The indispensable guide to planning designing and constructing flat roofsoften described as the fifth facade the flat roof is extremely popular with architects Its essential task is to shelter the space beneath it from the elements Beyond this the use of flat roofs may be optimized by integrating them as green roofs roof terraces circulation areas and even productive solar roofs In practice however their correct and professional realization is a highly exacting task in addition to providing the planner with basic rules of construction and design the Flat Roof Manual also supplies an overview of the use and construction types as well as the standard assemblies for flat roofs Together with the most important standards and bodies of regulations construction drawings of the principal connection points round out the volume A planning primer on the construction materials and building physics of flat roofs In depth presentation of individual roofing layers and design types Flat roofs as usable surfaces Renovating flat roofs With reference details for roof structures and mountings as a practical basis for planning Construction approaches illustrated with built examples