What is the Best Type of Roof for Home Extensions?

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If you have decided to build a home extension, or renovate an existing part of your home, there will be plenty of things you’ll need to attend to. You will have to consider your budget, as well as notify your insurer of the changes you will make.

With that in mind, you’ll need to decide on the best type of roof to cover your extension. A good roof ensures adequate protection from the elements, and will help blend the extension with the rest of your property.

Here are four options to consider for the best roof type for your extension:

Pitched Roof

brick extension with pitched roofA pitched roof is generally the default option because it offers a number of benefits. The most notable benefit is that rainfall will easily run off it, reducing the risk of any leaking or drainage issues. It also gives extra ceiling height, as well as options for loft space storage. Not to mention a pitched roof looks attractive from the outside, as you are able to incorporate either traditional tiles or artificial slates.

Internally, a pitched roof provides flexibility for exposed beams. It also creates higher ceiling angles that allow for higher roof lights. This setup, in turn, makes your extension look and feel more spacious, light, and airy. Pitched roof costs are normally higher than flat roof costs but may be a better option for some homes.

Flat Roof

This type of roof offers immeasurable flexibility, explains Mark Brinkley in a feature on Home Building and Renovating. They can be used for structures of any shape or size without having to worry about the way the roof is held up. They are also good for keeping the internal temperature stable, as they can be easily insulated.

In addition to that, we ended the flat roof stigma in a previous post; flat roofs might actually be the best option for a home extension. They are cheaper to install, and if you choose the right material, are very resistant to leaks with a long life span. They can also be multi-purpose, as you can, among other things, use them as a terrace or garden. You can even modernise the look by asking your roofer to create a deep overhang or incorporate a parapet. But perhaps more importantly, flat roofs are among the most affordable roofing options, because less material is needed to cover the structure.

Solid Conservatory Roof

Solid conservatory roofs are gaining popularity in the country, especially for homeowners with conservatories, which are as popular as ever in the UK.

West Wales Property Finders’ Carol Peett noted how they add value to homes as they are far more flexible and useable year-round. Screwfix’s range of conservatory designs shows how the most popular roof designs are made from glass.

However, an all-glass roof might not be the best option, as it can make your conservatory unbearably hot during the summer. To avoid this problem, there is a work-around that you can try. Replace your conservatory’s roof with solid tiles or a combined glass and solid roof. This design makes your conservatory a seamless, open-plan part of your house. Most importantly, this type of roofing guarantees year-round use of your conservatory, as you will be able to enjoy it even on the hottest of days.

Green Roof

Green roofs are very popular in Europe, and the UK is starting to catch up with this particular trend. London and Sheffield, in particular, are championing green roofs. Green Roof Guide describes it as “a roof or deck onto which vegetation is intentionally grown or habitats for wildlife are established.”

Green roofs are increasingly popular because they are environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing at the same time. Meticulous planning and careful planting also helps mitigate maintenance work, and this makes green roofs even more appealing.

Your home extension, like the rest of your house, deserves a fitting roof. If you are considering building a new home extension or simply upgrading your roof we hope our list will help. Simply fill in the form below to get up to 4 quotes from reputable roofers near you today.

 

Emily

Emily Rivers is the Customer Experience Manager at Quotatis. She informs customers of the latest developments in a range of products so they can make the best choice for their homes and ensures they get the best out of our service.