A curb-mounted HVAC unit on a low-slope roof.

Roof Curb

Component – A curb is a raised frame for a rooftop penetration that supports equipment and elevates it above the roof surface.

What Is a Roof Curb

Roof curbs are typically built with wood or metal that extends vertically around an opening in the roof. Roof curbs are most commonly used beneath rooftop equipment such as HVAC units, skylights and roof hatches. By elevating the penetration above the roof surface, the curb creates a vertical surface that can be flashed and waterproofed more reliably than the equipment itself.

While curbs appear on both steep-slope and low-slope roofs, they are most common on low-slope commercial roofs where large rooftop equipment must be integrated into the roof system.

Because curbs surround large openings in the roof, the flashing protecting them is a common source of leaks. Standing water or failed flashing at the curb can allow water into the roof system.

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