Flat vs gable vs skillion patio: which roof is right for your home?
BeforeGable Roof PatioIn the flat vs gable patio choice, a flat roof is the cheapest and simplest, and a skillion adds a modern single slope. A gable is a pitched triangle roof that costs more but feels taller, brighter and more like part of the house. For most Australian homes, the right pick comes down to your budget, your house roof and how much headroom you have.
All three are usually built from a steel frame with Colorbond roofing, and all three can be attached or freestanding. Here is how they stack up in 2026.
Flat vs gable vs skillion at a glance
| Flat | Skillion | Gable | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shape | One plane, slight fall | One plane, visible slope | Two slopes meeting at a ridge |
| Look | Plain, practical | Clean and modern | Classic, matches pitched roofs |
| Headroom | Lowest | Higher on the open side | Highest in the middle |
| Light into the house | Can darken rooms | Good if it rises away from the house | Good, especially with a clear gable end |
| Feel in summer | Warmest under a bare sheet | Better airflow on the high side | Usually coolest, hot air rises |
| Indicative price, 6 m × 4.5 m, Perth | $11,500 to $13,500 | $12,000 to $14,500 | $16,000 to $18,500 |
| Best for | Budget builds, low eaves, double-storey homes | Modern homes, blocking low sun | Pitched roof homes, big entertaining areas |
Prices are indicative installed ranges, rounded and including GST. An installer's site measure and quote set the real price.
Flat roof patio
A flat roof patio is the most common style in Australia. It is not truly flat: it has a small fall so rain runs to the gutter, and the sheet maker sets the minimum.
Pros
- The lowest price of any Colorbond patio
- Fits under low eaves and on most house shapes
- Easy to make wide, and easy to insulate with panels
- Steel makers such as Lysaght offer sheet profiles made for this job
Cons
- Can feel low and boxy on a big patio
- Blocks more light from the rooms behind it
- A bare steel sheet gets hot underneath in summer
A flat roof is a smart choice when budget matters most, or when you plan an insulated roof. Insulated panels suit low pitches, and SolarSpan lists a minimum pitch of 2 degrees.
Skillion patio
A skillion patio is a single slope like a flat roof, but steeper and on show. Many skillions rise away from the house, so the open edge is high.
Pros
- A modern look that suits contemporary homes, as Lysaght notes
- More headroom and light on the high side
- Sheds rain quickly
- Only a little more than a flat roof
Cons
- The high side can catch low afternoon sun from that direction
- On a single storey house, the height at the wall is limited by the gutter
- Looks out of place on some period homes
A skillion is a good middle ground. If your yard faces north, a skillion rising to the north lets in more winter sun.
Gable patio
A gable patio has two slopes meeting at a ridge, like a house roof. The triangle at each end can be left open, filled with clear sheets, or filled with slats or a decorative screen.
Pros
- The tallest, most open feel, which Lysaght describes as spacious
- Hot air rises into the peak, so it usually feels cooler
- Matches tiled and pitched roofs, so it looks built in
- A clear gable end lets light into the house
Cons
- The most expensive of the three
- More steel, more labour and a taller structure
- Height can trigger council approval (see below)
Variations include a Dutch gable, which Lysaght suggests for heritage and federation homes, and a flat and gable combination for long or awkward areas.
BeforeGable Roof PatioIs a gable patio worth it?
A gable patio costs more, and the gap is real. Here are indicative prices for a 6 m × 4.5 m attached structure in four states.
| Style | WA | VIC | QLD | NSW |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flat Roof Colorbond Patio | $11,500 to $13,500 | $12,500 to $14,500 | $12,500 to $15,000 | $13,500 to $16,000 |
| Skillion Patio | $12,000 to $14,500 | $13,000 to $15,000 | $13,000 to $15,500 | $14,000 to $16,500 |
| Gable Roof Patio | $16,000 to $18,500 | $16,500 to $19,500 | $17,000 to $20,000 | $18,500 to $21,500 |
It is usually worth it when:
- Your house has a pitched tiled or Colorbond roof you want to match
- The patio is large and a flat roof would feel like a low ceiling
- The patio covers a living room window and you want light to come through the gable end
- You live somewhere hot and want the extra air space overhead
It is usually not worth it when:
- The patio is small, where the peak adds little
- You will add an insulated ceiling anyway, which already cuts most of the heat
- The yard is hidden and looks matter less than cover
For a full price picture, see the patio cost guide.
Heat, light and height
Heat
Roof shape helps, but it is not the biggest factor. Insulation and roof colour usually matter more. Our insulated vs non-insulated patio guide explains why.
Light
Any solid roof shades the rooms behind it. The YourHome guide notes that roof glazing takes in a lot of heat, so add light carefully. A clear gable end or a small clear section near the house is a good balance.
Height and council
Taller roofs can mean extra approvals. In NSW, for example, a patio can only be exempt development if it meets set standards. These include a height of 3 m or less above ground and an area of 25 m² or less.
A gable often goes over 3 m at the ridge, so it is more likely to need approval. Rules differ in every state, so check our council approval guide.
Which one should you choose?
Here are some common situations and the roof that usually fits best.
- Single storey brick home, pitched tiled roof, big back yard: gable. It matches the house and gives room for a dining table and fan.
- Modern home with a flat or skillion roofline: skillion. It follows the lines of the house.
- Double-storey home with the patio under upstairs windows: flat. It tucks in under the windows and gutters. See patios on double-storey houses.
- Tight budget, hot west facing yard: flat with an insulated panel roof, rather than a bare gable.
- Living room that already feels dark: skillion rising away from the house, or a gable with a clear end.
- Heritage or federation home: gable or Dutch gable, in a colour that matches the existing roof.
If you are still torn, compare the roof styles on a photo of your own house. You can see a gable roof on your home in about 30 seconds with Backyard Mate, our free tool. Then switch to flat or skillion and compare the look and price.
Common questions
Is a gable patio worth the extra cost?
It is worth it when you want height, light and a roof that matches a pitched house roof. In Perth, a 6 m × 4.5 m Gable Roof Patio is indicatively $16,000 to $18,500 against $11,500 to $13,500 for a flat roof, so you pay a premium for the look and the space.
What is the difference between a flat and a skillion patio?
Both have a single roof plane. A flat patio has only a slight fall for drainage, while a skillion has a steeper, visible slope, often rising away from the house to let in more light.
Is a flat roof patio really flat?
No. It always has a small fall so rain runs into the gutter. The minimum fall is set by the roof sheet maker, and insulated panels such as SolarSpan list a minimum pitch of 2 degrees.
Which patio roof is coolest?
A gable usually feels coolest because hot air rises into the high space under the ridge. Insulation and a light roof colour make a bigger difference than shape, though.
Can a gable patio go on a single storey house?
Yes, it is one of the most common places for one. It usually sits on a beam at or above gutter height so the peak clears the house roof, which the installer works out on site.
Keep reading
Sources
- Patios, Pergolas & Verandahs | Lysaght
- Maximise your space: your blueprint for the perfect outdoor space | Lysaght
- Balconies, decks and patios: exempt development | NSW Planning Portal
- SolarSpan Patio Brochure | Bondor (via Metroll)
- Shading | YourHome (Australian Government)
Prices on this page come from Backyard Mate's pricing for each state and are indicative only. Rules and products change: check with your council and installer before you build.