Roo

F
What are
roofs?
In one sentence,

• the structure forming the upper covering of a

building.
Roofs are important
because…
•
•
It provides protection from weather.
It helps in reducing the heat loss from a building.
• It helps to keep the interior building cool.
• They are designed to accommodate stresses.
• They are designed to withstand movements from
temperatures.
• It provides lateral restraint & stability to walls
around.
• It resists penetration & spreading of fire.
Components of a Typical
Roof
Ridg
eThe
• horizontal top area where two sloped roof areas
meet.
• Spine of a roof
Hipped
End
•The roof slope is continued around the end of a building of
a hipped end roof.
Rafter
s
T he members which support the covering material of a
sloping roof are called rafters
Hip
Rafters
•The rafter lying along the hip in a sloping roof
is termed as hip rafter.
Jack
Rafters
•The shortened rafters running from hip rafters to
plate & from ridge to valley rafters.
Valley
Rafters
•Used at internal angles of
roofs.
Common
Rafters
•
•
Main load-bearing members of the roof.
Spans between a wall plate at eaves &
ridges.
Wall Plate /
Plate
•Provide the bearing &
fixing medium for various
roof members.
• Distribute the loads
evenly over the
supporting walls.
• Bedded in cement mortar
on top of load-bearing
walls.
Eave
sBottom
•
wall.
portion of the roof overhanging the
Verg
eRoof
•
end.
covering that overhangs at the gable
Purli
nHorizontal
•
rafters.
roof members which give intermediate support to

• Acts as beam, reducing the span of rafters & enabling economic

section to be used
Overall
Rafters
Types of
Roof
Flat
Roof
•A flat roof is a roof which is almost level
in contrast to the many types of sloped
roofs.
• Low pitched roof 10 degrees or less.
• Flat roofs are an ancient type of roof,
mostly used in arid climates.
• It is the cheapest to build but
the maintenance cost is high.
Flat
Roof
•Concrete, timber and steel are the common materials used for flat
roofs.
• Flat roof relies on some kind of membrane to keep the moisture out.
Flat
Roof
Advantages
• No space lost below roof.
• Pleasing appearance.
• Easier to build and less material
used.

Disadvantages
• Drainage is not automatic.
• Limited capacity for insulation.
• No space to accommodate services.
Shed
Roof
A shed roof is basically a flat roof with
a greater angle allowing for greater
runoff.
• Has a single slope.
• Easy to build and inexpensive.
• Frequently used with
other styles.
Shed
Roof
Advantages
• Simple design
• Requires basic roofing materials

Disadvantages
• Develops drainage problems
Pitch
Roof
•Is a roof structure where the roof leans to one
side of the house.
• Also known as lean-to roof.
• Pitch is calculated by the number of inches it
rises vertically.
• There are two basic methods of pitched roof
construction which are truss roof and cut
roof.
• Rafters are connected into the wall or
supported on a wall plate.
• These type of roofs have no joist at all.
Pitch Roof
Members
Truss
Roof
•Trusses are designed based on a triangle
principle.

King Post Truss Mansard Truss Queen Post Truss

Hip
Roof
•Is a gable roof with angled ends where
all sides slope downwards to the walls.
• It is a popular choice but is more
difficult to
build than a gable roof.
• These type of roofs can handle strong
winds.
• Suitable for hurricane-prone areas.
• Commonly used in bungalows and
cottages.
Hip
Roof
ADVANTAGES
• Well suited to warm climates.
• Hip roofs have eaves all around which protects the walls from sun
and adverse weather.
• Water drainage capability.

DISADVANTAGES
• Design is more complicated (complex system of trusses and rafters)
• Due to the angles they have less attic space.
Gambrel
Roof
•Gable roof design,
two slopping
surfaces
• Also known as a barn
roof.
• Provides extra space
in the attic.
• Difficult for ventilation
Mansard
Roof
•Hip roof design,
double slope on all
sides
• A French design
• Allows for use of
dormers
• Accumulates water
Butterfly
Roof
•An inverted gable
roof design
• Visually stunning
• Useful in
climates with
severe winds
• Water drainage
problem
Dutch Hip
Roof
•A hip roof with small gable ends at the
ridge
• Sometimes used as architectural element
• Can be used for attic ventilation
• Costly
Winged Gable
Roof
•Extended, variation for
winged gable roof over
a gable roof
• Give aesthetic look
• Advantages when a lot
of snow or rain
• Problematic in high
wind and hurricane
areas
Roof
Shell
•

•
A common type of roof that is made from thin material.
The roof is curved and used to cover large, one-story
buildings.
Roof
Shell
Advantages
• More area is covered without any
intermediate columns.
• There is no leakage problem in this type of
roof.

Disadvantages
• It can not be used to construct the upper
floor.
• It has problems of natural light and
ventilation.
Folded Plate
Roof
•
•
A roof which has been moulded to a shape.
Meant for large covering of an open space.
• A roof constructed of flat plates, joined at various
angles
Geodesi
c
Geodesic roof construction consist of a
triangular frame placed together to form a
dome.
Geodesi
cdvantages
A
• Easy to build.
• Uses less material and are as structurally strong as
traditionally built homes.

Disadvantages
• Doors and windows must be specially made and
may be expensive.
• The spherical design creates a lack of usable space.
Dome
Roof
A dome is an architectural element that
resembles the hollow upper half of a
sphere.
Dome
Roof
Advantages
• Striking appearance
• Energy efficient
• Wind resistant

Disadvantages
• Quirky roof shape may affect resale
appeal
• May be more expensive to construct
Types of
Roof
Covering
Tile
Covering
•Clay, Concrete
(overlapping technique).
• Pitches from 15° to 45°.
• Pitch of tiles are less
than pitch of the rafters.
Thatch
Covering
•Thatch – made of plant
stalks in overlapping
layer
• Wheat & Rye straw –
widely used in
Europe country
• Seagrass – longer
life than
straw
Shingles
Covering
•
•
Shingles – like the scales of a fish
Red cedar – life expectancy (30 years), high
cost
• Hardwood – durable
Slate
Covering
•
•
Slate – naturally dense material.
Every sheet should be nailed twice.
• Minimum pitch of 25°.
• Central is nailed to overcome vibrations
(wind).
Sheet
Covering
•Sheet cover – zinc, aluminium,
lead
• Cheaper alternative.
• Short life.
• No creep light & ductile.
• Standard size : 2500mm x
1000mm, thickness
0.80mm.
Asphalt
Covering
Asphalt
Covering
Advantages
• Affordable
• Variety of styles
• Easy installation

Disadvantages
• Not an environmentally friendly roofing
material
• Gets damaged if installed at below freezing
temperatures.
• Not resistant to extreme temperature
variations
Concrete
Covering
Concrete
Covering
Advantages
• Long Lasting
• Can accommodate with other floors

Disadvantages
• Leakage problems
• Maintenance can be problematic
• No room for multiple design
patterns
Stone Slab
Covering
Stone Slab
Covering
Advantages
• Excellent insulation
• Unique looks
• Stormproof
• Solid

Disadvantages
• Heavy load on the
walls
• Hard to transport
• Hard to construct
Green
Roofs
•A vegetative layer grown
on the rooftop.
• Provide shade and remove
heat from the air.
• Can be installed on a
wide range of buildings.