If you are planning to add a new roof to your home or shed, be sure to consider all the available options. Flat: These are found in traditional buildings in regions with a low precipitation. It should come as no wonder, then, that these are experiencing a serious comeback right now! Flat roof options help to free up internal space and are often cheaper that pitched roof options as they require fewer materials to cover the same roof span. If it is determined that your building can support a pitched roof, the next step will be the removal of all of your roofing materials and the main roofing structure. Two, they allow extra space for rooftop equipment like HVAC. Depending on where you live in the UK, snowfall must also sometimes be considered in determining the gradient of the fall. Flat roofing is not actually flat; it has a very low slope—between 1/4 to 1/2 inch per foot—so that it drains water. Three, additional spaces on roofs can be used for meetings or gardens. But such a low slope holds snow and water much longer than a steeply pitched roof and therefore needs a very different material to stay watertight.
Pitched roofs are usually much heavier than flat roofs, so an easy replacement may not always be possible.

If you’re going to start a physical business or plan to replace an old roof, it’s good to know what your options are. The Pros & Cons of Flat vs. Pitched Roofing. If this isn't practical then perform the same measurement on the underside of the roof.

There is also the scope to incorporate a green roof onto the flat structure. Whether you’re building a home from scratch, or replacing your roof with a brand new design – the first you’ll need to weigh up the pros and cons of both flat roof and pitched roofs. Although referred to as flat they are generally gently pitched. Ask any architect and they'll tell you that hardly any other type of architecture is as timeless and modern as that of flat roof houses. Modern materials which are highly impermeable to water make possible the very large low-pitch roofs found on large commercial buildings. Flat roofs are exceedingly popular with those looking to create a cool, modern home.

Roof shapes. Both your personal requirements and the needs of your property will sway your decision either way, so … One, flat roofs are less expensive than sloped roofs. What Pitch is a Flat Roof? We included a roof pitch chart below the 7-12 example image and the calculator below that. Summary of flat roof building regulations.
Roof pitch refers to the amount of rise a roof has compared to the horizontal measurement of the roof called the run. Roof Pitch Formula.