Chippings should only be used on roofs at less than 10 as complete adhesion at steeper pitched is not possible.
Why put stone chippings on a flat roof.
However the chippings can move around or conceal defects in the roof and should not be walked on as they may puncture the membrane.
I have a ground floor extension on my house which has a flat bitumen roof it is well waterproof but is black has small puddles after rain as it can be looked down on from that side of the house looks rather unsightly so i am thinking of giving it a layer of small stones or gravel.
Because flat roofs are more vulnerable to wind uplift than a pitched roof if the gravel is not there to weigh it down then the nails fastening the material to the timber are the only things that stand between your roof and mother nature.
To protect the underlying layer of roofing materials as is the case with built up roofs burs.
There are different types and weights of gravel used on flat roofs for these purposes.
The chips act as a barrier between non solar reflective felt and the sun basically help prolong its life span of the felt if its green mineral on your new roof you will not have to chip it as the minerals are solar reflective.
To weigh down or secure the roofing material as is the case with single ply flat roofs.
Built up roofs or burs also called a tar and gravel roof is a well established and popular style of flat roof that is made up of alternating layers of roofing felt or fiberglass and asphalt that is applied with heat which combine to make a long lasting sturdy roofing system.
Deep enough so you can t see any roof through them.
They slow down water run off increase surface area so the roof dries quicker and prevent sunlight reaching the felt causing it to crack.
Builders merchants for chippings ask for flat roof chippings.
Gravel to protect built up roofs.
Chippings can be used provide a ballast layer to help hold down the roof surface in exposed locations.
Gravel is used on flat roofs for two reasons.