Question 1

Why does water sit on my Calgary flat roof for days?

Accepted Answer

Ponding water on a flat roof almost always comes down to one of three things: inadequate slope, blocked or undersized drains, or a membrane that has sagged because the insulation beneath it has compressed or gotten wet.

Why Flat Roofs Pond in Calgary

Truly flat roofs are rare. Most are built with a slight slope (typically 1 in 50, or about 2%) toward interior drains or scuppers at the parapet wall. When water sits for more than 48 hours after rain or snowmelt, something is preventing it from

Question 2

What warranty comes with an SBS flat roof in Alberta?

Accepted Answer

Flat roof warranties in Calgary typically come in three layers, and knowing which one applies to your situation can save a significant dispute later.

The Three Warranties on an SBS Flat Roof

Manufacturer's material warranty covers defects in the SBS modified bitumen membrane itself, usually 10 to 20 years depending on the product line and the number of plies. Most manufacturers require a certified installer and a registered installation to activate the full term; if the crew is not on the man

Question 3

Why are flat roofs common on new Calgary infills?

Accepted Answer

Flat and low-slope roofs show up on Calgary infills almost by necessity, not by preference. The City of Calgary's narrow infill lots, combined with its rules on maximum building height and setbacks, leave builders very little room to work with. A pitched roof on a two-storey infill can easily push the ridge above the permitted height limit, so a flat or low-slope profile is often the only way to get the square footage the market demands while staying within the envelope the city allows.

Why th

Question 4

Does a white roof membrane make sense for a Calgary home?

Accepted Answer

White and light-coloured membranes are a reasonable choice for Calgary flat roofs, but the climate here tilts the math differently than it does in warmer cities, and it's worth understanding why before you commit.

What a white membrane actually does in Calgary

A white or light-coloured TPO membrane reflects solar radiation rather than absorbing it, which reduces cooling loads in summer. In hot, sunny climates that benefit is substantial. Calgary sits at about 1,045 metres elevation with inten

Flat & Low-Slope Roofs

Why does water sit on my Calgary flat roof for days?

What warranty comes with an SBS flat roof in Alberta?

Why are flat roofs common on new Calgary infills?

Does a white roof membrane make sense for a Calgary home?