Can you imagine a building without a roof? The roof not only protects the building from rain, hail, snow, and sun but also provides heat and sound insulation. Roofing is done during construction, capital repair, or reconstruction of buildings. The process should be taken seriously. It is essential to pay close attention to the technique of installing roof coverings, in order not to damage the integrity of the structure. Needless to say, it is advisable to entrust roofing work to skilled professionals who have experience in the execution and organization of the work, have an arsenal of necessary tools, and have tight connections with roofing suppliers. This way you will save your time, money, and nerves, avoiding unexpected situations.
Yet, it is necessary to have some knowledge about roofing in order to have effective discussions with professionals and get the best results.
So, let’s not waste time and get acquainted with the main types and features of roofing.
The Main Types of Roofing
Every year, the preferences of customers and designers change, and along with it, changes the shape of the roof. However, there are two main types of roofs: sloping (the slope can vary from 5 to 90 degrees) and flat (the slope is no more than 3 degrees).
Each type of roof comes with its advantages:
There are many people who prefer sloping roofs because of their classic look and differing designs: double-sloped, single-sloped, domed, etc. Attic roofs are also widely demanded, intended mostly for storage, also, simple attics, which can also be used as a room.
As for modern flat roofs, they are more profitable from the financial point of view as they are easier and faster to fit. They can also be intended for use, being either operational or non-operational. The first type is convenient as it does not interfere with the installation of the air conditioner, satellites, and solar panels, and later reconstruction works are easily carried out. Operable roofs are also convenient with the possibility of building an additional recreation area, be it a swimming pool, a playground, a flower garden, etc.
The Main Types of Roof Coverings
The modern construction market offers a wide selection of roofing materials: rolls, corrugated sheets, and an assortment of tiles – composite, ceramic, as well as natural slate.
Types of Roof Installation
- Traditional – foundation, truss system, loam and anti-loam, vapor barrier, thermal insulation, waterproofing layer, top coat.
- Inversion – foundation, waterproofing layer (PVC films, bitumen rolls, etc.), insulation, geotextile, drainage layer (gravel or crushed stone, tile, flagstone, wooden floor, green roof)
Drainage System
The main task of the drainage system is to reduce the negative impact of precipitation on the main elements of the roof, protecting the base from abundant water flow, and the facade of the building from damage. It is preferable to install drainage systems at the same time as the roof.
Modern drainage systems and their advantages
- Metal (steel and copper) – do not break due to snow and excessive precipitation, do not crack from the cold, and do not heat up in the sun
- Plastic (PVC) – resist corrosion and UV rays
In the case of flat roofs, it is also possible to install the drainage system not only with the already described traditional type of installation with gutters, funnels, and pipes but also internal drainage with gravity-vacuum and siphon-vacuum systems.
Perhaps the main questions related to roofing have been discussed above. We hope this little information will help you to make the right choice when it comes to roofing.
Of course, many factors also play a major role during roofing which might affect your decision. They are, but not limited to:
- External view
- Functionality
- Design features
- Speed of installation
- Reliability
- Durability
- Maintainability
- Costs
However, it is important to remember that roof installation requires strict adherence to technology so that the roof is not only beautiful and functional but also durable and reliable.
