Roof Types
Skillion Roofing for Sydney Homes & Extensions
A single sloping plane that looks modern and works well when the fall and drainage are right.
A skillion roof is a single flat plane that slopes in one direction, with no ridge in the middle. It is the clean, angular look you see on modern Sydney homes, extensions, carports and studios. Because it is one continuous slope, the whole roof drains to one side, which puts a lot of demand on the low-end gutter and on getting the pitch right. Done well it is striking and efficient; done poorly it ponds and leaks.
Getting the pitch right
The single most important decision on a skillion is the pitch. Owners often want it as flat as possible for the crisp modern look, but every roof profile has a minimum fall below which water sits rather than runs. Lay standard corrugated too flat and it leaks at the end laps and ponds in the pans.
Where a very low pitch is the design goal, we specify a profile or a standing seam system rated for it, rather than forcing sheeting past its limit. Matching the pitch to the profile is what stops a good-looking skillion from turning into a leaking one.
All the water goes to one gutter
Unlike a gable roof that splits water two ways, a skillion sends its entire catchment to the low edge. That gutter and its downpipes have to be sized for the whole roof area, or they overflow in a Sydney downpour and dump water back against the wall or fascia.
We size the gutter and downpipes for the full catchment, and where the low edge is a concealed or box gutter tucked behind a parapet, we detail it with proper overflows so a blockage cannot flood the ceiling below.
Ventilation and condensation under a skillion
Skillion roofs often have little or no roof cavity, with the ceiling following the underside of the slope. That leaves little room for ventilation, so warm moist air can condense against a cold metal roof and drip into the insulation. We detail anti-condensation sarking and, where the design allows, ventilation so the roof build-up stays dry and does not rot the framing over time.
What's Included
- Pitch and profile matched so the roof drains properly
- Standing seam or low-pitch profile where a near-flat look is wanted
- Gutter and downpipes sized for the full single-plane catchment
- Box or concealed gutter detailing with overflows where required
- Anti-condensation sarking and ventilation to the roof build-up
- Clean parapet and barge detailing for the modern skillion look
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a skillion roof?
A skillion is a roof with a single flat plane that slopes one way, with no central ridge. It gives a modern, angular look and is common on extensions, carports and contemporary homes. Because it is one slope, all the water drains to a single low edge.
How flat can a skillion roof be?
It depends on the roofing profile. Every sheet type has a minimum pitch, and going flatter causes ponding and leaks at the laps. For a very low-pitch look we use a standing seam or a profile rated for it, rather than laying standard sheeting too flat.
Why does my skillion roof gutter overflow?
A skillion sends its whole catchment to one gutter, so if that gutter or its downpipes are undersized, they overflow in heavy rain. The fix is correctly sizing the gutter and downpipes for the full roof area, and adding overflows on any concealed box gutter.
Do skillion roofs have condensation problems?
They can, because they often have little roof cavity for ventilation. Warm indoor air condenses on the cold metal underside and drips into the insulation. We manage this with anti-condensation sarking and ventilation designed into the roof build-up so the framing stays dry.
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