Different roof types function differently and have varying degrees of longevity, so we’ll cover some background details that you should know about your roof to influence your big decision. Then we’ll dig into the specific considerations you should make as you decide which roof to put over your head.
Whether you are building a new home or replacing your current roof for one reason or another, the biggest question to ask yourself is: “Which roof type is best for me?”
There are quite a few roof types that you can choose from when planning, and it can sometimes be overwhelming to digest. Couple that with the high cost of installing a new roof, and you may find yourself under some unwanted stress! Don’t worry, though. We are here to help you make this important decision.
Different roof types function differently and have varying degrees of longevity, so it is important that you have a full understanding of this subject. Although this may seem like a substantial task, at Roofr our job is to make your experience as simple as possible, so we’ve decided to outline it all in this post. We will go over everything you need to consider when making this decision, and then finish off by listing some of the different roof types that you can choose from.Ready to jump in?
Before getting into the specifics, let’s look at some of the background details that you should know about your roof to influence your decision. Almost all roofs consist of these components.
Now that we’ve covered some basics, let’s dig into the specific considerations you should make as you decide which roof you will be putting over your head.
The slope of a roof represents the amount of incline it has, and is the starting factor that determines just about everything else. Also referred to as the ‘rise over run’ (some of us may be reminded of high school geometry classes!), it’s expressed as a ratio of the vertical increase to the horizontal increase. The slope of a roof directly influences the types of materials that can be used in its construction. Not only this, but a roof’s slope also determines the amount of attic space, type of ventilation, drainage, and its overall design.
The way that the slope of a roof is expressed is by indicating the amount of vertical rise for every 12 inches of horizontal run. Therefore, a roof with a pitch of 4:12 would rise in height by 4 inches for every foot in length.
There are three categories that your roof can fall into depending on its slope:
When considering what type of roof you want to install, make sure that you gain an understanding of how steep or flat your current roof is. You can make a pretty good estimation by looking at a satellite image of your roof, while comparing that to what it looks like in person.
Another thing to consider when deciding on what roof types to choose from has to do with the features or systems that will be added to your roof. Most recently, one of the most popular rooftop features in both Canada and the US are solar panels! Certain roof types are better than others for adding solar, so if you are planning to go this route, make sure to take that into consideration.
Whatever you think may be added to your roof, write this down so you can communicate that to your roofing company when you are getting the job done. Now that you know the basics behind your rooftop’s needs, let’s get into the specific types of roofs that you can install.
At Roofr, we encounter all kinds of rooftops, but here are some of the most common ones we deal with:
With all of this information, you should have a great place to start your research into a new roof. There are an abundance of roof types that you can choose from, so even with this knowledge, it would probably be in your best interest to work with an expert or at least read up a little bit more in our FAQ.
If you have any additional questions about roofing, give Roofr a call today at 866-819-5215 to speak directly with a roofing specialist!
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