You may not realize it, but you’ve walked on plenty of flat roofing in Calgary. Yet, what makes it possible for you to walk on a flat roof safely? See what flat roofs you can walk on and why here.

Understanding How It’s Possible to Walk On Flat Roofing in Calgary

Instances of Walking on Flat Roofing

Most commercial buildings are constructed with flat roofing in Calgary. Why? These buildings typically have to deal with more foot traffic than others. There are several reasons why people will walk along a flat roof. Practical reasons range from upholding maintenance repairs through removing debris and inspecting the roof for any damages – which all need to be seen by someone walking along the roof. In some residential condos or apartment buildings with flat roofs, tenants may also wish to walk along the roof for a bit of fresh air and quiet time or even for hosting a special occasion. Whatever the reason, it ultimately comes down to the fact that people can and will walk on a flat roof.

Flat Roofing Materials Matter

When it comes to people walking along a flat roof, you need a lot of strength to ensure it can handle the weight of such foot traffic. Naturally, it means flat roofs are made with tough materials.

These are the types of materials that make walking on a flat roof possible:

Eco-Friendly & Fully Walkable

One of the best options is green roofing & pavers. Not only is it environmentally friendly since they’re made from interlocking soil receptacles, but you can walk on them fully without any worries.

Designed For Foot Traffic

There is a reason why many flat roofing companies in Calgary use built-up roofing (BUR). This material has alternating layers of waterproof reinforcing fabric and bitumen, topped with crushed stone. In turn, it results in heavy-duty strength that can handle plenty of foot traffic.

Only Somewhat Walkable

One material you should be mindful of for walkable flat roofing is thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO). It’s an inexpensive option for flat roofing and is resistant to tears, impacts, and punctures since it’s made of various polymers, rubber, and other filler. As a result, it creates an underlying structure that can thermally expand and contract. Because of this, it makes this material only somewhat safe to walk on for flat roofing. Many try to reduce wear and tear with walk pads.

Handles Foot Traffic in Moderation

Lastly, you can consider polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as a material with middle-level strength among the other materials mentioned. It’s made from synthetic resin by the polymerization of vinyl chloride, which makes it tougher and more durable than thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO). For the most part, it can easily withstand foot traffic – but in moderation. Repairmen can’t make careless tool strikes if a commercial building is made with this material. Why is that? Simply put, it can impact the roof’s strength, making it more unsafe to walk on.

City Roofing & Exteriors consistently takes pride in serving Calgarians. At City Roofing, we understand the importance of customer satisfaction. We put safety, quality work and on time delivery as our top priority. We work hard to assist our customers in providing proper roofing systems to meet their budget and needs. We offer completed roofing services in Calgary and area on both residential and commercial projects. We guarantee that you will be satisfied with our work and recommend City Roofing as your roofing consultant and contractor. Give us a call at 403-608-9933 or send an email to [email protected].

Getting Flat Roofing in Calgary For a Shed

Is It Possible For a Shed to Have a Flat Roof?

To put it simply: yes, you can! However, a shed’s flat roof will be partially flat. Typically, the design for a flat roof on a shed has a much lower pitch than others. You can expect most sheds with a flat roof to have a minimum pitch of 1:80 or 0.72 degrees when you don’t account for the type of roofing materials used. Despite this subtle difference, building a flat roof for your shed is possible.

What Are the Benefits of a Flat Roof Shed?

Interestingly enough, flat roofs on sheds are commonly used designs for most garden sheds. Yet, they’ve gained popularity in residential and commercial places. Sheds with flat roofs are appealing for three reasons – they’re easy to build, are affordable, and offer a stylishly practical aesthetic. Since flat roof sheds don’t necessarily need materials like shingles, it makes them more affordable and easy to construct. Plus, it means it’s better for maintenance. In addition, the slight pitch’s flat roof design will allow snow and water to slide off the surface easily and prevent the roof from caving in. You can add ventilation and HVAC systems if you want to incorporate them into your shed. Naturally, for us Calgarians, this would be helpful if you wish to store anything safely in your shed during winter.

Any Considerations On Flat Roof Sheds?

If you hope to construct a flat roof, you want to think about what materials you use. Roofing materials such as roofing rolls, rubber membranes, tar, gravel, and metal sheets are effective – yet heavy. Because of this, some opt out of these materials for others that are less durable. It results in a flat roof shed unable to withstand the turbulent, unpredictable weather that Calgary is known for and causes it to deteriorate, like being vulnerable to leaks. Your best bet is to have a professional consult for the right materials that promise strength and are budget-friendly. Also, beyond providing plenty of utility, a flat roof shed is great for increasing the resale value of your home. If you’re planning to sell your home, it might be a nice outdoor home renovation project you can do further to attract buyers’ attention as a great feature. With these considerations and benefits in mind, a flat roof shed is perfect to have.