Two-storey house without a roof. Flat roof cottages - features. House with a flat roof: a catalog of projects and features of the implementation of original ideas

Modern low-rise architecture gravitates towards geometric shapes. The trend has found expression in the construction of flat roof houses. Such buildings are aesthetic, functional, and make it possible to usefully equip additional space. Unlike pitched surfaces, the slope of the top cover is no more than 3-5 °. This leads to increased requirements for hydro and thermal insulation, sediment drainage, and structural strengthening. With proper design and choice of building materials, a house with a flat roof is not inferior in reliability to single and gable buildings.

In the DACHNY SEZON company you can order the construction of a turnkey private house with a flat roof. We implement standard projects, as well as carry out individual development of design, technical, regulatory documentation.

Flat roof cottage projects

Ready-made flat roof house projects differ in the type of upper structure:

exploited roof - used for arranging flower beds, recreation areas;
unexploited - suitable for installing antennas, solar farms, and other technical objects with a relatively low weight.

Modern houses with flat roofs are beautiful structures with a trendy design close to high-tech and minimalism. Buildings are equipped with bay windows, terraces, balconies, panoramic windows. For permanent residence, options with a boiler room are used. Car owners prefer dwellings with a built-in garage for 1-2 cars.

On the site "HOLIDAY SEASON" there are photos and approximate prices of one-, two-storey cottages. To calculate the cost and buy a project, order a call back. We develop design, carry out individual design, build housing in all districts of Moscow and the Moscow region.

In recent decades, there has been a notable leap forward in the quality of realizations of private country houses and residences. The taste preferences of people are improving, technologies are developing in the field of construction, engineering networks and finishing materials. Thanks to this, modern architecture becomes freer and bolder, and more and more projects of houses and cottages with flat roofs appear.

When designing houses with flat roofs, the architect has much more freedom in creating a volumetric-spatial composition when compared to the design of houses with pitched roofs. The volume of a building can be either very simple and laconic, or rather complex and multifaceted, and the visual image depends only on the general concept and is not limited by any stylistic features.

There are several variations on the architectural expression of a flat roof:

No overhangs. With this option, the wall of the building becomes a parapet. Simple cubic volumes are obtained, from which it is possible to compose a volumetric-spatial composition of any complexity.
With eaves. In this case, the floor slab extends beyond the outer walls of the building. This can be a small canopy or a canopy over an entire terrace. The rhythm of clear contours of the canopies creates a very dynamic and free composition. Thanks to the eaves of the roof, the volume of the building is not limited by the contour of the walls, which creates a feeling of lightness.
Combination of cubic volumes and horizontal overhangs. As a result of the combination of the two techniques, a complex play of volumes and horizontal planes is obtained, which makes the composition dynamic and full of details.

Benefits of flat roof houses

When comparing house designs with flat and pitched roofs, there are several objective advantages in houses with a flat roof. Thanks to the flat ceilings, the interior spaces are geometrically correct and clean, there are no inconvenient corners and ceiling bevels, as on the attic floors of houses with pitched roofs. The height of the ceiling is chosen optimal for a given scale of premises, while in houses with pitched roofs there are areas with too low or too high heights. Thus, in cottages with flat roofs, the entire projected volume of the building is used as efficiently as possible.

As a rule, the second floors of houses with flat roofs are smaller in area than the first. Thanks to this, it becomes possible to make exploitable roofs on the second floor. You can play out various scenarios for the use of open spaces, diversifying the pastime in a country house. In addition, terraces visually enlarge the interior space of the premises, being their natural continuation.

Drainage in projects of houses with flat roofs

There are several developed solutions for the drainage of rainwater from flat roofs. Several methods can be used in one house at once, depending on the features of the architecture of the building. It is most desirable to use organized internal drainage, when water is collected from roofs and terraces into funnels, and then through a system of drain pipes located inside the house, goes into the storm sewer.

There are two options for external drainage. In the first, water is also collected by funnels, but only in this case, the drainpipes are located outside the building and descend to the ground along the facades. In the second version, the water is drained through a parapet funnel, which is a horizontal pipe embedded in the parapet.

And the option of unorganized external drainage from canopies and unexploited awnings is possible.

Operation of houses with flat roofs in winter

In our climatic zone, cottage owners should be prepared for snow on roofs and terraces in winter. Subject to all construction technologies, this does not pose any danger either to the building structures or to the coating materials. To clean the snow or not is the choice of the owners of the house. When developing a structural design for a house, all possible loads are taken into account, including snow loads, taken according to climatic standards for a given region. The most reliable construction technology, suitable for the implementation of houses with flat exploited roofs, is a monolithic frame. In this technology, a monolithic building frame is cast from reinforced concrete right at the construction site, consisting of a foundation slab, columns, pylons and floor slabs. The walls are laid out from lightweight block materials. A one-piece monolithic floor, cast using hydrophobic additives, is in itself a reliable base that is resistant to moisture penetration. A roofing cake with a final waterproofing layer is laid on top of the slab. There are several types of modern waterproofing materials, the choice of which depends on the finish of the terrace. If, according to the project, the terrace is finished with porcelain stoneware, then cement waterproofing is applied under it. If decking on adjustable supports is expected, then either roll-up waterproofing or a membrane can be used. Any of these types of waterproofing, when properly installed, provides reliable protection of the roofing cake from moisture.

Design of houses with flat roofs in the architectural bureau of Ilya Eliseev

The architectural bureau of Ilya Eliseev is engaged in the individual design and construction of houses and cottages with flat roofs. We work in this architectural direction, as it meets our aesthetic preferences and meets all the requirements for living in a country house. Over the years of designing and implementing flat roof houses, we have accumulated a sufficient amount of knowledge and skills to create projects of the highest class. At the stage of development of the house, we think over in detail all building structures, technological units, pies of walls and floors, as well as the arrangement of engineering networks, so that the process of operating the house is as comfortable as possible and does not require increased attention.

The flat roof gives the building an original appearance and is practical in use. Variants of such roofs differ in terms of installation and therefore design is a preliminary stage of construction.

Flat roof options

There are several options for flat roofs that differ in design and operation, construction technology and other parameters. The main characteristic of any option is a smaller roof surface area, which leads to lower construction costs than for pitched structures. At the same time, flat roofs are not exposed to strong winds and require less heat insulator.

The correct arrangement of a flat roof makes it practical and beautiful.

Flat roofs are divided into the following types:

the surfaces of the exploited type have a rigid base in the form of corrugated board or concrete screed and are used to equip cafes, recreation areas and other purposes. The structure consists of a reinforced concrete slab, on which a concrete screed is mounted, followed by steam, heat and waterproofing. The topcoat, for example, paving slabs, is used after complete installation of the roof and is necessary for the comfortable operation of the surface;
An exploited roof requires increased rigidity
An unexploited flat roof does not require a particularly rigid base, as it is not used to accommodate people on the roof. At the same time, it is important to provide for thorough waterproofing, choose a high-quality insulation;
Construction of an unexploited roof is easier than other options
the traditional version of a flat roof involves laying a vapor barrier film on the base, and then a layer of insulation is equipped. This protects the heat insulator from diffuse moisture. Waterproofing is carried out with materials based on bitumen;
Installation of traditional roofing involves precise placement of layers
the inversion type roof differs from the traditional one in that the insulation is placed above the waterproofing, and not under it. This allows you to protect the waterproofing film from climatic influences, but it is important to use insulation that is resistant to moisture and mechanical stress.
The structure of the inversion roof is simple but durable

Design of one- and two-story houses with a flat roof

The construction of residential buildings with a flat roof is notable for a small investment of time and money, which is due to the lack of the need to equip slopes. At the same time, it is important to ensure high operational characteristics of the future roof, for which it is necessary to determine the type of roof, the number of storeys of the building, the structure of the drain and other factors. In the design process, all these features are taken into account, but one of the main points is the design of the building with a flat roof. For example, a one-story house with such a roof is a practical and versatile solution for regions with different climates.

Practical materials are used for outdoor decoration.

The project of a one-story building involves the development of the architectural and structural parts of the building, the layout of communication systems, technical data and calculations of all parameters of the structure. A detailed plan is necessarily included in the design process.

The layout of a house with a flat roof can be different

Building a two-story house with a flat roof is more complex than constructing a one-story building. At the same time, the load on the supporting structural elements is calculated, the layout of the second floor is determined, taking into account the maximum functionality of the space.

Designing a two-story house requires a choice of lightweight building materials

The drawings of a two-story building indicate the layout of each level with the dimensions of the premises. When designing, take into account the material from which the walls are built, the type of foundation and other technical data.

The main rooms are often located on the ground floor.

The layout of the second floor can include both residential and additional premises. A bathroom can also be equipped on the second level. The staircase is also marked on the plan.

The flat roof effectively protects the building from precipitation

Projects of buildings with an exploited roof

The construction of houses with an exploited roof presupposes the presence of a rigid foundation for the construction of the roof. This is necessary for arranging a recreation area or other functional area at the top. Its purpose should be determined in advance to determine the planned load on the roof base. One of the universal solutions is concrete floor slabs. They have high strength, but their installation requires an accurate calculation of the load on the foundation and walls of the building.

A flat roof often serves as a seating area

Houses made of SIP panels with a flat roof

SIP panels are elements that are mounted on a prepared building frame. The slabs are made of practical materials, and when building a house, it is possible to build a flat roof. In this case, the load on the walls is necessarily calculated, because SIP panels have a low level of strength. Therefore, the design of one-story houses from such panels is most in demand.

The panels are easy to install, but an accurate calculation of all building parameters is required.

External wall decoration can be carried out with various materials that can protect the panels from climatic influences. The drawing indicates the parameters of all rooms. It is especially important to observe the technology of panel installation, because the durability of the building depends on it.

A flat roof made of lightweight materials will protect a residential building well

High-tech flat roof house

The high-tech style is characterized by straight lines, monochromatic surfaces, ultra-modern details. This style is often used in the design of residential buildings, and the flat roof perfectly complements the look of the house. At the same time, unnecessary details are excluded, and the design of the residential building is as practical as possible and is distinguished by a modern style.

The flat roof is a harmonious addition to the high-tech style

An unexploited roof is suitable for a building in this style, but the organization of the necessary zones on the roof is also possible. The interior furnishings can correspond to the chosen design direction.

Inside a high-tech house, it is worth creating an appropriate environment.

What to build a house with a flat roof from

A flat roof of any type exerts a special load on the walls and load-bearing elements of the building. Therefore, it is important when designing to determine the materials that are optimal for the selected type of flat roof. Of particular importance are the technical characteristics of steam, hydro and thermal insulation materials.

Flat roofs are appropriate in any climatic conditions

Residential house from a bar

When building a house from a bar, the high quality of the building material is taken into account. A flat roof of this design must reliably protect not only the interior of the building, but also the walls. Designing a house from a bar involves the following main points:

waterproofing is equipped with membrane materials that do not require the use of gas burners during installation;
material for the construction of walls must be treated with fireproof impregnations;
drainage system, rainstorms are always present in the structure of the house;
reinforced concrete slabs are not used for wooden structures.

The roof can be slightly sloped to improve rainfall drainage

Aerated concrete structure

The construction of a flat-roof aerated concrete residential building presupposes taking into account the important features that the project must comply with. The main requirement is that the roof slope must have a slope of 2–4 °. Depending on the type of insulation materials and the number of their layers, the exact slope is determined. The following features of the construction of houses from aerated concrete with a flat roof are also relevant:

the supporting frame of the roof is presented in the form of wooden beams;
combined roofs are being built without an attic space;
careful insulation and waterproofing is important to protect the roof frame;
when designing a house from aerated concrete, the region and climatic conditions are taken into account, determining the thickness of the walls;
the design documentation must indicate the technical characteristics of all materials, the parameters of aerated concrete.

Roll waterproofing is optimal for aerated concrete houses

Foam block building

For structures made of foam blocks, the choice of a project is based on the same requirements as for structures made of aerated concrete. With the correct calculation, it is possible to use floors in the form of a reinforced concrete slab, but this requires a calculation of the bearing capacity of the walls. Waterproofing is carried out using polymer mastics, and the thickness of the insulation layer depends on the climatic characteristics of the region. For exterior decoration, plaster, tiles and other similar materials are suitable. Design documentation should include technical characteristics of materials, parameters of structural elements of the building.

A house made of foam blocks is easy to finish from the outside with any suitable materials.

Video: options for projects of houses from foam blocks

Designing a flat roof garage

Building a space such as a garage often involves a flat or slightly sloped roof. It is best if the surface has a slope of 2–4 °, which improves the drainage of precipitation. Reinforced concrete slabs are used as the base, which are easily stacked on brick or block walls.

A flat garage roof must have a high-quality waterproofing layer

If the structure of the garage is made of timber, then a flat roof can be easily made from corrugated board laid on wooden beams. Heated rooms require the use of insulation.

When choosing a garage project, you should consider such points as:

garage room area;
the presence or absence of insulation;
the presence or absence of internal partitions in the garage;
convenient arrangement of the surrounding area.

Video: flat roof device

Photo gallery: flat roof options

A complex flat roof can have an unusual design of exits The operated roof is often a recreation area Operational roofs are practical in warm regions Roofing with paving slabs makes the surface protected from precipitation Flat roofs are optimal for two-story buildings Complex structures require processional design and accurate calculations Multi-level structures are complex in construction but practical to operate

A flat roof is a simple structure, but requires proper installation. Therefore, the design must take into account all the important points, construction rules and features of the operation of such a roof.

For many, a flat roof is associated with urban multi-storey buildings, faceless and monotonous. But we are ready to surprise you! A flat roof in a private house will be a pleasant discovery for you if there is not too much snow in your area, but the winds are strong enough. The fact is that in winter all snow accumulations from such a roof will simply be blown away. And the main thing is that not a single strong hurricane can blow off the roof, which simply does not exist! And also a whole ocean of possibilities opens up before you, which now you can build over your head: a cafe, a dance floor, a mini-garden and even a whole greenhouse!

The main thing is just to know about all the intricacies of the arrangement of houses with a flat roof, and everything will work out. And we will reveal all the secrets now.

Such a roof is much smaller in area than the flattest pitched roof. And this is saving on materials.
Such a roof is being built much faster than a gable and even more hip.
Comfort and safety of all rafter work. You still need to manage to fall from such a roof!
Convenient subsequent repair and replacement of roofing.
Unlike a gable roof, dismantling the old flat roofing is usually not necessary - this is additional waterproofing and protection. The new cake is made just like the old one, which saves a lot of time and effort.
The ability to use the roof as an additional useful area where you can set up a flower garden, make an open terrace and even build a greenhouse.
The ability to install transparent roof elements (with careful waterproofing), and thus make a view of the night sky.
Possibility to build a house with a laconic architectural form. Minimalism is at the height of fashion!

And now - about the cons and disadvantages:

Such a roof generously accumulates snow in itself. After all, he now has nowhere to slide, and the snow itself often becomes the cause of leaks.
On especially generous days, the snow will have to be mechanically removed, which often damages the roofing.
The structure of the roof is becoming more complicated: now gutters are needed, which, in addition to everything, also clog up.
The difference is that water drains off the pitched roof quickly enough (and it happens that it does get into the under-roof space). But on a flat one, it generally stands!
Control of the moisture content of the insulation and the general condition of the roof should be regular.
But, despite the fact that for its arrangement of building materials much less is needed than for a pitched roof, a flat roof in terms of installation is much more complicated. Let's just say, there are many more different subtleties and nuances that are important to know about.

That is why many have fair doubts about the reliability of such a roof. But the European and overseas experience of private residential houses with a flat roof is successful, and therefore you can safely get down to business.

Consider only such points:

There is much more snow in Russia than in warmer European countries.
The only thing worse than snow is the big difference between summer and winter temperatures, for which not all foreign roofing materials are designed.

And here technology decides everything!

What is a flat roof?

So, what acts as the supporting base of a flat roof:

Reinforced concrete slab.
Roofing sandwich panels.
Reinforced steel sheet.

And thanks to the fact that they learned to make a flat roof "breathable", i.e. with internal ventilation, now it has become possible to use completely non-breathing waterproofing - roofing material similar to it.

Any roof that we call flat, in fact, still has a slight slope: to one side or purposefully towards the drainpipe.

Here is the simplest example of a flat roof for a private house:

Types of flat roofs: unexploited and inverted

Of course, unexploited roofs are cheaper. And the exploited ones, which are correctly called "inversion", include additional materials.

A separate type of flat roof of a residential building is exploited. Those. the one on which people will walk and what objects will stand. This is the same garden, or sports ground, or outdoor cafe. All this creates considerable loads on the roof, and therefore its device is already different from that which is intended only to protect the house from precipitation.

So, the main difference in the structure of traditional and inverted roofing is that in the first layer of thermal insulation is located under the waterproofing, which is quite logical, and in the second - above it. But in the second version, the waterproofing is more protected from ultraviolet rays and temperature extremes. This design is more durable and functional: you can safely arrange a lawn or lay paving slabs on it.

And now in more detail.

Unused roofing: standard pie

But on an unexploited roof, a person can also occasionally climb - for the same repair, for example.

Those. in a traditional flat roof, the top layer is waterproofing, and it is this that is subjected to all mechanical and thermal stress.

A separate type of it is a roof with a pressure layer, which is designed for a person to walk on it from time to time:

Inverted roofing: reverse pie

The standard slope of the inverted roof is 5-7%. The inversion method assumes that the layer of thermal insulation is already located on top of the waterproofing, which now also serves as a vapor barrier at the same time.

Moreover, the pie of inversion flat roofs can be very different. It all depends on what you are going to arrange on the roof: a terrace, a mini-pool (and this is not uncommon) or a garden. But the base will still be common: a monolithic screed is made, which levels the entire surface, then waterproofing is laid and all this is covered with insulation. And already on top - a cement-sand mixture or rubber coating.

Note that the active operation of the roof is frequent damage to the insulating layer, due to which moisture makes its way to the insulation and freezes in winter. Over time, the entire roofing cake deteriorates, and therefore a flat roof ventilation system is indispensable.

A cement-sand screed is able to even better distribute the pressure layer on the heat insulator, but it must be additionally reinforced with a grid against cracking.

Subtleties of flat roof insulation

A layer of thermal insulation for a flat roof is required. For comparison: a gable roof is insulated only when a residential attic is equipped under it, and in all other cases, a maximum of mineral wool is laid on the attic floor. But for a flat roof, insulation is always necessary.

The fact is that without a heat-insulating layer in a flat roof, condensation will constantly appear on the ceiling in the house (such a roof will just be the cold part onto which water vapor will rush). And this is bad not only because repairs will have to be done, but also because the whole structure deteriorates.

You can insulate a flat roof both from the outside and from the inside - the difference is small. More importantly, in how many layers a particular roof needs to be insulated - in one or two.

Thermal insulation materials must be attached to the base of the roof mechanically, either using screws or dowels, or using glue. Sometimes the mount is not used at all if the heat insulator is located from the outside, and paving slabs or pebbles are pressing on it.

Why two layers? The fact is that the first layer of thermal insulation on a flat roof performs the function of insulation, it is from 70 to 200 mm thick. And the second, from 40 to 50 mm, is designed to distribute all the loads. And the thickness of both layers is important to calculate accurately, based on the climatic features of the area and the future use of the roof itself.

With two-layer insulation, all joints should be staggered, in a checkerboard pattern, so as not to fall on each other. Moreover, in the places where the plates adjoin the walls and the parapet, it is additionally necessary to make heat-insulating sides. A cement-sand screed is able to even better distribute the pressure layer on the heat insulator, but it must be additionally reinforced with a grid against cracking.

Correct drainage system

But this is already a difficult task. Flat roofs are bad because they are completely open to rain. But everything can be solved! The main thing is to correctly organize the drain, and for convenience, we have opened this issue for you in the following schematic illustrations:

Internal ventilation device

Another important point when arranging flat roofs is ventilation. The fact is that if moisture accidentally enters the insulation, it no longer evaporates - it only accumulates. As a result, the insulating material rots, and the waterproofing swells. And there are many reasons for leaks: broken waterproofing, mechanical damage to the upper layer of the roof, cracks and harm from frozen water.

A damp heat insulator is also bad because of it, bubbles and cracks appear on a flat roof in the summer heat - all due to the active evaporation of water. As a result, the roofing also collapses. And if moisture eventually gets under the old screed, then the entire roof begins to flake off. This is why a flat roof needs to "breathe".

For this purpose, the so-called aerators are used on it. In appearance, these are simple plastic or metal pipes, covered with umbrella caps. They should be placed evenly over the entire roof area, preferably at its highest points. The essence of such a mechanism is that different pressures are created inside the roof and the air begins to create flows, simultaneously capturing all excess moisture vapor.

In practice, it looks like this:

In addition, in any living space, water vapor rises up to the ceiling. Moreover, they often successfully overcome this barrier (the water molecule is very small) and get into the insulation, which is bad for him. That is why vapor barrier is required. And not the one that is usually used to insulate the attic, but dense, made of high-quality polypropylene or polyethylene. A bituminous membrane is even more reliable.

Choosing the right roof covering

So what is used as a coating for these roofs?

Option # 1 - bitumen and polymer-bitumen materials

Such roofs are the cheapest for the owners of private houses. Basically we are talking about roofing material and euroruberoid. These are rolled roofing sheets, based on synthetic fabric, and on the sides - bitumen. As an elastic and frost-resistant material, bitumen serves as an excellent protection and waterproofing.

Moreover, the installation of bituminous roofing on a flat roof is absolutely simple, you only need a gas burner. The rolls are easily fused together.

But such a roof has a significant drawback - fragility. And also the fact that the roofing material does not breathe at all, i.e. it is vapor-tight, and therefore it is imperative to arrange ventilation for such a roof, unless you want the insulation to rot in a year:

Option # 2 - liquid rubber

Such roofs have the huge advantage that they do not contain any seams. As we have already said, the minus of a flat roof is, first of all, that snow accumulates on it, which then causes leaks.

But there are some subtleties here. So, you need to take only two-component liquid rubber for a flat roof, preferably the highest quality. And it is extremely important to correctly apply this material to a flat roof: evenly, avoiding unnecessary layers and savings in certain places. So, where the paint was applied unevenly, problems should be expected after 8-10 years.

Option # 3 - PVC, TPO and EPDM membranes

Roofing membranes are valuable as a covering for flat roofs in that they allow steam to escape to the outside. After all, whatever the vapor barrier used, moisture still at least a little, but gets into the insulation, and not only from below, but also from above - after heavy rains, for example.

There are three types of membranes for the device of such a roof: TPO, PVC and EPDM. The most popular is PVC membrane, it is also the most flammable. The EPDM membrane is more durable and affordable, but if mechanical damage occurs in it, nothing can fix it, while the PVC membrane can be melted with a hair dryer. In addition, the joints of the EPDM membrane must be glued with a special tape, which is much less reliable than the welding of PVC sheets.

But the cheapest membrane in its sector is PVC. But it has such significant disadvantages as low resistance to ultraviolet rays and the fear of contact with bitumen, various oils and even expanded polystyrene, otherwise the service life is significantly reduced.

Bonding EPDM membranes requires professional skills. TPO membrane, like PVC, is also hot air weldable. It is not afraid of ultraviolet light, it is more resistant chemically and can be laid directly on polystyrene foam or an old bituminous roof without geotextiles. But its service life is shorter than that of EPDM, therefore, for the flat roof of a residential private house, we recommend using a PVC membrane.

So, the cake of a flat roof device with a PVC membrane is traditionally made like this:

Step 1. We arrange a monolithic floor slab.
Step 2. We put a tear-resistant vapor barrier film.
Step 3. We make a slope of insulation or screed.
Step 4. We put insulation. In private construction, this is usually 35 density foam, and on top is XPS at 50 mm, which is even stronger.
Step 5. Now geotextile, 300-500 g per square meter.
Step 6. Moving on to waterproofing - this is the PVC membrane. The density of the insulation is enough to walk on such a roof. But, if you plan to make an open terrace on the roof, then the pie needs to be continued further.
Step 7. Again, lay geotextile - now directly on the membrane.
We put rubber tiles or a reinforced screed 5-7 cm, on which we already put the paving slabs. Ballast is required to make a screed.

And also such roofs are made of rubber, polymers or even foil. Unlike bituminous ones, they are durable, fire-resistant and firmly adhered to the base. Reach a slight slope using expanded clay concrete or concrete screed.

How to achieve 100% waterproofing?

The main task when installing a flat roof is to make all joints and abutments as tight as possible. Indeed, such a roof is most affected by moisture, hail, temperature extremes and debris carried by the wind. Therefore, the sealants used for sealing such joints must be of high quality and resistant to any influences. This is also a kind of expense that you have to go to.

For the same purpose of waterproofing, it is recommended to make a flat roof slope of at least 2%. Few? In fact, this is quite enough so that all atmospheric moisture does not linger on the surface, but flows down into funnels and pipes, and from them into a septic tank, soil or sewer. Therefore, even at the design stage, you need to think carefully about the future drainage system.

Moreover, the drainage itself is made both internal and external. So, the internal drainage system consists of fittings - funnels located throughout the roof, which take in the flowing water and direct it into pipes that go through buildings, but are isolated from living quarters. The only disadvantage of such a system is that the pipes are clogged with small debris and leaves, for which it is advisable to equip them with special filters and periodically clean them.

External drainage systems are already fixed along the outer walls of the building. Of course, it is easier to clean these when they get clogged, but in cold weather they often freeze over. For which it is customary to additionally supply them with electric heating in the form of cables.

As for the material for the internal and external drainage system of a flat roof, then PVC or metal is quite suitable. Both options have their pros and cons. So, polyvinyl chloride does not corrode, but it is more fragile than metal.

In order to prevent the gutters from freezing in winter, equip them with roofing thermal cables.

Green area on the roof: fashionable and sustainable

Greenery and recreation areas are often lacking not only for the inhabitants of the "stone jungle", but even for the owners of private houses. The thing is that it is not always possible to leave the same beautiful garden furniture in the courtyard of the house, and beautiful rare flowers in the garden bed are often trampled by pets. Therefore, it is not surprising that the green area on the roof has become fashionable among the owners of cottages. Especially if the exit to it goes directly from the bedroom and no one else can disturb your morning peace with a cup of coffee.

There is also a fashion for some cafes to make the roof flat, and put a small greenhouse on it. All the greens are immediately on the table! And it is beneficial, because bringing fresh dill or onions to the kitchen is not so easy, and it is economically profitable - there is where to send kitchen waste. And it's hard to know who borrowed this idea from whom: the enterprising inhabitants of private houses with flat roofs, or the best minds of public catering. But the fact that such an arrangement of closed ground is beneficial is a fact: rodents will not dig under the beds, insects and pests will not get there (as well as pests in the form of neighbors), and the fact that it is always a little hotter on the roof is only a plus for the same tomatoes. But the main thing is to correctly calculate the loads on such a roof during construction!

And the roofing pie is often standard: waterproofing on the floor, thermal insulation, geotextiles, drainage and again geotextiles. And on top of it, you can already have both the ground and the beds:

Or in this version for more powerful floors:

A flat roof is a huge space for any imagination. Designers and architects love to implement a variety of projects for her: a garden, and a greenhouse, and a jogging track, and a mini-beach with sun loungers, and much more. Some craftsmen even manage to make a parking lot on it!

Flat roof houses are the current trend in residential construction. But, not everyone is attracted by such projects, and many often undeservedly consider these objects poorly suitable for living.

However, modern houses with flat roofs are quite comfortable to live in, functional, made in an attractive style based on the principles of minimalism.

One-storey house with a flat roof

Traditionally in the CIS countries it is customary to build houses with pitched roofs. But, not so long ago, one-story houses with a flat roof began to gain popularity. Moreover, the construction of such an object is often cheaper than a house with a conventional roof.

In the photo of houses with a flat roof, you can visually familiarize yourself with the various options for such objects. They look really stylish and minimalistic. The popularity of such houses is due, among other things, to the emergence of new building materials.

Previously, flat lids were equipped mainly with mastics and roofing felt. These are not the most durable materials, which entailed serious difficulties in the operation of the house.

Today, more effective materials are used to ensure durability, high waterproofing and thermal insulation characteristics.

Advantages and disadvantages

The pros and cons of a flat roof come from the technology of its installation and the materials used. The main advantages include:

Rational use of the area. The roof area turns out to be quite large, it can be used for various purposes, for example, for arranging a summer recreation area.

Saving on materials, especially when building small houses, since it eliminates the need to build a full-fledged rafter system.

Expansion of the living space. There is often a desire to build the 2nd floor. In the case of a rafter roof, this cannot be done without dismantling it.

If the flat roof was made from suitable materials in compliance with the technology, an additional floor can be erected in a short time without extra costs.

Projects of houses with a flat roof for the most part involve the construction of an exploited roof. On the roof, you can equip a gazebo or even a flower bed.

Communication systems can be installed within the walls of the house. This primarily applies to pipes, which has a positive effect on the aesthetic qualities of the building.

But, to obtain these advantages, you need to use modern materials - polymer membranes and various filling compounds. Their service life is about 50 years, and with timely maintenance, much more.

However, there are also disadvantages:

limited range of roofing materials. The roof has a slight slope for the drain, however, many traditional materials cannot be used;
in winter, you will often have to clean the roof from snow, which is especially important for northern regions with heavy rainfall;
high heat loss due to the large roof area. But, the disadvantage can be corrected by multilayer insulation with high-quality materials;
internal drains need to be additionally insulated, since it can freeze in winter.

Flat roof types

There are catalogs of flat-roofed cottages that contain ready-made designs for such houses. To build a house, you can use a ready-made project, adapting it to your preferences and terrain features.

In such projects, the roof is divided into 2 main types:

operated;
not exploited.

The arrangement of these roofs is carried out using different technologies, which must be taken into account at the design stage.

An unused roof is easier to install, but does not allow the roof to be used for one purpose or another. An exploited roof requires significant structural reinforcement, which entails additional costs.

Base for flat roof

When choosing materials for the installation of ceilings, you need to take into account what the walls are built from. In frame construction, floors can be mounted only with light materials, otherwise the structure will not withstand the load.

In modern construction, the following materials are used:

reinforced concrete slabs;
pouring cement-sand mortar monolithically over the entire area;
profiled sheets of great thickness.

An exploited roof can only be equipped with solid reinforced concrete slabs. This is necessary in order to be able to withstand the high loads from the objects located on the roof.

Reinforced concrete and screed is the best option for such a roof. But, regardless of the type of roof, it is necessary to mount a waterproofing and heat-insulating layer.

Roofing materials

A flat roof, similar to a conventional one, is a cake of 3 main layers:

waterproofing;
thermal insulation;
roofing material.

For waterproofing, special membranes made of polymers or bitumen are used. It is better not to use polyethylene film due to its low durability.

The thermal insulation layer must be rigid and resistant to stress. The material must be moisture resistant. For the arrangement of this layer, the following materials are usually used:

expanded polystyrene;
foam glass;
mineral wool sheets with a rigid structure;
expanded clay filler.

The most effective in terms of thermal insulation properties is foam glass. But, it is at the same time the most expensive material.

However, for the long-term operation of the building, it is worth giving preference to foam glass. Expanded clay is much cheaper, but it has low thermal insulation qualities.

For the installation of the roof itself, it is worth using light and moisture-resistant materials. You can fill the roof with a special solution, lay it with polymer membrane materials, or bitumen coatings.