Popular roof configurations
In modern private construction, there are a great many varieties of house roofs, and in our material we will talk about their most popular options. Such important roofing structures can be divided depending on the form, design features and on what materials were used in its construction.
Tilt angle
First, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with what are the forms of the roof. Depending on the angle of inclination, two main categories of structures can be defined:
- Flat, with an angle of inclination not exceeding 3 degrees relative to the horizon. Since their maintenance is very difficult and precipitation stagnates in them, such options are quite rare. On the positive side, inexpensive installation and a small amount of consumables can be noted here. On this design, you can equip the terrace under the open sky, which can also be attributed to the advantages.
- Pitched, with an angle of inclination of 10 degrees or more. Such samples are easy to operate, and therefore their popularity is very high. There is no accumulation of precipitation, and the water is perfectly discharged through rainfall.
Roofs with pitched surfaces, in turn, are divided into subcategories:
- single slope;
- gable steep;
- gable gentle;
- gable attic with a broken configuration;
- four-sloped half-hip;
- four-pitched tent;
- four-sloped hip.
The most convenient to implement include pitched roof structures, the surface slope of which is from 4 to 6 degrees. It makes sense to install them on garages, sheds and other outbuildings.
If you need to build an attic, give preference to an attic roof, which can consist of two slopes and have a broken contour configuration. Hip samples are practical, they adequately withstand the wind load, but their installation can not be called simple.
It will require materials in large quantities, and also can not do without a professional installation team. When choosing a variety of roofs, be sure to consider all factors, and do not limit yourself solely to information on the service life and cost of the project.
In order for the design to please the eye and be a real decoration of the house, special attention must be paid to its design.
Popular types of roofs of private houses and their characteristics
Of course, the popularity of this or that type of roof is explained by the ease of installation, saving of finance and time, climatic characteristics of the region and personal preferences of the owners. We turn to a detailed review of the options presented in modern construction.
Gable
This species is the most popular and has been erected in our country since ancient times. Another name for the building with two slopes, which are based on walls of the same height - "gable roof". Installation here is more complicated than that of the single-slope option, but the facing materials here can be completely different, which allows you to satisfy any requirements of the developer regarding the design.
Hip
In this case, we are dealing with four slopes, the shape of two of which repeats the trapezoid, and the other two are made in the form of triangles. The name of the construction comes from the word “hips” (frontal triangular slopes).
In the process of installation, beams are installed using double tightening and gutters are necessarily mounted at an angle of 45 degrees on each slope. The construction of such structures requires additional efforts and skills, because the device of the rafter system in this case is quite complicated.
Half-hip
This is one of the options for hip roofs, with the only difference being that a truncated slope of a triangular shape is formed here, and it is installed higher than its trapezoidal analogues. Of the shortcomings, it is fashionable to note only additional costs for materials, because you have to trim those parts of the planes that are adjacent to the edges of the roof. Such facilities are well used in regions with windy climates.
Attic (broken lines)
Another type of gable specimens, characterized by broken ramps, which can significantly increase the attic, called the attic. The pentagonal pediments do not leave anyone indifferent, and their construction will not cause special difficulties for experienced craftsmen. The only thing you have to face is to buy materials for warming the living room and install them, thereby increasing the energy efficiency of the house, which is not required in the case of a conventional attic, not intended for living.
On average, the cost of erecting a roof is about 20% of the total cost of construction, but we can make the most of the usable area of the building and get a two-story house with virtually the same level.
Flat
For the time being forgotten, such types of roofs of houses are gradually returning to construction thanks to unusual design solutions of modern architects. Flat roofs allow you to build a flower garden, tennis court or outdoor mini pool, especially if your home is located in a region with a warm climate. They can be improved with removable canopies made of glass or other materials that will reliably protect the recreation area from precipitation and pollution. A transparent dome will provide space with natural light, and lighting fixtures will help out in the evening. Here you can install solar panels and water heating elements, if you need them, of course.
Of the advantages, I would especially like to note the affordable costs of materials and installation work. Do not forget about the high-quality storm system with which all precipitation will leave the roof without a trace, moreover, the flat surface still has a slope, although it is invisible at first glance. As for the shortcomings, there may be problems with thermal insulation, and here we are talking primarily about glowing the plane in the summer heat, but you can deal with the cold as well as in the case with the attic roof.
If the structure of the roof with slopes has its own heat exchanger in the form of an attic, then flat options cannot boast of such a feature, therefore, in case of urgent need, you will have to resort to its construction separately.
The main rule here is the creation of ventilation between the ceiling of the living room and the roof, it does not matter what shape it will be.
It is possible to equip both a ventilated attic and ventilation ducts that will hide the roof trusses and cladding materials.
Less Popular Roof Types
In addition to the most common roof structures, there are other options that can also be found in private construction, although less frequently. Their shape is somewhat different from those copies that we examined above, but from this they can be no less beautiful. It is necessary to approach the creation of such samples seriously, because their implementation can turn out to be feasible only for professionals.
Single slope
A distinctive feature of this type of construction is the rafter system, based on walls of different levels, due to which a ramp is formed. Such structures are easy to build, and any, even the most inexpensive materials, are suitable for their lining.
As for practicality, it is obvious, because precipitation does not linger here, so you can not worry about maintaining such a building. The disadvantage is also significant - you can’t equip an attic or an attic, and that’s possible, which is why today you can rarely find single-unit copies on new houses.
Hipped
The shape of such a roof is made in the form of four symmetrically located triangles on each wall of the building, which form a kind of tent. It has an unusual chic appearance, but it is very difficult to build it because of an overly sophisticated rafter system.
Pliers
It has another name - endova, and is characterized by one of the most complex rafter systems. Many of the outer and inner corners at the junctions of the two slopes are not easy to mount, in addition, the valleys provoke the accumulation of snow and rainwater, which can lead to leaks.
Wealthy people can afford multi-tongue samples who build houses of a polygonal shape with a large number of outbuildings and attic rooms.
Dome
Such types of roofs only in rare cases cover the entire area of the structure and are mainly installed over its part. For the installation of the frame, flexible elements are needed, and a flexible or soft cladding is suitable as a decorative coating. As a rule, domed solutions are preferred by lovers of antiquity, oriental style, ancient castles and everything unusual, transferring it to their home.
Spherical
Recently, spherical roofs are slowly gaining popularity among our compatriots, though this rarely applies to residential buildings. They cover arbors, sports grounds, church buildings, so that we can observe these types of designs almost every day.
Green
The point here is not the coloring of the decorative coating, as it might seem at first glance. As a lining, so to speak, we are dealing with natural soil, in which plants are planted that serve as a real decoration of such an exotic design. Here you can note all the positive qualities of flat samples, improved by a special ventilation system. Thanks to this laying, the roots of bushes and trees are limited in growth, always have enough moisture for irrigation, in addition, conditions are created for healthy aeration of the roots of green spaces.
The undoubted advantage is the uniqueness of the open greenhouse, because it is very rare to meet such green living structures. Looking at the rapid development of new technologies and the popularity of environmental projects, it is not difficult to predict that soon such plantings on the tops of houses will become much more widespread. Do you want to distinguish yourself from your neighbors and are not afraid to face the need for careful care of plants in the open? Then the green roof will suit you, and you can enjoy its beauty.
Decorative cladding: what to choose?
In addition to personal preferences and financial opportunities, in this matter you need to take into account design features that can both limit you in your choice and allow you to expand it. To date, the following materials are most common:
- metal tile;
- shingles;
- ceramic tile;
- slate;
- sandwich panels.
All these roofing materials differ in technical characteristics, composition and design, and are also installed on the surface of the structure using different technologies, so before choosing, you should carefully read their description, manufacturer's recommendations and warnings. If you carefully approach this issue and study all the subtleties and nuances of the roof device, you can create reliable protection and decoration at the same time for your home.