Nine advantages pitched roofs have over flat roofs

Pitched roofs allow for ventilation.

The gap between the pitched roof and the flat interior roof further improves the energy efficiency of the building by allowing ventilation, which eliminates hot air from the roof space during summer and expels cold and damp air during winter. Simply add a ventilation tower to the roof during construction.

It’s easy to install insulation under pitched roofs.

For even greater energy savings, add insulation in the gap between the pitched roof and the flat interior roof. Insulation significantly reduces heat transfer through the ceiling. It may not be possible to install roof insulation in a flat-roofed home.

Pitched roofs are strong and resilient.

Pitched roofs are more stable than flat roofs during periods of heavy rain and offer far more effective drainage. The water drains off a pitched roof easily and uniformly, whereas on a flat roof water can build up, creating structural pressure.

You can reuse the rainwater from a pitched roof.

A pitched roof makes it easier to harvest rainwater. The water drains easily into the external drainage system (guttering), which is easier to maintain and modify than a drainage system on a flat roof. Modern roof tiles have no effect on water quality.

Pitched roofs are low maintenance.

Unlike flat roofs, which require constant maintenance to ensure water is not pooling on them, pitched roofs are simple to maintain. High-quality roof tiles can last 100 years or more, and repairs to roof tiles and gutters are cheap and easy.

A pitched roof provides low-cost additional space.

A pitched roof creates additional space within the building which can be used as attic storage or even further living space, without the costs associated with adding an entirely new storey.

It’s easy to install solar panels on pitched roofs.

Rooftop solar panels need to be positioned on an angle in order to operate efficiently. On pitched roofs, which are already angled, installing solar panels is a simple process, whereas on flat roofs this can be trickier and require additional brackets or equipment.

Whatever style of home you are building, and whatever your priorities, a pitched roof simply makes sense. These are the top reasons why:

Pitched roofs have significant aesthetic appeal.

Unlike flat roofs, pitched roofs are visible from the ground, giving architects and home-owners an additional way to express themselves. Pitched roofs come in a variety of sizes and shapes and can be covered with all manner of tiles.

Pitched roofs have better thermal mass.

Homes with pitched roofs are generally more compact than those with flat roofs, which limits the size of the surface exposed to the outside elements. A smaller building envelope means higher thermal mass, which helps keep the home at a more comfortable temperature throughout the year.