Thanks for everyone's feedback. Seems like there is an overall negative feeling towards flat roofs. Definitely something to consider. Thanks all.

don't do it!

commercial and residential flat roofs are not built the same. you will need someone that specializes in residential flat roofs for repair and install. as others have said, its all about the installation.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The vast majority of DC rowhouses (Petworth, Capitol Hill, Shaw, Columbia Heights) have flat roofs, and we all manage just fine. Get a roof inspection.

Our rowhouse on the Hill has a 100 year metal roof with about 80 years left. It is super easy to maintain--just paint it withe some white roof pair every 3-5 years. And the paint goes on in a few hours with a roller and doesn't require a ladder because there is a hatch and we can just stand on the roof. We love it.

OP here. Thanks for the feedback. Part of my issue is there is no roof access. It doesn't have an attic or a hatch. The roof is made of rubber membrane and is technically low sloped, not completely flat. Don't know if that makes a difference. I know many things can go "wrong" with a house. I'm just wondering if a flat roof is worth avoiding if I liked the home.

Thanks again everyone!

It is not more expensive to replace than a shingle roof. False. We have a flat roof. They should indeed be replaced every ten years, but at a much lower cost than a shingle roof.

And I've read that a metal roof is even more durable than either. Why on earth would you replace it?

90%+ of all the commercial buildings in the country have flat roofs. Get it inspected and if it was built properly, you'll be fine.

I hate flat roofs. Had all kinds of problems.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The vast majority of DC rowhouses (Petworth, Capitol Hill, Shaw, Columbia Heights) have flat roofs, and we all manage just fine. Get a roof inspection.

Our rowhouse on the Hill has a 100 year metal roof with about 80 years left. It is super easy to maintain--just paint it withe some white roof pair every 3-5 years. And the paint goes on in a few hours with a roller and doesn't require a ladder because there is a hatch and we can just stand on the roof. We love it.

sounds terrible, who in their right mind would do that. Rip that crap off and put on regular shingles.

Shingles on a low slope roof are not a good idea.

Anonymous wrote:The vast majority of DC rowhouses (Petworth, Capitol Hill, Shaw, Columbia Heights) have flat roofs, and we all manage just fine. Get a roof inspection.

Those are generally low slope, not flat. There's a big difference.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The vast majority of DC rowhouses (Petworth, Capitol Hill, Shaw, Columbia Heights) have flat roofs, and we all manage just fine. Get a roof inspection.

Our rowhouse on the Hill has a 100 year metal roof with about 80 years left. It is super easy to maintain--just paint it withe some white roof pair every 3-5 years. And the paint goes on in a few hours with a roller and doesn't require a ladder because there is a hatch and we can just stand on the roof. We love it.

sounds terrible, who in their right mind would do that. Rip that crap off and put on regular shingles.