Covered patio roof pitch in Tulsa affects three things: how well the roof sheds rain and hail, how the covered patio looks from the yard and from inside the home, and what roofing materials can be used. VistaScapes & Design designs covered patio roofs that match the home’s architecture and perform in Oklahoma’s climate. Here is what Tulsa homeowners need to know about roof pitch options for covered patios.

Covered Patio Roof Pitch Options for Tulsa

• Matching the home’s roof pitch (the standard approach) – The most common and visually correct approach for an attached covered patio in Tulsa: the covered patio roof pitch matches the home’s existing roof pitch (typically 6:12 or 8:12 on most Tulsa residential construction); a covered patio with the same pitch as the home’s roof looks like a planned addition to the architecture rather than an afterthought; the matching pitch also simplifies the ledger board attachment geometry since the roof plane angles are consistent; VistaScapes measures the home’s existing roof pitch during the site assessment and designs the covered patio at the same pitch as standard practice
• Lower pitch (2:12 to 4:12) for shed-style covered patios – A shed-style covered patio roof slopes in one direction (typically away from the house) at a lower pitch than the home’s main roof; appropriate when the covered patio is at a lower elevation than the home’s eave and a matching-pitch gable would be too tall for the space; the shed roof is simpler to frame and slightly less expensive than a gable roof; the appearance is more utilitarian than a gable and may not be appropriate for Tulsa homes where architectural coordination is important; at very low pitches (2:12 or less), standing water on the roof becomes a concern with conventional asphalt shingles — 4:12 minimum is recommended for shingle roofing
• Gable roof covered patio (the premium standard in Tulsa) – A gable roof has a ridge beam at the peak with two slopes falling away from the ridge; the gable end faces the yard and the home; the gable roof is the most architecturally formal and most visually substantial covered patio roof in Tulsa’s outdoor living market; the gable profile creates a high ceiling interior that feels more like an outdoor room and less like a patio cover; appropriate for all Tulsa home styles; the most common roof configuration for covered patios in Tulsa’s premium market (Jenks, Bixby, south Tulsa, Broken Arrow)
• Hip roof covered patio – A hip roof has four slopes (all four sides slope downward from a central ridge); the hip profile is associated with greater wind resistance because there are no exposed gable end walls for Oklahoma’s wind to catch; appropriate for larger covered patio structures (20×24 and up) and for freestanding pavilions where wind load on the gable end would be substantial; the hip roof is slightly more complex and expensive to frame than a gable roof but provides better wind resistance for large covered structures in Oklahoma’s severe weather environment; appropriate for Jenks, south Bixby, and other communities where pavilions are common
• Flat roof (not recommended for Tulsa) – A truly flat roof on a covered patio in Tulsa is not appropriate; Oklahoma’s 60+ inches of annual rainfall requires positive drainage from all roof surfaces; a flat roof develops standing water problems, and conventional roofing materials fail faster when water stands; if a low-profile contemporary roof is the design goal for a Tulsa covered patio, a 2:12 minimum pitch with TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) flat roofing membrane is the appropriate specification rather than a true flat surface

Call VistaScapes & Design at (918) 779-1317 for a free covered patio design consultation in Tulsa. We design rooflines that match your home’s architecture and perform through Oklahoma’s weather. Free on-site visit, no obligation.