Low Slope Roofing an Option for Some Homeowners

If you’re thinking of building a new porch or bedroom onto your home but want to keep the renovation responsibilities to a minimum, consider a low slope roof for that new addition.

A low slope roof is a roof that has very little pitch or tilt. To determine the slope of a roof, contractors measure the total number of feet that the roof rises upward when it is measured in 12 horizontal feet. A low slope roof is one that rises only between two or four feet in 12 horizontal feet.

What makes a low slope roof the best option for those considering putting an addition on to their home is that the design means the homeowner had to do very little in the way of redesigning the home’s original roofing system. If the new addition were to incorporate the design of the original roof, it would require major renovations to the original roof.

Low-sloped roofs are not only an option for new home additions. They are also frequently used when constructing new homes as well. In fact, some of the homes designed by the legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright make great use of low slope roofs, including his Robie House in Chicago and his Brandeis Residence in the state of Washington.

While low slope roofs offer a more simple installation and design option, they do have properties that come into play when deciding whether or not a low slope roof is the right choice for your remodeling needs.

Sunshine Contracting carries the following manufacturers of slate roofing, (click below to read more and see color options):

Because of their low pitch, a low slope roof is not recommended for areas with high rainfall or snowfall. Rain and snow can collect on a low-pitched roof and the water that collects can weaken the roof and cause serious damage. In addition, water that collects on a roof can seep into cracks, freeze in the winter and expand and cause additional damage.

In addition to home additions, low slope roofs are often found on commercial and industrial structures because of their practicality, durability and low maintenance needs. Most commercially used low slope roofs are made of metal, which adds the additional features of being lightweight and recyclable.

Metal is also recommended as a covering material for low slope roofs for the home as well because it helps the water that does collect on the roof roll off easier and more completely than, say, asphalt shingles which can hamper the flow of water. Metal can also be treated to make it resistant to water and prevent rusting. To further make the metal roofing material resist to water damage, the pieces of metal used to create the roof are fused together by crimping.

It is important to insulate a low slope roof particularly if the home addition is going to be used as an extra bedroom. There are a number of options to choose from when considering insulation for low-sloped roofs, including fiberglass insulation.