If you’re planning to construct a new building, whether it’s a residential home or a commercial space, you need to put careful thought into which type of roof is best for it. In general, you have two options: a pitched roof or a flat roof. But how do you know which one is right for your project?

We’re here to make the decision a little easier on you. Below, we break down the difference between a pitched roof and a flat roof, as well as the pros and cons associated with each of them. That way, you can make an informed decision based on your budget and your goals for the building. 

Pitched Roof vs. Flat Roof — The Overview

Let’s start with a broad overview of these two types of roofs. 

In the pitched roof vs. flat roof debate, the best choice ultimately comes down to personal preference. Pitched roofs are known to last longer and require less maintenance over time, showing great lifetime value. But if you enjoy the look of flat roofs and are hoping for a low-cost installation, a flat roof is still a great option. 

The most important things you’ll want to consider when making your decision are:

• The type of home or commercial building you’re working with
• The style of the home or commercial building you’re working with
• How much money you’re willing to invest in a new roof, both upfront and over time
• How much maintenance you’re willing to do on your roof over time

Want to know more details? Read on for a complete breakdown of pitched roofs vs. flat roofs. 

What Is a Pitched Roof?

A pitched roof is any type of roof with a peak. It slopes downward, usually in two parts that connect at an angle in the center ridge of the roof. It’s what offers the triangular shape at the top of a home and often creates tall attics on the inside. It’s the most common type of roof for residential homes here in the Midwest. 

Pitched Roof — Pros

Since pitched roofs are more common than flat roofs, you can probably imagine that there are plenty of reasons many homeowners and business owners choose them. A few of the benefits you can expect from pitched roofs include:

• Classic curb appeal. Pitched roofs offer a traditional, homey appeal. By choosing one for your home, you’ll likely fit right into the neighborhood. And by choosing one for your commercial building, you’ll likely welcome customers with a unique sense of comfort and hospitality. 
• Longer lifespan. The average asphalt shingle pitched roof can last up to 20 years or more. Of course, this can vary depending on the type of roofing material, climate, and level of maintenance, but it’s generally a great long-term investment. 
• Less maintenance. Pitched roofs are designed to let precipitation like snow and rain slide right off them. They’re built with a pitch to reduce the beating a roof takes and to minimize the potential for leaks as a roof ages. The sloped design means you’ll have far fewer maintenance requirements during your roof’s life than you would with a flat roof. 
• Higher lifetime value. What do you get when you combine a long lifespan and low maintenance requirements? A great lifetime value! While new roofs are always a large investment, you can reduce your overall spend by choosing a pitched style.

Pitched Roof — Cons

Pitched roofs also have their drawbacks. Some of the most prominent ones include:

• Higher upfront installation cost. When compared to a flat roof, the upfront cost of pitched roof installation is typically higher. A pitched roof costs more to install because it takes longer and requires more materials. 
• Less modern aesthetic. If you’re designing a contemporary, modern home or building, a pitched roof may not fit with the architectural style you’re hoping for. A flat roof may make more sense and tie together the overall look of the building. 

What Is a Flat Roof?

A flat roof is any roof without a peak. But while its surface may be flat, it may be designed with a slight, almost undetectable slope that pushes precipitation out toward the building’s gutter system. Flat roofs are most commonly seen on commercial buildings and in contemporary architecture. 

Flat Roof — Pros

For many, a flat roof is the most desirable option. Homeowners and business owners who choose flat roofs enjoy the following advantages: 

• Modern aesthetic. Clean, straight, minimalist lines are the current trend for any building, whether it’s residential or commercial. If that’s the aesthetic you’re going for, a flat roof can deliver it best. 
• Lower upfront cost. A flat roof is less expensive to install than a pitched roof. This is because it requires fewer materials and is structurally simpler. This also means that flat roofs can be installed on a faster timeline, which is part of what makes them attractive to many business owners. 
• More cohesive space. There’s a bit of controversy over whether a pitched roof or flat roof provides a building with more space. Regardless, a flat roof does offer a more cohesive, usable space for an entire building. While a pitched roof might have a triangular attic, the entire top floor of a flat-roofed building is the same size and shape of the lower floors. Again, this makes a flat roof a great choice for commercial use, as you can fit more offices and storage space. 

Flat Roof — Cons

While a flat roof offers a more affordable upfront cost and can provide the aesthetic that many homeowners and business owners are looking for, they’re not always the most practical option. Here are a few reasons why: 

• Shorter lifespan. A flat roof, on average, will last around 10 years. That’s considerably less than the estimated lifespan of a pitched roof, meaning you’ll spend a bit more on roofing over decades. If you’re planning on staying in your home or business for a long time, this may not be the best choice for you. 
• More maintenance. A flat roof poses some structural concerns, especially for buildings in areas that experience a lot of snow and/or rainfall. For that reason, it’s recommended that you have your flat roof inspected at least once a year, if not more regularly, to ensure you don’t miss any big problems in your roof. Luckily, flat roofs are pretty easy to inspect because you can walk on them easily, so it won’t cost much to get a roofer out to your building regularly. 
• Higher chance of leaks. Even though most are designed with a slight slope, flat roofs still aren’t the best at shedding a lot of rain or snow. As a result, rain and snow can build up or puddle at various spots on the roof, which causes leaks as the water sits there over time. 

Install the Roof You Want with Werner Roofing

The decision between a pitched roof or flat roof is a big one and can have long-term implications on the maintenance and upkeep of your building. For help deciding which is best for you, reach out to our team at Werner Roofing. Give us a call at (616) 844-5382 or contact us online. 

As a homeowner, you probably don’t need to know all of the technical ins-and-outs of your roof’s anatomy, but it is helpful to understand the basics, so you know what your roofer is talking about when they offer you the details of their inspection. To help you understand the most important components of your roof, we’ve laid out this basic roof anatomy, working from the roof components closest to your living area, and out. 

Trusses

The first part of your roof you’ll want to know about is the trusses. Trusses form the foundation for your roof and offer most of the support for every other roofing component. To get a better idea of what a roof truss looks like, take a look at this photo. Those beams that form the peak of the house are trusses.

Chimney

Next up, we have the chimney. Your chimney starts within your home, at the fireplace, and carries all the way up through your roof. Inside your chimney is a flue, which directs soot and ash safely out of your house. While the chimney might not seem like an obvious component of your roof, it’s good to remember that it’s up there. (We’ll get to why, next.)

Flashing

Flashing is a waterproof material that roofers install wherever two different parts of your roof intersect. Since we were just talking about the chimney, we’ll use that as an example. Roofers install flashing around the base of your chimney where it intersects with the roof to keep deter leaking. Sometimes, when flashing gets old, it can crack and let in water — it’s an easy fix as long as you catch it early and have it done quickly! Take a look at the flashing around this chimney in white, as an example:

Vent Pipe

The vent pipe is a part of roof anatomy that’s often forgotten. It’s a small pipe that extends up through your home and lets fresh air into your plumbing system, so sinks, tubs, and toilets can drain quickly. 

Sheathing

Also called decking, sheathing is the first layer of your actual roof. Most roofers use OSB (Oriented Strand Board) or plywood, and they fix it onto trusses. Sheathing creates the foundation for the rest of your roof, including the shingles. 

Underlayment

If you have an asphalt shingle roof, the next step is your roof’s underlayment. This is a thin layer of material, usually felt saturated with asphalt, that helps form a barrier between your home and the elements, specifically rain and snow. Underlayment also helps your home shed water, and can keep your roof safe in the event that you do lose a shingle or two. Take a look at this photo. Here, the house in progress has just the sheathing and underlayment installed — no shingles have been added yet.

Shingles

Once the underlayment is down, shingles are nailed onto your roof. Most roofs feature asphalt shingles, which are durable and come in a variety of colors and textures. Other shingle types include wood, clay, and slate, though they’re not as common due to added maintenance and cost. 

Ridge Vent

At the very top peak of your roof, called the ridge, is a vent. This vent typically runs the length of your roof and is designed to let out any moisture that collects in your attic. This helps your roof maintain a consistent temperature, and get rid of excess moisture that can cause rot or mold. It’s also helpful in preventing ice dams. 

Ridge Cap Shingles

Ridge cap shingles are installed specifically to cover ridge vents. They work to keep snow, rain, and other precipitation out, while still letting the ridge vents do their job. This is an important component of your roof’s anatomy, as it prevents leaks and keeps your home safe from high winds.

Fascia

Moving outwards, fascia is a horizontal board that’s installed at the bottom of your roof trusses. The fascia is what your gutters attach to. When your gutters are nailed into the fascia, you don’t have to worry about them disrupting the rest of your roof anatomy. 

Gutter

Gutters, as we mentioned above, are attached to the fascia of your roof. Gutters direct rainwater and other precipitation away from your siding and the foundation of your home, and into downspouts. This helps ensure you don’t experience foundation erosion and keeps your landscaping looking nice. 

Downspout

Downspouts are metal or vinyl pipes connected to your gutters that funnel all of the water coming from your gutter system down and away from your home. Directing all of that precipitation away helps to keep your foundation from cracking or eroding, and it keeps your basement nice and dry. Check out this red downspout drawing away from this home’s gutters:

For all of your West Michigan residential roofing needs, Werner Roofing is here to help. From metal to asphalt roofs, gutters, and anything in between, we’re here to install and repair any roofing issue you’ve come across. Give us a call at 616-844-5382 or contact us online for your free, no-obligation quote.

If you’re new to homeownership, or if you’re having roof trouble for the first time, it may be a surprise to know about all the different components of a roofing system. Many homeowners don’t realize that their roof is comprised of much more than shingles and gutters. One essential component of every roofing system is roof sheathing.

So, what is roof sheathing? We’re here to break down roof sheathing and what it does.

What Is Roof Sheathing?

Roof sheathing, also known as roof decking, is a strong layer of wood boards that are fixed to your roof’s joists and trusses and add support. Your roofer will attach your shingles to these squares or planks of wood.

What Is Roof Sheathing Made Of?

There are two types of roof sheathing. It’s made of either oriented strand board (OSB) or plywood. Both materials are wood, but OSB is more lightweight and costs slightly less. Plywood is a very durable type of roof decking but tends to cost a bit more and is heavier.

Most roofers these days prefer OSB, unless they’re working with a heavier material like slate or concrete roofing tiles. In these cases, plywood is usually a better option.

What Does Roof Sheathing Do?

The primary function of roof sheathing is to strengthen your roof. It offers a sturdy support system on which to build the rest of your roof system. 

What Benefits Does Roof Sheathing Offer?

In addition to adding strength to your roof, roof sheathing offers an array of benefits!

Helps Stops Leaks

When people first built asphalt shingle roofs a long time ago, roof sheathing wasn’t always used. Most homeowners found that without sheathing or decking, their roofs were much more likely to leak.

While today’s asphalt shingles feature several weatherproofing treatments, the additional layer of boards will give your roof another layer of protection against the elements. Since many sheathing boards are weatherproofed, this helps prolong the lifespan of your roof and keeps your home safe from water damage.

Adds Strength and Support

Roof sheathing helps distribute weight evenly across your roof. Since sheathing boards are affixed to your roof’s trusses and joints — its strongest supporting beams — they help ensure that heavy loads of snow and precipitation don’t cause bowing or sagging. 

Sheathing boards also help your roof to hold up asphalt shingles. Shingles can be a little heavier than you’d expect, and sheathing helps ensure that any weight they add is distributed evenly across the span of your roof.

Fire Protection

Roof sheathing or decking can also help prevent fires. While nothing is 100% fireproof, many roof sheathing materials come with a fire retardant treatment that can help resist fires on the roof or in the attic.

How To Know When You Need New Roof Sheathing

Roof sheathing is a critical component of your overall roofing system. If yours is old, outdated, or damaged, you’ll want to have it replaced as soon as possible.

The most common reason to replace roof sheathing is when you re-roof your home, but there are a few other signs that will tell you it’s time to replace your sheathing.

Broken or Damaged Boards

If you can distinctly see broken sheathing boards, it’s time for a roof replacement. It’s not hard to spot damaged sheathing, as your roof will probably sag, and you may even see sawdust and broken parts in your attic.

Sheathing board damage can happen if a lot of weight is concentrated in one area — like if a tree branch or limb falls on the roof. It can also occur if your roof is well past its expected lifespan. 

Water Damage

Water damage can be dangerous for any part of your roof. If you’re seeing leaks, puddles, or water stains in your ceiling, it’s time to replace at least one element. 

Sheathing water damage is particularly bad because it can affect the structure of your roof. It’s best to have water-damaged boards replaced as soon as possible.

Rotting 

If you can see parts of your roof’s sheathing beginning to rot, it’s definitely time for a replacement. Rotting sheathing is often caused by water damage, but it can be less evident if you haven’t yet seen leaks.

The best way to check for rotting sheathing is to head up to your attic with a flashlight. If sheathing has started to rot in places, you should be able to see darkened spots in the wood. If your attic isn’t too tall, you can also go around gently with a hammer or even just your hand to feel for soft spots in the wood.

Light Passing Through Holes in the Roof

As a general rule, seeing the sky through your roof is a bad sign. If you head up to your attic with a flashlight and can see the light passing through holes in your roof, it’s time to call a roofer. If the light is getting through, water can get through too.

Sagging Ceiling or Roofline

The most obvious way to identify roof sheathing damage is to see sagging in your ceiling or roofline. If you’re inside and see areas of the ceiling that seem a little closer to you than others, your sheathing might be to blame.  

Similarly, if you can tell from outside the home that parts of your roof are sagging, it’s time to call a roofing contractor.

Roof Sheathing and Asphalt Roofing in Holland, MI 

Your roof sheathing is an important component of your roofing system. It holds up your shingles, keeps you safe from the elements, and helps distribute weight evenly across your roof.

If you suspect your Holland or West Michigan home has damaged or old sheathing, get in touch with the experts at Werner Roofing. We’ve been building Holland roofs for years and would be happy to come and inspect your roof sheathing to let you know what’s happening. Schedule your free roofing estimate online today, or call us at 616-844-5382, and we’ll get you a no-obligation estimate based on a professional inspection.