Can I Convert My Flat Roof to a Pitched Roof?

For all their aesthetic benefits, flat roofs can come with some serious downsides, too. Flat roof surfaces are more prone to leaks, water damage, and problems with mold. Not to mention, you’ll need to replace your flat roof more frequently and maintain it with waterproof coatings and seals. All that moisture exposure tends to wear down roofing materials, meaning a new roof—and a $5,000 or more price tag. You may start considering pitching a flat roof.

Homeowners who want to convert to angled roofs have plenty of options. The price and scope of the project depends on:

• How complicated you want your new roof to be
• The construction of your existing roof and ceiling joists.

If you’re thinking about converting to a pitched roof, here’s what you’ll need to know before you begin.

Cost to Convert a Flat Roof

Converting a roof is a big project. It can impact the architecture and stability of your home’s existing structure. Let’s take a look at the costs.

Flat Roof Conversion

Converting a flat roof to a pitched roof can add space to your home and make roof maintenance easier

• Pitched roofs are less prone to leaks

• Less frequent replacement needed for pitched roofs

• A pitched roof opens up a home

Average Cost:

$5,000 - $30,000+

Converting a flat roof to a pitched roof will cost between $5,000 to $30,000 or beyond, depending on which structural changes are needed, what material your new roof will be made of, and labor costs in your area.

Extra Costs to Plan for in Your Flat Roof Conversion

When you make a massive adjustment to your roof, it’s not just the surface that’s affected. Here are some of the costs you will see or need to account for in your budget.

• Installing new support beams and joists.
• Any necessary permits and inspections.
• Extend pipes, heating and air conditioning vents and ducts, and the chimney, if necessary.
• Heating system vents and pipes will also need to be extended.
• New siding that will blend in with your home’s existing cladding will need to be purchased if the walls are going to be higher than they are currently. It may difficult to match new siding exactly if your existing siding is older or faded. If that mismatched effect will bother you, you may want to consider replacing all your siding instead.

All of these items add to the final total of your project and should be factored in when you’re budgeting. Your contractor should be able to offer you more specific details on these costs.

When to Convert Your Flat Roof to a Pitched Roof

Let’s determine whether a new roofing system is the best option for you before you begin a large construction project. Here are some common reasons homeowners want to convert their roof and if a pitched roof will solve that problem.

Your Home’s Existing Architecture May Affect Your Options

If you’ve looked at all the alternatives and determine that a roofing conversion is really the best option for your home, it’s time to start planning your home’s new architectural design.

There are a couple of different ways to go about a conversion. You can:

• install a shallow pitched roof over your existing flat roof.
• build a new floor and install the pitched roof above that.
• tear out the flat roof and rebuild the home’s structure.

Your home’s existing design may affect the changes you can make.

For instance, if you’re not building a new floor into your home, your design will be limited to where/how the existing ceiling joists are arranged. That means you may have to tear out the ceilings below the roof as well to get the exact design you want.

An architect or structural engineer should be able to provide advice on what’s possible in your home—and what additional changes you’ll need to make before you can get your dream roof.

Find Me Local Roofing Pros

Expect to Spend More for Complicated Roofing Systems

Most homeowners choose to convert a flat roof to a pitched one using a simple trussed roof with two angled planes. While that’s the easiest route, it’s certainly not your only option.

Additional valleys, angles, and gables can be built into converted roofs, as well — but adding these elements may affect your project.

For instance, it may be difficult to build a large gable into a low-pitched roof that you install above the flat roof surface. Always make sure your design gets an okay from an engineer or architect before making changes.

All in all, a flat roof replacement is a serious project that should be carefully thought out. But with a little planning and some professional help, your ideal roof will be well within your grasp.