Done well and maintained well they can be fine, but there's always a higher risk with them, especially when people don't maintain them.
I don't think it's a maintenance issue. My friends' houses are new and still under Tarion. However, the builder has fixed it several times and the leaks are still not completely gone and they have concerns after Tarion warranty expires. Also, we are not talking about one single house, their neighbors with the same flat top roof design are also having the same roof top leak problem.engineered wrote: ↑ Done well and maintained well they can be fine, but there's always a higher risk with them, especially when people don't maintain them.
You see homes that are replaced in established areas with homes with flat roofs in part because of the trend to higher ceilings. Sometimes in order to meet code for the building height they have to go to a flat roof. A flat roof is certainly less forgiving when it develops a leak and from my experience the replacement cost was considerably higher than a shingled roof.
thriftshopper wrote: ↑ Was in California with the recent snow storms (albeit in mountains (Sierra Nevadas) far far away and people getting $20k quotes to have their roofs shovelled off. Then I was thinking back to when I did live there, and designer homes with flat roofs (often occupied during winter) having major water issues. And then I thought why A-frames are appropriate design in the appropriate places (though not my region of the country, the neighbouring house is one of those steep A-frame jobs).
Not sure if it was even stylish
https://www.southtahoenow.com/story/03/ ... -emergencyPlacer County said a homeowner at Lake Tahoe there received a quote of $20,000 to remove snow from their roof. County officials are advising residents to be wary of people illegally price gouging during the storm emergency.
Sounds like those are ones that weren't "done well". I'm not surprised that a builder had a crappy design or installation. They can't even get regular roofs correct.rdx wrote: ↑ I don't think it's a maintenance issue. My friends' houses are new and still under Tarion. However, the builder has fixed it several times and the leaks are still not completely gone and they have concerns after Tarion warranty expires. Also, we are not talking about one single house, their neighbors with the same flat top roof design are also having the same roof top leak problem.
It can be challenging to locate leaks with flat roofs. Once the water penetrates or gets around the membrane there may be sheets of insulation and the roofing itself is usually a minimum of two layers. The water can run a fair distance then get to a ceiling joist where it may decide to run even further along the joist before dripping down to the drywall. I had an issue under the flashing at the very back of a home and it ran the length of the roof from back to front. So the moisture appearing on the drywall was at the front of the house but the leak was at the back. Roofers will also not offer any guarantee a roof fix, they only warranty a new roof.rdx wrote: ↑ I don't think it's a maintenance issue. My friends' houses are new and still under Tarion. However, the builder has fixed it several times and the leaks are still not completely gone and they have concerns after Tarion warranty expires. Also, we are not talking about one single house, their neighbors with the same flat top roof design are also having the same roof top leak problem.
fergy wrote: ↑ It can be challenging to locate leaks with flat roofs. Once the water penetrates or gets around the membrane there may be sheets of insulation and the roofing itself is usually a minimum of two layers. The water can run a fair distance then get to a ceiling joist where it may decide to run even further along the joist before dripping down to the drywall. I had an issue under the flashing at the very back of a home and it ran the length of the roof from back to front. So the moisture appearing on the drywall was at the front of the house but the leak was at the back. Roofers will also not offer any guarantee a roof fix, they only warranty a new roof.
Just want to clarify here, it's zoning not building code that sets limits on building height.fergy wrote: ↑ You see homes that are replaced in established areas with homes with flat roofs in part because of the trend to higher ceilings. Sometimes in order to meet code for the building height they have to go to a flat roof. A flat roof is certainly less forgiving when it develops a leak and from my experience the replacement cost was considerably higher than a shingled roof.
Further clarification, depending on which residential zone, the heights can differ. In one zone a maximum of 2 storeys is allowed, whereas across the street 3 storeys are allowed.hvc wrote: ↑ Just want to clarify here, it's zoning not building code that sets limits on building height.
You can also typically have a taller building if you have a sloped roof. For example in toronto: flat roof buildings (<1:4 slope) max at 7.2m - homes with sloped roofs (>1:4 slope) is 10m.
The only time having a flat roof is beneficial for building heights is if you have a sloped front and back (ie with a dormer) and a flat top as you can hit the 10m height. The house in OPs photo would be limited to 7.2m without an approved variance.
You are correct that the flat top is fine if everything is built and works probably without clog. However, it is usually not in the perfect circumstances and/or something is clogged even after it was built probably.....
Totally, my street is like that as we border a main street: higher FSI, 3 stories, higher front hardscaping (I think) etc., for the side street house immediately adjacent to the main street. My comment was more general, but maybe too general.. lol was just trying to highlight that a flat roof doesn't always get you more height.Faemow wrote: ↑ Further clarification, depending on which residential zone, the heights can differ. In one zone a maximum of 2 storeys is allowed, whereas across the street 3 storeys are allowed.
Flat roofs, if done correctly, can be watertight as long as there are proper slopes and the scuppers are not clogged with debris. The developer houses could have more issues than custom-built homes as the trades are inexperienced with flat roof assemblies.
Agree with the never buy a flat roof house. Imagine a swimming pool on top of your house during the winter. No thanks.Beneful1 wrote: ↑ I'd never buy a house with a flat roof. I've had/have friends with them an no one has escaped having leaks. The house next door to us built in 1958, was a sort of cubist box for its first 40 or so years but the 2nd owners finally gave up and had it redone with a traditional roof and new siding. Looks nothing like it did originally which is a shame because it was really a smart looking modern house. There are a few other houses on the street also built in the late 50s that from the street appear to have flat roofs but they actually do have a very very low pitch shingle roof. They don't seem to have leaking problems.
As a professional, I couldn't agree more. They are a nightmare to fix.Beneful1 wrote: ↑ I'd never buy a house with a flat roof. I've had/have friends with them an no one has escaped having leaks. The house next door to us built in 1958, was a sort of cubist box for its first 40 or so years but the 2nd owners finally gave up and had it redone with a traditional roof and new siding. Looks nothing like it did originally which is a shame because it was really a smart looking modern house. There are a few other houses on the street also built in the late 50s that from the street appear to have flat roofs but they actually do have a very very low pitch shingle roof. They don't seem to have leaking problems.
Good ol' mansard with 16-18 steps from driveway to main level, and the garage entrance to the house is from the basement. Instead of dealing with a leaky flat roof, you now need to deal with sore knees.Jerico wrote: ↑ I think the trend towards these 3 storey boxes in Toronto is ridiculous. They look like the McDonald’s I worked at in high school and I cant unsee it. I understand they are trying to maximize the lot space and stay under a certain required height, but they look ugly. And the flat rooves are just not as good long term as a sloped roof.
The best is some idiot built one in the middle of very rural Drumbo, Ontario pop. 7,400 on a piece of land that could have easily had a much more traditional house. Think about a town that their main intersection is simply a 4 way stop and you might have an idea of the size of this town.
