Take a look up on the roof of just about any building you’ll see around town and and one thing you’ll notice, is that the shape of them varies greatly with regards to the degree at which they rise to the ridge. This particular feature of a building is called the roof pitch, the slope, or the rake, and you may be surprised by the number of factors that are considered when deciding on what it will be.

In fact a big clue that you get with regards to the number of factors that go into this design option is that many of the commercial buildings that you’ll see in the area that you live in are flat. It’s a pragmatic business persons solution to all the following considerations. That is just step right over all of them by not building a pitched roof at all. However, flat roofs for the most part tend to fall short on aesthetics.

Generally speaking, it’s pretty much the general consensus that square shaped building without a roof just seems to be less attractive. You see, a roof adds a certain element of angular geometry that adds to the general appearance of the structure, and while commercial building owners can get by with a plain looking building, homeowners in general look for a little bit more when it comes to appearance.

Then another thing a builder and architect are going to take into account in the design stage, is of course cost and a steeper roof will always tend to drive them up. To begin with, it takes more materials to build them, and the lumber has to be longer wider boards that are substantially more expensive. Then again the added height and slope also works to drive up the cost of the labor as well.

The higher costs incurred doesn’t end with just materials and more expensive labor either. This is because the steeper a roof is, the more difficult it is to work on, and as a result progress will also be slower. Then when it comes time to actually lay down the roofing, once again these same factors listed here will work to drive up its costs in terms of labor plus the extra materials due to the added square footage.

Then another thing that has to be taken into account is attic space. It’s not hard to see how this factors in either because a lower rake will tend to cut off head room up in an attic. On the other hand, a steeper taller pitch can mean that this otherwise wasted space in the home can be converted to extra living quarters. Or if an air conditioner and or water heater is located in an attic, a taller roof allows for easier access.

Then another item to consider if the structure is going to be built in a region that receives a high rate of snow, is how well the roof will shed it. Or if the pitch is going to be low, the framing structure of the roof itself must be strong enough such that it can hold it. As in a flat roof commercial building. So the next time you’re driving through the mountains take a look at how steep the roofs on the cabins are as you pass them by.

Lastly, trends in home building and sales also factor in big in the decision-making process for a person who’s building a home to sell. You see, just like so many other things that people buy and bring it to their lives, home designs also go in and out of style. So quite often it comes down to just that. Whatever the hot new look in roofing is will be what ends up getting built.

Learn more about reroofing. Stop by Sandi Feris’s site where you can find out all about roof insulation and what it can do for you.