In a modern house, one of the most important elements is the roof. Today, during construction, a variety of types of roofs of private houses are used, often determining the overall design of the building and the estate as a whole.
But not only the original design is important in the construction of the roof - its reliability is extremely important.
After all, it is the roof that should protect us from rain, from snow and from the scorching sun. Only if the roof is sufficiently reliable, we can talk about comfort in the house.
In this article we will talk about the roofs of private houses, their shape and the effect of this form on functionality. In general, there are a fairly large number of varieties of roofs, which we will consider further.
All roofs are divided into two large groups:
- pitched roofs;
- flat roofs.
Flat roofs have a slope of about 3 degrees and are practically not used in the design and construction of private houses.
The reason for this is that a small slope leads to low self-cleaning of the roof from precipitation, which has an extremely bad effect on the reliability of the roof in the conditions of snowy Russian winters.
The construction of buildings with a flat roof is justified only if this roof is used to organize additional functional space.
For example, a rooftop pool or front garden with live plants. Another advantage of flat roofs is the minimization of costs - this is the cheapest option due to the absence of a complex truss system and a reduction in roof area.
A serious disadvantage of flat roofs is also their zero design value - they add nothing to the overall design of the house.
Everything located on flat roof, can only be seen by climbing to its level or higher.
Because of all of the above, the flat shape of the roof of a house is extremely rare in Russian villages.
To your attention! Pitched roofs, unlike flat ones, have a slope of at least ten degrees.
The pitched roof of a private house has a number of significant advantages compared to flat ones:
- well self-cleansing from precipitation;
- more reliable;
- allows you to organize an attic space or attic;
- provides almost unlimited freedom to the designer's imagination.
The disadvantages are also quite obvious:
- higher construction cost compared to flat due to the increase in the amount of materials;
- a complex truss system requires certain skills during construction;
- great complexity of repair.
We will consider a variety of pitched types of roofs of private houses later in the article.
- The simplest and easiest to build is a pitched roof. It is a flat structure resting on external walls of various heights. Due to its simplicity and frankly unassuming design, a shed roof, as a rule, is crowned with outbuildings, terraces, warehouses, garages, verandas and similar premises. However, often shed roofs can be seen on small houses. The advantage of such roofs is the simplicity and low cost of construction. The main disadvantages are the impossibility of organizing an attic space or attic, as well as insufficient aesthetics.
- The gable roof of a private house is the most common in our towns and villages. Its other name is gable roof. This is one of the classic options that have existed since time immemorial. As the name implies, it consists of two slopes connected to each other by a ridge. These slopes can be symmetrical, or they can differ from each other in the length of the slope and the angle of inclination. Under the gable roof, an attic or attic is already easily organized. This is perhaps the most practical roof, due to its relative simplicity and at the same time sufficiently high functionality. Parts of the outer walls that bound the attic from the ends of the roof are called gables.
- In the case when, instead of gables, we observe two more triangular slopes, then such a roof is called a hip roof, and these triangular slopes are called hips. This is a more complex roof than previously described.It is preferable to entrust the design and construction of hip roofs to professionals, since these roofs have a complex truss system.
As a rule, the hip roof has dormer windows at the top of the triangular slopes. Hip roofs are more resistant to strong winds and leaks during heavy rainfall.
- An intermediate option between a gable and a hip roof is a half-hip roof. In roofs of this type, the end gables have the shape of a trapezoid and are covered from above with half-hips - triangular small slopes. Such roofs make it possible to place a full-fledged window in the pediment, and half-hips significantly increase the wind resistance of the roof and are an interesting decorative element of the building as a whole.
The second variant of the semi-hip roof is the overlapping of the lower part of the pediment with a slope.
Then the remaining part of the pediment has a triangular shape and, as a rule, there is a dormer window in it. The half-hip here will have a trapezoidal shape. Such a roof is also quite interesting in terms of design.
- And another kind of hip - hipped roof. It consists of four or more triangular slopes that converge at the top at one point. There is no ridge in the hipped roof, and it is completely symmetrical. Most often, such roofs are used on small square or polygonal structures of the correct form. Gazebos or all kinds of turrets in complex structures can serve as an example of such structures.
Hip roofs have excellent wind resistance and are an interesting design element.
- On buildings with complex polygonal shapes, complex roofs are often built, which are called multi-gable. Roofs of this type have a very complex truss system and therefore should be designed and built only by highly qualified roofers. The combination of a large number of ridges, valleys and ribs makes the multi-gable roof completely unique.
broken roof
- Another common variety is the sloping roof of a private house. Such a roof is also often called a mansard type roof, as it is best suited for the construction of mansards. The break in the angle of inclination of the slopes allows you to make the most of the usable area of the attic level of the building.
- Rarely enough, but all are found in private houses with domed or conical roofs. Such structures crown round structures and, as a rule, do not cover the entire building as a whole, but its individual elements - round verandas and turrets.
- The most complex types of roofs of houses are combined roofs. Such roofs are a combination of multi-gable, hip, half-hip and hipped roofs. The complex-shaped roof of a cottage with several living levels, open and closed verandas, many dormer and ceiling windows, covered balconies and similar architectural elements always attracts attention with its unusual and original design.
But such roofs are extremely complex in design and construction, as well as in subsequent maintenance.
Your attention! In addition, it should be noted that the more complex the roof, the more different elements it has, the less its reliability.Each valley, each gutter and apron are snow collectors and increase the likelihood of roof damage and leakage.
In order to increase the reliability of complex combined roofs, only the highest quality materials for the truss system, hydro, roof insulation.
Naturally, this further increases the total cost of an already expensive roof.
One of the nuances of arranging roofs is to provide lighting for attic and attic spaces under the roof. Wiring on the roof in a private house is laid in an open or hidden version.
Obviously, the hidden option is preferable in the attic rooms. In an ordinary attic, there is no need to make hidden wiring, since in this case there are no aesthetic requirements.
Advice! The general requirement for laying wiring is one - all of it must be below the waterproofing layer so that moisture does not get into its individual sections.
The choice of a specific roof shape is not as simple as it seems at first glance. There are many different factors that influence your decision.
Your attention! The type of roof is chosen depending on the plan of the house, the load-bearing qualities of the walls, the type of roofing material and thermal insulation chosen, aesthetic preferences, and the like. Also, the choice is influenced by the climatic conditions of a particular area and the relief of the site, the architectural traditions and customs of your area and, of course, your financial capabilities.
I hope this article has helped you a little to understand the variety of types of roofs and now it is easier for you to make a choice in favor of one or another option.
It will be a simple gable roof or the most complex combined with many architectural nuances, the main thing is that this roof provides warmth and comfort in your home.
All types of roofs of private houses have the right to life, each type has its fans and its own scope. When choosing the shape of the roof, do not forget that you will live in this house for more than one or two years, so approach the problem of choice with all responsibility.
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