Granny flat kits are relatively affordable in Australia, and adding a flat to your yard is often a great way to provide housing for a renter while making some money. Regardless of what you intend to use the flat for, though, you have to be sure that the flat is easy to take care of and has a style that you like to see in your backyard. The roof plays a huge role in this because on a small flat, the roof is one of the largest features and can affect how the rest of the flat looks. You have a choice between skillion roofs (which are those roofs that look like one huge plank tilted down in one direction) and gable roofs, which are your typical two-sided traditional roofs.

Modern, Traditional, and Utilitarian Roof Styles

If you want the flat to have a very modern look that is sleek and that screams upper-end design, a skillion roof that is tilted to one side is best. These are those roofs that run from one low point to one high point. If you'd prefer a more traditional look, such as a cabin or Craftsman-style roof, a gable roof would be best. If you prefer the utilitarian look, a flat skillion roof that lies at such a small pitch that it looks horizontal would be better.

Cost, Both Upfront and Later On

Because skillion roofs (both the tilted and horizontal versions) call for the roof to have only one 'side', they're generally cheaper. There's no worrying about whether or not the gable should be this or that height and constructing a giant triangle. Design-wise, the skillion roof is a no-brainer if you're trying to be cost-conscious. But gabled roofs can last longer because they offer the house a little more protection from rain and snow, and the roof itself is more protected just because of its shape. With a skillion roof, one end has more exposure to all that bad weather because it's higher up and is angled in such a way that rain will hit it. A gable roof has exposed ends, but they're both pointing down toward the ground. Rain can still hit those ends, but it's more likely to hit the top surface of the roof panel instead.

Solar Issues

You could install solar panels on both tilted skillion roofs and gabled roofs. However, gabled roofs allow you to place panels on either side (assuming the panels don't exceed the weight limits of the roof). When you have solar panels installed, they need to get direct sun exposure. If a skillion roof is installed so that the surface faces away from where the sunlight typically hits in your yard, then you really won't be able to install panels on that roof. But if you have a gabled roof, the sunlight might still hit one side, and you can install panels there.

When you look at granny flat kits, you'll see variations on the same flat style with different roofs, windows and the like. Discuss what you need with the sales representative and see if the kits can be customised.