When you envision your dream home, you picture a wraparound porch, a big yard with room for a pool and swing set, or an entertainment center where you can install a projector. And somewhere amid all the other details, your roof just falls into place and becomes part of the rest of the design. Sure, it protects your home and everything in it, but there is no pizzazz, art inspiration, or urban style for a roof. A roof is a roof, right?
Actually, according to Ferdinand Steyer, owner of Mountain Works LLC, a residential contracting and roofing company, the shape and slope of your roof directly impacts the overall design of your home. For instance, if you envision a Spanish-style home, you’ll need a far less steep roof than if you want a Victorian home with high ceilings and tall windows. Here, he explains three types of slopes available for your home and how they affect the design.
Flat roofs: These types of roofs are relatively inexpensive, but, Steyer adds, are used more for commercial buildings than for residential ones. The most problematic aspect of a completely flat roof which must be taken into consideration is that water can pool and sit on the surface for a long time. Standing water can in turn lead to water stains, damage, rotting and mold, all of which spell big problems for a roof. When the roofer you hire begins to install the roof, he will place a protective membrane (a type of plastic) underneath the shingles to protect the structure from being damaged by water buildup. And while the membrane may protect water from penetrating into your home, the excess water on the roof may end up causing the outer layer of shingles to loosen. And, once the shingles are loose, water leaks become more of a possibility. So while they are inexpensive to install initially, a flat roof may mean more frequent repairs in your future, the costs of which can certainly add up.
Low-slope roofs: Like the name suggests, low-slope roofs are not very steep, and in some cases, appear to be nearly flat. Although they do provide some slope for water to drain off the sides, low-slope roofs face some of the same waterproofing dilemmas as flat roofs. Like a flat roof, this type requires roofers to install a layer or multiple layers of waterproofing material. This is the most important element of the roofing process because it ensures that no water will enter the home. Next, everything must be properly reinforced so that areas where nails are present or where there are gaps between the shingles won’t allow ater to pass through.
Steep-slope roofs: While they are sometimes the most costly to install because of the labor involved with matching the pitch, steep-slope roofs provide the most water protection. Not only are the roofs sealed with a water-repellent material, but the nature of the design leaves little space for water to gather. Instead, just as quickly as water hits the roof, it rolls off the sides. Another factor that drives up the cost of a roof with a steep pitch is the extra cost of lumber to build the slope and to extend a chimney so that it is the right size.
Regardless of the pitch of your roof, it is important that you hire a roofing company who you trust to do the job right. Some roofing materials only work on a certain slope, Steyer says, as they are not universal. So, instead of looking at simply the price tag of the job, consider your contractor’s experience with the type of work you are having done. After all, a cheap roof only lasts until the first rainfall where as a strong roof will last decades.
