A flat roof is a roofing installation with a pitch of less than 10°. If the steep of a roof is above 10°, it falls into the category of a pitched roof. Flat roofing isn’t strictly horizontal and must have a slight elevation so that storm and surface water can run off into the guttering then disperse into the mains drainage. It is a misconception that flat roofs are only used on commercial properties in the Peacehaven and Sussex areas. Plenty of residential builds have them too.
APC Roofing is a flat roofing specialist with services available in all surrounding locations including Hove, Shoreham and Worthing to name just three.
Flat roofing is a valuable addition to a domestic property because it extends outwards to accommodate more living space beneath it. With the right choice of roofing material, flat roofs can also be used as communal gardens or as roof terraces. APC Roofing can install, replace, maintain and repair flat roofing using materials which supersede older bitumen and felt applications.
Flat roofing uses simple installation, maintenance and repair processes which require fewer resources, and this makes them cheaper and faster to work on. In built-up urban areas where space is often at a premium, a flat roof can be used to increase the amount of habitable space inside a property. You can also install solar panels onto a flat roof with more ease than you would have with a pitched roof, allowing better positioning for photovoltaic activity.
The lower pitch on flat roofing means that drainage needs to be planned to precision, but this is never an issue for our time-served roofers.
If a flat roof has started to leak, pool water or show signs of advanced wear if it has a bitumen and felt surface, we can replace it using innovative systems with extended lifespans and longer manufacturer warranties. We can also fit flat roofing on new domestic, commercial and industrial builds in Sussex.
Basic property maintenance will keep a flat roof in good condition.
Torch-On Felt
This is a three-layer felt system for flat roofing that rolls out across the deck. We use a blowtorch to heat the felt, which melts bitumen between the layers to adhere it to the deck’s surface. This installation method is safer than older hot-application systems because the blowtorch is much easier to control.
While torch-on felt is cheaper than EPDM and GRP alternatives, it still provides an impenetrable watertight seal and is perfect for jobs with smaller budgets.
EPDM Rubber
EPDM is a rubber flat roofing surface manufactured as an ethylene propylene diene terpolymer material. Available in a choice of thicknesses, EPDM comes supplied as a continuous roll of rubber sheeting that applies to the roof deck with an adhesive. Some manufacturers supply EPDM in popular RAL colours.
Perfect for homes and businesses in Peacehaven, Hove, Shoreham, Worthing and Sussex, EPDM is fire-resistant and can last in place for up to 50 years.
GRP Fibreglass
This is a glass-reinforced plastic material applied by roofers as a system. After replacing old timber decks with OSB3 boards, APC Roofing uses chopped strand glass fibre mats and a polyester resin to replace or repair flat roofing to a high standard, and to produce a lightweight and waterproofed installation.
Originally used in boat construction, GRP can have a topcoat added in any RAL colour and should deliver at least 30 years of ongoing performance.
Each of the materials specified above can be used for new installations and replacements, and all can be partially repaired should they wear or become damaged. This is why we choose torch-on felt, EPDM and GRP for flat roofing projects in our local area. Customer satisfaction comes first at our company, and we know that the traditional products of yesteryear are no longer good enough, or resilient enough, to cope with the expectations of today’s market.
Some roofs with a pitch of less than 10° may still have tiles fitted, especially on porches. We can offer a tile replacement service on roofs of this type.
