Flat Roof verses Pitched Roof on extension

[fastliving]

Can anyone add to my pros and cons?

Flat Roof
Pros - cheaper
Looks more 'neat & modern'
Cons -
Higher insurance
I assume maintenance? Does a flat Roof need replacing frequently?
Problems with water pooling/leaking around sky lights
Leaves/moss etc on skylights

Pitched Roof
Pros - pretty maintenance free
Cheaper insurance
Higher ceilings
Cleaner skylights
Cons - more expensive
Takes up more room on your house exterior, looks unbalanced?

Anything else, am I missing something obvious?

Your roof should match the main house really.

I’m planning to reroof ours ASAP, want a pitched roof. It looks like an extension otherwise and doesn’t help it blend in.

Flat roof extensions seem to be all the rage around here now. I don’t know the pros and cons of each but following as we are due to have an extension this year and I was wondering the same.

My main concern is being cold tbh. I associate flat rooves with being freezing but I assume modern ones have this issue under control.

Autocorrect really doesn’t agree with my spelling of “rooves”

No such thing as a watertight flat roof.

Flat roofs tend to have water pooling in them. How you solve that I don’t know. @MayFayner ‘roves’ isn’t a word that’s why.

*’rooves’ even my phone doesn’t like it.

Flat roofs used to need redoing about every 10 years or so. I believe that the modern materials last longer than that (maybe 20 to 30 years) but they tend to come with a 10 year guarantee. I wouldn't want to buy somewhere with a flat roof.

Leaks. We've got a small area of flat roof and it's a nightmare.

If you have a flat roof you can have a lantern skylight (which I would LOVE!)

Next door had a large flat roof extension last year. Leaves, pooling water and I think it looks a bit odd- doesn't really match the house (1920's). Plus they've got a problem with the edging tiles leaking stained water down the white render.

We've just had a pitched roof extension and it just looks so much better (biased obv).
The high pitched ceiling is great and we've got lots of light with velux windows plus a full height apex window and bifolds. I don't think it takes up any more room. Next door did us a favour as we definitely didn't want a flat roof after seeing theirs!

A flat roof needs to have an incline so water drains off into the gutter (like a shed with a sloped roof). There are specific angles mentioned online to assist - without this you get water pooling and the longer it stands the more chance of permeation.

We have a flat roof on a utility room and had to have it replaced swiftly when bought house as it had a very bad leak but now I know more about them I will discuss potential of making an incline next time it's replaced as it doesn't slope enough towards the gutter and water pools

@Likethebattle * ‘roves’ isn’t a word that’s why

It is actually
As is “rooves”. Look it up!

I'm a roofer with over 30 years experience.
Don't bother with a flat roof.

We have a small section of flat roof around a large lantern. It has a slight fall on it so water drains off.

This is key. It needs a fall so water drains off it so it doesn’t pond. That’s likely to prolong its life. They are not cold.

However I would not have one if I could have a pitched roof. This would last much longer. Design is usually in keeping with house. It would be easier to sell too.

PS: my window cleaner gets on the flat bit and cleans the lantern. It’s easy. They don’t really look modern. They look at bit like you couldn’t afford anything better.

Takes up more room on your house exterior, looks unbalanced?

If going too high up the house is an issue you can get low pitched tiles.

We've just gone for a pitched roof and it is nice inside. I think it looks better outside.

I went for a pitched roof - personally I think they look so much better than flat roofs - I agree with a PP - flat roofs generally look cheap (sorry ) unless they have a huge lantern in the middle to give you the feeling of space and light you get with a vaulted ceiling.

Of course it does depend on the style of your house, but if the main roof is pitched I think 95% of the time a pitched roof will look better and add more value.

Flat roofs with lanterns can look quite nice. They are a bugger for getting right though, so get someone expert to do it.

They have to meet the insulation regulations just like a pitched roof, so no chance of them being cold.

We have just had a crown pitched roof extension built. It's pitched round the edges and flat on top, it suits our house which has had a couple of prior flat roof extensions. There is a fall on the flat roof so water streams down the sides and into the gutter. We're really happy with it.

Flats have to be at an angle. You can’t have pitched in all house due to height of the first floor windows, low pitch tiles sometime are still not low enough.
Some of the flat roofs look quite nice now with parapet walls, matching tiles and modern flat glass or lanterns.
Also it needs to be in keeping and sympathetic to the current house.
If you have a good architect they can advise and are up to date with designs, materials etc

We have endless trouble with our flat roof. I would go for a pitched roof every time just because of that.

We have a flat roof built in the 80s. (Only had the house 3 years). We have no issues with it, except it's got a low ceiling inside compared with the rest of the house (Victorian). We've just had our main roof retiled and the roofer said our flat roof is in great condition so to leave it. We have no pooling, looks fine from outside as we have new grey French doors across the back and cream KRender, so quite modern against the Victorian brickwork.

Flat roofs and higher insurance ive never heard of this? Nowadays the material they use is what is used of boats so very waterproof/hardwearing!! Not felt!' I've never had any leaks as sufficient guttering.

They also make a room look bigger than pitched (depending on the width of the property of course) ours is 4 metre wide and have a flat roof it looks so much bigger than my neighbours who has a pitched roof.

I have to admit that this flat roof extension does look amazing. Here is the builder doing it. It just has to be done by someone who knows what they are doing, and has experience of waterproofing.