Pitched roofs provide homes with distinctive appeal. Most people associate them with houses rather than commercial buildings, which usually employ flat roofing systems. As a result, the image of pitched roofs is homey.
Pitched roofs offer the benefits of excellent drainage, low installation costs, and easy maintenance.
Though pitched roofs are relatively simple, they come in several styles. The best choice comes down to the home’s design.
Benefits of Pitched Roofs
Pitched roofing provides several benefits compared to other roofing types, including the following:
Traditional Aesthetic
When it comes to curb appeal, pitched roofs have a distinct advantage. Many homeowners and home shoppers prefer the aesthetic of a pitched roof. It provides a traditional and distinctive flair to the home.
Many people abhor the look of a flat roof on a residential property. While flat roofs are an excellent option for warehouses and office buildings, they make a house look like an industrial facility rather than a cozy, welcoming home.
Drainage
Pitched roofs also offer functionality. For instance, their design sluffs water off efficiently, preventing pooling that can lead to damaging leaks. No one wants to broom water off their roof after a rainstorm!
In addition, pitched roofs more effectively cope with significant snowfall. The snow cannot pile onto the roof as it does with a flat-topped building.
Unless you live in a desert, pitched roofs offer the ideal design for the climate.
Durability
Pitched roofs last longer. Considering their superior drainage capacity, this is unsurprising. In the long run, homeowners save money on maintenance and repairs when they opt for a pitched roof.
Disadvantages of a Pitched Roof
Despite being the ideal design for most homes, pitched roofs have some disadvantages.
When a building has many levels and a complex structure, pitched roofing becomes problematic. For this reason, large buildings tend to have flat tops.
In addition, pitched roofs limit the architectural range. The design is essentially the design, so if you want to create a unique roof, you need to consider other options.
Pitched roof installation is also more costly, as is their maintenance. This is another reason flat roofs are the best option for many commercial buildings. Installing a pitched roof on a large warehouse, for example, would present an enormous cost.
Types of Pitched Roofs
Though architectural options are limited, there are different pitched roof styles, including the following:
Mono-Pitched Roofs
Mono-pitched roofs are the simplest. They consist of one sloping surface, hence the name. They appear like equilateral triangles with the sides connected to a central ridge. Many people also refer to them as shed-, lead to-, pent-, or skillion roofs.
Double-Pitched Roofs
These are the most widely installed. They consist of two sloping surfaces laid in opposite directions. In essence, they are a combo of two mono-pitched roofs. The rise is the same as a mono-pitch roof but has twice the horizontal span.
Couple Roofs
Also a simple design, couple roofs have a similar appearance to gable- and double-pitch roofs. However, couple roofs offer the twin advantages of low cost and fast installation.
To install a couple roof, workers affix plates to the supporting walls. Then they install the center ridge piece. Next, installers place one end of the rafters on the ridge piece and the other on the wall plates. Finally, they lay the sheeting over the principal rafters.
However, not all homes are suitable for couple roofs because they have a maximum span of 3.7 meters.
Couple Close Roofs
These have a design similar to their cousin, the couple roof. The difference consists of a horizontal tie connecting the common rafters. The tie runs from the wall plate of one pillar to the other. This prevents the common rafter from spreading.
Collar Beam Roofs
Collar Beam Roofing is like a couple close roof except a collar tie is used in place of a horizontal tie.
Collar ties are a horizontal structural member that fit between the rafters.
Collar ties cannot be affixed to more than one-third or one-half of the roof’s rise. Spans range between 4.4 and 5 meters, with 4.8 being ideal.
If you are considering a roof from your home, you’ll likely do best with a pitched design. While flat roofs are great for warehouses and office buildings, they are too costly for residences and drain ineffectively. Whichever style of pitched roof you choose, it will make your home appealing for a relatively low cost.
Home Improvement Services
Having the right roof on your home also means you need proper roof installation. A new roof not installed correctly is a waste and will cost you more money in the long run. Finding a trusted roofing company is essential to both your home and your wallet.
Excel Home Improvement in Romulus has both the experience and the reputation to inspect, repair and replace your roof. We will completely remove your existing roof and replace it with industry leading materials backed with a lifetime warranty on shingles. Our home improvement services go beyond roofing to include siding installation, gutter systems, and soffit repair.
Protect your home and investment and call our customer friendly service for a Free Estimate on your roof, home siding, gutter system and more!