When building your home, there are many options to consider. From the color of your home’s siding to the tiles used in your kitchen, every detail is yours to decide. But you might not have considered different roofing options, including whether a flat roof suits your home.
While this roofing style might not be popular among your neighbors, you may think it fits your home well. But, before you decide on a flat roof for your home, you must consider all of this option’s benefits and drawbacks. Our team at Lifetime Roofing has compiled a list for you to read through which may help you make this decision.
1. Pro: They’re More Energy-Efficient
Sloped roofs are more common among homeowners. However, this more popular option is not the more energy-efficient option. There is a lot of space between your living space and the top of your roof if you have a sloped roof installed in your home. When warming and cooling your home, this air may rise and escape, eventually costing homeowners more money.
Unlike sloped roofs, with a flat roof there isn’t a great deal of additional space overhead to warm or cool. Because there is not as much space overhead, you don’t have to worry about your HVAC system working overtime to heat or cool your home, saving you money long-term.
2. Con: You May Have To Replace Them Earlier Than Sloped Roofs
While the lifespan of every roof will vary from home to home and state to state, there is a consensus that flat roofs have a shorter lifespan than sloped roofs. On average, a sloped roof should last for 25 or more years. Unlike sloped roofs, a flat roof has a lifespan of 10 to 20 years.
The lifespan of your flat roof will vary based on the materials used by your roofing company. While new materials may extend the life of your roof, there is no guarantee that they will last nearly as long as the materials used for sloped roofs. A flat roof may not be a good option if you are not interested in a more high-maintenance roofing option.
3. Pro: Less Expensive Roofing Option
Construction costs increase as the amount of space covered increases. This price increase is due to the need for more materials. Because of this, a sloped roof is more expensive than a flat roof because of the need for extra materials.
A flat roof does not require nearly as much material for completion, making it a cheaper option for homeowners. While this price may even out just a bit when you consider potential repairs, it is certainly a less expensive option to start.
4. Con: Drainage Issues Are Not Uncommon
If you live in a place that receives a lot of precipitation, proper roof drainage is likely an essential factor to consider when getting a new roof. Sloped roofs have one significant benefit over flat roofs. No matter how much it rains or snows, water is pushed toward the edge of your roof.
With a flat roof, there is a greater chance of water pooling toward the center of your roof. This pooling can cause more significant problems, leading to leaks in your roof. While regular roof maintenance should protect you from severe damage, pooling and leaking is still possible.
5. Pro: Increases Usable Space
One significant benefit of a flat roof is the increase in usable space. Unlike a sloped roof with no usable space, a flat roof provides many options to homeowners. If you have the ability to access your roof from the ground, you could use your flat roof to create an outdoor living space or a small garden.
These roofs also allow for more solar panels if you choose. Adding more solar panels to your roof only adds to the energy efficiency of your flat roof that we previously discussed. While this usable space isn’t added to your home’s overall square footage, it is an appealing option to consider.
6. Con: Not Considered As “Stylish”
As we mentioned at the beginning of this blog, flat roofs might not be popular among your neighbors. If you are considering the appearance of homes in your neighborhood when choosing the best roof for your home, flat roofs may not fit the neighborhood aesthetic as well.
Flat roofs are most popular in homes in more arid climates. If this doesn’t match where you live, you may only see flat roofs on commercial properties. Mismatching your roof from those of your neighbors might not be a popular choice among homebuyers if you ever choose to sell, making it an important factor to consider before committing.
Is A Flat Roof Right For Your Home?
Whether a flat roof is suitable for your home is ultimately up to you. Each home’s style is a reflection of its homeowner, and you should decide if this roofing option is right for you. While each factor we have listed above is important, you have the final say in whether you get this roof installed on your home.
Getting A Flat Roof With Lifetime Roofing
If you believe a flat roof is an excellent option for your home, you should seek out a team of professionals you know you can trust. With years of experience and happy customers, our team at Lifetime Roofing is confident that we can create the perfect roof for your home.
In addition to our flat roof services, we provide roof repairs, roof maintenance, and roof replacement services to homes across Northern Utah. If you are interested in getting a flat roof for your home or would like to speak to a member of our team, reach out to us today.