If you’re thinking about reroofing your home, building a new structure that’s in need of a roof or just curious about the pros and cons of flat roofs in Thousand Oaks versus traditional pitched roofs, it helps to examine each from a variety of different standpoints. Here are a few of the most common components that comprise these two types of roofing and the scoop on what makes them better or worse overall:
Cost
When it comes to averaging how much you’ll pay for a flat roof installation versus a traditional pitched roof job, there’s no contest: a flat roof is invariably cheaper. But, if you take a step back and examine a roof’s cost based on its lifetime, the cost gap closes just a bit… The cost of upkeep and maintenance for flat roofs in Thousand Oaks tends to be higher than that of pitched ones, based on the amount of weathering and environmental damage that can be attributed to the structure. While you may save a few thousand dollars in installation costs for a flat roof, you may find yourself paying out that much or more in repair costs associated with moisture damage and weathering—it all depends on how much rainfall your home is exposed to and what the intensity of that rain is.
Maintenance and Structure Damage
While traditional pitched roofs tend to be harder to inspect and repair based on their nature, flat roofs almost always require more frequent maintenance due to theirs. Drainage is much harder for flat roofs because they lack angular shingling, making them more susceptible to pooling water and water damage. Where flat roofs tend to reign superior is when it comes to ease of maintenance and maneuverability: it’s easy to get atop and provide service to a roof that’s flatter. In the end, the pros and cons of these two types of roofing tend to even out based on frequency versus ease of maintenance.
Practicality
If you haven’t realized by now, the pros and cons of flat roofs in Thousand Oaks and traditional pitched roofs all depends on how much rainfall and other weather they’re exposed to. In California, where rainfall is generally average to below average, it makes sense for many homeowners to choose flat roofs because the overall impact by rainfall is generally low. However, in the event that it’s a moist year throughout the state, a homeowner with a flat roof may find themselves spending a bit more in repairs. It’s a give and take that’s all based on practicality. For example, if your home is smaller, a flat roof may be a better option, however if your home covers a larger square footage, a flat roof may not be worth the investment and instead, a pitched roof will serve you better in the long run.
When it comes right down to it, flat roofs, like pitched roofs, have certain characteristics that make them more applicable in certain scenarios than other types of roofing. Knowing which of these scenarios more frequently befalls your home could mean the difference between roofs and the difference between a sturdy investment and costly upkeep.