This has to happen whether you re just removing the pitched roof or adding another floor with a flat roof.
Convert pitched roof to flat roof.
It s not an easy job and requires at least two people but the results are worthwhile and you don t need extensive knowledge of carpentry to do it.
Here are the primary reasons homeowners choose to convert a flat roof to pitched.
You simply like the look of a pitched roof.
A pitched roof conversion done properly will distribute weight to the bearing walls of the structure.
Poor design and or construction of the existing flat roof may have resulted in frequent or recurring problems.
While that s the easiest route it s certainly not your only option.
How much does it cost to convert a flat roof to a pitched roof.
It is a significant renovation if you are converting from flat to pitched.
Flat roofs also don t last as long.
You either have to raise the height of the eaves or lower the height of the ridge.
Some other pros to converting your flat roof to pitched include.
Additional valleys angles and gables can be built into converted roofs as well but adding these elements may affect your project.
On houses new pitched roofs typically are supported by the exterior walls as with standard sloped roof construction.
A pitched roof is more expensive.
Putting aside the obvious question of that s a terrible idea why would you want to do that there are really only two ways to go about that.
The old roof may have structural issues requiring significant repair or renovation.
Most homeowners choose to convert a flat roof to a pitched one using a simple trussed roof with two angled planes.
The average cost of converting a flat roof to a pitched roof is around 3 000 to 4 500 although this is dependent on the type of materials used during construction whether or not scaffolding will be used and the size of the roof the most common materials used include concrete tiles which typically cost around 0 75 to 3.
However flat roofs require much more aggressive and consistent maintenance than a pitched roof.
There are a few ways to dealing with a pitched roof if you choose to convert to a flat roof.
You can tear off the existing roof remove the trusses and strengthen the joists.
Changing the garage to a pitched roof takes work but brings greater protection as well as more room in the garage.
The typical way is to remove the existing roof and add new framing to the home that create a pitched roof over the old flat roof area.
In the previous case a roof conversion would transform a structurally unsound roof into a long term dependable roof.
Depending on the climate your flat roof will only last between 15 and 30 years if well maintained.
Why consider a roof conversion.