What low-pitch roof products are available?

Kevin Taylor

Training and Technical Support Manager

Kevin is a training and technical support manager, specialising in roof tiles and slates.

Marley offers a wide range of clay and concrete roof tiles and other roof coverings, with several products suitable for low-pitch applications. Options include concrete profiled tiles, interlocking concrete slates, traditional clay pantiles and plain tiles, as well as cedar shingles and shakes and roof-integrated solar tiles.

The suitability of each type of roof tile will depend on the roof pitch, as well as other factors such as finish, headlap, rafter span, exposure and location. Lower pitches may require specific detailing to comply with relevant British Standards. Please refer to Marley’s product-specific technical data and fixing specifications to ensure the selected roof tile is appropriate.

Choosing low-pitch roof tiles

In the past, low-pitch roofing options were limited. However, changing market demands and design requirements have expanded the range of available low-pitch roofing products. Today, there is a wide variety to choose from, including clay and concrete tiles and cedar shingles and shakes. The right low-pitch roofing product for a project will depend on factors such as the roof’s pitch, the desired appearance and performance requirements.

Kevin Taylor, Training and Technical Support Manager at Marley, explains:

“Demand for low-pitch roofing products is on the rise, especially as the ‘improve not move’ trend continues, spurring homeowners to add extensions or make other changes to their existing house, rather than moving to a larger property. Low-pitch roofing is also a common design choice in commercial and domestic new-builds, for both practical and aesthetic reasons.”

Kevin advises that specifiers be careful to check every product’s suitability:

“The minimum pitch of each type of roof tile will normally depend on the design, whether it is smooth or granular finish and the amount of headlap used during installation.”

Concrete roof tiles for low-pitch roofs

Edgemere interlocking tiles provide a cost-effective and aesthetically similar alternative to natural slate. These large-format concrete roof tiles can be supplied in a dark grey colour that mimics the look of slate, and the product’s thin leading edge also helps to give it a slate-like appearance. It’s also suitable for low-pitch roofs:

• Down to 22.5° pitch (smooth), with a headlap of 75mm
• Down to 17.5° pitch (smooth), with a headlap of 100mm

Mendip has a double pan design and is provided in two versions. The original can be used on pitches down to 15°, while the Mendip 12.5 includes features such as anti-capillary channels and no nail holes, allowing it to be used at pitches as low as 12.5°.

As well as the Edgemere and Mendip ranges, we offer a variety of other concrete roof tiles that are suitable for low-pitch roofs. These include:

• Wessex – down to 15° pitch
• Modern and Duo Modern (smooth) – down to 17.5° pitch
• Ludlow Major and Ludlow Plus (smooth) – down to 22.5° pitch
• Double Roman (smooth) – down to 22.5° pitch
• Ashmore – down to 22.5° pitch

Clay roof tiles for low-pitch roofs

Marley offers a clay pantile that is suited to low-pitch roofing applications.

Lincoln Clay Pantiles have an open-gauge design that is easy to fit, while still offering the bold and beautiful curves of traditional pantiles. They can be installed to meet the latest fixing requirements of BS 5534 and the NHBC technical standards.

• Down to 15° pitch at a 100mm headlap
• Down to 22.5° pitch at a 75mm headlap

Cedar shingles and shakes for low-pitch roofs

Our Blue Label Western Red Cedar shingles and shakes provide a natural appearance. Their light weight makes them easy to transport, and they are also suitable for use on low-pitch roofs:

• Shakes: down to 20° pitch
• Shingles: down to 14° pitch

Solar roof tiles for low-pitch roofs

Marley SolarTile® is a roof-integrated solar panel designed to enhance roof system specification with design flexibility and sleek aesthetics, as well as industry-leading wind and fire performance, all covered by the Marley 15-year full roof system warranty. It is suitable for installation on roofs with low pitches down to 20°, and is fully compatible with Edgemere, Mendip and the complete range of Marley low-pitch roof tiles and accessories.

Technical considerations for specifying low-pitch roof coverings

The design and specification of low-pitch roofs requires careful consideration to ensure that the roof can withstand local weather conditions and prevent water ingress and wind damage. Key standards and regulations include:

• BS 5534:2014 + A2:2018 – Slating and tiling for pitched roofs and vertical cladding. Code of practice – Sets out requirements for fixing methods, headlaps, batten specifications and wind resistance.
• BS EN 1991‑1‑4:2005 + A1:2010 – Eurocode 1: Actions on structures . General actions – Wind actions – Provides fixing specifications and guidance for dealing with wind actions on structures, including roofs, based on site exposure and location.
• NHBC Technical Standards 2026 – Technical guidance published by the National House-Building Council. It includes advice on product selection, fixing, detailing, durability and performance.

Low-pitch roof tiles and roofing products: technical support from Marley

To find out more about any of the roofing options available from Marley, including minimum pitch information, you can download any of our brochures or request a free tile sample. Our team is also on hand to provide technical support.

Disclaimer - The information shared in this blog is correct at the time of publication. Guidance, standards, and best practices may change over time, so if you’d like further clarification or the latest updates, please get in touch with the Marley Technical Advisory Team, who will be happy to help.