Are Flat Roofs Better Value For Money Than Pitched Roofs?

Daniel Bracewell • 14 January 2025

Choosing a roof design for a housing project, renovation or replacement is an exceptionally tough decision, one that should be made with the help of specialists who can tailor an architectural project around your needs.

The decision is often focused on a mix of practicality, value for money and personal preference, but how much lifetime value does a flat roof provide compared to a pitched roof?

In terms of initial costs, there is no contest; a flat roof costs half the price per square metre compared to a pitched roof, at least according to estimates.

As well as this, the rooftop can be actively used as an outdoor space, such as a garden, storage for HVAC units or even a rooftop dining area or viewing balcony. There is a lot of value in adding another outdoor area to your house, something naturally impossible with a pitched roof.

If the flat roof is well designed, with an effective drainage system that avoids the potential for water buildup it can last decades, with the only part which regularly needs upgrading and altering being the waterproof membrane.

By contrast, a pitched roof costs a lot more to install and a lot more to maintain if there are issues with the shingles, tiles or asphalt coating. When pitched roofs need maintenance and repair, the job is usually far more substantial and involved.

In terms of costs, repairs are typically also half the price, replacements a third of the price and the long-term estimated costs per year are half for a flat roof compared to a pitched one.

This is something that is often not considered when it comes to pitched roofs; whilst they have a longer overall lifespan, this comes with an expectation of specialist maintenance, whilst a flat roof is often far more affordable to maintain, with higher quality results overall.

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Can You Install Solar Panels On A Flat Roof?

by Daniel Bracewell • 10 December 2025

If you’re exploring how to lower your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint, you may be looking at the likes of solar panels for your home. But what if your property has a flat roof rather than a pitched roof? Can you still install solar panels on a flat roof? The short answer is yes, you can! In fact, it is often easier to install solar panels on a flat roof than it is to fit them to a sloped roof, which might make this an even more appealing avenue to explore when you’re looking at flat roof ideas . In many cases, you also don’t need planning permission to install solar panels on your flat roof. Of course, there are exceptions if you have a listed building or live in a conservation area, but if you own your house (different rules apply for flats too), you should be free to add solar panels to your home as you choose. There are different kinds of mounting systems for flat roof solar panels and which is most appropriate for your home will depend on the direction it faces. It is worth noting that the cost of installing solar panels is often higher on flat roofs because of the mounting system, but some of this can be offset by the lower labour costs because the installation process is usually more straightforward. One of the main reasons homeowners install solar panels is to reduce their energy bills. Many report savings of hundreds of pounds each year, which means these panels often pay for themselves relatively quickly. What’s more, under the Smart Export Guarantee , you can sell any energy you don’t use back to the National Grid, which can increase the rate at which your investment in solar panels pays for itself. So, if you are exploring ways to make the most of your flat roof, consider solar panels as an option to reduce your energy bills and do good for the environment.