Whether you are building a new home, or you are considering to convert flat roof to pitched roof or the other way around, you should check on all the options you have.
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Style or design, cost, and maintenance are some of the most important factors you should take into consideration.
If the roof is for your main house or a shed in your backyard, it is best to consult with an expert such as local roofing contractor who will be able to provide you with recommendations and professional advice.
Depending on your taste, a flat roof and a pitched roof could both be stylish. However, the most important thing to consider is the durability of the roof.
After all, your home’s roof gives protection for you and your family and must be able to maintain its function amidst varying weather conditions. Furthermore, you expect your roof to be able to last through the years without the need for replacement.
CHOICE OF STYLE AND MATERIALS
There are endless designs to choose from if you decide on going for a pitched roof. Materials may also go anywhere from metal to asphalt shingles and a whole lot more.
A flat roof is basically flat with not much style to choose from. It is available in painted or sprayed designs made with polyurethane foam, single-ply or built-up. Furthermore, a flat roof pitch has no slope.
While you can expect rainwater just to slide down the slope of a pitched roof, rain may be retained on a flat roof. This requires more attention to drainage systems on the roof which should also be designed professionally as well.
Unless you are working on the roof of a small shed in your backyard, you can probably experiment with building the roof on your own. Otherwise, consulting with an expert would be your best choice.
In addition, if you’re going for a contemporary-style home, a flat roof is a key feature, but you can settle with a very low slope on a pitched roof built over a sloping flat roof truss.
COST-EFFECTIVENESS: FLAT ROOF VS. PITCHED ROOF
There are various roofing calculators you can find online, and most roofing contractors may also provide you with a free quote.
You will most likely find out that when it comes to the cost of flat roof vs. pitched roof, the flat roof is the most affordable choice. While you can save significantly on the installation of a flat roof, your expenditures don’t really end there.
Especially if you live in a location where it frequently rains, you may spend more money on maintenance and repairs if you have a flat roof.
On the other hand, a pitched roof is able to prevent damage from moisture, so if you’re thinking of long-term cost-effectiveness, the pitched roof is your better choice.
THE STABILITY OF THE STRUCTURE OF A FLAT ROOF VS. PITCHED ROOF
If your house is located in an area where it’s sunny all year round, and you barely have long days of rainfall, the structure of a flat roof can be stable enough as long as it receives regular maintenance.
In fact, it would be more practical for you to have a flat roof in your home if this is the case. There is zero flat roof slope ratio which is why it is not recommended in places where it always rains.
A pitched roof has very defined slopes, which essentially allow water to run down easily. It is easy to provide drainage, which is a must-have when rain is expected most of the time.
MAINTENANCE FOR THE ROOF OF YOUR HOME
It doesn’t matter whether you choose to get a flat roof or a pitched roof for your home, regular maintenance is still required.
If years go by without any maintenance at all, you can expect leaks in your home or really bad damage on the roof which can no longer be repairable. The maintenance of flat roof vs. pitched roof is equally difficult but in different ways.
Unlike being able to climb a ladder and walk on a flat roof so you can remove clogs on drainage or dried leaves and dirt that may have accumulated over time, it is not as simple for a pitched roof. The slopes of a pitched roof make it difficult to maintain, inspect and clean.
Most likely, you would need assistance from professional cleaners to get this done.
However, you don’t need to maintain a pitched roof as regularly as a flat roof. Though many would choose to DIY the cleaning of a flat roof, maintenance and inspection must still be done by a professional.
If there are any damages or spots you may have missed, this could cause leaks and expensive repairs. There are some who have chosen to convert flat roof to pitched roof because of this.
While a pitched roof is most popular among residential homes, many who are building a house on a tight budget choose a flat roof pitch.
This actually became popular in hot areas where easy construction and maintenance is more important than having the ability to drain water well.
Many modern homes are now also built with a flat roof for its contemporary design, and some even use the roof as a deck or extra space in their home.
In fact, many buildings and commercial properties have a flat roof because of the functionality of the space. This is where ventilation pipes, water pumps, helipads, or even just a spot to hang out are placed.
If you have the budget and time for building your house, though, a pitched roof still gets most pros when it comes to flat roof vs. pitched roof.
Not only does this give you fewer worries in maintenance, if built with high-quality materials and maintained regularly, but you can also expect this to last without any major problems for decades.
If you are considering to convert flat roof to pitched roof, or you want to build a whole new roof for your home or shed, you may get inspiration from other homes, magazines or even websites but it would still be best to consult with your local roofing contractor to see what’s best for your home’s structure, your budget and your location.
Hi, I’m Jim. I was a roofing constructor for 20 years, before deciding to start myrooff.com and gather the best content about roofing. I love woodworking and construction and it was only natural for me to start this passion project of mine. Thank you for visitng.
