Flat Roof To Pitched Roof Construction

This pitch might be as low as 1 12.

Flat roof to pitched roof construction.

Flat roofs are typically found on garages extensions dormers and outbuildings and are a cheaper method of roofing typical constructed from timber and covered with a waterproof coating such as bitumen based felt asphalt or epdm. Flat roofing is both economical and efficient which saves the owner energy and money. In the usa the range of standard pitches is anywhere between 4 12 and 9 12. Roofs on victorian era houses were often sharply angled with a steep pitch.

If this distance measures 4 inches you have a 4 in 12 pitch. Since 2005 if you replace 25 or more of your roof covering felt then you need to ensure that the entire flat roof has enough insulation to satisfy current building regulations. 8 inches and you have an 8 in 12 pitch. This may make it less ideal for rainy or snowy climates.

Its construction involves considerably less labor and materials than its pitched roof counterpart and full replacement can often take just a day. On a ladder beside the roof place the level a foot or so up the roof hold it level and measure from the 12 inch mark on the level s bottom straight down to the roof. They are constructed with a slight pitch to allow water to run off. A 900 square foot flat roof in the san francisco area made of concrete tiles costs.

Visually this roof appears flat. Also known as low slope roofs flat roofs are less common in north american residential construction because the low slope of a flat roof has an increased tendency to collect water rather than shed like its more steeply pitched alternative. Contemporary houses often have flat roofs which shouldn t be completely flat but should be around 1 40. There is no standard universal roof pitch.

Think of a classic addams family haunted house with its soaring peaks and you have a picture of a high pitched roof. Roof pitch varies depending on culture climate style and available materials. The low pitch makes flat roofs more susceptible to water leakage. They are not advised for high rainfall or high snowfall areas.

Flat roofs are usually made of variations of bitumen felt and function as durable long lasting roofs that are perfect for water run off in wet weather and protect wood and cement from potential build ups of damp and dry rot. Flat roofs are easier to construct than pitched roofs and require fewer building materials keeping costs down. According to improve net s online roofing calculator a flat roof is significantly cheaper than a pitched roof. In the uk the typical house has a pitch between 40 50 although 45 should be avoided.

To enable rainwater to drain from the roof a flat roof is slightly pitched by just a couple of degrees. This is one of the rare pitches where the numerator is greater than the denominator with a slope as high as 18 12.