Why Are Flat Roofs Common on Commercial Buildings?

There can be big differences in cost, material, and maintenance between flat roofs and sloped roofs. Why do some buildings have flat roofs while others have peaked roofs? As it turns out, flat roofs are particularly common on commercial buildings, and there’s a couple of interesting reasons for that.

1. Cost-Effectiveness – A flat roof is cheaper to build and maintain than a sloped roof. A properly designed and maintained flat roof has a number of cost benefits as well, including reducing heating and cooling expenditures. One risk of a flat roof is the tendency for water to accumulate if it’s not properly sloped and designed to drain the water away.

2. Extra Roof Space – Flat roofs are popular because they essentially add another floor to a building. That extra space can be used as a green rooftop, for solar panels or for HVAC units.

3. Height Limits – City codes normally limit the height a building can be. A flat roof allows for a building to have the most possible usable square footage while staying with code limits.

Interested in learning more about the benefits of flat roofs? Indiana Roofing Company has been proudly serving roofing customers throughout Northwest Indiana for over 25 years. Contact us today, we would be happy to come out for a free, no-obligation estimate.