About Roof Construction Design and Building

The roof is one of the most important parts of any structure. The roof protects against weather and other elements of the outsides. A less than sturdy roof will not provide much protection. Water is one of the major problems when dealing with roofing. All structures should be protected from water to prevent damages to an entire building.

Roof Designs

One of the more common roof designs is the pitched roof with a middle ridgeline. There have been variations made to ridgeline style, which is the hip roof. The hip roof slanted with four sides, where the gable ends of the ridgeline roof have been replaced.

• A gambrel roof is mostly used for barns; the gable ends are made vertical.


• The mansard roof has a flat top with the four sides steep as the walls of the structure.


• A-frame roofing continues to the ground, such as the shape of the letter A.

Roofing Materials

The materials that are used in roofing can vary. Some materials are just different cost, while some materials are designed to serve a particular purpose. Some of the primary roofing materials are:

• Thatch


• Slate


• Ceramic time


• Shingles (wooden and asphalt)


• Metal sheets


• Tar

Asphalt shingles are the primary choice for homebuilders in the Northern America states; these shingles are least expensive and will not last for a very long time.

Weather and Roofing

The weather conditions determine the type of roofing that is found in an area. For instance, in colder climate areas you will not see much thatch; thatch is destroyed in freezing weather.  Wet areas cause for sloped roofs, so the water does not buildup on the roof and potentially cause leakage.