pebbles in flat roofs of buildings, why is it used?
The roof of a building can be of several types. One of them is the one known as a flat roof, which in turn can be of two types: walkable and non-walkable. The first is the one that has a protective layer that allows one or more people to move around, or as its name suggests, walk across it. The second also has protection. Only the type of protection it has is not suitable for walking on it. The protections for non-walkable roofs are varied, and one of the most widely used is the gravel protection layer, or pebbles. Find out what its characteristics are and why it is used.
Non-walkable roofs of pebbles
When it is said that a non-walkable roof has a protective layer of gravel or small stones, what it really means is that this gravel is made up of pebbles. This type of layer is one of the most widely used on roofs where traffic is not allowed, although they do need to allow a certain level of access for repairs to be carried out. That is why, among other things, this material is used as a covering on this type of roof
But pebbles roofs have a very specific function in this type of building finish: to protect the thermal insulation boards on the roofs. If these were exposed, they would run the risk of being sucked up and lifted from their position by the wind. As a result, the building would lose its insulation at the top and the upper floors would not be protected against cold and heat. They could even suffer from damp. That said, gravel roofs cannot be created with just any type of pebble. They must have specific dimensions and appearance, as we will see below.
What are the pebbles used on flat roofs like?
The pebbles that are placed as protection forming a layer over the roof are not very large. Generally, their diameter is usually between 1.6 and 3.2 millimeters. That said, they are not very thin. Their minimum thickness must be five centimeters.
These stones also cannot be placed on roofs as they are collected. They must first be properly treated, although the treatment required for the stones that will form the gravel is neither excessive nor costly. It is enough to wash them thoroughly with water. That said, any water will not do: it must be completely free of salt. In addition, when placing them, precautions must be taken so that plants or weeds do not grow between the stones. To achieve this, it is necessary to install a specific layer that prevents root growth and weeds between the pebbles.
As for the color of the gravel on this type of roof, which despite being called flat roofs have a very slight slope (between 1% and 5% incline), they are usually rounded, and in many cases they have at least one flattened side. As for their color, it can be white, reddish, or yellowish. These are the pebbles that, among other products, can be obtained from quarries specialized in sourcing components for the protection of flat roofs, such as Vetonek. So, if you need to cover a roof with a layer of gravel, don't hesitate and get in touch with them!
