Flat Roof - And Asbestos
We have a rental we are about to put on the market. The house is older and will have better curb appeal with fresh paint, shutters, and a few plant changes...but the flat roof is a major detractor. Is there anything I can do to make it look better? Old Spanish houses have low "walls" around the tops of theirs, but this house doesn't have the architechure to let that pass.
Also, would it be better to cover up the asbesos siding with vinyl siding? It would look better, but more $$ OOP.
This is the only flat roof in the neighborhood, not the ugliest house but not the prettiest, either.
Thanks in advance for any ideas you can offer!
-Grey
Hi Lady Grey,
Its a matter of doing the math.....
Depending on the style house you have....you may be able to put up a low pitch trussed roof w/ regular shingles.
Siding issue is the same....comes down to how much it cost versus the return that could be yielded.
I would get estimates from a contractor and then speak with a RE agent about such a scenario.
NC
I have lots of flat roof houses. Never even though about it, except if you are trying to install central heat and air or trying to replumb. It will cost much money to change the roof. Just look the other way and move on.
Brenda
How about a large tree to break up the flat roof line?
Cheaper than a roof reconfigure.
Paint the fascia with a mildly contrasting color that warms it up, but isn't unrelentingly garish and draws a critical eye directly to it.
NC_Yank:
You'll find a fire hose in Hades quicker than a qualified roofer with a short backlog in FL.
[addsig]
Thank you for all of your suggestions. Here's a link to a photo of the property (because a photo helps in a million ways):
http://server2.uploadit.org/files/greyghost-bothpics.jpg
The bottom one (in blue) is the best idea I can come up with. It does involve changing the windows out to the insulated ones at home depot, repainting, and adding a fixed structure porch to the front door. I'm trying to figure out how to make that little peak not create leaks where it intersects with the current roof.
>The bottom one (in blue) is the best idea I can come up with. ........
>I'm trying to figure out how to make that little peak not create leaks where it intersects with the current roof.
>
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That's kind of an interesting idea. I think you'll want to stay off the roof with it, and build it up against the facia. Close in the back gable of that little porch roof and flash it, embedding your flashing in roofing tar. Silicone the juncture before you apply flashing. Then, either let the rain run off it flat or build up a small cricket with roofing tar and gravel to make run-off. (just trowel it on).
Frankly, I'm seldom in favor of building against the facia but this is a small and low structure. Be sure to fasten into rafters and not just the facia board. I favor bolts and metal connectors over nails and screws whenever the weight doesn't transfer directly to earth.
Btw, that's a cool rendition. How'd you doctor the pic?
And yeah, the place could use a nice tree in front.
Thanks for the tips on the flashing. Thankfully, the roof's miniscule slope does take it toward the back of the house, so that will help with runoff, too.
I doctored the pic in photoshop - I'm a graphic artist by trade, so it's kinda fun.
House definitely needs a tree - I planted a young crepe myrtle and a Bradford pear - but both are so young you can't see them in the photo! I should post a photo of how bad the place used to look. What you see is actually quite an improvement already.
Quote:That's kind of an interesting idea. I think you'll want to stay off the roof with it, and build it up against the facia. Close in the back gable of that little porch roof and flash it, embedding your flashing in roofing tar. Silicone the juncture before you apply flashing. Then, either let the rain run off it flat or build up a small cricket with roofing tar and gravel to make run-off. (just trowel it on).
Btw, that's a cool rendition. How'd you doctor the pic?
And yeah, the place could use a nice tree in front.