Progress forces a person to adapt to modern conditions, to invent new things in order to make life and life even more comfortable. The growing high cost of modern housing and the need to use the area with maximum benefit forced us to come up with a very convenient thing. A modern exploited roof is a huge scope for the imagination of designers.
The method of using the roof for different purposes has been known for a long time. Roofs of this type are very common in countries with a hot climate. However, already in our country they are becoming more and more popular every year.
How can it be used
By equipping a flat roof, you are essentially doubling the usable area of your home. What can be placed on this square to make your life and rest even more comfortable?
- Recreation area where you can put a table, comfortable sofas, sun loungers, barbecue. Then the exploited roof is perfect for picnics and outdoor recreation at any time of the day.
- Arrange a green area where you can equip lawns, flower beds, and even beds. It will be an analogue of a summer house, right on your roof.
- Make a playground, with a safe fence, swings, an inflatable pool and a sandbox. Your children will have a place to play without disturbing anyone.
- Equip a winter garden or make a greenhouse. You will be provided with fresh herbs and vegetables all year round.
- Build a pool and sunbathe all summer, gather on warm evenings to relax with family or friends.
- A tennis, basketball or badminton court will please any homeowner who loves outdoor activities.
- For small business enthusiasts, the idea of setting up a rooftop cafe is perfect. Romantic outdoor dinners will attract many customers.
- The bravest ones can even make a helipad on their roof, although the idea is not new, but for some it is quite relevant.
- Flat exploited roofs on large buildings where many residents live are often equipped for pedestrian zones, sports complexes, restaurants or parking lots.
Of course, in our country, where the climate is unstable and cold winters are not uncommon, for about six months the roof will be of little use for full operation. But, despite this fact, roofs that are operated not even all year round still justify their purpose.
Note! Roof heating is one of the effective ways to use it to the maximum at any time of the year. A canopy or glass protection will allow you to use the roof regardless of the season and weather conditions. Properly installed gutters, heating and snow removal systems, and a properly prepared surface will ensure continued use of the roof.
Naturally, the preparation and installation of a place for future use will be expensive. But the invested funds and labor will justify themselves, giving you the opportunity not only to acquire additional space, but also to use it for your own benefit and comfort.
To date, the installation of an operated roof is a rather complex structure that requires a serious approach and the participation of specialists.
It is necessary not only to strictly observe the sequence of work, but also to use materials suitable specifically for these purposes. Otherwise, you risk problems in the form of frequent repairs and additional costs.
Roofing for further use
A flat roof intended for further use is mounted in a special way. The multi-layer structure forms the so-called "exploited roof pie", each layer of which serves a specific purpose.
- Rigid base.
- Vapor barrier layer.
- insulation layer.
- Screed with the required slope.
- waterproofing layer.
- Layer with a protective-separating function.
- Finishing surface coating.
Note! It is worth paying special attention to the fact that in the future the exploited roof should have a very solid foundation. The quality and durability will depend on its strength and quality. All layers must not only be necessarily laid, but also the time intervals between their installation must be observed. Each subsequent layer is laid only after the previous one has completely dried.
The procedure for carrying out installation work
- As a rule, a flat roof is made of reinforced concrete. Therefore, at the beginning of work, it is necessary to thoroughly clean and level the surface. A leveling cement screed is desirable, all cracks, chips and cracks are smeared. After work, the surface is allowed to dry completely.
- Further, the exploited roofing pie, which is to be done, is laid out with a layer of vapor barrier. This layer will protect the insulation laid further from condensation and moisture coming from inside the building. The vapor barrier film is laid strictly in accordance with the attached instructions. The seams are carefully sealed, then the strength of each joint is checked.
- After laying the insulation, the next layer is insulation. The service life of the roof largely depends on its quality. It must be fire-resistant, not subject to decay, have a high coefficient of thermal conductivity, vapor-tight and hydrophobic. Therefore, the composition of the exploited roof as a heater most often includes a gasket made of mineral wool. It has increased compressive strength, fire safety, and is very durable. Unlike many other heaters, when using it, there is no need to additionally make a fire barrier.Moreover, welded waterproofing can be laid directly on it without fear of fire during installation. This greatly simplifies and reduces the cost of laying the roofing cake.
- The next layer of construction is a layer of waterproofing. If a project of a house with an exploited roof is being developed, it must indicate the characteristics of all materials, including waterproofing. The material must be durable, elastic, non-combustible, resistant to temperature extremes, fungi and microorganisms. For all these parameters, polyester roll materials, various membranes, bituminous mastics are considered the most suitable. Their service life is 30 years or more. Ordinary bitumen and roofing material are significantly inferior to modern coatings, in the development of which even such factors as the germination of the roots of plants planted on the roof began to be taken into account. If the materials of the old type could not withstand the root load, then the coatings created using new technologies are not even subject to mechanical stress.
- If plants are planned to be planted on the roof, it is advisable to lay geotextiles on the waterproofing. It is laid between gravel drainage and soil. Waterproof synthetic fibers prevent soil particles from washing out into drainage and soil silting. It must be taken into account that the applied geotextile must be provided with anti-root protection.
- The final layer is the top coat. It is important to consider here - for what purposes your exploited roof is intended in the future and what will be on it. For a surface where planting grass and plants is not provided, a concrete screed is often used, followed by tiling. Often used gravel-sand backfill.Namely, based on the purpose of the roof, the type and type of the final layer is selected.
Drainage from flat roofs
When installing and preparing the roof, the quality of functioning is necessarily taken into account. roof drainage system. A strictly horizontal surface is particularly susceptible to moisture accumulation and, as a result, frequent leaks.
In these cases, it is important not only to pay increased attention to waterproofing, but also to drain melt and rainwater from the roof.
Each sector of the roof must be provided with a drain funnel. Properly made exploited roof - nodes, which are correctly combined and executed, may also have a slight slope of their own.
Of course, if the design and purpose of the roof allows it.
Note! In cases with roofs of the inversion type, where the roofing cake is laid in a slightly different sequence, the funnels must also drain water from the waterproofing layer. The fact is that in the inversion version, the insulation is applied to the waterproofing, and not under it.
In this case, it is desirable to use special extruded polystyrene foam as an insulating gasket. It has closed pores and needs to be backfilled with gravel to protect it from floating and exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
Modern materials
As for the tips for installing the roof used in the future, modern developers offer the highest quality and most durable materials. Since the design of the operated roof is quite complex, its repair will also not be easy.
Mineral wool is now most often used as a heater. According to its characteristics, it meets all modern requirements.
Moreover, it is desirable to lay it in two layers with a different density of each, where the top has a density higher than the bottom. The material will not only retain heat, it will reliably delay unwanted noise and extraneous sounds surrounding the building.
Best for waterproofing PVC roofing membrane. Polyvinyl chloride is resistant to various kinds of influences, lightweight, non-flammable, UV resistant.
Seams and joints are easily welded using heated air, and the membrane itself is attached to the adhesive. For good insulation, a single-layer installation is sufficient.
Its installation can be carried out at temperatures from -7° to +45°, which is important if you need to quickly work.
With low cost and favorable consumption roof material the savings will be significant. The service life of membranes of this type is designed for 30 years or more, without the need for repair or dismantling.
To sum up, you can give advice for those who plan to make a high-quality and durable roof.
Even if you plan an unexploited roof, it is advisable to carry out installation work with the help of specialists. Or at least consult with them.
After all, it is important to use not only high-quality materials, it is necessary to take into account their compatibility with each other and a specific purpose. With proper construction, such a roof will last for decades.
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