With a rising number of house owners opting to renovate their homes instead of shifting, the retail of home extensions has been on the surge. That being said, the demand for low pitched roofing has also increased tremendously in recent years.
While planning a domestic extension, an ordinary roof pitch may not be enough. The reason is that some existing features such as first-floor windows get in the way.
So, a lower pitch is necessary to work around them. Apart from this, low-pitched roofs may also be preferred for aesthetic reasons since house owners typically prefer them over flat ones.
From basic designs to complex shapes, pitched roofs come in numerous shapes and sizes. Let us give you a detailed overview of what precisely low-pitched roofs are!
What is meant by Low Pitched Roofing?
Source: Billraganroofing.com
Low-pitched roofs are generally designed with a pitch between 10° and 35°, unlike the standard pitched roofs. Routinely, a minimum pitch of 20° was recommended.
Still, present-day roofing products have made it feasible to generate equally performing roofs with angles as low as 10°. Anything below the 10° label is considered a flat roof.
Importance of Low-Pitched Roofs
Nowadays, roof-pitching trends are being influenced because house owners tend to invest in their own property instead of spending money moving to a new home.
Houses with perpendicular roof pitches permit the formation of contemporary living spaces by converting loft areas. At the same time, home extensions often require roofing for low pitched roofs.
Recently relaxations in planning regulations have led to a rise in domestic extensions being added to properties. This is why manufacturers have now started investing in low-pitched roofs to provide contemporary roofing solutions to the market.
Difference Between Flat Roofs and Low-Pitched Roofs
Source: Higginsroofing.com.au
An idle range for flat roof pitches is considered to be anywhere between 30° and 50°. Roof pitches lying in this range have been proven to be very successful.
They provide adequate protection, peak thermal performance, effective water drainage, and excellent ventilation. In this way, they help create a comfortable environment throughout the constantly fluctuating seasons.
However, such pitch angles aren’t always feasible for working around any existing design features when considering domestic extensions.
In such cases, a great alternative to flat roofs is low-pitched roofs which are formulated in such a way to allow the sudden flow of water safely without pooling or escaping into the building’s structure.
Points to Ponder While Opting for Low-Pitched Roofing
While roofing for low pitched roofs, it would help to consider several crucial roofing elements. There is a higher chance of failure at a low pitch under extreme weather conditions.
For instance, in terms of adequate water drainage, a roof with a gentle slope discharges water much slower than a steeper roof. This difference in timing is mainly due to gravity.
As low-pitched roofs are mainly constructed on a building’s extensions, they may have to encounter water shedding from a larger ceiling above them.
With low pitches, it is wise to build and detail the roof for protecting vulnerable areas, including valleys, abutments, eaves, roof window junctions, and other such surroundings. So, careful designing is crucial while opting for low-pitched roofing to avoid such unwanted complications.
Considerations when Designating Low-Pitched Roofs
Source: Bravarooftile.com
Water run-off and weather tightness are undeniably the biggest challenges for a low-pitched roof. While designing a low-pitched roof, it would help to keep the following points in mind.
- In order to minimize excess loading in case of a storm, a maximum ratter length of 6m is recommended while designing low-pitch roof tiles.
- Some low-pitched roofs might require additional accommodations such as increased valley widths or extra guttering.
- An appropriate title headlap may also be required to prevent water from creeping under the tiles.
- Batten spacing can ensure correct alignment at intersections while scheming for low-pitched roofs.
- Usage of a small amount of drape is also recommended to create a drainage channel for any excessively creeping fluids.
- For low-pitched roofing, consider dry-fix eaves vents since regular counter vents are only tailored for roof pitches above 20°.
Conclusion
Most roofing products are designed for customary roof pitches, which is why roofing contractors are accustomed to working on roofs with higher pitches.
The unprecedented demands for low pitched roofing have pushed the buildings’ products to their performance limits. So, it’s essential to understand and address the above-mentioned issues at the specification stage to ensure a successful and weathertight roof.
A decent roof shape helps define the overall feel of a home and gives it a traditional look. Low-pitched roofs come with exceptionally unique benefits. Now you know how they can be ideal for those looking for something extraordinary!
