This paper reports on the experimental and numerical analysis of a building element a flat roof that incorporates phase change material (PCM) as a layer. First, a planar model of the building element of 50 cm by 50 cm surface area was constructed in laboratory conditions to be used in the experimental work. During the experiment, changes in the thermal balance were investigated by temperature and volumetric flow rate measurements, as well as observation of the phase change interface. Next, the experimental measurements were used to validate a numerical computer fluid dynamics (CFD) model for simulation purposes. The model is one-dimensional and is based on the first law of thermodynamics. Finally, a time-dependent simulation for summer conditions was performed using the climatic data of Istanbul. The thickness of the PCM inside the roof element was investigated accordingly. The simulation data showed the solid/liquid phase of PCM overtime. Monthly graphs were drawn for ease of comparison of the use of PCM with thicknesses varying between 1 and 5 cm. Consequently, a PCM thickness of 2 cm was found to be suitable for use in flat roofs in Istanbul. (c) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.