Uploaded March 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
In this presentation, we discuss best practice techniques for designing and building durable flat roofs that won't leak. As the building industry continues to embrace modern and contemporary architecture, it's time that we start designing flat roofs properly to address bulk water. Architects and designers love to specify flat roofs. If you're a builder or contractor, you probably hate flat roofs, as water damage is your #1 liability, and there's a reason why flat roofs can't get insured. We discuss the basics of flat roof design, strategies for getting water off the roof, the importance of a "coverboard", the types of flat roof membranes and how to select the right ones, as well as some common details for parapets, roof to wall connections, and skylight penetrations.
This presentation is in anticipation for my upcoming books, which will be available Spring 2023:
A Flat Roof Design Guide For Cold Climates
A Flat Roof Design Guide For Temperate Climates
A Flat Roof Design Guide For Hot Climates
Consulting and Other Services: asiri-designs.com/our-services
Check out my other free flat roof resources: asiri-designs.com/resources-1
Types of Membranes for Flat Roof Systems (What Is The Best?):
asiri-designs.com/resources-1/f/types-of-membranes-for-flat-roof-systems-what-is-the-best
Addressing Ponding Water on Flat Roofs:
asiri-designs.com/resources-1/f/addressing-ponding-water-on-flat-roofs
A Guide To Insulation for Flat Roofs:
asiri-designs.com/resources-1/f/a-guide-to-insulation-for-flat-roofs
Flat Roof To Wall Transitions and Connections
asiri-designs.com/resources-1/f/flat-roof-to-wall-transitions-and-connections
Follow my Instagram - @asiridesign
instagram.com/asiridesigns
00:00 Introduction
01:09 Flat Roofs Aren't Flat
02:31 What NOT to do...
04:19 Crickets
05:09 Cant Strips
06:04 Coping
06:51 3 Ways To Get Water Off a Flat Roof
10:39 Roof Membranes
12:03 Coverboards
13:17 EPDM
14:49 TPO
15:42 PVC
17:29 KEE
18:42 Modified Bitumen
20:20 Fluid Applied
23:06 Parapet Detail
24:48 Scupper Detail
25:41 Flat Roof to Wall Detail
27:01 Flat Roof Skylight Detail
28:17 Conclusions
In this presentation, we discuss best practice techniques for designing and building durable flat roofs that won't leak. As the building industry continues to embrace modern and contemporary architecture, it's time that we start designing flat roofs properly to address bulk water. Architects and designers love to specify flat roofs. If you're a builder or contractor, you probably hate flat roofs, as water damage is your #1 liability, and there's a reason why flat roofs can't get insured. We discuss the basics of flat roof design, strategies for getting water off the roof, the importance of a "coverboard", the types of flat roof membranes and how to select the right ones, as well as some common details for parapets, roof to wall connections, and skylight penetrations.
This presentation is in anticipation for my upcoming books, which will be available Spring 2023:
A Flat Roof Design Guide For Cold Climates
A Flat Roof Design Guide For Temperate Climates
A Flat Roof Design Guide For Hot Climates
Consulting and Other Services: asiri-designs.com/our-services
Check out my other free flat roof resources: asiri-designs.com/resources-1
Types of Membranes for Flat Roof Systems (What Is The Best?):
asiri-designs.com/resources-1/f/types-of-membranes-for-flat-roof-systems-what-is-the-best
Addressing Ponding Water on Flat Roofs:
asiri-designs.com/resources-1/f/addressing-ponding-water-on-flat-roofs
A Guide To Insulation for Flat Roofs:
asiri-designs.com/resources-1/f/a-guide-to-insulation-for-flat-roofs
Flat Roof To Wall Transitions and Connections
asiri-designs.com/resources-1/f/flat-roof-to-wall-transitions-and-connections
Follow my Instagram - @asiridesign
instagram.com/asiridesigns
00:00 Introduction
01:09 Flat Roofs Aren't Flat
02:31 What NOT to do...
04:19 Crickets
05:09 Cant Strips
06:04 Coping
06:51 3 Ways To Get Water Off a Flat Roof
10:39 Roof Membranes
12:03 Coverboards
13:17 EPDM
14:49 TPO
15:42 PVC
17:29 KEE
18:42 Modified Bitumen
20:20 Fluid Applied
23:06 Parapet Detail
24:48 Scupper Detail
25:41 Flat Roof to Wall Detail
27:01 Flat Roof Skylight Detail
28:17 Conclusions
