Stay Flat or Convert to Pitched?

Stay Flat or Convert to Pitched?

Over the past decade there have been substantial improvements in flat roof technology. However, there are still many buildings suffering as a result of poor design at their inception, with failing internal drainage or cavity wall insulation placing greater emphasis on selecting a roofing system capable of offsetting these issues. It is for this reason that Langley carefully consider whether a flat-to-pitched (FTP) roofing system conversion is a cost effective option for a project.

 

The roofs Langley converts are typically social housing blocks or schools dating from the 60’s and 70’s, many of which have failing internal drainage systems. The resulting intrusive refurbishment required to replace corroded internal cast iron drainage systems can be very costly. Therefore, it is worth looking to an alternative solution to drain the building externally and overcome the need for intrusive refurbishment, whilst delivering a long term waterproofing solution.

 

FTP conversions offer many benefits, not least that they tend to provide minimal disruption to occupants during installation, but also allow for insulation to be upgraded at anytime by simply adding extra insulation to the newly created roof void.

 

Considering the materials for FTP conversion is important as you are adding a proposed load to an established roof. Therefore ensuring that the products are lightweight, in particular selecting aluminium framing, is key. However, with such light structures, wind uplift becomes a more pressing issue so restraining straps, additional ties and fixings to the wall may be required. The end result should be that you cannot tell the roof has been converted from flat to pitched roofing.

 

If you’re considering a FTP conversion it’s worth seeking advice from the experts at the outset and considering a highly specialist roofing supplier which can actually take care of the entire project from start to finish – from early drawings and planning to budgets, engineering, building control and installation through to after sales support.  Here at Langley, for example, we also go as far as to offer an independently insured 20 year guarantee for added piece of mind.

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