Gravel Flat Roofs

Our roof gravel is available for delivery in tunnel lift bulk bags allowing an easy method of transporting the gravel onto a roof using a crane not provided.

Gravel flat roofs.

Gravel roof disadvantages on the other hand gravel roofs are hot energy inefficient heavy moisture trapping and unstable. Roof gravel provides a protective layer to flat roofs reducing the weather damaging effects from uv rays and heavy snow hail and wind. 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. To weigh down or secure the roofing material as is the case with single ply flat roofs.

Gravel is used on flat roofs for two reasons. Built up flat roof replacement. Gravel to protect built up. For many people the built up roof is what comes to mind when they think of flat roofs.

To protect the underlying layer of roofing materials as is the case with built up roofs burs. However if epdm roofs are spray applied then the chance of the seams pulling away from the roof is significantly lowered. Built up roof bur the traditional hot tar and gravel roof is built from three or more plies of waterproof material alternated with hot tar and ballasted by a layer of smooth river stone. Gravel is an excellent fire retardant.

Also a tar and gravel roof is very rugged and safe to walk on. Gravel roof advantages most gravel roofs are inexpensive to build offer some protection to vulnerable asphalt against uv damage and the stones are very durable. There are different types and weights of gravel used on flat roofs for these purposes. Built up roofing bur was the most common type of flat roof before modified bitumen and membrane roofing were developed.

It also provides protection from foot traffic. Of course flat roofs are not flat but have a very slight roof pitch of between 1 4 to 1 2 per foot. Bur consists of many layers. A bottom layer or two of insulation board multiple intermediate layers of tar or asphalt alternated with layers of roofing felt and a top layer of gravel.

Of all the flat roofing options a tar and gravel roof is the most economical. Just enough slope to drain water but also flat enough to be a problem if not constructed properly.