Types of Roofing

A roof is usually the biggest covering of a structure, comprising all structures and materials required to support it on top of the ground or on uprights, giving protection from the weather, rain, sunshine, extremes of temperature and wind. A roof covering may be a continuous single skin membrane that covers the entire roof, a composite roof, or one-hinged shingles. A roof membrane is usually made of PVCu and is more durable than tile. It also serves as a protective, water-resistant covering.

Residential flat roofs are generally made of asphalt, clay or concrete tiles, with the lowest pitch being allowed at the corners. The design of residential roofing material depends on its use and purpose, as well as aesthetics. Here are the different types of flat roofs:

A terrace or gable roof: Also known as a grade-bearing roof, a flat roof allows slopes of about 30 degrees to take place without causing any damage to the house. This type of roof flatness is left to be decided by the property owner. Gable roofs are more flexible for buildings with more slope to them. They are more costly to build.

Flat roofs with a pitch of four feet are referred to as level roofs. These roofs have consistent pitch of grade, i.e., no higher or lower than four feet. These roofs are usually cheaper to install because they don't require special tools for installation. Slate roofs have pitch variation of seven degrees, making them more expensive to build.

Terrace roofs: These roofs are built over existing structures. The concept behind a terrace roof is to extend the living space of the structure onto the terrace. Most commonly, these buildings include a detached kitchen and bathroom. A roof truss is a rectangular steel beam that supports the roof at both the high and low ends. Roof trusses may be customized to fit specific requirements. Roof trusses used in terrace roofs are usually square or rectangular.

Flatted or pitched roofs: The concept of flat roof was introduced in the 1960s. Originally, these roofs were used on agricultural buildings because they facilitated drainage. The pitch of such roof repair in surrey bc structures was variable and could be adjusted according to soil condition. These roofs can also be pitched towards the center. However, the concept became outdated with the introduction of stucco shingles in residential buildings.

Today, we see a lot of variations in roof design. It can be seen in-between terrace roof trusses (curved roofs) and slate roof trusses (flat roofs). While a curved roof has maximum potentiality of load-bearing capacity, a pitched roof has lesser maximum load-bearing capacity.

The type of covering to be installed depends mainly upon the climatic conditions. Usually, these roofs are installed over concrete slabs. However, in hot and humid regions, you can consider other types of covering like tile, clay or grass covering. Even though this type of covering costs less, it can prevent the growth of mold.

Another type of covering is known as flat roofing. The main purpose of installing a flat roof is to reduce heat loss. Overhead insulation can be done with the help of metal flashing. You can also install a type of insulation known as attic insulation under the sloped roof.

In addition to all the above-mentioned types of roofing, there are two additional types of roofing which are commonly used today. These are known as ridge and sloping roof. A ridge roof is generally used in areas where the slope of the terrain is more. On the contrary, a sloping roof is generally used on multi-level dwellings or large buildings where you can expect water runoff.

Insulation is one of the most important roofing materials for various reasons. The most obvious reason is to retain heat within the building. If the heat stays for long durations, the building will become very uncomfortable. In addition to this, the increased cost of energy will soon begin to show its effects. Thus, insulation will help you save on your electricity bill.

Another type of roofing is known as single roof. Single roofs are usually used in areas where there is not much of head room. For instance, a small dormitory or warehouse would require installation of single roof. Even though single roofing is a cheaper option than the other types, it offers no structural advantage and hence, is not preferred. The roof made up of trussed roofs is also known as attic trusses.