The pros and cons in choosing between a pitched roof and a flat roof
Although the housing crisis is now over and prices continue rise, people are still struggling to move.
Rightmove has recently stated that first time buyer demand has led to average asking prices reaching record levels this month. The average asking price rose to almost £300,000 – up by 5.6% since last October. Plus lending criteria has tightened further, leading to lenders rejecting thousands of borrowers – people who last year would have been accepted.
These high asking prices and tough affordability tests – coupled with the stress of moving – has led to many people staying put and seeing whether they can improve and extend their current property. But of course, this is also an expensive process. Therefore it pays to choose carefully if you are seriously considering extending your property.
Your roof will make up a substantial proportion of your overall cost. This means that in order to spend your money wisely, research into your options is a must.
Pitched or Flat Roof?
A pitched roof comes with various advantages. Because of the nature of a pitched roof, you are likely to end up with loft space, which is a massive benefit if you need more storage space. Depending on the size and pitch, you may even be able to enjoy additional living space.
If constructed correctly, a pitched roof should last a lifetime. It is durable, weather resistant and can be easily insulated. It can also be blended into your existing roof, making it look natural.
However, a pitched roof does come with a few serious disadvantages. The first is that a pitched roof is heavy and as a result, will place additional pressure on your property’s foundations. A pitched roof is also very expensive as it requires a complex design and various building materials. It will also take many man hours to erect, which will also cut into your budget.
Alternatively, you could opt for a flat roof. Again, there are advantages and disadvantages, although these tend to be based on the material you choose.
Flat roof design is simple – a horizontal base fixed to your ceiling joists, with a waterproof membrane fixed on top. And despite its name, a flat roof is very slightly pitched – only a few degrees – to ensure that water can drain away.
A flat roof tends to be much cheaper than a pitched roof; its design is simple and materials are minimal, which means less man hours to install. They can also add a sleek, contemporary look to your house.
However, flat roofs have historically been discounted for their short lifespan. This is true if you were to use traditional materials such as asphalt or felt (three ply modified bitumen), which then have a thin layer of gravel added to protect the roof from the elements. These flat roofs tend to blister and crack within a few years – the last thing you’d want if you’ve spent your life savings on a new extension.
However, if you opt for a maintenance-free, PVC single-ply flat roofing system, you will see that new technology quashes previous criticisms of leaking flat roofs. Affordable and durable, these roofing systems are both cost-effective and easy and quick to fit. They offer various benefits, such as 100% waterproof protection against the UK elements, optimum UV resistance, a vapour-permeable membrane that is resistant to blistering and no risk of condensation.
And with High-Tech Membrane Roofing, you will get all of this plus a LIFETIME guarantee!
For advice on installing flat roofing on your extension, contact us here at High-Tech – your local flat roofing specialists.
