Residential Flat Roof Framing

Shed gable hip gambrel and mansard.

Residential flat roof framing.

Some roofs actually slope in several directions ensuring optimal water runoff. They are common on extensions garages and commercial buildings. Underneath the basics flat roofs are usually constructed with a ceiling nailed to joists which support a deck usually wood in residential construction a vapor barrier insulation and a roof board. Frame the roof photo by russell kaye the most important thing to know about a flat roof says tom is that it s not flat to prevent water from pooling and eventually invading the home flat roofs are always built on a slight incline at least 1 8 inch per foot.

Tpo is 1 70 per sq foot. Roof framing is one of those carpenter skills that appears quite complicated and indeed some roof designs are difficult. The engineering knowledge needed to cost effectively design homes or evaluate residential construction guidelines are lacking in this area. Systemic load path with respect to roof framing connections particularly in the context of conventional wood framed homes.

Flat roofs are an often lower cost and easier to install alternative to traditional pitched roofs. Epdm is 1 50 per sq foot making it the cheapest single ply membrane. Depending on the span many different materials can frame a flat roof. Another common design in the northeast is the saltbox which is a gable roof with one longer side.

In general materials used on flat roofs cost less than ones used on sloped ones. Roofs are basically five types. This will help you create a flat roof framing plan. From there the flat roof system you choose will determine the materials you apply.

You can do this with a foam layer that exactly fits your roof. Modified bitumen and rolled asphalt roofs cost 1 30 2 20 per sq foot depending on the number of plies. Flat roofs are always built at a slight incline at least 1 8 inch per foot. Pvc is 1 90 per sq foot.

Flat roofs usually come with a 10 to 20 year warranty but can last 25 years if you build the roofs right and maintain them using commonsense rules. When framing a flat roof you will need to create a slight incline. As opposed to old built up felt roofing with joins new single ply waterproof membranes are now most commonly used.