Broadly classifying, roofs are of two types, the flat roof, and the pitched roof. The pitched roof is a roof with steep sides as opposed to the leveled surface of a flat roof. The roof pitch is decided by the ratio of the vertical rise of the roof in inches per 12 inches of its horizontal run.
Commercial constructions usually favor flat roofs. Pitched roofs have more aesthetic appeal. Multiple pitches that accommodate multiple gables and dormers give an imperial look to the house. So, residential houses usually sport pitched roofs.

Although a pitched roof is aesthetically satisfying, it is not the only advantage of a pitched roof. It has great practical utility. A pitched roof helps in the uninhibited draining of water. It is very crucial for a roof to stay drainable, as it will avoid water pooling on the roof. The absence of water-pooling reduces the possibility of roof leaks.
When you have a pitched roof, you can have more attic space. When the roof pitch is higher, space in the attic also increases. If it is high enough, you can even convert the attic space into a room. You get a variety of sustainable roofing materials that go with a pitched roof. So, in a way, you can consider a pitched roof environment friendly.
The pitched roofs can be low or high. The low-pitched roof is usually seen on shopping malls, warehouses, and other commercial buildings. The high-pitched roofs are elegant, and so they are preferred by homeowners. Both these styles have their pros and cons.
Both low pitch and high pitch of the roof have their specific pros and cons.
Low pitched roof pros
The low pitched roofs have the roof pitch from 2:12 to 6:12.
- Since the attic space is smaller compared to the high-pitched roof, the space that affects the inside temperature also will be less. It prevents extreme heating or cooling of the inside atmosphere.
- The low-pitched roofs will have a lesser surface area that takes shingles or tiles. So you will have the advantage of buying less number of the same. You save dollars here.
- Maintenance on a low-pitched roof is easier, as it is safer to walk on a low-pitched roof than its high-pitched counterparts.
Low pitched roof cons
- Smaller attic space reduces storage space. That sometimes proves to be a disadvantage for a residential establishment.
- Since the slope of the pitched roof is small, the water tends to loiter on the surface of the roof. In short, any minor obstruction will result in a low run-off. Water damage is a serious consideration here.
- The low-pitched roof provides a comparatively flatter surface for debris accumulation. It makes frequent roof cleaning necessary.
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High pitched roof pros
The roof pitch of the high pitched roof is from 6:12 upwards.
- The most noted advantage is the presence of a large usable space between your roof and ceiling. The possibility of building an extra room here is no mean advantage.
- The slope of the roof facilitated higher water run-off. So the scare of water damage is comparatively low here.
- If you are style-conscious, a high-pitched roof suits you because it is more stylish and elegant.
- The negligible debris accumulation makes high pitched roof free of too frequent maintenance.

High pitched roof cons
- The highly slopped feature of the high-pitched roof renders it almost maintenance-free. However, when there arises a need, the same feature makes it very difficult to walk on it.
- As the surface area increases with the height of the roof, you’ll need more roofing material. It means more expense.
- The attic space is a lot more than the low-pitched roof, and it means more space to cool or heat. As a result, energy efficiency is compromised.
Choosing the materials for your pitched roof
A variety of materials are available now for your low-pitched roof. Most of them are recyclable and so environment friendly. The BUR (built-up roofing materials made of tar and gravel is a very suitable as well as “green” option. Metal roofing made of lighter panels with a raised seam is another cost-effective choice. It is less expensive. The single membrane can be installed by torching it down. Also, it is a material suitable for DIY jobs. It saves money for you. On the other hand, you can use almost all kinds of roofing materials, from asphalt shingles to slate are suitable for a high-pitched roof. You can choose the one that suits your pocket.