The roof of a building is just as crucial as its substructure. Although a roof may appear to be nothing more than any ordinary construction component, it offers advantages such as; protection from the adverse weather elements for keeping people and property safe. It also serves aesthetic functions.
The overall appearance of your house or apartment is also highly determined by the type of roof you choose. Going for a roof type that gives the aesthetic appeal improves the general appearance of your house.
Roofing is necessary, but choosing the kind of roof to place in your structure is not as simple as it appears. So it is because several factors must be considered before a suitable decision can be reached. Below are factors you can consider while determining the type of roofing.
Weather/Climate
The local climatic conditions play a significant role in determining the type of roofs to be used. It also helps in determining the specific roofing materials for your home design.
In cold regions or areas experiencing winter longer than summer seasons in a year, selecting a roof according to materials is crucial. You can opt for a thatched roof because it is suitable for insulating. Thus, they enhance thermal comfort in the house, which helps improve the users’ well-being.
When living in places that experience snowfalls, pitched roofs would be the best option compared to flat roofs. This is because the pitched roofs will allow the snow to slide down, while on the other hand, flat roofs will encourage the accumulation of snow. This might later cause the roof to collapse. It, therefore, cannot be the ideal choice.
Humid conditions, on the other hand, encourage microbial activity. It encourages the growth of fungi or lichen on the roofs. It would be recommended to avoid choosing a roof type with materials that will encourage the growth of such organisms.
Maintenance
The maintenance demands include the likelihood of malfunction, the ease with which it can be repaired, the ease of access to the roofing material when replacement is required, the expenses of the repairs, and the convenience of the skilled personnel performing the repair work.
Cost/Affordability
The choice of a particular roof type also depends on its cost and what you can afford as the user. Although different types of roofs vary in cost, your budget will determine the kind of roof for your new house design. Furthermore, installation costs of different roof types vary because they are not all installed the same way. Therefore, you need to take this into account too.
Durability
The lifespan of the kind of roofing you prefer has to come first. No one would wish to choose something they would need to replace after a short period. That would not be cost-effective in any way. You will need to get new materials again, making the labour force uneconomical.
A choice that lasts enhances a sustainable home. Not only in terms of finances but also energy. Choosing longevity over everything will help you cut the unnecessary costs that you might incur later on.
Conclusion
The factors mentioned above are the top factors on the list. In addition, you could consider the general aesthetics or appeal of a particular type, the resilience, material weight, owners preference, and energy efficiency, among others.
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