NewStats: 3,261,888 , 8,175,462 topics. Date: Friday, 30 May 2025 at 09:57 PM 1z2f4c

Hello pro builders in the house. I will be starting my building project soon and I have been thinking about roof designs. Personally, I like the feel of flat roofs. But I had lived in a house that leaked heavily (just decking, no roofs). And this has given me reason to rethink.

The typical roof designs in Nigeria are pitched. Is this because of our weather? Is it more expensive or cheaper in the long run?

The idea for a flat roof is because I intend having a vegetable garden on the roof and of course DIY solar assemblies. Will this decision cost me more in the long run? And yes, I have limited funds

Infact, this is the discussion I was having with a friend and his architect this morning. My friend wanted an open deck instead of a pitched aluminum roof but the architect was discouraging him saying such design is not good in the South, not in vogue and leaking issues. But my guy is so sure of what he wants.
To me, I believe it can be done by making sure that the deck is slanted slightly such that water will run off easily and possibly tiled. But I am not an expert I will like to hear from those who should know. A lot of experts are here so guys do justice to this topic.

[quote author=wiseguy post=55804638][/quote] Exactly, this is not a question of the design looking good. It looks very pleasing in my eyes. I think the experts in the house will have something to say.

Having a concrete slabbed roof is dicey but not impossible. It has to be taken care of greatly.

Firstly the concrete mix has to be very good. in fact it's better to buy ready mix concrete.

Aggregates used should be very small sized

Additives should be used. There are Additives that can be used to seal and prevent water from percolating.

Roof must be designed in such a way that it doesn't retain water AT ALL.

Bituminous felt or rubber felt should be applied. Very important.

KolaShangOne:
Having a concrete slabbed roof is dicey but not impossible. It has to be taken care of greatly.
Bituminous felt or rubber felt should be applied. Very important.

That last part is what they use mostly in this part of the world for many roof including the concrete roof as a water sealant.

Hajji M.

KolaShangOne:


Bituminous felt or rubber felt should be applied. Very important.

Overall, is it cheaper or "much" more expensive than a pitched roof?

INDESTRUCTABLEX:

Overall, is it cheaper or "much" more expensive than a pitched roof?

I will say much more expensive o. We are talking about decking and other treatments.

Hajji M.

mufutau55:


I will say much more expensive o. We are talking about decking and other treatments.

Hajji M.

Kai. And I was so into growing vegetables on the roof. I am a space junkie, sorry.

mufutau55:


That last part is what they use mostly in this part of the world for many roof including the concrete roof as a water sealant.

Hajji M.

Good to know sir.

it's the best if done very well. Lasts a life time.

mufutau55:


I will say much more expensive o. We are talking about decking and other treatments.

Hajji M.

Hajji..

The cost should be comparative. A little bit more or less or equal.

KolaShangOne:

Hajji..

The cost should be comparative. A little bit more or less or equal.

My decking cost was not any close when I did mine o.
But then you may be right.

Hajji M.

KolaShangOne:

Hajji..

The cost should be comparative. A little bit more or less or equal.

My decking cost was not any close to my roofing when I did mine o.
But then you may be right.

Hajji M.

mufutau55:


My decking cost was not any close when I did mine o.
But then you may be right.

Hajji M.

we just competed a roof with Tilcor stone coated tiles. Woodwork and Tiles cost about 4.6million naira..

A deck of the house will cost less than that..

KolaShangOne:


we just competed a roof with Tilcor stone coated tiles. Woodwork and Tiles cost about 4.6million naira..

A deck of the house will cost less than that..

What's building dimension? And what's the area of the roof?

KolaShangOne:

we just competed a roof with Tilcor stone coated tiles. Woodwork and Tiles cost about 4.6million naira..

A deck of the house will cost less than that..

Only rich people uses that kind of roofing o.
I am sure if OP can afford that he won't be asking the question. I am in the kobo-kobo corner o.

Hajji M.

mufutau55:

I am in the kobo-kobo corner o.

Hajji M.

Hahaha. I can afford it if it's not very expensive and won't give me problems in the future.

INDESTRUCTABLEX:

Hahaha. I can afford it if it's not very expensive and won't give me problems in the future.

Ok then. I think you should be abke to do it... just include those preparations to weather seal it.
Please keep us updated. Thank you.

Hajji M.

INDESTRUCTABLEX:
Hello pro builders in the house. I will be starting my building project soon and I have been thinking about roof designs. Personally, I like the feel of flat roofs. But I had lived in a house that leaked heavily (just decking, no roofs). And this has given me reason to rethink.

The typical roof designs in Nigeria are pitched. Is this because of our weather? Is it more expensive or cheaper in the long run?

The idea for a flat roof is because I intend having a vegetable garden on the roof and of course DIY solar assemblies. Will this decision cost me more in the long run? And yes, I have limited funds

Hello guys,

I love this discussion.

I stand for flat roofs over pitch any day any time. But i prefer to use a different technique to dodge concrete slabs in a flat roof as much as possible.

What I do is I make the roof parapet high enough that it can accommodate the slope of a flat aluminium roof in a way it Is still not visible from the outside. It depends on the design of the house and hence the roof design. So in most cases it comprises of;

A flat sloping roof to one or 2 directions covered with long span aluminium roofing sheet

Gutters that drains the runoff water from in-between the alu minium roof and the concrete parapet

Gutters should be treated with water sealants

Drain pipes to channel runoff water from the roof to the waste water system.

I guess with this it's a problem solved. No need to bother about the disadvantages of decking.

I hope this helps.

Regards,

Arc. Efe

EfeEj:


Hello guys,

I love this discussion.

I stand for flat roofs over pitch any day any time. But i prefer to use a different technique to dodge concrete slabs in a flat roof as much as possible.

What I do is I make the roof parapet high enough that it can accommodate the slope of a flat aluminium roof in a way it Is still not visible from the outside. It depends on the design of the house and hence the roof design. So in most cases it comprises of;

A flat sloping roof to one or 2 directions covered with long span aluminium roofing sheet

Gutters that drains the runoff water from in-between the alu minium roof and the concrete parapet

Gutters should be treated with water sealants

Drain pipes to channel runoff water from the roof to the waste water system.

I guess with this it's a problem solved. No need to bother about the disadvantages of decking.

I hope this helps.

Regards,

Arc. Efe

WE did something like that here on this project.

In fact you can collect water and it through drains in the pipes embedded in the columns as we did here.

After the deck, we applied felt (bitumen) on the parapet wall and controlled flow into the drain pipes..

KolaShangOne:


WE did something like that here on this project.

In fact you can collect water and it through drains in the pipes embedded in the columns as we did here.

After the deck, we applied felt (bitumen) on the parapet wall and controlled flow into the drain pipes..

This is BRILLIANT!!!

EfeEj:


Hello guys,

I love this discussion.

I stand for flat roofs over pitch any day any time. But i prefer to use a different technique to dodge concrete slabs in a flat roof as much as possible.

What I do is I make the roof parapet high enough that it can accommodate the slope of a flat aluminium roof in a way it Is still not visible from the outside. It depends on the design of the house and hence the roof design. So in most cases it comprises of;

A flat sloping roof to one or 2 directions covered with long span aluminium roofing sheet

Gutters that drains the runoff water from in-between the alu minium roof and the concrete parapet

Gutters should be treated with water sealants

Drain pipes to channel runoff water from the roof to the waste water system.

I guess with this it's a problem solved. No need to bother about the disadvantages of decking.

I hope this helps.

Regards,

Arc. Efe

but you won't be able to lounge on the roof with the aluminium roof. can you please put a picture

mikolo80:
but you won't be able to lounge on the roof with the aluminium roof. can you please put a picture

There's a technique I know of that solves this decking leakage. It involves the use of propane gas with a burner like what you see in fire extinguishers and neoprene sheets of say 4mm thickness. The idea is to heat these sheets and have them stick to the roof permanently. Most Control Buildings with decked roofs are done this way.

I may not be exact with the material name but I sure will pull up some records.

pacino26:


There's a technique I know of that solves this decking leakage. It involves the use of propane gas with a burner like what you see in fire extinguishers and neoprene sheets of say 4mm thickness. The idea is to heat these sheets and have them stick to the roof permanently. Most Control Buildings with decked roofs are done this way.

I may not be exact with the material name but I sure will pull up some records.

I know there's always a way. I'm just trying to visualise your roofing sheet parapet set up.

Ok

mikolo80:
I know there's always a way. I'm just trying to visualise your roofing sheet parapet set up.

It's usually beautiful. . Seen it done in four stations I worked on.

ok

My suggestions as follows

If he has d money, it is very cool. For the issue of leakage can easily b taken care of . But gonna b costler than pitch roof.

There is a way u construct the roof without the normal deck and won't b vsisible, yet will look just like the way u wanted it. Is all about creativity..

Am a young qualified project manager (trained builder). I reside in Abuja and geographically mobile. I can help with the supervision of the actual construction work while u takia of the material buying aspect of it. For ur own benefit of quality job, is very importance u use a professional. 08131109592

Alrty

Quotation for Shingles design(plain black)

Roofing 270sqm*3,100=837,000

ACCESSORIES.

ridges caps 60mtr*1400=84,000
Bash board 3mtrs*1300=3,900
valley gutter 19m*1600=30,400
Facial cover 3m*1700=5,100
Nails 3set(15kg)*6500=19,500
Finishing kits 2set*5000=10,000
Installation 270sqm*200=54,000


Grand Total=1,043,900

Site Location: Command Ipaja.. Lagos State..
Call/WhatsApp 08085310359 For your next Roofing Project

money121:
Quotation for Shingles design(plain black)

Roofing 270sqm*3,100=837,000

ACCESSORIES.

ridges caps 60mtr*1400=84,000
Bash board 3mtrs*1300=3,900
valley gutter 19m*1600=30,400
Facial cover 3m*1700=5,100
Nails 3set(15kg)*6500=19,500
Finishing kits 2set*5000=10,000
Installation 270sqm*200=54,000


Grand Total=1,043,900

Site Location: Command Ipaja.. Lagos State..
Call/WhatsApp 08085310359 For your next Roofing Project

Guys, we need pictures.

Some of us need visual representation to drive home your explanations.