This means any roof that is less than 2 vertical units (inches or feet) high for every 12. Flat roofs are more accurately referred to as “low-slope roofs”. The lowest slope roof commonly used today has a vertical slope of ¼ inch (“elevation”) for every 12 inches of horizontal travel. This allows the movement of water from the roof to an outlet, such as a downspout or other type of drain on the ceiling. The roof slope also minimizes “waterlogging”, the accumulation of water in specific areas of a roof.
Stagnant water can cause roof material to deteriorate or ice to build up, which can cause damage during the freeze-thaw cycle. A properly specified and well-installed low-slope roof can work effectively in a building for years. Metal roofs with vertical joints are another great option for low-slope roofs, known for their durability, performance and aesthetic appeal. While not all fall protections are the same and there is a hierarchy of fall protection, there are requirements that must be met for low-sloped roofs depending on the distance from the roof or leading edge.
Polyglass offers a full range of reliable, self-adhesive modified bituminous products for low-slope roofs, as well as high-quality elastomeric subfloors and coatings, among others. If you're thinking about replacing your roof, knowing the structure of your current roof can help you determine the best type of system to replace it. We'll examine your roof to see if it's damaged or another problem, measure the slope and recommend necessary repairs. That's why I wrote another article breaking down the budget you'll need for your low-slope roofing project.
This method allows us to accurately understand the angle of the roof, which is essential for determining appropriate materials and design considerations for roofs with a low and steep slope. While steeply sloped roofs are primarily used for residential buildings, they can also be found in some commercial structures. Low-slope roofs need to use waterproof materials to prevent water from accumulating on the roof and eventually seeping into the attic. While most of the industry refers to low-slope roofs as flat roofs, flat roofs almost always have some degree of slope to allow for drainage and prevent the accumulation of precipitation.
However, steeply sloped roofs can create more unusable space in commercial buildings, entail higher installation costs, and pose greater safety risks during maintenance due to their angle. In professional roofs, the slope (or slope) is measured by the vertical height of the roof for every 12 inches of horizontal length. Polyglass offers numerous high-quality subfloor products to provide excellent waterproofing for steeply sloped roofs. Roofs with steep slopes are not only visually appealing, but they also require relatively low maintenance, as rain, snow and debris drain easily.
