Whether you’re building your dream home, a garden shed, or even renovating a snazzy new office block, you shouldn’t underestimate the importance of researching the type of roof you’ll need. Just like Goldilocks and her porridge, a building’s roof needs to be juuust right. But don’t worry, we’ve got you! Here is a handy guide to take the fuss out of choosing the right roof from the get-go. At Buildmate, we believe in getting the job done right the first time and our experts are always here to help you do the same.

WHAT TYPES OF ROOFS ARE AVAILABLE IN SOUTH AFRICA?

If you live in South Africa, then you probably already know that any roofing decision revolves around the weather. For example, having a house by the beach is a dream, but it’s important to consider that corrosion can occur when you live even within 1km from the coastline. In this case, you should look into higher-grade materials such as concrete roof tiles or even premium steel roofing with the appropriate thickness and coating solutions applied.

However, it’s just as important to choose the right shape and style as your materials, particularly if you want your roof to remain energy-efficient and weatherproof. This brings us to deciding between three main types of roof shapes, namely a pitched, flat, or mono-pitched roof. Each category has its specific styles and sets of best-use materials too, so let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each.

 

1. PITCHED ROOFS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

There are a few variations of pitched (aka peaked) roofs around the world. Here in South Africa, there are several popular styles and materials to consider. These are more or less attractive depending on your ideal budget, aesthetic, and location.

 

THE GABLE ROOF STYLE

This is the design that most pitched roof types are built upon and it will always have two sloping sides that meet at the top of the roof to form a ridge. It is the typical pitched triangular roof that you see in many South African suburbs and there are four main types:

    • Side Gables – this is the most common and simple style, with two sides pitched to form a triangle. If a side gable roof is left open in the middle it is referred to as an open gable roof or closed in for a boxed gable roof.
    • Crossed Gables – this style combines two gable roofing sections perpendicularly or at a right angle. They may have the same pitch, length, or height, or they may vary for a more asymmetrical style that can be used to accent areas like stoeps, garages, or dormers.
    • Front Gables – this type is usually seen on Colonial-style homes, where the gable is placed at the front to highlight the entrance and add coverage to the porch or entryway.
    • Dutch Gables – sometimes called a gablet roof, this involves adding a gable to a hip roof (which we’ll explore in a bit below) to add interest to the home’s architecture and lend some additional attic space under the roof.

WHAT ARE THE BEST MATERIALS FOR GABLE ROOFS?

As a general rule, there are several materials that we recommend when it comes to constructing gable roof styles, these include:

    • Nutec Slates & Tiles – these are the go-to material if the gable roof contains a dormer, hips, or valleys. This is because they can be used for vertical cladding applications and to reduce the chances of developing leaks. Nutec slates or tiles are also versatile, available in both plain or textured finishes, as well as a range of standard roofing colours.
    • Thatching– this is an eco-friendly option that looks beautiful. However, its durability depends on the weather conditions in your area. For example, Cape Reed is not suitable for areas that have hot humid summers and dry winters. On the other hand, Hyparrhenia Hirta is suited to this type of climate – making it more suited to climates near the coast. However, as beautiful as thatching can look, it can also cost more to maintain than other options.
    • Concrete tiles– these offer excellent longevity and value, with an average lifespan of 60 to 100 years. However, these tiles are heavier than other materials, which can make the installation process more complicated, time-consuming, and expensive. While they are less expensive per metre than metal roof sheeting they do require stronger (often more expensive) trusses to support the extra weight.
    • Metal roofing– this tends to outlast other roofing materials as it is extremely low maintenance and comes in a wide range of styles that can even be made to mimic other materials. This versatility and durability have made metal a popular roofing material throughout South Africa.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF A GABLE ROOF?

The gable style is relatively inexpensive and the simple shape provides great ventilation, as well as creates the opportunity for extra attic space. Another reason that gable roofing is popular is that the triangular shape allows snow, rain, and ice to simply slide right off the roof.

WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES OF A GABLE ROOF?

Gable roofs might not be advisable in areas that regularly experience high winds and ferocious storms because the overhanging eaves can suffer from these kinds of consistent beatings.

 

THE HIP ROOF STYLE

Hip roofs are the second most common type after gable roofs. This style has no vertical ends and is sloped on all sides meeting in a peak (if square) or with the ends sloped inward toward a ridge formed by the adjacent sides (if rectangular). The “hip” refers to the external angle formed where two adjacent sides actually meet. There are some basic variations on this form:

    • Simple Hip – this is the most common type and features two sides that are polygons (usually trapezoids) and two sides that are triangles. The two trapezoids meet in a mountain range along the top and the triangles connect them.
    • Half Hip – this is simply a regular roof with the lower halves of the triangular sides cut off. This creates eaves on the shortened sides. Half-hip roofs are also called cut gables or jerkinhead roofs.
    • Cross-shaped– this is two simple roofs arranged in an “L” or “T” shape. The location where the two individual hip roofs meet – the “L” angle or the “T” intersection – is known as the valley. This is used in homes with multiple wings that branch into each other.

WHAT ARE THE BEST MATERIALS FOR A HIP ROOF?

Similar to gable roofs, a hip roof can be crafted from most standard roofing materials like asphalt standing seam metal or metal tiles, or clay or concrete tiles.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF A HIP ROOF?

Hip roofs usually consist of four slopes, making them sturdier for areas known to have strong wind conditions. These more durable roofs can also offer more shade since there is an overhanging eave on all four sides.

WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES OF A HIP ROOF?

Due to the complexity of design and construction requirements, hip roofs are generally more costly to build and maintain than gable roofs. Something to bear in mind too, if dormers or other special features are added, you will need to pay special attention to the seams around the valleys or dips.

 

2. FLAT ROOFS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

A flat rooftop is almost horizontal, with only a slight slope i.e. just enough to drain water. This style holds snow and moisture for longer durations than standard pitched roofs, hence they require special materials to remain waterproof. Properly placed drains, scuppers, and gutters can also help control the water flow. Depending on your location, a flat roof can be a cost-efficient choice, especially if you live in an area with arid conditions.

WHAT ARE THE BEST MATERIALS FOR FLAT ROOFS?

A properly installed flat roof can last 20-25 years with regular maintenance and waterproofing, they will usually be made from either EPDM rubber, TPO or PVC roofing membranes. Sika® coatings and systems are a popular solution for providing fully bonded, durable and flexible waterproofing layers for flat roofs. These are just some of the most common flat roof materials, along with tar and gravel, roll roofing, or metal sheets. There are also three main categories of flat roof styles that are based on these materials:

    • A Built-Up Flat Roof
    • A Modified Bitumen Flat Roof
    • A Membrane (Single-Ply) Flat Roof>

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF A FLAT ROOF?

Flat roofs can often provide a more contemporary or modern look, and they can be less expensive than a pitched, sloped, or gabled roof. You can also use it like a deck or patio or even to store heating and cooling units out of sight. Another advantage of a flat roof is the ease of installing PV solar panels, which will improve the building’s energy efficiency and make it eco-friendlier.

WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES OF A FLAT ROOF?

A flat roof installation or repair can be more complicated than it seems and you need a qualified and skilled roofer to do the job. You probably won’t want to use a flat roof style if your building is in a climate that receives heavy rainfall, major storms, or snow and frost in the winter.

 

3. MONO-PITCHED ROOFS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Mono-pitched roofs are mainly used for single-story buildings, roofing garages, sheds and grain stores, with its defining trait being that it only slants in one direction. It’s also known as a skillion, shed, pent or lean-to roof and has successfully made its way into residential architecture too. In fact, it’s ideal for those who want to go for a minimalistic yet contemporary look or anyone looking to add single-story extensions.

WHAT ARE THE BEST MATERIALS FOR A MONO-PITCHED ROOF?

You should try to select a material that will complement the look and structure of your home. Also, the slopes of a single-pitch roof can vary depending on the material you’re going to use. For example, for a low slope, sheet metal or steel are usually the best choices. If you want to maximise the natural light, for example for a nursery, then you can even go for a mono-pitched glass roof. It can also be made from cheaper materials like asphalt shingles.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF A MONO-PITCHED ROOF?

One of the major advantages of this kind of roofing is that it can be easily constructed without much hassle and within a very short period. As a result, mono-pitched roofing can be completed without exorbitant expenses. On a free-standing building, the mono-pitched roof would also have the ability to extend back without the need for an internal gutter.

WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES OF A MONO-PITCHED ROOF?

If your building is too large, the single-slope roof will be quite imposing and may not look very nice. These types of roofs will not be able to withstand consistently heavy rainfall over the years without considerable maintenance and care.

 

STILL NOT SURE? NO PROBLEM!

One of the easiest life hacks for deciding on a roof is to have a look around at what is popular in your neighbourhood. This is usually a good indication of what is holding up the best in your climate. When the time comes, be sure to also work with a credible and reputable construction partner and don't be afraid of asking them tons of questions. For a detailed calculation of the cost of certain roof sheeting and tiles, use the Buildmate calculator. If you’d like to get started right away, we’ll measure up, quote and deliver to the site, ready for you to install in no time. Send us your roofing plans and let’s raise that roof!