Low slope roofing and no slope roofs are the latest craze in mountain town commercial and residential buildings. For good reason too, low slope roofing is not only cost-effective but also aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
However, as with any roof installation, there are many things to consider for a low slope roof in a city such as Park City, Utah. When you’re in a climate where the winters are cold and snowy, but the summers are hot and dry, your roof needs to be prepared for both.
Top Roofing Materials for Flat and Low Slope Roofing
The material you choose for your low slope roofing system depends on several factors, with two of the most important being the roof pitch and the local climate. In a place like Park City, Utah, where buildings must withstand both heavy snow and intense summer heat, selecting the right material for your low slope roofing is critical. If you’re planning a low slope or no slope roof in Park City, we recommend the following three options:
- Hot applied waterproofing membrane: a premium waterproof membrane for buildings with a flat roof aesthetic that have a slope less than 2:12. This membrane is also ideal for green roofs, protected ballast roofs, paver roofs, paver plaza decks, decks over living spaces, and more.
- Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO): a cost-effective technique using single ply membrane and hot air to connect the seams.
- Ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM): a synthetic rubber solution with good durability.
Aesthetic
The two primary aesthetic components to consider are the pitch of the roof and the color.
A roof pitch is a measure of the steepness of your roof. This is measured in inches per horizontal foot. The higher the pitch, the more steep your roof is.
What roof pitch qualifies for a low slope roof?
A roof is considered “low slope” if, for every 12 units horizontally, there are no more than 4 units vertically. Here are a few important points to consider when designing your roof material.
A recent trend is to angle the roof pitch inwards instead of outwards, as shown below.
Angling the roof inwards can cause significant water issues when snow and ice melt in the spring because all the water will flow directly toward your building. Remember, roofs are designed to shed water, not hold it.
Even if you angle the roof outwards, you will still need a proper drainage system to ensure water is carried away from your building and does not pool near the foundation.
When it comes to choosing colors options for your materials, be sure to consider the climate. Park City summers are extremely hot and winters are extremely cold. Dark colors will absorb and hold heat. Light colors will not conduct as much heat and are more likely to reflect some of it back.
Insulation Strategies for Low Slope Roofing in Park City
When building in a city like Park City, you’ll want to opt for cold roof insulation. Meaning the roof framing is external to the thermal envelope of your building. It goes: dry wall, air barrier, insulation and ventilation, roof framing, and then the roof itself.
In some cases, there may not be enough room within or under the wood framing to add insulation. A vaulted ceiling is an example of where you may encounter this. If this is the case, there are insulation assemblies to install on top of roof sheathing to create the thermal break.
Cold roof insulation is essential for low slope roofing in cold climates because it prevents the warmth of the building from melting the snow on the roof. If building heat does melt the snow, the snow acts as insulation, causing water to collect between the roof and the building. This water buildup can lead to serious damage.
Proper insulation alone will only get you so far—you also need a reliable roof drainage system to continuously carry melted snow, ice, and rain away from your building.
Plumbing
The most common drainage systems you’ll see in buildings are:
- Roof or deck drains (interior)
- Scuppers + Downspouts
- Gutters + Downspouts
Gutters are installed along the edge of a low slope roof to collect water and carry it to the next stage of the roof drainage system—typically to a downspout or another roof designed to shed water using roof drains.
A downspout is a vertical pipe attached to the side of the building. Water from the gutters flows into the downspout, travels down, and is safely directed away from the building to prevent water damage.
A scupper is an opening that allows water to flow into either a gutter or downspout to continue the drainage process in a low slope roofing system.
One common issue our experts see in low slope roofing projects is buildings lacking enough drains. Architects and engineers calculate the proper number of drains based on expected water flow within the roof drainage system. Whether you’re a building owner or a general contractor, make sure to verify this crucial step to ensure your low slope roofing drainage performs effectively and prevents water damage.
Low Slope Roofing Installation and Maintenance Tips
A low slope roof has many requirements to ensure its longevity and preserve the integrity of your building. Because of this, we strongly recommend working with experts experienced in low slope roofing installation and maintenance. Viotell prides itself on quality-focused manufacturing and professional installation to keep your low slope roofing system performing at its best. If you’re looking for a partner on your next low slope roof building project in the Park City area or surrounding neighborhoods like The Preserve, Tuhaye, Glendwild, and more — connect with us here.
