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.
History of Roof
• The earliest known roofing was the woolly skin of a giant
mammoth noted in Siberia during 40,000 BC.
History of Roof
• The first known glazed clay roof tile was used in China
5,000 years ago.
• Greece and Babylon used flat earthenware roof tiles
between 4,000 and 5,000 years ago.
• The Romans brought variations of the Greek clay tiles
to England as early as 100 BC.
• Around 735 AD thatched roofs were developed and
used. Wood shingles were introduced 300 years
later.
• Industrial production of clay roofing tiles began in the
19th century. One hundred years later concrete roof tiles
were first used.
Components of a Typical Roof
Ridge
• The 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.
Rafters
• Splay cut / bevelled & nailed to ridge board at upper
ends & birth-mouthed nailed to wall plate at lower ends
Hip Rafters
• Frame the external angles of hipped end roofs.
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.
Eaves
• Bottom portion of the roof overhanging the wall.
Verg
eRoof covering that overhangs at the gable end.
•
Purlin
• Horizontal roof members which give intermediate support to rafters.
• 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.
• Suitable for spans up to 4000mm
• 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
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 for additions or with
other styles.
Shed Roof
Advantages
• Simple design
• Requires basic roofing materials

Disadvantages
• Develops drainage problems
• Cannot be retrofitted to other types of roof as its cost effective
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.
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
wings.
• 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
Geodesic
Geodesic roof construction consist of a triangular
frame placed together to form a dome.
Geodesic
Advantages
• 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
Tensile Structure
A construction of elements
carrying only tension and no
compression or bending.
Tensile Structure
Advantages
• Unique designs
• Lightweight and flexible
• Environmentally sensitive
• High strength weight ratio

Disadvantages
• Little to no rigidity
• Loss of tension is dangerous for stability
• Thermal values limits usage
Space Frame
A truss-like, lightweight rigid structure constructed from
interlocking struts in a geometric pattern.
Space Frame
Advantages
• provides complete freedom in large span areas while
providing strong resistance

Disadvantages
• The number and complexity of joints can lead to
longer
erection times on site.
Membrane roofing
• A type of roofing system for buildings and tanks.
• It is used on flat roofs to prevent leaks and move water off the roof.

Advantage
• protects the roof from the
harmful effects of UV sunlight.
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.