When deciding on the roof structure for either a new build or for an extension it is important to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each to see which is most suitable for your needs.

The pitch of the roof is particularly important, and regulations vary depending on the country your property is in as the pitch will need to be different dependent upon the weather and rainfall in that country. In the UK we experience a considerable amount of rain and so the roof needs to have a certain pitch to enable the rainwater to flow away adequately however in countries with little rainfall the pitch of the roof does not need to be as steep.

Many builders use flat roofs for extensions and single storey properties mainly because they are cheaper and easier to install however the life of a traditional felted flat roof is only about ten to fifteen years so it will need regularly replacing. A rubberised flat roof will have a much longer life and so would be a better alternative if a flat roof is to be used.

With the growing concern over global warming some people are choosing so called green roofs as an option. These roofs are planted with types of grass and even wildflowers and continually grow which does involve some regular maintenance work to be carried out, but it is an excellent way to provide habitats and food for insects.