Flat roofs are a mainstay of commercial roofing – in Cleveland and all across the country. But did you know that they are not truly flat?
Don’t worry, there are no conspiracy theories involved! It is just a simple question of physics (if you can call anything having to do with physics simple!).
The Facts on Flat Roofs
As the helpful folks at The Spruce explain, “Flat roofing is not actually flat; it has a very low slope—between 1/4 to 1/2 inch per foot—so that it drains water.”
Of course, that minimal slope doesn’t drain water as quickly or effectively as say the typical shingle roofs you see on homes throughout Cleveland; and it certainly doesn’t shed snow in any great hurry. That’s why it is very important to consider the material being used in the construction of a flat roof.
Today’s flat roofs are made with materials, like EPDM Rubber, designed to stay watertight and provide ongoing protection from rain, snow and whatever else Mother Nature might throw at us.
The Flat Truth About Our Round Planet
Pythagoras,a Greek philosopher who made important developments in mathematics, astronomy and the theory of music during his lifetime (he lived from about 570 B.C. to 490 B.C.), is usually considered the first person to put forth the theory that the Earth was round. He didn’t actually have any proof, he just believed the sphere was the most perfect shape and so, naturally, that’s what the gods would have chosen.
“Possibly the first to propose a spherical Earth based on actual physical evidence was Aristotle (384-322 B.C.), who listed several arguments for a spherical Earth: ships disappear hull first when they sail over the horizon, Earth casts a round shadow on the moon during a lunar eclipse, and different constellations are visible at different latitudes,” the experts at the American Physical Society (that’s “physical” as in “physics”) tell us.
We are not historians or experts in physics, but we do know about flat roofs and other types of the other types of commercial roofing appropriate for use in Calgary. Give us a call at 403-604-9413 if you have questions we can help with or request a quote.
