FLATROOFS AND DECKS (AND WATERPROOFING)

By: Group 5 – Caasi, Cabañog, Cantil , Dagadas, Dayanan

Introduction

• As the name suggests, flat roofs appear to be completely flat with no pitch. However, they do
have a slight pitch to allow for water run-off and drainage.

• These roofs are generally used on industrial or commercial buildings. However, they can also be
installed on residential houses in both high and low rainfall areas.

HISTORY

• Evolution of flat roofs has depended largely on the environment in which the building was built
(climate zone), but also on the materials and technologies used.

• One of the first roofs was made from earth and covered with vegetation, making it practically
most part of the time from the relief area that he was located.

• Most buildings which have in their composition a flat roof are found in the Middle East due to
lack of rainfall, besides the role of closing the building at the top and the role of collecting
rainwater. Such climatic conditions imposed the embrace of the flat roofs as closing element for
the buildings.

• The flat roof has evolved from early roofs covered with sheets of lead, copper or zinc that lasted
for more than 100 years.

• The introduction of the bituminous felt roofing sheet in the 1960s provided an inexpensive and
lightweight material to cover roofs, but the bit felt was prone to leaks and did not last for
decades.

• Lately it has developed increasingly more the concept type of roof garden or ”green
roof”. So flat roof evolution was reduced to improve these membranes and implicitly
resistant to external factors.
TYPES

• Built-Up Roof (BUR)

The traditional hot-tar-and-gravel roof is built from

three or more plies of waterproof material alternated
with hot tar and ballasted by a layer of smooth river
stone.

• Modified Bitumen

Modified bitumen roofs use only a single layer of adhesive roofing material, making it feasible for DIY
installations.

• Rubber Membrane

EPDM is a true rubber. The durable material resembles an inner tube, but it's
engineered to resist damage from sunlight. EPDM can be mechanically anchored with
fasteners, ballasted with stone, or glued.

• PVC MEMBRANE

PVC roofing membranes are constructed from a continuous filament lattice called a
scrim which is laminated with UV resistant PVC thermoplastic.

• TPO

This result is a perfectly flat, single piece of membrane. It is very easy to install and can be either fully
adhered or mechanically attached to the roof deck. It is ideal when there are odd shapes and objects on
the roof, because it is extremely bendable and weldable without sacrificing durability.
 • METAL

Steel or Aluminum are commonly used as roof materials today. One of the biggest selling points is
metal’s longevity. When properly installed, a metal roof can far outlive the building that it is installed on.
Most metal roofs are light weight, and easy to install over existing materials.

• COATING

A coating roof consists of a high-quality resin-type elastic liquid that, once dry, offers superior
waterproofing and some protection against wind and physical damage from falling debris based on the
thickness applied.

Silicone Roof Coatings offer mildew stain and mold resistance, and will not crack or become degraded
under the sun. Acrylic roof coatings are highly reflective, but need to be applied at 50 degrees F or
above

INSTALLATION METHODS AND APPLICATION

Laying the felt - laying three layers of felt on to the flat roof

APPLICATION

·Prepare the flat roof by removing all previous layer of felt, nails and underlay.

·Nail down the first layer of underlay, don’t use any adhesives at this stage.

·Bond the second layer of underlay in place.

·Create any gutter drips as necessary

·Lay and bond the top layer of flat roof felting.

·Neatly edge the felting and cover with flashing as required.

·Apply more adhesive to any seams to waterproof the flat roof for good measure.

·You might also consider brushing on some solar paint to reflect the sun and to make your flat roof last
longer.
Torch-on membranes - Torch-on bitumen felts are pre-coated with bitumen. The top layer is usually
polyester based and the underlay may be polyester reinforced or glass fibre based.

Application

·Melt the bitumen by heating on the underside of the membrane from a gas torch.

·Roll membrane out on to the substrate where it can form a bond.

The torch-on technique is very reliant on good workmanship and is unsuitable for laying on to timber
decks or flammable materials.

Traditional ‘pour and roll’ method of bituminous flat roofing - The pour and roll method is the more
traditional way of laying the roofing membrane.

Application

·Heat the bitumen to over 200ºC.

·Pour the heated bitumen onto the substrate in front of the felt.

·Roll the felt onto the hot bitumen.

Full or partial bonding - The pour and roll and torch on technique will provide a full bond, this has the
advantage of providing a high level of resistance to wind uplift and ensuring no flow path for water is
provided under the membrane which could cause moisture to become trapped and blister the
membrane.

APPLICATION

Therefore, the first waterproofing layer is usually partially bonded. This can be achieved by using one of
the following applications:

·Providing a perforated underfelt, for example Type 3G, laid loose over the decking or over rigid
insulation boards before applying the bitumen.

Pouring the hot bitumen in a series of strips, before rolling the felt into it.

Mechanically fixing the felt by nailing it to the substrate using 20mm galvanized clout nails at
approximately 150mm centres in both directions. This is the usual method of fixing when laying the felt
on to timber board substrates.

Cold applied bitumen felt roofing - Cold applied membranes are a safer alternative to using hot
bitumen and gas torches, but are only really suitable for small jobs such as small repairs or shed roofs.

Application

The deck must be free from any dust, dirt, moisture etc and may need to be primed with special
primer.

The adhesive is applied evenly onto the roof surface.

The roofing felt is unrolled onto the adhesive.

 All laps are sealed with the cold adhesive.

Pressure contact may be required to ensure full adhesion.

Laps should be a minimum of 75mm and sealed or heat welded.

Joints should be staggered.

Self-Adhesive Membrane - Normally laid in two layers, they can be applied without using hot gas
torches and can be laid with only basic skills.

Application

·The deck must be free from any dust, dirt, moisture etc and may need to be primed with special felt
primer.

·The backing paper should be pealed off and the membrane stuck to the prepared deck.

·Pressure contact is required to ensure full adhesion.

·Laps should be a minimum of 75mm and sealed or heat welded.

·Joints should be staggered.

Single Ply Roofing - A single-ply roofing membrane is suitable for use on timber, metal and concrete
decks; although compatibly with other materials should always be checked with the manufacturer.

Application

Single-ply membranes can be laid as one entire piece with the eaves and verge already formed in the
factory or in rolls which are laid in strips. The laps can then be joined by heat welding or proprietary
solvent to melt and fuse laps together or adhesive tapes, depending on the type of membrane.

Single-ply sheets should always be laid starting from the lowest point of the roof so that rainwater is
shed over all lapped joints rather seeping between the sheets.

Insulation manufacturers often recommend an additional 12mm plywood to be provided between the
insulation and the membrane.

Mastic Asphalt - gives a seamless covering and can be used on timber, metal and concrete decks. It is
not as common as built up felt for small domestic roofs, even though it is known to be more durable and
generally performs better as a waterproofing material.

APPLICATION

Mastic asphalt is delivered on to the site as solidified blocks and is re-melted before applying to the
deck. The number of coats should be appropriate to the waterproofing requirements and anticipated
traffic, but will usually be two coats a minimum 20mm thick over an isolating membrane of type 4A
black sheathing felt to BS747.

The sheathing felt should be laid loose with 50mm overlaps and will protect the mastic asphalt
covering from damage caused by thermal movement of the deck. Insulation manufacturers often specify
an additional 13mm fibreboard over the insulation.
 The effects of solar radiation on the mastic asphalt can be reduced by rubbing sand into the surface of
the topcoat breaking up any build-up of bitumen.

Liquid Applied Coatings - Liquid applied systems are ideal for diy projects and carrying out repairs. They
provide a seamless finish with a full bond to substrate and are often a practical option for curved roofs.

Application

·Apply a primer on a clean dry surface.

·Brush, roll or spray the liquid applied membrane on to the substrate in three or four layers.

·Some form of reinforcement fabric(scrim) to deal with the tensile stresses, either glass fibre or
polyester fleece, should be laid loose before the second coat is applied (some types are already fibre-
filled and do not require additional reinforcement).

Sheet Metal Roofing - They are usually in the form of preformed panels with the sheet metal already
bonded to a plywood background. The sheets are laid over the supporting structure on a slip layer of
polythene to accommodate movement.

Application

• Step 1 – Measure the Roof Height

Measure the height of your roof adding 2 to 4 inches to your measurement to allow overhang. Measure
the height and length of your roof in order to do metal edging. Measure the total length of trim pieces.
Measure shingles using square feet. When measuring shingles, you will need to include 3 to 6 inches to
the measurement to allow air flow.

• Step 2 – Create a Base

• Remove the old shingles and spread 30 lbs tarpaper or roofing felt to create a base. If you only
have one layer of shingle on the existing roof, then use 1x4 slat boards. This will need to go over
the existing roofing using 3-inch screws. They need to be about every 2 feet apart. The metal
roofing will be installed onto the top of the boards. Step 3 – Install the Metal Edging

Use metal 1 ¼-inch roofing nails to install the metal edging that goes around the perimeter of the roof.
Take a metal sheet and use ¼-inch metal wood screws to affix the roofing onto the wood slats. You can
also nail a chalk line (straight) every 2 feet to use as a guide.

• Step 4 – Laying the Sheets

When you lay the first roof sheet, the wooden screws will be in the middle and on the inner edge every
couple of feet. The subsequent sheet and all consecutive sheets will be overlapping the preceeding
sheet.

• Step 5 – Install the Metal Trim

Next, install the metal trim along the edges of the roof every 2 feet using the 1 ¼ inch metal wood
screws.
Glass Fibre Roofing ( GRP ) - Fibreglass flat roofing is an ideal choice for properties that have extensions
or garages. Traditionally felt or asphalt is the material of choice for flat roofs, but since technology has
advanced this no longer seen as the only option. Glass fibre is very durable and requires little
maintenance and is a perfect choice for flat roofing.

Application

Top-coating is essential to get the best out of a GRP roof, but avoid doing this after 2pm in the winter.
The heat from the sun is essential if the resin is to cure, even when you have invested in a high quality
top-coat that can cure at temperatures below 10°C

When top-coating it is a good idea to warm the resin. This can be achieved by leaving it in a warm
room over night which will make it much easier to apply the next day

If it does start to rain, cover the roof with a waterproof sheet to protect it. Make sure you have one on
standby in the event of this happening

If you are running out of time and have not yet applied the fibreglass lamination layer, then coat the
exposed plywood with a catalysed resin. This will protect wood from the elements allowing you to
continue work at a later date

It is vital for the wooden substrate to be completely dry before it is laminated with fibreglass. Trapped
moisture will cause major problems

ADVANTAGES

• Extra living space on the roof for a patio, garden or partially enclose for a penthouse room.
Heating and cooling units can also be placed on flat roofs, keeping them out of sight. This is
especially common practice in commercial roof designs.

• The design is also conductive for installation PV solar panels for a more energy effecient and
energy independent home.

• flat roofs are easier to construct than pitched roods and require fewer building materials,
keeping costs down.

DISADVANTAGES

• The low pitch makes flat roofs more suscptible to water leakage. They are not advised for high
rainfall or high snowfall areas.

• Although the upfront cost of building a flat roof is less expensive than a pitched roof

NOTABLE STRUCTURES AND THEIR ARCHITECTS

Farnsworth House - Completed in 1951, the Farnsworth House in Plano, Illinois, is considered to be a
masterpiece not only of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s career but of modernist architecture. The design,
meant to be a weekend retreat for Chicago-based doctor Edith Farnsworth, called for floor-to-ceiling
glass panels framed by white-painted steel, emphasizing a connection with the landscapeToday, as a
museum, the home has been fully restored and receives the proper upkeep.

Villa Savoye - Designed by Le Corbusier and his cousin Pierre Jeanneret, Villa Savoye was built in 1931 as
a country home for Pierre and Emily Savoye in Poissy, France, just outside of Paris. The white concrete
structure was designed according to Corbusier’s Five Points, including ground-level columns, an open
floor plan, horizontal windows, non-load-bearing façades, and a functional roof. That last point,
however, led to leaks each autumn, and the home needed frequent repairs. After changing hands many
times and surviving possible demolition, the home is now a museum.

Maison Bordeaux - Built for a family of five, Maison Bordeaux was completed in 1998 by architect Rem
Koolhaas’s OMA studio in France’s namesake city with a distinctive low, modular design and a mix of
materials like glass, aluminum, cement, and perforated Cor-Ten steel. Still a private residence.