Table of Contents
Introduction
When building, buying or renovating your own house, every decision, and every detail matters. From the design, roof type, materials, and costs, it’s crucial to consider everything carefully before embarking on the journey to homeownership.
In this article, we will look at some advantages and disadvantages of the most popular roof types.
Benefits and Drawbacks of the Most Popular Roof Types
Flat Roof
The advantages of a flat roof include:
- They provide additional space for other activities like a relaxation area on the rooftop and rooftop gardening
- In warmer climates, flat roofs are energy efficient as there’s little room for air to stall
The disadvantages of a flat roof are:
- They need to be replaced quickly compared to other roof types
- Not many options in terms of colour and aren’t as stylish as other roof types
Skillion Roof
The advantages of a skillion roof include:
- Affordability. It’s more cost-effective to install than other roof types
- There is an availability of colour and modern designs
The disadvantage of a skillion roof is:
- It’s prone to destruction under heavy winds
Curved Roof
The advantages of a curved roof are:
- It’s popular with architects because of its construction and installation
- Low maintenance costs
The disadvantage of a curved roof is that it’s generally expensive because of its design, materials, and the height of the curve
Gabled Roof
Advantages of a gabled roof include:
- Affordability
- No water ponding as the water and snow drain off quickly
- Good drainage
The disadvantage of a gabled roof is that it’s not suitable for areas prone to hurricanes.
Hip Roof
The advantages of a hip roof include:
- Structural stability. Compared to other roof types, the hip roof is more structurally stable due to its design
- Availability of a variety of designs
- Good drainage
The disadvantage of the hip roof is:
- For areas with harsh wind conditions, the pitch must adhere to a specific angle of between 18.5-26.5, otherwise, it will be blown away
- Limited room for natural light because of the slopes
Butterfly Roof
The advantages of a butterfly roof are:
- Good drainage
- Eco-friendly as it allows more sunlight to warm up your home. Homeowners can also collect the rainwater for other uses
- The design gives your home that modern and elegant look
The disadvantages of butterfly roof are:
- It requires more installation workers, and that’s extra costs
- High maintenance costs
- It’s costly compared to other roof types
Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Roof
You should consider the following factors when choosing a roof for your house:
- The local area you live in and its climatic conditions. This will help you evaluate which roof type is conducive to your area’s climate
- Outward appearance and design. It’s important to consider the design and the appearance of your roof as it is the first thing people see
- Affordability. Consider the costs of buying the roof, installation, materials used, and installation crew
Conclusion
Choose a roof that suits the area you live in and is conducive to your local area climate. Get in touch with a local roofing contractor for your roofing installation.