Roof. Seamed roof. Cooper roof. Roof tiles. Roofing materials.

What's a roof?

Roof is a stable part of building that belongs to support constructions, is on top and protects the interior rooms from the penetration of atmospheric precipitation.

The roof must be durable and stable, possess water- and heat-proofing properties. By the building the fire protection norms must be taken in account. In addition the roof is a decoration of a house; it can fully change its appearance: it can make the house like modern or ancient one, make it visually much higher and more airy or, on the contrary, more reliable and stable.

Construction way classification

There are two types of roofs: pitched and flat roofs.

Pitched roof is such construction that consists of outer layer and buildings beams that support it. Upon beams is mounted lathing or deck. The roof pitch can be various and depends on two conditions: the material that is used for roofing and weather conditions of zone where the house is built. By the large amount of precipitation the roof pitch is made at an angle of 45? and more and by the dry weather and strong wind the roof pitch mustn't exceed an angle of 30?. If the masonry material is used the pitch must be higher than 22?. By use of prepared roofing the optimal angle is from 5 till 25? and for asbestos cement sheets and tiles – 25-35? and more. With the increasing of roof pitch grows the consumption of materials and its common price.

Heat-insulation level classification

The roofs can be cold and warm. The presence of attic in construction means that the roof is warm because structure provides heat-insulation due to air space that is created by roof surface, exterior walls and the uppermost floor covering. It protects the building from frost, provides the ventilation and moisture exchange between various construction elements. Its also increases the durability and working life of the building but the common price of building will be higher because the attic isn't included in number of habitable rooms.

In this case you can organize a mansard that is like habitable room and is situated under roofing and its walls are the side surfaces of roof. The distance between the top and floor of mansard room must not be less than 1,5 m. In this way all interior space is used for habitation.

The cold roofs without attic are built, as rule, over the unheated buildings, sheds and other administrative facilities. Their function is only directly protection from precipitation.