It is so easy to take this most basic building feature for granted but think about it. We have all, at one point, worried about whether we will have or be able to keep a roof over our heads. It is a phrase that just slips from the tongue but is quite simply an intrinsic part of human life.
We all require shelter and a place that is warm, dry and protected from the elements. Plain walls can provide a degree of shelter but they are nothing without a covering over them – a roof. Considering that the roof of a property is quite often the most difficult part of a building to access, it is of prime importance for it to be able to withstand the climate for as long as possible in order to minimise the need for and costs of repairs or replacement.
Basic roof types
Roofs can be very basically placed into two groups: flat roofs or pitched roofs. Within these groups are many variations but for simplicity a flat roof is just as the name suggests which is a covering for a building that is flat to the eye, but in fact has a very slight slope on it. A pitched roof comes in many forms but all have one characteristic in common which will be a sloping roof surface that has a gradient of more than 10 degrees. Pitched roofs represent the majority of roofs on buildings in the UK and they may be gabled, cross gabled or hipped to suit the architectural requirements of construction.
Basic construction
Every roof, whether flat or pitched will require a number of basic elements in order that it will be of sound construction and be suitable to withstand the effects of the British climate. For the purposes of this article, domestic roofing systems will be discussed that use timber. Other, typically older buildings may use stone as support but modern constructions rarely use this unless in a listed building renovation or conservation area. Industrial concerns will use steel and metal beams in their construction and modern homes can also use steel lintels in roof construction, especially in loft conversions.
Every roof needs support which will commonly be by means of timber beams which have been carefully designed to take into account the shape of the building and the weight of the eventual roof covering. Before any slates or tiles can be fixed to the roof, it will usually require a lining. Roofing felt is used for this purpose, although the requirement to do this varies within regions of the UK.
Consideration must also be given to insulation and U-Values for energy efficiency to meet current UK Building Regulations. Adequate ventilation across the loft space must also be provided to protect the timbers from damp and rot. It must also be remembered that a roof can collect copious volumes of water and so adequate guttering and drainage must also be provided for.