Whether you are installing a new roof on your home or deciding on a roof for a home that is being built, you have some decisions to make. Beyond finding the right contractor and learning about roofing materials, you also have different types of roof designs to choose from.

When trying to decide on the right roof design for your home, you might want to consider the difference between a flat roof and a pitched roof. In this post, we are going to look at how these two designs compare.

Installation

Installation is generally quicker and easier with a flat roof. Since the structure can be fastened right to the underlying ceiling joists, they do not require as much work as a pitched roof. With a pitched roof, the contractor has to build up the framing for the pitched structure of the roof. That adds to the amount of time it will take to install a pitched roof.

Maintenance

The pitched roof design is usually better for maintenance. The pitch of the roof assists with drainage, and this can help to prevent issues related to water damage and leakage. A flat roof will have drainage, but it is not as effective as the drainage you get with a pitched design.

When considering the maintenance needs of these two roof design options, you need to think about the weather. If the area gets a lot of rain or snow, the pitched roof design is going to have significant advantages when it comes to maintenance.

Lifespan

For much of the same reason that they are easier to maintain, pitched roofs usually have a longer lifespan than flat roofs. With better drainage, they are less likely to suffer the kinds of damage that will shorten their lifespan. With that being true, pitch roofs tend to last longer and they usually need less maintenance during their lifespan.

Cost

A flat roof is going to require less materials and less labor to install. With a lower material cost and fewer hours going into the installation, flat roofs usually cost less than pitched roofs. That said, you do have to consider things like expected maintenance and lifespan. You might pay more to install a pitched roof, but you could save more over time when you consider maintenance costs and the expected life of the roof.

As was mentioned before, weather is an important factor as well. If you live in a relatively dry climate, you might not have to spend as much on maintaining a flat roof as you would in a wetter climate. With that consideration, a flat roof might be a better long term value in dryer climates. However, in places that get more rain or snow, the additional maintenance might make it more worthwhile to spend the extra money upfront to install a pitched roof.

Check out our main roofing page to learn more about how 101 Roofing can help you with you roofing needs.