Philadelphia Row Home Flat Roofs - FAQs
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Philadelphia is well known for streets full of row homes that are distinctive and different from other American home markets like the Midwest. One of the defining characteristics is that row homes tend to have flat roofs, which makes most Philadelphia residential areas a landscape full of tight rows with flat roofs.
At Pace Roofing, we've been installing, replacing, and maintaining the roofs on Philadelphia row homes for 20 years. here are a few of the common questions we get asked from homeowners:
1. What's the best roofing material for my Philadelphia row home's flat roof?
There are many factors to consider when deciding on the best roofing material for your row home's flat roof. The decision will depend on factors such as cost, the local weather, and aesthetics. Your local Philadelphia roofing contractor will be able to help you choose the best one for your home.
Two of the most common flat roof material choices are asphalt and rubber.
Rubber roofs are a good option for flat or low-slope roofing as they're lightweight, and an easy installation without reinforcement. Rubber has several benefits including durability, long life expectancy, ease of repair, and low maintenance costs.
Asphalt roofs are also long-lasting, quick to install, and easy to repair and maintain. They're also one of the lower-cost flat roofing options available.
2. Is metal roofing a good choice for my row home?
Metal roofing is the longest-lasting roofing material for Philadelphia flat roofs - providing it is correctly installed One of the common types of metal roofing installed on Philly row homes is standing seam metal roofing.
It has a lifespan of over 50 years, but it's also the most expensive option. Some of the expense is offset by lower maintenance costs and less chance of needing to replace the roof in your lifetime.
Beware of Philadelphia roofers offering cheaper quotes than average for metal roofing - most of the time it's a false economy. The materials for a metal roof are more expensive, so the roofer will need to recoup some costs by installing the roof quickly and with fewer contractors. This can lead to an incorrectly or badly installed roof - meaning that instead of saving you money, it will cost you almost double in the end.
3. Why can't I have shingles on my flat roof?
Asphalt shingles are a popular roofing choice for many reasons, but they're not suitable for flat or low-pitch roofs, and no Philadelphia roofing contractor worth their salt would give you an estimate for shingles on a flat roof. Here's why:
The steeper the roof's slope, the better shingles will do their job. When a roof is less than 2/12 in pitch, water pools up between the shingles, and can't be drained properly. Which means it has nowhere to go and can begin to seep through your roof.
4. Can I have my Philadelphia row home's flat roof converted to a pitched roof?
It's not completely impossible, but it's also not advised. A pitched roof is not always an easy replacement for a flat one. Pitched roofs are a lot heavier than flat ones, so your roofing contractor would need to have a structural engineer assess the situation.
The first step would be to identify if your existing roof and property structure can support a pitched roof. If it can, then you'd need new roof trusses along with all the other materials for your new roof. In most cases, even if your property can have a pitched roof, the cost of installing that roof will normally outweigh any perceived benefits.
This leads us to question five...
5. Is a pitched roof better than a flat roof?
It's a common misconception that pitched roofs are 'better' than flat roofs, and this has generally been because flat roofs were thought to have a shorter lifespan than your average pitched roof. However, newer roofing materials like metal roofing and EDPM rubber roofing mean that your flat roof in Philadelphia can have a lifespan to rival any pitched roof. The materials a flat roof is made of can withstand wind, so you also don't have to worry about losing shingles or boards.
Add to this the fact that flat roofs are usually quicker and less expensive in labor costs to replace, and flat roofs are not the 'lesser' option they've been perceived to be.
Another common misconception is that rainwater 'can't' drain away, leading to the water pooling on the roof and eventually causing damage. In reality, flat roofs are not completely flat. They have a slight pitch that allows any water to drain away. If your flat roof has water pooling on it, it's a sure sign it needs an inspection. Contact your local Philadelphia roofing contractor straight away. At Pace Roofing, we're available for any emergency roofing services in Philadelphia, 24/7.
Have more questions about replacing or repairing a roof in Philadelphia? Let us answer all of them for you and provide a fast, free estimate at the same time. With 20 years of experience in local Philadelphia roofing services, we are experts at replacing old roofs with new ones that will last many decades to come. Whether you need repairs on an EDPM flat roof or full metal roof installation, contact Pace Roofing today.