofing material.
PVC films.
Liquid rubber.

Let's take a closer look at each of the materials.

Roofing material is the simplest, cheapest, but also the most short-lived of all. It is laid on a concrete base, or a heat-resistant insulation high temperatures. Its service life is only 5-10 years. For its installation you will need: a gas burner, a paint knife, a spatula, a brush and a primer for roofing material. The order of work is as follows:

Primer treatment.
After it has completely dried, the roofing material is rolled out and allowed to lie down for a day.
Glue it with mastic. Do not forget to carefully install waterproofing on the ledges.
The joints (minimum overlap 7 cm) are processed with a burner.
After the first layer, lay the second. The sequence of actions is the same, with the exception of primer treatment. The lower the slope, the more layers, up to four.

Bitumen-polymer waterproofing will last an order of magnitude longer. The order of its installation is as follows:

Cleaning the base from dust, dirt and moisture.
Primer treatment.
Installation of material with a gas burner. If the roofing felt was glued with mastic, then this is not necessary here. The burner heats the entire width of the roll, but it is very important not to melt the material, otherwise it will become too brittle. Especially for this, a pattern is applied to the rolls, as soon as it begins to deform, you can roll it further. The waterproofing takes root to the base with a wooden mop. Minimum overlap 8 mm.
In some cases, when installing a flat roof with your own hands, installing the first layer with a burner is difficult. Then use a mechanical fastening in increments of 50 cm.

Due to the need to use highly specialized tools PVC installation membrane and liquid rubber becomes almost impossible without the involvement of specialists. Therefore, it makes no sense to consider these materials in detail. We only note that both types of waterproofing are quite durable.

drainage system

A flat roof in a private house can have several types of drainage systems:

Interior.
Outdoor controlled.
Outdoor uncontrolled.

We will immediately discard the last option, since it is used mainly for outbuildings.

External controlled, drainage involves the collection and removal of water using gutters located with outer side. To drain water, special holes are made in the parapet.

The internal one is mounted directly into the roofing system, even before the roofing cake has been assembled. Due to this, its installation is more complicated, but in this case the drain can be hidden inside the building. In this regard, the issue of water drainage must be resolved before making a flat roof.