You are in the design phase of what will be your next home, and you come to the subject of the roof. What should I choose? A pitched roof or a flat roof? This is a critical decision that will influence the image, comfort, and functionality of your home. Surely, you have some reference to what you would like for the roof of your home, but it does not depend only on desire, there are many factors in the process.
DO I HAVE ANY IDEA OF HOW TO DESIGN MY HOME’S ROOF?
Answering that question generates a dilemma and becomes a decision to make with a lot of care, considering that whichever option you choose has advantages and disadvantages. But, DON’T WORRY! We will share a couple of factors that you must take into account to make the right decision when designing the roof of your beloved home:
Weather conditions
Weather conditions are essential factors that shape your decision when choosing the type of roof. If you live in an area with frequent rain, it is best to opt for a pitched roof. The reason is simple, because of the steep incline of the roof, the water will have better mobility and will not remain stagnant. This doesn’t mean that flat roofs cannot be built for this type of location, but you should take greater care to avoid leaks that will result from inadequate water evacuation.
It is important to clarify that flat roofs are not strictly horizontal. Their name depends on the little inclination they have (the average slope of this type of roof is between .4 and 1.2 inches per foot of horizontal construction).
For their part, tile roofs, from the pitched roof category, have slopes ranging from 1 foot to 3.2 feet of horizontal development.
There is no doubt when building a house in areas that get constant heavy rain or even snow; pitched roofs are the best option.
Surrounding vegetation
Locations with dense foliage pose a threat if roofs are not built right and don’t receive constant maintenance. The accumulation of leaves often obstructs the canals and vents. In this case, we recommend to use flat roofs with free drainage, that is, those that do not have gutters.
This way, the leaves, and branches will not stay on the roof, and they will not cause damages.
And what about terraces?
If you enjoy a Sunday barbecue on the terrace, the best option when thinking about a terrace will be to choose a flat roof.
Everyone has their preferences, and regarding roofs, whatever kind of roof you want, will have some advantages. The important thing is that you can design the roof that best suits the needs of your home, taking into account the useful life of the roof, its functionality, and protection of your home.
Whether flat or pitched, bearing in mind factors such as climate and vegetation can aid in reaching the best decision. You could even combine both roofing options.
Remember that in construction, it is important to get advice and assistance of a professional roofer. Certified roofers will evaluate your house’s need and make recommendations that best fit what you want for your home.
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