A recent and growing trend, especially in urban areas where outdoor spaces are at a premium, has seen building owners convert flat roofing areas into more functional assets.
Office block roofs are being transformed into breakout areas to offer something new for employees and corporate guests, while landlords of larger commercial buildings are using flat roofing to create car parks for occupants.
Choosing the right products for developing flat roofs
Whether the project you are working on involves a blue roof, a green roof, a combination of the two, a car park, or even a simple breakout area, there are many ways to add value and create highly innovative and functional spaces.
Selecting the right tools and products for the job is crucial to achieving the desired impact.
One facet of roof performance that cannot be compromised is waterproofing. It is common for green and blue roofs to be on inverted roof systems – these are insulated roof structures with the waterproofing membrane placed under the insulation, protecting it from both the elements and mechanical damage.
For non-inverted roof systems, there are a range of products that can ensure all boxes are ticked around functionality and waterproofing, including a range of bituminous membranes and PMMA-based solutions.
The choice of waterproofing product will depend on the type of space being created. For example, if you are planning a green roof with plants, the waterproofing system must be root-resistant to avoid plants growing through it. If there are exposed areas of the roof that need to look aesthetic, special finishes can also be applied to most waterproofing products. The DuoFlex Single Pour product which has recently been BBA certified is also an option for green roof applications, when combined with the Sopralene Flam Garden 250 AF.
Take time to plan carefully
Flat roofs offer an enticing opportunity for building owners to add value to their properties.
Soprema offers a full service from Design to installation, including CAD drawings, wind uplift and drainage calculations, as well having support from the Technical Sales Managers and Field Technicians who can visit on site to carry out site surveys including drone imaging.
As with all building renovations, there are many factors to consider, making it essential to plan properly before starting the development.
For more information, contact our technical experts on techsupport(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)soprema.co.uk or call 0330 058 0668.