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