When you picture a new patio or carport, you probably think about size and colour first. But the roof shape has just as much impact on how it looks, how much headroom you get, and how it handles a summer storm. There are really only two shapes to choose from: flat (also called skillion) and gable. Here's how they compare.
Flat or skillion? They're the same roof
"Flat roof" and "skillion roof" are two names for the same thing. It's a single roof plane that slopes in one direction, from high at one side to low at the other. It looks flat from the ground, but it's never completely level, because it needs a fall so rainwater runs into the gutter instead of pooling on the sheets.
How much fall? A flat or skillion roof needs a minimum fall of 2 degrees, which works out to about 35mm of fall for every metre of roof. On a 4m-deep patio, that means the low side sits roughly 140mm lower than the high side.
It's the most common style for Australian patios and carports because it:
- gives a sleek, modern line that suits most homes,
- is quick and straightforward to install,
- uses fewer components than a gable,
- drains to a single gutter, and
- suits attached, flyover and freestanding designs.
Our freestanding double carport is a good example. It's a flat (skillion) roof with 2.45m clearance under the beam at the front and 2.25m at the back. On attached kits, the roof usually falls away from the house, carrying water out to the front gutter.
Want more height? A flyover is a flat (skillion) roof raised above your existing gutter line. It gives you extra headroom and airflow without the complexity of a gable.
Gable roofs: the classic peaked look
A gable roof has two sloping sides that meet at a ridge in the middle, like a traditional house roof. It creates a tall, open ceiling and a real architectural feature in the backyard. Many people choose it to match a pitched roof on the house.
Gable kits have more parts than a flat roof. Our freestanding insulated gable kits include a king post, ridge capping and two box gutters, one for each side, alongside the beams, posts and roof panels. That means a little more time on the build, but the result is hard to beat.
Gable roofs are a great choice for:
- entertaining areas where you want height and a sense of space,
- freestanding patios in the middle of the yard, like a poolside or outdoor-kitchen shelter,
- carports that need to match a traditional pitched-roof home.
Browse insulated freestanding gable kits or V-Line single skin gable kits.
Side-by-side comparison
| Flat / skillion | Flyover (raised flat roof) | Gable | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Look | Sleek, modern | Open, lofty | Classic, architectural |
| Headroom | Good | Better | Best in the centre |
| Gutters | One | One | Two |
| DIY difficulty | Easiest | Moderate | Moderate to advanced |
| Styles available | Attached or freestanding | Attached over the house roof | Freestanding |
Don't forget the roof sheet
Shape is only half the decision. You'll also choose between insulated panels, which keep the space noticeably cooler and quieter, and V-Line single skin sheeting, which is lighter on the budget. Our insulated vs V-Line guide breaks down the difference.
Every Online Patios kit comes with a roof plan, engineering and an installation manual, whichever shape you pick.