Roof Systems
Flat Roofing
Flat roofs fail when water has nowhere to go. We replace and repair low-slope roofs with proper membranes, seams and drainage.
Flat and low-slope roofs are common on additions, garages, porches, row houses and the back sections of older homes. Shingles can't be used on them because water drains too slowly, so they need a continuous membrane instead. Hammerline Roofing installs and repairs low-slope roofing systems and pays as much attention to drainage as to the membrane itself.
Low-slope roofing systems
- EPDM rubber — a single-ply rubber membrane with very few seams, widely used on residential flat roofs.
- TPO — a heat-welded single-ply membrane with a light-colored surface that reflects summer heat.
- Modified bitumen — multi-layer torch-free or self-adhered rolls with a tough granulated cap sheet.
- Tapered insulation — sloped insulation boards that move water toward drains and scuppers instead of letting it pond.
- Flat roof repairs — seam repairs, blister and puncture patches, and new flashing at walls, curbs and drains.
How we approach a flat roof
- Find where the water goes. We look for ponding, staining and soft spots and check every drain, scupper and gutter outlet.
- Choose the membrane. The right system depends on the structure, foot traffic, what's on the roof and your budget.
- Fix the deck and slope. Wet insulation and damaged decking are replaced, and tapered boards are added where ponding is a problem.
- Detail the edges. Walls, curbs and edges get proper flashing and termination bars, since that's where flat roofs usually leak.
Where a flat section meets a sloped roof, we tie the two together so the transition stays watertight. For larger buildings, see commercial roofing.
Good to know
Low-slope roofs reward regular attention. Clearing leaves from drains and scuppers each fall, checking seams after big storms and keeping foot traffic to a minimum all help a membrane last. If a flat roof sits under a deck, planters or air-conditioning equipment, those need to be lifted or protected during replacement, so let us know what's up there before we quote. And if water has been getting in for a while, expect some wet insulation or decking to be replaced; we'll show you what we find before we replace it.
What affects the cost of flat roofing
Flat roof pricing depends on the roof's size, the membrane you choose and what's underneath. If old layers or wet insulation have to come off, or the deck is damaged, that work comes first. Adding tapered insulation to fix ponding costs more but often extends the life of the new roof. The number of penetrations, curbs, drains, walls and edges matters, because each one needs careful flashing. Access also counts: small rooftops reached through tight spaces take longer to work on than open roofs with room for a lift.
Flat Roofing questions
Is a little ponding on a flat roof normal?
Water that's gone within about two days after rain is usually acceptable. Water that sits longer speeds up wear and should be corrected with better drainage or tapered insulation.
Which is better, EPDM or TPO?
Both perform well when installed properly. EPDM has a long track record and few seams, while TPO reflects more heat. We'll recommend one based on your roof.
Can I walk on a flat roof?
Occasional careful foot traffic is fine on most membranes. If you plan to use the roof as a deck, it needs a system and walkway built for that.
Where we offer flat roofing
We provide flat roofing for homeowners in Franklin, Spring Hill and Brentwood. See what to expect in your area:
Let's put a real roof over your head.
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