Either way your home s existing design may interfere or affect the changes you can make.
Pitched roof to flat roof.
The flat roof already has a slight pitch as it is required by law.
When we roof a flat or low slope roof we use a membrane system to cover it.
You will need to ensure that you are in standards with your local building codes and have the permits required.
Pitched roofs look very out of place on certain modern styles for example.
How to make a flat roof have a pitch general steps step 1.
Install the new material.
For slopes less than 9 5 we cannot install roof shingles.
However do take the architecture of your home into consideration.
Determine the roof span and pitch.
Anything pitched 3 and 12 or less is considered a low sloped roof.
Aesthetics are a real consideration here.
There are a few ways to dealing with a pitched roof if you choose to convert to a flat roof.
Tear off the old materials and apply roof sheathing.
Flat roofs also don t last as long.
You can tear off the existing roof remove the trusses and strengthen the joists.
Advantages to pitched roofs over flat roofs.
It has a slope of 2 3.
People generally tend to prefer the style of a pitched roof especially on residential structures.
Flat roof connected to pitch roof a flat roof isn t actually flat.
If a roof rises one inch over 12 inches it s called a 1 in 12 and it would be a low slope.
However flat roofs require much more aggressive and consistent maintenance than a pitched roof.
You can install a shallow pitched roof over your existing flat roof add a trussed ranch style roof to convert to cathedral walls or even build a new floor and install the pitched roof above that.
It is a significant renovation if you are converting from flat to pitched.
Various styles of a pitched roof can be built or you can purchase pre manufactured trusses.
It appears to be flat but it needs a slope to allow the water to drain from the roof.
Pitched roofs last substantially longer in most climates.
There is no question that a flat roof is cheaper to install.
Pitched roofs are anything 4 and 12 or above.
A pitched roof provides more structure and stability than a flat roof as well as excellent drainage in areas that receive large amounts of rain.
Most people view pitching a flat roof as a tedious job.