What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Pitched Roofing?

Have you ever looked at your pitched roof and concluded that it really needs to be renovated but weren’t sure of the best way to go about it? This is common question as the millions pitched roofs built in the 80’s, 90’s and beyond are increasingly started to show signs of age. In this blog we will further discuss the advantages and disadvantages of types of pitched roofing so that you can better decide the right roof style for you and your home.  

What is a Pitched Roof? 

If you are unfamiliar with types of roofing, you may be wondering what a pitched roof is. You can start by looking through pictures of cities and towns across the UK. A pitched roof will have a downwards slope consisting of two parts which form to create a central ridge. Made from a combination of timber and steel nowadays, this wasn’t always the case. Prior to modern construction, pitched roofs were made entirely from timber, making them potentially less stable than the ones we see around us nowadays.  

Pitched roofs come in more than just one type and there are plenty of variations of the classic structure. These variations include mono-pitch roof/lean-to, duo-pitch/gabled roof, hipped roof, mansard roof, gambrel roof, dormer roof, and many others. 

The history of pitched roofs is quite extensive and dates back to ancient societies. It can be seen in the historic temples of ancient Greece and Rome and has been a staple in Western homes since these times. Pitched roofs are common in both domestic and commercial buildings in Northern Europe and America, though more so in domestic buildings.  

Advantages of Pitched Roof 

There are various advantages and disadvantages to pitched roofs, and we’ll start by discussing the benefits pitched roofing. A key benefit of a pitched roof is the efficient and durable design which is meant to withstand various weather conditions and uses the forces of gravity to its advantage, as the slopes will naturally divert rain away from the home. Their design ensures that they will remain durable in all conditions from day-to-day rainfall to adverse weather conditions.  

Pitched roofs require professional installation and a variety of high-quality materials to assemble properly, which can be rather costly, please view this as an investment that is meant to be made to ensure the reliability of the roof structure itself. When investing properly in these factors, you will see a longer lifespan of your roof compared to other roof designs. 

As other roofs will allow water to pool within them, a pitched roof lends itself to an efficient drainage system which ensures that the water does not pool, subsequently leading to less maintenance. Investing in a pitched roof with quality materials diminishes the likelihood of the need for high-level maintenance due to severe damage.  

Yet another benefit of a pitched roof is the additional space that is created under its slopes that can add to the living space in your home if it is properly insulated. There are a variety of things that can be installed within this lofted space such as turning it into an additional bedroom, office, playroom, art studio, or reading room. Due to the distance from the rest of the home, it would be advantageous to use this space as a quiet and peaceful place to get away from the communal areas of the home which may be far more crowded and noisy. If this space is not insulated, however, it can still be used for storage to hide away all extra belongings such as memorabilia, extra bedding, or winter clothing in the summer months. This additional space can be invaluable for the home and is a main selling point for many as it is something that other roofing designs, such as flat, simply cannot provide.  

A final advantage besides durability, reliability, and spatial access would be the simplistic level of maintenance that is required on this roof. Beyond just a lack of needed repairs, pitched roofs require significantly less regular maintenance, and what little maintenance is required can be completed with relative ease. As you are able to access the loft space, a professional can check the beams and roofing for water damage from the interior of the home, rather than the exterior which is a far more complicated task. This enables regular maintenance checks and ensures peace of mind that your roof is both safe and secure.  

Disadvantages of Pitched Roof 

While the disadvantages of pitched roofs are far less extensive than the advantages, there are still some that should be taken into consideration by homeowners to ensure that they are making the right decision for their home and family.  

One main disadvantage of this style of roofing is the burden that is placed on the foundation of the home which, in turn, demands a greater depth of the footings. A pitched roof consists of two panels rather than just the one that flat roofs have, making them a heavier burden on the house. It is usually not possible to replace a flat roof with a pitched roof for this reason, as the home is not equipped to withstand the weight of the extra materials required to complete the pitched roof. The process for increasing the stability of the foundation of the home is complex and, for this reason, pitched roofs are generally only constructed on homes that are being built simultaneously to the roof.  

The type of building you are constructing also plays an important role in choosing what kind of roof you want to place atop it. Pitched roofs are generally unfit for buildings that contain multiple levels or complex plans, as they will require a more complex roofing solution to accommodate for their size or complexity. In terms of architecture, much less can be completed with a singular pitched roof for these types of buildings. This is why you often see larger buildings displaying flat roofs, while pitched roofs are generally found more on domestic buildings. In certain circumstances, complex commercial buildings will contain pitched roofs, but it is not as common.  

As discussed above, pitched roofs are the more expensive option to install due to the materials required and longer installation time frame.

Is a pitched roof right for me? 

Now that we have discussed the advantages and disadvantages of pitched roofs, you may already have an idea of if it’s right for you or not. However, here is a list of the things you should take into consideration when making this decision so that you can be sure that you have considered all factors.  

Firstly, the cost. Pitched roofing requires a greater number of materials increasing material cost. The cost of labour can also be quite expensive as it takes longer to fit than a flat roof and requires roofing specialist to complete. It is important to keep in mind that these costs can be offset by the generally less maintenance required for these roofs as they are far less likely to be damaged from weather conditions such as snow or rain than flat roofs.  

Another consideration besides cost that must be made is aesthetic design in keeping with the style of the house as well as the local area. Due to pitched roofing being so common, it is more likely than not that it will be easier to install this style of roof as planning permission for a unique style will not be required which can be both costly and time-consuming. Beyond just considering the general styles of roofing installed on neighbouring houses, it is important to consider the design of your home already. A simple building lends itself best to pitched roofing, but if your house has been designed in a modern style or is much larger, you should consider other styles of roofing to better match the design and function. 

JJ Roofing Supplies stocks and supplies almost all the facets of a pitched roof such as: Roof Tiles, Roofing Batten, Pitched Roofing Underlay etc...

When choosing your style of roof be sure to consider both cost factors as well as function and aesthetic factors. Ask yourself these questions to decide if pitched roofing is right for you; 

• Do I have the resources in my possession to invest in a high-quality roof at this time?
• Do I need the extra space that a loft will provide?
• What type of roofing do my neighbours have?
• Which type of roofing will have the highest resale value in the future?