Most people that are interested in converting their flat roof to a pitched roof are simply tired of dealing with flat roof issues. Tar and gravel, and other asphalt based roofing, were the most popular roofing material for flat roofs until recently. Even today, there are roofing companies that recommend installing an asphalt roof (aka Built Up Roof). These types of roofs dry and crack and lead to headaches even before the material warranty period ends. Additionally, flat roof systems are less forgiving if errors occur during the installation process. Any poorly installed flat roofing system requires constant upkeep and repair. As a consequence, many people look into converting their low sloped roof to a pitched roof, commonly called a Roof Conversion.
For those of you who are in this frustrating position, let's take a look at all of your options, as well as the pros and cons of a roof conversion. Roofing manufacturers have introduced reliable flat roof membranes, such as TPO and EPDM, which have grown in both credibility and popularity over the last decade. While it may seem that shingles on a roof conversion will solve all of your problems, the fact is that these membranes can be just as water tight as a pitched roof.
The answer would depend mainly on the size of the structure, the soundness of the bearing walls, and the size and experience of the crew doing the work.
If the roof involved was just a cover for a mobile home, the job would take a day or two for 2 people.
A larger home could take quite a bit longer, especially if you are unsure how sturdy the bearing walls are. The pitched roof could weigh twice what the flat roof weighed.
Permits and inspections often seem like a nuisance but would really be necessary for this job.
A flat roof would be better than a sloped roof because a flat roof is significantly cheaper to build. Another consideration of a flat roof would be that it is a more modern design and would fit a more contemporary home.
A flat roof would be better than a sloped roof because a flat roof is significantly cheaper to build. Another consideration of a flat roof would be that it is a more modern design and would fit a more contemporary home.
Usually the best way is to simply build a new sloped roof onto the flat roof.
Yes
Those who live in a building with a flat roof have advantages and disadvantages. A flat roof will not cause as many problems with gutters as a sloped roof would. It is also possible to shovel snow right off of the flat roof. However, it is also possible to have too much snow accumulate on this type of roof which can cause a cave-in or sagging. A flat roof may leak more from too much rain. However, in the extreme cold weather, icicles are not much of a problem with a flat roof. Since the water from the snow doesn't drip down as much as on a sloped roof, the icicles don't have a chance to form.
You cut rafters, brace them as needed depending on the span and shingle it. I put one on a friend of mines. I cut the outside ends of the rafters at an angle so that I didn't need to change the fascia. Lay a 2x6 flat on the existing roof to run the braces down to. Your roof may not be flat but have a slope one way on it so you will have to take that into consideration for the peaked roof. He had a slightly sloped roof with tar and gravel on it and at the time I was able to put a pitched roof on for less than they wanted to re tar the flat one.
High Treason!!
Sloped roofs facilitate rain removal much better than flat roofs... even an inch of water on a flat roof can add many tons of weight to the roof structure, depending on roof size. Same with snow / ice buildup in winter. A sloped roof also aids in heat removal from inside the building, as the hottest air will tend to rise... and with large industrial fans located in the highest portions of factory walls, make it easier to vent outside, reducing the number of fans needed to do the same job as a flat roof...
There are no real hail proof roofs but there are hail ratings of roofs rated 1 - 4 with 4 being the highest rating. A rubber roof is not your only option and the best type of roof for you will depend on if your roof is flat or sloped.
An inclined plane
truss
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