QA

Question: How To Build Flat Roof

How do you build a flat roof step by step?

If you want a DIY flat roof, here are the steps to follow. Step 1: Frame the roof. Step 2: Add the plywood. Step 3: Add the underlayment. Step 4: Create the corners. Step 5: Complete the dry-fit process. Step 6: Secure the rubber with glue. Step 7: Finish off any edges. Step 8: Add a copper flashing.

What do I need to build a flat roof?

What is Required to Construct Flat Roofing? Roofing Timber. Steel Joists. Plywood. Exterior Covering Such as EPDM or Modified Bitumen. Water-based Adhesive. Foam with Fibreglass Backing. Insulation (Warm Flat Roofing).

Can you do a flat roof yourself?

Installing a Flat Roof Yourself To help you save further on the costs of installation, all of the EPDM flat roof systems we offer are suitable for DIY installation.

Can I use 4×2 for flat roof?

2×4 rafters are not strong enough for low pitched roofs under any circumstance, so avoid if you are building a shed with a flat or very shallow roof.

What size joists do I need for a flat roof?

The joists should be sized using either the TRADA span tables or BS EN 1995. The sizing and spacing will depend upon the loads imposed on them and the required span. Wherever possible, joists should span the shortest distance. Common joists sizes are 200 x 50mm, 175 x 50mm, and 150 x 50mm.

What kind of plywood do you use for a flat roof?

Most Common Thickness For rafters spaced 20 or more inches apart, 1/2- or 5/8-inch plywood is recommended. The most common rafter spacing is 24 inches, and 5/8-inch plywood is recommended for that. It will support roof loads for most situations and is the standard for most roof applications.

Does a flat roof need a wall plate?

No you didn’t need a wallplate in this scenario, indeed millions of flat roofs around the country don’t have them as they’re not required and a waste of timber.

How thick should a flat roof be?

A minimum thickness of 18mm is recommended. The contractor should ensure that it is suitable for the particular roof structure.

What kind of wood should I use for a flat roof?

In the majority of cases the covering will be plywood or OSB timber which is more commonly called Stirling board. When timbers are used in flat roofing they obviously need to be waterproofed so boards are normally laid across the joists and then a felt or rubber is used to cover the boards to make them waterproof.

How do you slope a flat roof for drainage?

For drainage purposes, the current building codes require a minimum two percent slope or a one-fourth unit vertical for every 12 units horizontal. In other words, the roof must slope one-fourth of an inch for every 12 inches. The slope is barely noticeable to the naked eye.

How many layers of felt should a flat roof have?

Felting a flat roof requires three layers of felt, so triple the square footage in order to calculate how much felt you require.

What is PVC roofing?

What is PVC roofing? Made from polyvinyl chloride (or in layman’s terms, plastic), PVC is a great single-ply roofing solution. It’s made from a lower percentage of oil and petroleum than thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) or ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM).

Can I use 3×2 for roof?

The 3×2’s will have a purlin underneath breaking up the span, felt weighs nothing compared to rubber. A pitch roof would be best for you yes, as the span is then reduced by at least a third or so depending on the pitch. 4×2 studs is overkill and expensive, look at 89x38mm CLS, 9mm ply is fine. 600 centres will be ok.

How much weight can a 2×4 rafter hold?

A 2×4 can support up to 1,000 pounds vertically. This dimensional lumber is the most common material used to frame interior and exterior walls on a home. When used as wall studs, 2x4s are typically grouped to create a wall, spaced 16 inches apart.

What is a 3/12 roof pitch?

A 3/12 roof pitch angle is about 14°, so on and so forth. 4/12 is quite typical. Anything under 3/12 is a low pitch roof.

What is the dead load of a flat roof?

Permissible Clear Spans for Flat Roof Joists (to BS 5268-7.2) C24 Dead load per square metre (in kN/m²) supported by joists Not more than 0.5 More than 0.5 but not more than 0.75 38 × 145 3.264 3.013 38 × 170 * 3.903 3.567 38 × 195 * 4.467 4.085.

How much weight can a flat roof hold?

A minimum requirement is for roofs to be able to support a concentrated weight of 300lbs. Concentrated weight means that this load is placed directly on a single area on the roof. A good estimate when considering a commercial flat roof is that it should be able to support a 300lb HVAC unit in a single 2.5×2.5ft space.

How far can a flat roof truss span?

Trusses can span up to approximately 90′, although very long truss spans are more challenging to deliver, erect, brace and install properly. While longer trusses may be “wobbly” as they are lifted off of the ground and onto the bearing walls, once they are properly braced, the truss system is extremely strong.

How much is a sheet of roofing plywood?

The thicker the plywood your roofer uses, the more expensive the job will be. Your price could vary depending on how much the roofing company charges for labor, but generally, you can expect to spend between $70 to $100 for each sheet of plywood.