When it comes to expanding your living space with a single-storey home extension, the type of roof you choose has a big impact on its overall look and feel, both inside and out. While traditional pitched roofs are still a common and beautiful choice, flat roofs are becoming increasingly popular for single-storey extensions due to their unique benefits.
Here’s why a flat roof might be the perfect choice for your extension:
Flat roofs are a common feature in modern architecture. Their simple form and clean lines give a contemporary feel which can either complement or contrast with the design of your existing property.
When you swap the sloping ceilings of a pitched roof for a flat one, you gain more headroom without getting in the way of second-storey windows. This is advantageous for open-plan layouts as it contributes to a much larger and airier feel. It can also be great for including high level storage.
The huge benefit of single-storey constructions is that they allow for top-level daylighting, bringing natural light into the heart of deep spaces. Roof lanterns are a popular and impactful choice for flat roof designs, adding extra height to a room to make it feel more spacious. Usually available in standard and bespoke sizes, these often feature an aluminium frame with double or triple glazing. They can also be fitted with LED light strips along the base, making it a light feature itself and adding drama both inside and out when the sun goes down.
Flat roofs are typically more cost-effective than pitched as they require fewer materials and follow a simpler installation process. Of course, just because they are cheaper does not mean sacrificing quality. It is vital to choose a flat roofing system that uses quality materials, has been properly tested, and that is designed with the right falls to ensure effective drainage.
Recognising the huge benefits of flat roofs on single-storey extensions, we set out to develop a solution that offered the same quality and systematic installation process as our existing pitched Guardian Warm Roof. After months of development, testing, and trialling, we are thrilled to now offer the Guardian Flat Roof.
It features a timber beam and firing system with plywood external deck board, bespoke insulation layers, and battens. It is finished with internal foil-backed insulated plasterboard. This can be covered with a range of membranes, as suitable for the project.
The system achieves leading thermal performance with a U-Value of 0.10 W/m²K, which has been verified by testing by the BRE (Building Research Establishment Ltd). The body also assessed its condensation risk and found that there is no year-on-year build-up of moisture, and no indication of interstitial condensation, even in the more severe climates.
The Guardian Flat Roof is also compatible with the Guardian Roof Lantern— a stylish, thermally-broken roof lantern.
