3 Reasons to Install a Flat Roof on an Extension

As you plan out an extension to your home, you have to decide what kind of roof to put on the structure. While some people opt for angled gable roofs, others prefer flat roofs. These roofs have some benefits that make them worth considering.

Why is a flat roof a good option?

1. Get Space You Can Use

A flat roof takes up less space both inside and outside your extension. This may allow you to build a little higher; you also lose less space inside the structure.

The roof itself can become a useful addition to your home. It can become usable space. For example, you could use it as a base for a roof terrace or above-ground patio.

You could even put a living garden on the space and create a green roof. As well as looking good, these gardens help insulate your home against extremes of heat and cold. This usefully helps reduce your energy costs as well as making the roof more attractive.

2. Get an Easy Maintenance Area

If you add a gabled roof to your extension, then you'll have more maintenance work to do on it and this work will be harder. Your roof will have valleys and slopes that you have to clean out and repair if anything goes wrong. High winds could hit the roof and damage it.

Repairs and maintenance might not be safe jobs for you to do yourself. Getting up on the roof may not be hard, but walking and working on it safely won't be easy.

A flat roof is a lot easier to walk on. You probably won't have to go up on the roof much anyway as its flat surface will need less cleaning and repair. It won't be affected by weather problems like high winds in the same way a pitched roof might be.

3. Get Lower Construction Costs

A pitched or gable roof requires more materials and work than a flat roof. Your materials and labour costs will be high as you pay for more materials and the construction time is longer.

A flat roof doesn't need as many materials so your initial outlay costs will be lower. It's also easier to install a flat roof which speeds up the process. This reduces your labour costs and speeds up the whole construction process.

If you think a flat roof might be the right fit for your build, ask your roofing contractor for more advice on your options.

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