PITCH OF ROOF

• Flat. A sloping roof is practical for deflecting rain and snow, but in arid parts of the world, slope is less important. Southwestern house styles, such as Pueblo and Spanish Eclectic, often have flat roofs. The development of more durable roofing materials has eliminated concerns about the weather, and flat roofs are common on modern, International-style homes and many urban townhouses.

FLAT

• Slight Pitch. Gable, hipped, shed, and other roof shapes with very gradual slopes may appear almost flat. Mediterranean and Italianate-style homes often have subtle rooflines. Low, gently pitched roofs also are characteristic of many 20th century styles, including Craftsman Bungalow, Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie-style houses, and the ever-popular Ranch.
• Dramatic Pitch. A gable roof that is narrow and extremely steep is almost always inspired by Gothic traditions. Imitating the churches of Medieval Europe, Gothic Revival and Carpenter Gothic houses create a sense of vaulting height with tall, pointed gables.