Which type of roof do you have?

There are many roof types. Some have been around for ages like thatched and slate. Others are more modern creations like a fibreglass roof or warm roof construction. There are many roof tiles types too. Some of these are made from natural raw materials, like slate. Others are made from man-made materials. These are usually found on new houses, or older houses that have been re-roofed

There are many types of rooves. The flat roof construction was commonly used in houses built in the 1960s. It was cheaper to put up than a pitched roof, but is more liable to damage, as water tends to congregate and damage the roof’s fabric. Flat roof construction is also found on older houses, on porches and other small extensions.

Is it important to know which of the roof types you have?

One point of view is that as long as the roof is well maintained and sound, then which of the roof types it is irrelevant. Whilst this is true, most of us want to know about the ongoing maintenance costs of different types of rooves.

Most of the roofs have a determinate life span, depending on how well maintained they are, and the weather conditions they are subjected too. Roof repairs and replacement can be costly, and this is why some householders invest in roof protection or roofing insurance to protect against roof damage, not covered by their traditional home insurance policy.

What are the different roof types?

What is a gambrel roof?

A grambrel roof is a type of roof construction used widely in England during the eighteenth century, where it was also known as a dutch roof. This type of roof construction is also common in rural North America. The symmetrical gambrel roof has two sides with two slopes. The upper slope is shallow, and the lower slope is steep. As the roof has two slopes per side, it may cost more to construct than a simpler gable roof in terms of labour and materials, but not significantly. It has the advantage of providing additional upper floor roof space.

What is a gable roof?

A gable roof is a commonly used roof construction in England and other areas in the world, with temperate or colder climates. The gable roof has two sides which slope in the opposite direction. The uppermost horizontal edges of each of the sides meet at the top to form the roof ridge. The main advantage of a gable roof in areas where there is a lot of rain or snow are that it allows rain and snow to fall off easily because of the steep pitch of the roof.

A gable roof is less prone to leaks than a flat roof, as there is less chance of stagnant water remaining on it for long periods. The main advantage of a gable roof is its drainage properties. A gable roof provides a space, which can be used for additional accommodation or as a vaulted ceiling. It also has good ventilation properties, which is important in colder, rainy climates.

What is a hip roof?

A hip roof is used in similar areas. This roof type has four sides which slope down. The incline is less steep than a gable roof. The main advantage of this roof type is its stability. Like a gable roof, it allows rain and snow to slide off quickly and has good ventilation and space properties.

What is a flat roof?

A flat roof is a roof that has a little slope. The pitch is usually no more than 10 degrees. A flat roof is normally constructed using roofing timbers across two straights, which are usually walls, most usually brick, but sometimes other materials, especially if it is a flat roof on an outbuilding or temporary building. The roof joists or roofing timbers are often embedded into the walls to give the structure additional rigidity.

A flat roof is most suited to a dry climate, where there is little rain or snow. The lack of pitch retains rain and snow and may lead to leaks if this is over prolonged periods. A flat roof is simple to construct and often cheaper in labour and raw materials than other roof types.

The costs of roofing insurance or roof protection may differ for flat roof construction in colder and temperate areas. The increased incidence of leaks due to rain and snow settling for long periods of time may make it more costly.

What is a fibreglass roof?

A fibreglass roof is suitable for flat roof construction. It has no seams, so this makes it durable and less prone to leaks, even when standing water is present. Fibreglass is a flexible material and can be used in pitch roof construction, on its horizontal sides. For flat roof construction, a fibreglass roof is a more expensive option than felt. However, a fibreglass roof will be more durable -lasting up to twenty-five years, with regular maintenance.

What is warm roof construction?

Warm roof construction is a roof with insulation, to keep the warmth in the building. It has an insulation layer over the rafters, and underneath the waterproof roof membrane.

A thatched roof is one of the oldest forms of roof construction. Of all the roof types it is probably the roof construction that everyone dreams of having on a chocolate box cottage. That said, many potential homeowners shy away from a property with a thatched roof because of the maintenance, and health and safety aspects.

Thatching is an ancient craft, building a roof from dry vegetation by layering it to keep out the elements. Straw and reeds are common materials. A thatch roof will last a comparable time to other roof types The ridge of the roof will need replacing more often. There is an increased fire risk with most thatched roofs, so roof insurance and home insurance may be more costly. The thatched roof has excellent insulation properties and works well as a successful weatherproof construction.

So there are many types of rooves and you need to consider where in the world you live when deciding on the best one for you. Roof protection and general house insurance may be more costly for some roof types.