Roof is the most important part of any building. It completes the building by covering its uppermost part. A roof is a protection against external effects like rain,From banana leaves and wheat straw to concrete, aluminum sheeting, fiber
glass, glass and a wide range of materials are used in roof
construction.
Roof is the most important part of any building. It completes the building by covering its uppermost part. A roof is a protection against external effects like rain, extensive sunlight, snow and all weather effects. The function of a roof differs in different parts of the world. In cold regions, roof maybe designed in a way to protect against cold. Similarly in hot n humid countries, roofs are built for protection against excessive heat. A roof on a veranda maybe built to protect against sunlight but to admit air or a roof on greenhouses may permit sunlight to enter but protection from rain and snow. Roofing is required on every building. From houses to office buildings and stadiums, roof is the most important structural element of any building. The elements of design in roofing are material, durability and construction. The materials in roof construction can be diverse. From banana leaves and wheat straw to concrete, aluminum sheeting, fiber glass, glass and a wide range of materials are used in roof construction.
The construction of a roof depends on its method of support. If a roof is pitched, the method of construction will be different than plain roof. Pitched roofs are required to slope the water and rain from roof. In rainy areas, pitched roof are a necessary part of architecture. There are different types of roofing e.g. thatch roofing has a very steep pitch to make a roof water proof and durable. Another type is pantiles that provide protection against weather at low angle. Durability of roof is very important because if not durable, any damage will produce serious effects for people living there. Roof is the most inaccessible part of any building and its repair or re-construction can become troublesome for residents.The shapes of roof largely depend on characteristics of the region. The shapes of roofs are different in different regions. The basic type of shapes are fat, domed, arched, gabbled, hipped and skillion. Within these types there are different variations. Pitched roofs are used mostly in domestic architecture to provide maximum durability for a long time. Pitched roofs protect from any damage from rain or snow by sloping them.
The construction of a roof consists of two parts, supporting structure and outer skin. Walls are usually the support of any roof except in some distinguished cases. The functions of roofs are diverse but its main function is to provide a shield against weather conditions. Insulating properties are installed in the construction of the roof. Extra insulation is inserted under outer layer. In many developed countries, houses have a ceiling installed under the roof to provide insulation against noise, heat, cold, dirt and bird dropping as well. The insulation is provided by plastic sheeting or felt. In hot regions, cool roofs are becoming very popular. They have high reflective and high emission to keep the roofs cool for longer time. Drainage is another important function of roof. Slopes in different degrees provide the purpose of drainage to maintain roofs from leakage.
