Three Fascinating Facts About Flat Roofs

Daniel Bracewell • 28 February 2022

Flat roofing has become an increasingly popular solution to provide a versatile, stylish and unique type of roof covering, which thanks to the work of flat roof specialists is also strong, robust and leak-proof.

Because of the complex engineering quirks that allow flat roofs to exist, here are three fascinating facts about flat roofs you might not have heard about.

Flat Roofs Are Not Technically Flat

Here is a fact that can be shocking to some; flat roofs are not, despite their name, flat at all, and according to building regulations requirements can never be entirely flat.

The reason for this is pretty fascinating and important, however. Flat roofs, despite looking completely level to the naked eye, will have a very slight slope to allow for water to run off whenever it rains.

This is vital, as without this slight, imperceptible slope, water can start to pool on the roof, increasing the stress on the roof surface and potentially causing leaks and other damage.

This is one of the reasons why a flat roof should be installed and maintained by a specialist to ensure your flat roof lasts for many years without issues.

Bird Droppings Are A Common Cause Of Roof Damage

On many surfaces, bird droppings are a nasty nuisance and rather unpleasant to clean up. However, on a flat roof, it can cause considerable and costly damage.

The main reason for this is uric acid which if left to its own devices can erode through plastics, vinyl and even tiles and slates.

As well as this, it can in some cases cause the deposit of seeds which can grow and block drains.

The Main Reason Why Offices Have Flat Roofs

One of the big appeals to a flat roof is that unlike a traditional sloped roof you have a usable space at the top of a building. Some have found rather elaborate benefits such as adding rooftop gardens, bars and patios.

However, the most popular reason why flat roofs appeal to business property owners is that the rooftop can be used as an efficient mounting point for solar panels, air conditioning units and heat pumps.

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Can You Install Solar Panels On A Flat Roof?

by Daniel Bracewell • 10 December 2025

If you’re exploring how to lower your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint, you may be looking at the likes of solar panels for your home. But what if your property has a flat roof rather than a pitched roof? Can you still install solar panels on a flat roof? The short answer is yes, you can! In fact, it is often easier to install solar panels on a flat roof than it is to fit them to a sloped roof, which might make this an even more appealing avenue to explore when you’re looking at flat roof ideas . In many cases, you also don’t need planning permission to install solar panels on your flat roof. Of course, there are exceptions if you have a listed building or live in a conservation area, but if you own your house (different rules apply for flats too), you should be free to add solar panels to your home as you choose. There are different kinds of mounting systems for flat roof solar panels and which is most appropriate for your home will depend on the direction it faces. It is worth noting that the cost of installing solar panels is often higher on flat roofs because of the mounting system, but some of this can be offset by the lower labour costs because the installation process is usually more straightforward. One of the main reasons homeowners install solar panels is to reduce their energy bills. Many report savings of hundreds of pounds each year, which means these panels often pay for themselves relatively quickly. What’s more, under the Smart Export Guarantee , you can sell any energy you don’t use back to the National Grid, which can increase the rate at which your investment in solar panels pays for itself. So, if you are exploring ways to make the most of your flat roof, consider solar panels as an option to reduce your energy bills and do good for the environment.