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Roof construction is crucial for protecting buildings from the elements. Design factors include roofing materials, construction process, and suitability for the application and local weather conditions. Local conditions also affect roof construction, with sloping roofs for snow and low, wide roofs for wind. Durability, aesthetics, and cost are also important considerations.
In the process of building houses and other structures, one of the most important features is the roof. The roof provides the building with internal protection from the elements by means of a weatherproof outer shell. This protection is important, so roof construction is one of the first things to handle after the building exterior’s base framing and load-bearing walls are in place on most construction sites. There are many different methods of roof construction which vary according to local conditions, product availability and local customs.
The biggest component of roof construction is getting a proper design. Roof design includes three main elements: the roofing materials used, the construction process, and the overall durability and cost-effectiveness of the roof for the application. These three factors are the deciding elements for the suitability of a particular roof for a given application.
Local weather conditions should be kept in mind when planning the materials to be used in the construction of the roof. The traditional thatched roofing materials of a tropical island hut would not be a suitable form of roofing material in the extreme cold and snow of a northern winter. By the same logic, a heavily insulated asphalt roof could make life in that same island hut unbearable since it collects the heat of the midday sun.
Local conditions also play a role in deciding roof construction. In some areas of the world, sloping roofs facilitate the rapid shedding of water and snow. This peaked roof construction allows homes and other buildings to shed heavy snow cover that could cause damage. In other areas, a low, wide roof construction is more common. This design protects the building’s interior from rain, yet is able to withstand the raging gale force wind with less damage than a peaked roof.
Finally, the durability, aesthetics, and cost of a particular type of roof construction must be considered in the design process. While Mexico’s stone or tile roofs may be beautiful to look at, the freeze-thaw action of a northern climate could quickly leave this type of roof construction in shambles. Similarly, the relatively low cost of metal roofing has led many builders to abandon the expensive but beautiful shock shingle roof for the less expensive and more durable metal roof.
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