If you are building or renovating your home, you might be struggling to choose a flat roof over a pitched roof.
Which one is best?
Which one will reduce the risk of leaks and collapses?
Here are some things that can help you decide the best roofing options for your home.
Flat vs Pitched
Homeowners often wonder about the difference in safety, cost, and maintenance of a flat roof versus a pitched roof.
Pitched roofs are more common in the United States because they give a home a nicer aesthetic look. They create vaulted ceilings inside the home, a popular home design style.
However, flat roofs do have a lot of advantages. Many flat roofs hold up better in fires, but are more vulnerable to collapsing than pitched roofs are.
It is important to determine the safest option for your area. Heavy rain and snow can easily cause both roofs to collapse. A flat roof can be susceptible to leaks if water and ice are allowed to pool in the middle of the roof. The pitched roof is designed to quickly move water off the roof, making it an ideal solution if you live in an area with a lot of rain, water, or snow.
A roofing contractor can give you an estimate on the installation costs of both roofing styles, which one will best suit your home, and how much each option will add to your property value.
Maintenance
Caring for a roof is one of the most important things a homeowner can do. You need to perform routine maintenance on your roof to prevent leaks and other problems. Safety is always a concern when working on a roof.
A flat roof is usually safer to work on since you do not have the steep pitch that can cause you to slide off the roof. Flat roofs usually require more maintenance than a pitched roof because they are not able to move water, dirt, and other debris off the roof as easily. You will find yourself dealing with damage in areas where water pools. The flat roof will need regular inspection and a waterproof seal to prevent leaking.
Cost
Flat roofs cost less to install, but they can cost you more overall if you are dealing with a lot of rain and snow since flat roofs do require more maintenance.
The repair costs of a flat roof are more expensive due to their susceptibility to moisture damage.
Aesthetic Appeal
One final area to consider is the overall aesthetic appeal for your home. Can you add on different roofing ornaments to a flat roof? Will your home look better with a pitched roof? Does the pitched roof give you advantages to the interior design style of the home?
Flat roofs are considered a modern design, so it might be wise to discuss adding a flat roof with a small slope if you aren’t dealing with significant amounts of rainfall each year on your home.
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