Modernist or Mid-Century Modern Home? Add a Flat Roof

Do you own a modernist or mid-century modern home? If so, your architectural choices are even more important to the style's success than for most homes. And one choice that can add a big bang for your architectural buck is a flat roof. Why? Discover a few of the many reasons modern-style houses call out for flat roofs. 



No Traditional Slopes

Ask any child what a house looks like and they will draw a traditional sloped roof. However, many modernist homeowners prefer to subvert this expectation and create something more artistic and unique. One of the easiest ways to do so is to remove the roof slopes that create a large part of the home's visual footprint. The roof seems to disappear, allowing the other features of the modernist home to stand out better.

Getting rid of those slopes also means you do not have to worry about how the different roofing materials—such as tiles, shingles of various colors, or metal roofing—will affect your aesthetic. The flat roof's surface remains largely unseen.

Hidden Drainage Systems

Every roof needs drainage to prevent snow, ice, and rainwater from pooling on top and damaging it. So, flat roofs do have drainage features built into their design. But unlike traditional roofs, these elements are generally invisible. Flat roof drainage is managed through things like optimizing a slope up to 14 degrees, building up low areas to avoid ponding, and built-in drainage piping to the ground.

Your home, then, doesn't need a highly visible gutter and downspout system that could alter the minimal and futuristic look you want. Even adjustments for water management such as building up low spots are invisible to the viewer on the ground. 

Lack of Eaves

Another expected support element on most roofs is the eave. An eave is simply an overhanging section of roofing material that extends beyond the exterior walls. Flat roofs don't use eaves as part of their support structure. While the eaves can serve a practical purpose—especially in wet and wintry Pacific Northwest conditions—losing them gives modern home owners a chance to be more creative. 

Invisible Support Features

Flat roofs don't make use of the common support beams and rafters that hold up sloped roofs. This is a huge win for those who want a clean, minimalist, or surprising architectural look for their house. Nothing will get in the way of the unobstructed lines, interesting angles, and unique shapes of this style of house.

While you do miss out on the additional space underneath traditional roof attics, you can build extra storage or living space right up to the flat roof itself.

No Visible Protrusions

Finally, flat roof owners have more control over what sticks up through their roof. Sloped roofs have many protrusions that break up the roof line. These include dormers, gables, vents, flashing, and skylights. Many of these are necessary to create the necessary angles and slopes as well as to manage ventilation and humidity in the attic.

Your flat roof, though, doesn't have many of these problems. Protrusions that change the look of the roof are minimized. And those that are needed are often hidden from ground view by the nature of the flat roof. 

Could a flat roof be the final touch on your mid-century modern or modernist house? Find out by meeting with the team at Diamond Roofers LLP. We specialize in flat and low slope roofing designed specifically for the unique conditions in the Greater Puget Sound area. Call today to make an appointment, get an assessment of your roof, or discuss your goals and needs for a flat roof.