Why Do Some Buildings Have Tires On The Roof

Myths have been created surrounding these tires on the roof.

Why do some buildings have tires on the roof.

Have you ever wondered why contractors install gravel on flat roofs. Commercial roofs are flat roofs because they are much more cost effective compared to pitched roofs. Landlords also may opt not to pay the higher insurance costs that come with allowing roof access. Getty images everyone in new york craves more fresh air and sunlight but most of us can t afford apartments with tons of outdoor space.

Nyc roof access laws mean that some buildings can t allow tenants to use their roofs. I suspect that mobile homes need the tires to weight the roof from being blown loose in a high wind. My wife asked me this question. The purpose of gravel on a flat roof.

Some are obviously metal roofs. There must be a specific reason as home beautification can t be the idea. It would be interesting to trace the history of the practice. Yesterday i saw a mobile home with a bunch of tires scattered on its roof.

I pondered the reason and wondered if perhaps winds could cause a mobile home roof to resonate or something. The weight of the tires prevent the rumbling. And the same may hold true for other structures with metal roofs especially older buildings homes where the roofing nails may no longer be firmly embedded in the wood rafters. Seeing as how i am ignorant of all trailer park living why do people do that.

Also as others have said it does put a additional weight on some of the metal roofs making them quieter metal roofs on any buildings expand contract with changes in temperature trailer roofs are especially vunerable because of their shape insulation that is in very close proximity of the roof itself. But over the past 36 hours i ve seen several more homes with tires on their roof and most of them weren t mobile homes. On many flat roof low slope commercial buildings it s common to see gravel on top of the roof. If the roof skinning was fastened to each truss across the top of the roof you d eventually have leaks roof galore.

Gravel is used on flat roofs for two reasons. Because the skinning is not fastened across the top of the roof it tends to rumble whenever a good wind blows up. In our travels especially in rural areas my wife and i have noticed a lot of trailer homes have tires on the roof. It s part of the charm of rural life.