Inverted Roofs: Main Advantages And Disadvantages

We will check together the pros and cons of inverted roofs.




An inverted roof is one of the options for the waterproofing and thermal insulation for a flat roof.


The traditional or conventional way for waterproofing and insulating a flat roof is to place the waterproofing layer above the insulation panels.


Long ago, before the advent of extruded polystyrene this was an one-way option.


Extruded polystyrene with its practically negligible water absorption rate initiated the inverted roof concept: insulation placed above waterproofing layer.




We will briefly overview both the advantages and the disadvantages of this concept.




ADVANTAGES OF AN INVERTED ROOF




1. The waterproofing layer is perfectly protected from mechanical abuse. Any of the usual waterproofing solutions for a flat roof is acceptable.




2. The waterproofing layer is not exposed to UV radiation, other kinds of solar radiation and other atmospheric factors of aging. Its perfectly obvious and expected that its functional life will be considerably longer.




3. Thermal shocks are among the most important parameters that cause aging and fatigue to waterproofing membranes. This is not the case for inverted roofs.




4. The waterproofing layer plays also the roll of a vapor barrier: Two birds with one stone!




5. The danger of water vapor trapped between vapor barrier and waterproofing layer doesnt apply to this case. The waterproofing layer is always in a temperature above dew point.




6. Flat roofs can be perfectly made to be fully accessible.




7. In case of a new floor addition most of the roofing materials can be reused.




8. APP and SBS membranes could be applied semi-adhered. Fatigue and creep due to substrate movements will be minimal.




9. This system is more suitable to be placed during adverse climatic conditions.




DISADVANTAGES OF AN INVERTED ROOF




1. In case of a leak, repair procedures are more difficult.




2. There is only one choice for insulation panels: extruded polystyrene.




3. Some quantities of water may be trapped between insulation and waterproofing layer. Slopes should be created with utmost care. Allow for a slope of at least 2%. Preventively increase calculated insulation thickness by 10%.




4. Ballast weight may not be acceptable for static reasons.




Chris Strogilis


Civ. Eng. MBA DipM

---

About the Author:
http://monosimacon.blogspot.com/


http://maconwaterproofing.blogspot.com/


http://totalfitness-christos.blogspot.com/

Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com

Tags: flat roofs , inverted roofs , waterproofing

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