Types of roofs: learn how to choose the best one for your home!

Antonio Neves
Written by
Antonio Neves
Published on
9/3/2024
Updated on
31/3/2024
Types of roofs: learn how to choose the best one for your home!

Choosing a roof is one of the most important parts when it comes to building a building. The roof, in addition to having the structural function of the entire work, is also a fundamental piece to add style to the project, since there are several roof models on the market.

Therefore, in addition to considering structural aspects, the choice of a roof depends on some factors, and aspects such as climate, solar orientation of the terrain and also the availability for future maintenance must be considered.

It may seem that choosing the roof of a building is quite simple, but with several options on the market it is not always that easy. Therefore, to know the roof types and studying which one is the most suitable for your work is essential!

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As I said, in addition to roofs being another important aesthetic element of a construction, the type of roof chosen directly interferes with the cost, thermal and acoustic comfort of the building.

And worst of all, if not properly executed, it can be a very favorable place for the occurrence of infiltrations and leaks, causing damage to the interior of the building.

Therefore, it is essential to consider some factors before hitting the hammer on the type of roof chosen for the work, right?

Also, to avoid damage to both the internal and external parts of the building and damaging the entire structure of the work, it is necessary to do good waterproofing, but rest assured, because I will talk about this throughout this article!

So today I'm here to provide important information about the types of roofs and how to make the right choice for your project! Are you ready? Come with me!

What is the function of the roof in a building?

The main function of the roof in a building is, without a shadow of a doubt, to protect the entire construction, right?

That is, to guarantee good coverage for the work. But more than that, the roof also has a decorative function.

Increasingly, it is possible to observe different roofs that make up the entire decoration of the work!

You may have noticed that many buildings, especially homes, are being built using embedded roofs.

Aesthetically, it is a very interesting strategy to guarantee a cleaner look for the work, giving an air of modernity. Trends in civil construction, as in any other branch, are changing over the years and today, embedded roofs are on the rise!

The purpose of this topic was only to define what the purpose of the roof is and since we understand that in addition to ensuring the coverage of the entire work, it is also a fundamental part to protect the entire structure in addition to being a means to prevent infiltration and problems resulting from humidity, let's move on to the next topic.

In it, we will understand how roof types can be classified and some of their characteristics.

What are the types of roofs?

Choosing which type of roof will be used in your construction is a very important initial stage during the construction project.

To make the right choice, it is necessary to carry out several studies on the terrain where the work will be built, based on analyses of the geographical position of the land in order to understand the solar incidence, wind direction, local climate and what inclement weather the building may be exposed to.

After these studies, and after also considering the aesthetic effects, it is possible to select which types of roof meet the needs of your construction.

In this article, I will introduce you to the various types of roofs so that you can choose the one that best fits what you want for your work, okay?

The types of roofs can be classified according to the amount of water, materials used and models. Let's now understand each one of them.


Amount of water:

Do you know what we mean when we talk about Amount of water? If you've never heard of it, the amount of water means how much water the roof has, that is, the amount of sloped roof surfaces that indicate the direction rainwater should flow. Thus, the roof can be classified according to the amount of water. See the following examples.


  1. Single-water roof: most used in small buildings or in built-in roof models.
  2. Gable roof: widely used, with water draining on both sides. The waters are divided by a central line, called a summit.
  3. Roofs with three or more waters: they are used in larger buildings that have a more elaborate architectural design, giving an interesting aesthetic effect.

Material:

Roofs can also be classified according to material with which they are constituted. Today, we can see a very wide variety of materials used in roofs, from the most traditional, such as ceramic, to the most diverse, such as green roofs.


Among the most used materials for the production of roofs, we can mention:

  1. Ceramic tile: the most traditional type and suitable for exposed roofs. It requires more parts and fittings, which can make the roof more susceptible to water infiltration.
  2. Metal tile: because it is large, it is suitable for warehouses and commercial projects. They do not have good thermal insulation.
  3. Concrete tile: it is resistant, has good thermal performance and can be made in various forms, which gives an interesting visual effect. It requires maintenance and waterproofing.
  4. Fiber cement tile: it is a simple and cheap option, but it heats up more than the others. The aesthetic finish is not its strong suit.
  5. Green roof: most used on building tops, but can be installed on residential roofs. It gives a different and ecological visual effect, in addition to having good thermoacoustic insulation.
  6. Waterproofed slab: it is also possible to leave the concrete slab apparent, but it must be waterproofed to guarantee protection against rain. It gives a clean look and if waterproofed in the right way, less maintenance.

It is also common to find polycarbonate and glass roofs, which are more used to cover some parts of the building, such as outdoor areas or balconies.

Models:

Roof models can also be of the most varied shapes. There is an immense variety of options, but let's mention the most used models. Among them, we can mention arched, Grambel, Mansard, Flat, Salt, Bonnet and pyramidal roofs, the latter being the most used in Brazil.

To learn more about the features, advantages, and disadvantages of each of them, do an internet search. And also, be aware of our site as we are always posting articles on this topic!

After all, how do you choose the best roof for your home?

As we have already mentioned, it is important to do a terrain study, consider aesthetic issues, and also assess the availability of expenses for roof maintenance. By evaluating these points, it is possible to make a choice that meets the needs of the client and the project.

It is worth noting that it is cool to compare the advantages and disadvantages of each type of roof and put it on paper for a better view. Always count on the help of professionals, such as engineers and architects to assist you in this choice, right?

How to waterproof the roof?

The roofs are installed so that there is water draining, but you have to agree that it is not enough to guarantee total protection against infiltration!

It is very common to have infiltrations, drips, mold and mildew inside the building due to the action of rainwater, isn't it? Therefore, it is necessary waterproof roofs so that these problems do not arise and cause a giant inconvenience for you. But which products should I use?

Well, in the case of ceramic, concrete or fiber cement roofs, you need to use BlokSeal CC, a water repellent capable of repelling water and protecting the entire structure and internal environments of the building from moisture.

In the case of apparent slabs, it is essential to use a waterproofing agent, the Blok ST, an efficient product to stop water from entering the structure, protecting it against the onset of any pathological manifestations.

Conclusion

Today, we saw about the types of roofs used in buildings and you could see that there are countless ways to cover a building.

We also explained the importance of waterproofing to ensure not only the good appearance of the work, but also the entire structure.

If you want more information about the products and how to use them, contact the team of Blok, because we understand your case and will present the best solution!

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