If there is a complete covering of the roof with small rocks gravel then it is the top layer of a built up flat roof this protects the other layers from damage by hail or storms also people.
Flat roofs with rocks on top.
A built up roof bur sometimes called a tar and gravel.
Once made of tar paper these types of roofs gradually are using more advanced materials such as fiberglass membranes.
Metal specifically aluminum is known for its durability.
Gravel to protect built up roofs.
To weigh down or secure the roofing material as is the case with single ply flat roofs.
Built up roofing bur was the most common type of flat roof before modified bitumen and membrane roofing were developed.
Plus it has the added advantage of reflecting heat from the sun which keeps energy costs down.
Gravel is used on flat roofs for two reasons.
Flat metal roofs can last for almost 35 years in ideal conditions.
If the roof is what is called a ballast roof it is not fastened or adhered down throughout the whole roof.
A wear surface of finely crushed stone granules is usually applied to the top layer of hot tar to protect the built up roof assembly from uv light and weather.
Rocks are placed on commercial flat roofs for many different reasons.
The purpose of stone or gravel ballast on a flat roof it is not unusual to find a gravel top coat on commercial roofing systems.
A bottom layer or two of insulation board multiple intermediate layers of tar or asphalt alternated with layers of roofing felt and a top layer of gravel.
Metal is one of the most popular materials used for flat roof replacement.
There are different types and weights of gravel used on flat roofs for these purposes.
Modified bitumen built up roofing.
Bur consists of many layers.
To protect the underlying layer of roofing materials as is the case with built up roofs burs.