Low or Steep Slope Roof Designs that Can Meet the Demands of Florida’s Weather
Roof designs in Tampa, Florida take into consideration the weather in the Gulf Cost region to ensure they are optimized for different harsh weather elements. Heavy downpours, powerful high winds and scorching solar heat have never been kind to Florida homes, particularly in the Tampa Bay Area. That is why most roof designs in Tampa are never dead flat, but either a low slope or steep slope, as the slant will allow rainwater to drain.
Since a low slope roof is nearly flat, its design cannot expect water to flow in a specific direction. A steep slope roof on the other has better water-draining performance, as the roofing system relies on the pull of gravity to causes water to flow in a single, general direction.
To fortify the roofing system of a low slope roof, it is constructed with some form of membrane that provides continuous covering extending all the way to the roof’s edge. That way, the roofing systems can withstand any occurrence of standing water. Membranes are continuous sheets of waterproof materials that are welded together either by heat or adhesive.
Types of Membranes Commonly Used for Low Slope Roofs
Traditionally, low slope roofing systems are designed as built-up roofs, in which membranes forming a watertight covering comprise layers of tar paper.
Although this type of low slope roofing system has seen a long history of excellent performance, the downside to it is that its costing is dependent on the current price of crude oil. It’s also criticized as non-environment friendly foofing material in relation to the use of tar-based ingredients.
Nonetheless, manufacturers have come up with other options to make modern low slope roofing systems high performing and at the same time environment friendly.
Modified Bitumen
This roofing system uses asphalt that has been chemically modified to make it flexible when used to strengthen fiberglass mat. While described as having high tensile strength and insulation as a building component, its track of excellent performance includes having a superior waterproofing system. Modified Bitumen is highly rated for its excellent performance against wind, fire, and/or hail.
Yet the main reason why Modified Bitumen is a popular choice in Florida is its competitive life-cycle cost, which manufacturers back up with offers of long-term warranties.
Single Ply
These roof membranes are heat-welded thermoplastic materials, manufactured under controlled conditions so that the material can be installed as a cost-competitive single ply protection against Florida’s harsh weather conditions.
Highly rated as a high performing Energy Star product, it usually comes in white to make the single-ply membrane heat-reflective. Moreover, it garnered high scores for being environmentally friendly not only in terms of manufacturing processes, but also in their transport, installation and disposal.
As a roofing component, single-ply membranes have a long history of excellent performance, owing to its high-tensile strength and superior waterproofing characteristics.
Still, roofing materials including the materials covering the entire roofing systems, whether asphalt, metal or tiles, whether for a low or steep slope roofs must be installed by well-engineered seaming and weathering construction applications that must meet, not only the needs of the homeowner but also the demands for performance by Florida’s weather.
Otherwise, the roofing system will be no match against the tropical depression, tropical storms and hurricanes that perennially hit the region.
In the event that roof leaks occur, a homeowner must look for a Roof repair company in Tampa, Florida whose certified roofers have years of experience in analyzing the science and technology of the roofing systems in Florida.