Research thumbs up for flat roofs

Fears that flat roofs leak are unfounded, according to the British Flat Roofing Council which has just completed a three-year study into flat roofs in collaboration with Napier University of Edinburgh.

The study is claimed to be the most widespread survey on flat roofing ever undertaken in Europe and is centred around physical surveys of 600 local-authority-owned flat roofs in Scotland and the East Midlands.

The study said that certain types of flat roof could have a life expectancy of more than 25 years and that, provided drainage and external damage is checked, very little other maintenance is required on modern membranes.