Flat Roofs are "Flat Out Better"

The flat roof is a defacto modern standard. Curiously, it's often hotly debated whether a flat roof is better than a pitched roof, or if it is an inferior design. Personally, I like them. So I was very happy to read this post, Flat Out Better, on the great blog From the Ground Up. If you haven't been following it, From the Ground Up chronicles the design and construction of a modern home in Minnesota - a nice one. And it has a flat roof, as many modern homes do.




Here's an excerpt from the post, explaining why flat roofs are a great way to go:

"What you never seem to hear about flat roofs are all the great benefits they have over pitched roofs. Flat roofs are generally better insulated than pitched roofs which leads to reduced heating and cooling needs. Although they generally cost more to install they usually last much longer before needing to be replaced and can reduce your heating and cooling needs. Many flat roofs can be designed and engineered to incorporate green areas that reduce the over-all Carbon foot print of the home, as well as utilizing the space for functional or entertaining purposes. And if that doesn’t convince you than maybe this will — most insurance companies offer a discount on your rates if you have a flat roofs as they are less likely to suffer from wind or hail damage and often times more resistant to fire."

Very interesting. There's a lot more to the post, so click on over and check out the whole story. If you're designing your modern home and wanted a flat roof, but were afraid of doing it because you'd heard a lot of negative things about them, this article helps explain what to watch out for, and why flat roofs are a good option.

Image credit - From the Ground Up site