There are numerous types of roof in use across the world. Roofs can be made from the simplest materials such as grass and leaves to ultra-modern materials such as fibreglass and even the very latest solar roof tiles. In the UK, it is more common to find pitched roofs that are gabled or hipped but in some areas thatch is very common and there is also a trend towards eco-friendly turf covered roofs. Flat roofs are also very common and are used in many different situations ranging from a garden shed to building extensions. A flat roof is a cheaper option than a pitched roof to build as it uses far less materials and less time to complete. However, a pitched roof offers a longer life span than many alternatives.
Gable roofs
A typical style of roof, especially in the UK is the gable roof. This is a roof that has two sides that are equal in size and are pitched at the same angle, back to back to form a peak or triangular shaped roof. There will be a long ridge along the very top of the roof, with both surfaces angled either side. This is a very straightforward design that is a cheaper option to construct and allows very good ventilation. Running guttering is uncomplicated as it will follow a straight run. However, this type of construction may not be appropriate in areas where wind velocity tends to be high.
Variations
Hip Roofs
All of the sides of a hipped roof slop to meet all the walls of the house. This differs from a gable roof because only two surfaces of that type of roof meet the walls of the building. Hip roofs are more costly to build but they can make for a simpler construction overall as all the walls of the property will terminate at the same height to allow the roof to be positioned. This type of roof fares much better in windy areas.
Variations