Roof of the house top view. When dreams come true: beautiful roofs of private houses. Video: how to make the right choice of covering material

Roof of the house top view.  When dreams come true: beautiful roofs of private houses.  Video: how to make the right choice of covering material
Roof of the house top view. When dreams come true: beautiful roofs of private houses. Video: how to make the right choice of covering material

As you know, there is no house without a roof. It is the shape of the roof and its covering that gives the building a complete image, crowns it, and decorates it. The main purpose of the roof is to protect the building from rain, hail, snow, and solar radiation. Therefore, the roof of a house should not only be beautiful, but also, first of all, a durable, reliable and practical structure.

The importance of proper construction

When erecting any structure, even the simplest one, you must know and strictly follow certain construction rules. Thus, all standards relating to the design and construction of the roof are prescribed in the document “SP 17.13330.2011”, which is the current updated version of another document “SNiP II-26-76”. The requirements contained in these rules apply throughout the entire territory of our country and apply to the construction of roofs of all possible compositions in buildings of various purposes. The document contains a list of permitted roofing materials and requirements for them.

The possibility of using other compositions for roofing must be confirmed in accordance with the procedure established by law.

These requirements must be strictly followed not only during the construction of a new house, but also during reconstruction or major repairs of the roofs of buildings with roofing made from these materials. In addition to complying with construction standards, it is necessary that all materials used, literally down to every nail, comply with GOST. Only in this case will the constructed roof be reliable and living in the house safe.

Description

The roof is the final link of the roof, its finishing coat, performing protective and aesthetic functions. The roof must be moisture-proof, lightweight, durable, inexpensive to maintain, and meet the requirements fire safety.

When choosing a roof covering, factors such as:

  • roof shape;
  • features of the rafter system;
  • roof slope angle,
  • climatic conditions.

Classification

How the roof of the building will look externally is determined before all work begins.

All types of roofs can be combined into two groups, taking into account the magnitude of the slope and the number of side planes called slopes:

  • roofs that have a flat shape;
  • roofs with one or more slopes.

A flat roof is a rectangular, level area with a slope of no more than three degrees. This type of roof is used in modern housing construction only when it is planned to be used additionally. For example, equip a recreation area, a swimming pool, a helipad. In small private houses, the use of this form is impractical, since stagnation of rain and melt water can occur on it, and there is no need to talk about its great reliability and durability.

Undoubtedly, pitched roofs are more practical, although they are more expensive and difficult to build. The advantages include the fact that the main enemy of the roof - water easily flows down the slopes of the roof, without stopping and causing harm.

Depending on the design features of the roofing system, pitched roofs can have either an attic or an attic. An attic is a room located directly under the roof and suitable for habitation. The attic differs from the second floor in having low walls (no more than 1.5 m). Existing varieties of pitched roofs are divided into types depending on the design features.

Pitched roofs are as follows:

  • single-pitched;
  • gable;
  • hip;
  • half-hip;
  • tent;

  • multi-pincer;
  • broken;
  • dome;
  • conical;
  • combined.

The most inexpensive and easy to install single-pitch design. Such roofs are found on sheds, garages and other outbuildings. A pitched roof has a flat roof supported by walls of varying heights. It is due to the different heights of the support that the slope is obtained. The disadvantage of this design is the absence of at least some attic space, and appearance Such a roof is not pleasing to the eye.

The form of a gable roof has come to us since time immemorial and is perhaps the most common and familiar roof for one-story house, especially in rural areas. There is only one explanation for this – practicality. The slopes can be located both symmetrically and under different angles tilt, be equal in length and not quite. This roof shape makes it easy to create an attic or attic underneath.

The structure has two slopes, united at the end sides by pediments, and on top by a “ridge” that strengthens and protects the roof seam formed at the junction of the slopes.

Gables are mandatory and very important elements gable roof. They cover the space between the slopes, thereby protecting the attic from exposure to wind and precipitation. The roof slopes rest on the gables, due to which the load on the walls of the building is redistributed. Finally, due to its location, the pediment can be an attic wall.

The hip roof is made from two pitched design by replacing the pediments with two more triangle-shaped slopes. The slopes in this case are called hips, hence the name of the entire roof. At the top of one of the hips there is a hatch called a dormer window. In essence, a hip roof is hipped design, difficult to construct, but very resistant to natural disasters such as hurricane wind or pouring rain.

If the pediments of a gable roof are given a trapezoidal shape, and the upper part of the pediment is covered with a small triangular slope, or, conversely, the lower part is covered with a slope, and the top of the pediment is made triangular, then you will get a half-hip roof. From a design point of view, a building with such a roof takes on an interesting appearance.

Tent shape is also a type of hip roof. There can be three or more sectors (hips) depending on the shape of the support. The ridge is missing, and the hips meet at the corners at one point with amazingly perfect precision, forming a tent over the building. Structures with complex, polygonal shapes are covered with a multi-gable roof.

Designing such a roof is complex, but nevertheless makes it possible to create structures that are unique in appearance.

The broken type of roof is often called a mansard roof. This is a cost-effective design, as it allows you to organize additional living space.

Dome and conical roof shapes are rare in the construction of private residential premises in our time. The use of this form implies a round-shaped structure under the roof. Often such roofs cover not the entire building, but its individual parts. For example, an oval-shaped terrace or some decorative elements: towers, rotundas.

Combined roofs have the most complex design. Essentially, they are combinations of different types of roofs, which gives a lot of scope for design ideas. Such structures are difficult to build and difficult to maintain. However, it is precisely combined roofs that can increasingly be found on modern cottages.

All coverage options

IN modern construction The following types of roofing materials are used in private residential buildings:

  • roll;
  • mastic;
  • membrane;
  • leafy;
  • piece or typesetting.

Roll coatings include the well-known roofing felt and roofing felt. These coatings are made from polymer and bituminous materials. Layers of cardboard, fiberglass or polyester are used as a reinforcing base. This coating can be used for roofing on both flat and pitched roofs.

A special feature of the application is the continuous lathing of wooden rafters. Glue plywood panels can be used as a continuous flooring, with the sheathing turned upside down. The roof angle should be 10–30 degrees. The roofing material is attached to the deck using a hot method: the roll is heated and rolled out onto the roof with a roller. For reliability, the material is laid in several layers. Moreover, if a flat roof with a wooden ceiling is covered, then for fire safety purposes the first layer is nailed, and the next one is already fused.

Repairing such a roof is simple: the old covering is cleaned of dirt and a new layer is laid on top.

Rolled materials also include modern roofing coverings such as bitumen shingles. This is fiberglass with bitumen impregnation. One of its sides has an adhesive surface, and on the other side, the canvas is covered with multi-colored mineral chips. The cloth bends easily, so it can easily, without much effort, take the shape of the surface. Due to these properties, bituminous shingles are increasingly used for roofing on non-standard roofs.

Roll coatings have their advantages and disadvantages.

The advantages include the following:

  • high sound insulation;
  • thermal insulation;
  • frost resistance;
  • small mass;
  • no corrosion.

The main disadvantages are that:

  • the coating may tear or crack;
  • roofing felt and roofing felt are susceptible to rotting over time;
  • the material is fire hazardous;
  • When exposed to sunlight, the coating fades.

Mastic roofing is only used on flat roofs due to the fact that it bulk material. It is easy to install. Several layers of mastic are applied to a previously prepared, dried base, covered, for example, with fiberglass. It is used in the construction of large residential and industrial buildings.

The disadvantage is the difficulty of obtaining a coating of uniform thickness.

Mastic roofs come in three types:

  • reinforced;
  • unreinforced;
  • combined.

The advantages of mastic roofing are as follows:

  • cheaper than rolled materials;
  • high moisture protection properties;
  • quickly installed;
  • tightness;
  • fire resistance;
  • thermal stability, since the roof can withstand temperature changes from -40 to +100 degrees.

Membrane roofs are made from a film made from a special polymer. Membrane coatings are used mainly on flat roofs. Film sheets, called membranes, are laid out on the surface overlapping and secured to each other by exposure to hot air or using special tape. Membranes are attached to the roof surface with nails, screws or glue.

This roof has high strength. It is quickly and easily installed. But, the rather expensive material quickly fades when exposed to sunlight.

Perhaps the most common were and remain roofs made of sheet materials. Steel, slate, ondulin, corrugated sheets, metal tiles, asbestos plywood are attached to a wooden sheathing with self-tapping screws or nails. Steel roofing does not burn and will last up to 30 years. The slope angle should be 18–30 degrees.

Slate also does not burn, withstands low temperatures well, does not heat up under the influence of sunlight, and does not allow electricity. The slope angle should be 8–20 degrees.

Ondulin is cardboard-bitumen sheets. It is produced by impregnating organic fibers with bitumen. The process takes place at high values ​​of state parameters such as pressure and temperature. Since the material contains no asbestos compounds, ondulin is considered one of the most environmentally friendly roofing coatings.

Corrugated sheets are metal sheets coated with a layer of zinc or paint. Quite durable and practical material. When used, additional sound insulation is required.

There are three brands of corrugated sheets.

  • Brand H. It has a high load-bearing capacity and is used for horizontal structures.
  • Brand C. Used for vertical structures.
  • Brand HC. A universal material that can be used for both horizontal structures and vertical use.

At the same time, profiled sheets of grades H and HC are more suitable for roofing work. Grade C material is used only on small buildings with a roof slope of 60 degrees or more. When purchasing a profiled sheet, pay attention to the thickness, height and type of profile, as well as its protective coating.

Metal tiles are galvanized sheets, similar to slate, coated with polymer. It is inexpensive, lightweight, easy to install, fire-resistant, and not afraid of heat changes. But, at the same time, it has poor sound insulation, heats up under the influence of sunlight, and is susceptible to corrosion. If improperly transported, it will crack easily.

Asbestos plywood is as easy to install as anything else sheet materials. It practically does not burn, but it will not last long, because it can become damp. To enhance water resistance, the asbestos plywood coating will have to be periodically painted.

Perhaps all the shortcomings of sheet coverings are taken into account in a new, modern material - composite tiles. This is a sheet roofing consisting of sheets of steel coated on both sides with an aluminum alloy. This is followed by layers of aluminum primer, stone granules and acrylic glaze. The material does not know what corrosion is, does not transmit heat and sound, does not change color under the influence of solar radiation, does not transmit or absorb moisture. It is secured with forged nails.

Composite tiles can last half a century, but during the construction of the roof it will be necessary to provide a vapor barrier, since composite tiles does not allow steam to pass through. The second disadvantage is that the material has high cost.

Type-set or piece roofing includes coatings such as natural, polymer-sand, cement-sand, ceramic tiles. Beautiful in appearance, with all possible advantages, and with a service life of almost a century, tiles are not the most common roofing material. Tile roofing has a very high cost and no less heavy weight. Therefore, it is used in the construction of only elite buildings and requires a reinforced rafter system and high-quality sheathing.

Color solutions

Choosing the right color for the roof of a house is very difficult.

The following factors must be taken into account:

  • location of the building;
  • climatic conditions;
  • color scheme of the facade;
  • the color of nearby buildings.

The most common roof colors are:

  • brown;
  • red;
  • burgundy;
  • dark green;
  • black.

The prevalence is explained by the fact that these colors combine well with facades of various types and color ranges. When choosing a roof color, you need to understand that dark colors absorb solar radiation, so a dark roof will heat up in the summer heat.

For this reason, dark roofs are more often used in northern regions. While in the southern regions, light roofing materials are used more. Bright colors on roofing look very impressive, but quickly fade and are used only for buildings built without architectural refinements.

When choosing a color scheme for the roof, you must remember that shades of the same spectrum are always a win-win combination. For example, if the facade is painted in warm colors, then the roof is also made warm color. Cool colors are combined with cool shades. A classic is considered to be the combination of natural shades with beige and brown colors, as well as ocher.

A gray roof needs an interesting façade, otherwise the house will look boring.

Review of manufacturers

The modern construction market offers a huge selection of coatings for roofing work from both domestic and foreign manufacturers. Most famous brands roofing coverings that are in demand and have proven themselves in the modern construction market can be classified by country of origin.

  • Germany is represented by three well-known manufacturers:
  1. the Lafarge concern is famous for its Braas brand roofing coverings;
  2. the Crotop concern produces roofing accessories;
  3. Creaton produces ceramic tiles.

  • The Spanish company Cupa Natural Slate produces Cupa brand roofing slates.
  • The Italian company Tegola Canadese produces flexible bitumen-based tiles of the Tegola brand.
  • The French company OFIC SA produces roofing materials of the Onduline brand;
  • The French company Terreal produces ceramic tiles under the Terreal brand.

  • Popular Finnish manufacturers are the following:
  1. Lemminkainen produces roofing materials made from bitumen, mastic, roll coverings and flexible tiles under the Pikipika brand;
  2. Katepal OY produces roofing and waterproofing coatings under the Ruflex brand;
  3. Weckman Steel OY produces metal tiles and corrugated sheets under the Weckman brand.

  • Among Russian manufacturers, the most famous are the following:
  1. the Omi trading house produces roofing coverings of the same name;
  2. TechnoNIKOL produces flexible tiles of the Shinglas brand;
  3. Supron LLC produces Suprn brand roofing coverings from environmentally friendly ingredients.

Chinese roofing coatings are not far behind in the variety of types, types and colors.

  • Chinese-made coatings are as follows:
  1. metal - made of copper, zinc, galvanized steel;
  2. mineral - from crushed natural stone;
  3. organic - bitumen, polymers, wood shingles, and straw are used for production.

The most popular are Chinese metal tiles made of galvanized cold-rolled steel. The material is durable, does not burn, does not deform. Can last up to 100 years.

Accessories and tools

To get a beautiful, high-quality roof, you need to use the right fasteners - screws, self-tapping screws, screws. You also need to have at least a minimum set of tools for roofing work.

To install the roof you will need the following tools:

  • carpenter's hammer;
  • construction stapler for attaching vapor barrier fabric;
  • a medium-sized hacksaw for wood with a blade length of up to 40 centimeters;
  • construction cord for leveling the roof;
  • marker of a contrasting color for marking;
  • screwdriver with suitable attachments;
  • pliers.

How to make it yourself?

Since roofing work does not require special equipment, it can be done independently.

Roofing work can be divided into three stages, namely:

  • design;
  • construction of a rafter system;
  • roofing.

At the design stage, the shape of the roof and the steepness of the slopes are determined.

The deciding factors will be the following:

  • climatic conditions: a lot of snow and rain - steep slope, strong winds - on the contrary, flat;
  • type of roofing material. For example, when using tiles, the angle of inclination must be at least 22 degrees, because otherwise rainwater will seep through the joints.

The rafter system is the most important part of the roof and is a system of inclined slats, called rafter legs, vertically located racks and inclined struts. Rafters ensure the stability of the roof, give reliability to the roof, and redistribute the load across the entire building. The location of the rafter system elements is directly related to the shape of the roof. A gable roof will have one rafter system, and a hip roof will have another.

When erecting a roof yourself, you need to remember that even the smallest deviation from the rafter installation technology can result in a roof collapse.

After the rafter structure is ready, they begin to install the roofing pie, which is a multi-layer structure located directly under the roofing material. The roofing pie serves to protect the roof from moisture penetration, heat loss, and prevents condensation from forming.

It consists of the following elements:

  • vapor barrier;
  • insulation layer;
  • waterproofing;
  • counter-lattice;
  • ventilated space;
  • sheathing;
  • roofing material.

To properly install the roofing pie, you must follow a certain algorithm of actions.

  • From the attic side, a vapor barrier membrane film is attached to the rafters with a stapler, placing its outlet side into the attic. The seams between the film panels are taped. This is the first layer of the “pie”.
  • A second layer is laid on top - this is insulation, which is best chosen according to the criterion “in fire - does not burn.”
  • The third layer is a waterproofing film, which covers the insulation on top. It is fixed with a stapler, the seams are taped.
  • The next step is to nail the counter-lattice to the rafters. A counter-lattice or counter beam is a beam that provides roof ventilation. Thanks to the counter-lattice, between the insulation layer and the sheathing, a free space allowing air to circulate freely.

  • The sheathing is nailed to the counter beam, that is, the boards to which the roof will be attached. In this case, the roofing material is taken into account: for flexible tiles a continuous flooring is required, for slate - sparse.
  • Lay and secure the coating using the manufacturer's instructions.
  • Install auxiliary roofing structures: snow retainers, gutters.

To learn how to install the roof, see the following video.

  • roofing material is chosen when designing the rafter system;
  • the choice of roofing material depends on the angle of inclination of the roof;
  • a roof with two or four slopes can be covered with any roofing covering;
  • when purchasing roofing materials, be sure to obtain installation instructions from the seller;
  • tiles are used if the roof slope angle is in the range from 30 to 60 degrees;
  • if the slope is at an angle of 8 to 18 degrees, it is more advisable to use bitumen coatings;

  • steel sheets must be painted every 10 years. The paint will protect the roof from corrosion;
  • multi-gable roofs are covered with flexible coverings: corrugated sheets, bitumen, metal tiles;
  • Installation of metal tiles begins from the end part of the roof. The first sheets are attached to the rafters with one self-tapping screw, screwed into the bend of the wave. This will ensure the mobility of the sheet and allow it to be leveled if necessary. Metal tiles can be installed at any time of the year;
  • all types of slate are laid with an overlap using a hinged fastening;
  • asbestos-cement slate is laid regardless of air temperature, while ondulin and PVC slate become brittle in cold weather;

  • laying roll coverings requires dry, warm weather;
  • soft tiles begin to be laid from the eaves;
  • Before you start laying a ceramic tile roof, it would be a good idea to practice first. The tiles have a special locking system;
  • elements cement-sand tiles have ready-made holes for nails;
  • Before starting work, it is necessary to take care of fire retardant and antiseptic impregnation of all wooden roof elements.

The general rules for working with roofing material are as follows:

  • cutting is done on the ground. If, nevertheless, there is a need to cut off the material while already on the roof, then be sure to remove the sawdust;
  • Before starting installation, you need to inspect the roof plane on which the material will be laid. It must have a smooth and clean surface;
  • work is performed in soft shoes to feel the surface;
  • You cannot step on the sheets until they are finally fixed;
  • work begins with processing obstacles - chimneys, dormer windows;
  • The coating elements are fixed using fasteners recommended by the manufacturer.

By following the instructions and safety requirements supplied with the material, you can create a beautiful, high-quality and durable roof with your own hands.

Beautiful examples in the exterior

When examining any building, a person first of all pays attention to its roof, or rather, to its visible part - the roof. The roof of a house and its appearance always remain a source of pride for its owner.

A properly selected roof can decorate even the most inconspicuous building.

  • In the modern world, cubic-shaped houses are gaining great popularity. The cube house has a flat roof. It is not only beautiful and unusual, but also practical. On a flat roof you can arrange a recreation area with a terrace and a green lawn.
  • A two- or three-story private house can be decorated with a pitched roof. With the right choice of color scheme, unusual and interesting options are obtained.

  • An asymmetrical gable roof on a one-story or two-story private house looks original. The appearance of the building is immediately perceived differently.

There are many options for installing an asymmetric roof:

  1. Place the slopes at different angles.
  2. Make slopes of different widths.
  3. If the house has several floors, then lengthen one slope, turning it into a canopy.
  4. Build a veranda under one of the slopes.

  • Amazingly transforms a gable roof using soft tiles as a covering.
  • The installation of observation windows on the roof slopes gives the entire structure originality.

  • Several different types of roofs on one building look impressive.

A gable roof combines well with a hip roof:

  1. The slope is located above the pediment. In addition to the original appearance, this design solution makes it possible to equip a room in the attic.
  2. The slope is located under the pediment. Such a roof will be decorated with small windows located on the gables.

  • The appearance of the attic roof becomes more impressive when the angle of the rafters changes.
  • The decoration of the house design will be the installation of a canopy over the balcony in the form of a sloping mansard roof.

The right color combinations of facade and roof finishing allow you to make your house extraordinary, memorable, and unlike others:

  • buildings that have a light gray, white or lemon colored facade and a green roof, or a cream facade under a brown roof, always look harmonious;
  • combinations of walls blue, green, white under a black or gray roof;
  • if the buildings around are covered with brown and gray roofs, then a red roof will effectively distinguish the house from the crowd;
  • a blue façade with gray or white elements under a gray roof looks elegant and modern;

  • The classic combination is a dark top and a light bottom. The most common option. Light walls of the facade and contrasting color of the roof;
  • tone-on-tone combination. The roof and walls of the same shade will give the building solidity and elegance;
  • dark walls under a light roof. To ensure that the roof does not dissolve against the general background, it is necessary to repeat its color on the windows, doors, and gutters.

Fashion today dictates the rules in all areas - clothing, shoes, interior and exterior design, garden design. She didn't even go around the roof. More recently, decorative turrets were popular, and now multi-level complex structures are popular, under which children’s rooms or dressing rooms, gyms, home theaters, billiard rooms, etc. are installed. But fashion is a capricious and changeable lady. And if you rely entirely on it, you will have to renew the roof of the house every 2-3 years, which not everyone can afford. It’s better to listen to your taste, taking individual stylish fragments as a basis. And in order not to drown in the ocean of diversity, it is worth familiarizing yourself with ready-made projects of beautiful roofs of private houses.

Roofs for private houses: which one to choose

The appearance of modern roofs is a flight of designer’s imagination and one of the motivators, and not the most important, that determines the roof design for a particular building. The main thing is engineering developments under a certain form- tasks that a particular roof configuration should perform as best as possible.

An unusual mansard roof with asymmetrical lines will emphasize the refined taste of the owner of the house and will allow you to get additional space under the roof

For example, flat usable and broken mansard roofs have different goals. The first is suitable for creating a greenhouse on the roof, the second is for having additional living space.

On the flat roof of a private house you can create a beautiful green area

But the main functions for all roofs are the same:

  • protecting the building from rain, snow and winds;
  • good resistance to mechanical stress and ultraviolet radiation;
  • effective self-cleaning;
  • environmental friendliness;
  • ease of arrangement and repair;
  • economy in construction and operation, as well as durability.

A country house for seasonal living with a simple gable roof - a classic design that never goes out of style

Therefore, you should choose the shape of the roof based on your needs: what you want to get in the end. In addition, you need to take into account the load-bearing load that the roof will exert on the walls and foundation of the house. A complex multi-gable roof, and even covered with natural tiles, will not suit a light frame building, no matter how much one would like it to be so.

Amateurs build a multi-gable roof original design for the sake of beauty and the opportunity to equip several small side attics at once

Conversely, a simple gable roof covered with ordinary slate will not look good on the intricate facade of a large building.

Even the location of the house plays a significant role when choosing a roof. If the building is located at the very beginning of the site, then it makes no sense to make fashionable slopes almost to the ground. This form requires space, and in cramped conditions it will not play as expected.

A gable roof is simple and reliable, but there are several complex hybrid forms, for example, a half-hip design - when the end slopes do not reach the eaves, and the side slopes are located low to the ground

Why spend money then, when you can choose something simpler and save significantly on construction. By the way, classic gable roofs have not gone out of fashion for centuries. And that means a lot.

Video: unusual roofs of private houses

Beautiful roof design: options

Roofs of houses vary in design and type of covering material.

Flat roofs

In private housing construction, flat roofs are quite rare. The main reason is the large snow load compared to a sloped one, which falls on a flat shape, and low self-cleaning ability. It is believed that with a slope of 0–1°, water will constantly stagnate on the roof and this will sooner or later lead to damage to the roofing. That is, a flat roof requires much more maintenance.

The flat roof combines favorably with the overall design and is complemented by various small geometric details

Moreover, such a project cannot be called economical. The rafter system, monolithic floors, insulating materials, arrangement of smoke and ventilation ducts, drainage and drainage - everything must be durable and of high quality.

Minimalism and clear geometric lines produce the effect of stability and solidity

Therefore, a flat roof is usually made when it is planned to be used - for a terrace, greenhouse, sauna or swimming pool, etc. This is where they are indispensable. If not, then from flat roof It's better to refuse.

In a modern individual residential building in the Moscow region, green spaces are located on a flat exploitable roof

A private house with a flat roof is unusual and interesting: an extraordinary roof creates a unique style and completes the general image building.

Video: how to make a flat roof usable and how much it will cost

Pitched roofs

The construction of pitched roofs is more expensive for owners of private houses: more roofing is required, and a more powerful supporting structure is needed. However, they are more reliable, do not require frequent maintenance and are very diverse in shape:

  • single-pitched;
  • gable (straight, broken roofs or attic);
  • hipped (tent, hip);
  • spherical;
  • multi-pincer;
  • cone-shaped;
  • combined, etc.

Video: pitched roof designs for a private house - 10 ideas

Design of houses with a pitched roof

Such roofs are also called mono-pitched. They have one slope resting on load-bearing walls of different heights, resulting in very interesting projects.

The installation of a pitched roof is inexpensive, since the entire installation consists of supporting the sheet on the external walls of the building of different heights

If previously the lot was monoslope roofs - terraces, outbuildings, cellars, today - this is one of the trends of minimalism, which gives the building a futuristic look.

The roof beautifully flows around the building, performing several important functions at once: it creates an unusual design shape for the entire house and delicately hides the second floor

Modern mono-pitch roofs are a whole complex of components and connections that can withstand climatic disasters and protect the building. Therefore, it is increasingly possible to see pitched roofs in private households.

The building attracts attention and captivates the eye beautiful design and skillfully selected cladding colors

In addition to the stylish airy design, pitched roofs are lightweight and inexpensive to install. Anyone with at least a little knowledge of construction can install such a roof, even if they have never done anything like this before. The main thing is to comply with the technology and specifics of their device.

Both edges of the rafter legs have reliable support and belong to the category of layered

Definition pitched roof reflects the essence of its structure - one pitched plane is formed by a rafter system.

Video: do-it-yourself pitched roof installation

Monosloped roofs, due to their configuration, come in a variety of forms, for example, canopy roofs, which are so loved by the residents of Australia, known for their commitment to all sorts of fashionable manifestations.

Today, Australians, known for their boldness in terms of fashion legislation, are confidently setting a new trend in the use of canopy roofs in construction

Shed roofs can be attic or non-attic, hemispherical, as well as shed - sawtooth, which, however, can rarely be seen crowning a private house. And completely in vain. Thanks to their design, with skillful approach, you can achieve all the benefits of passive solar heating and good natural light.

The architect Howard Alan got a good result when he transformed the roof of an ordinary Chicago house. The new roof became shed (sawtooth). Tests at the end of construction showed that with an outside temperature of -18.3 °C on a sunny winter day, the internal temperature was about +21.1 °C.

With the transformation of the roof into a shed, the height of the attic spaces increased and their natural ventilation was simplified

Beautiful gable roofs of private houses

Gable roofs are the most popular types of roofs for a number of reasons:


In terms of functionality, gable roofs are in no way inferior to single-pitch roofs; they are just as simple and reliable. They consist of two slopes, which rest, as in a monoslope roof, on load-bearing walls (or post-and-beam support system), but the same height. The slopes are connected by a ridge ridge. The space between them is called the pediment or gable.

Large windows and a roof with window openings create good lighting and look interesting against the background of other buildings

Until recently, the slopes themselves were traditionally the same length. But fashion makes its own adjustments and now they are often made in different sizes, which gives the house a unique appearance.

The gable roof serves as a roof for the house, smoothly transitioning into summer canopy for a parking lot or a place where you can relax and hide from the sun

Moreover, they are not mounted under long slopes. drainage system, since water and melted snow quickly disappear from such roofs. On the one hand, this reduces the cost of construction and guarantees a long service life for the roofing covering. But on the other hand, such a roof needs a good drainage system along the entire perimeter of the house so that the foundation does not flood.

Video: roofs of private houses

Types of gable roofs

Gable roofs are unlimited supporting structure and covering material, so there is room for the designer’s imagination to run wild here.

The Dormer roof adds a dormer window to the attic, which serves to illuminate and ventilate the attic space, and also improves the appearance of a private home

The so-called hybrid forms- more complex in design, but certainly much more effective. For example, half-hip structures with end slopes that do not reach the eaves.

A half-hip roof is more difficult to install than a regular gable roof, but it looks much more original

The Danish form of a gable roof and the Dutch one are interesting, the difference between them is in the method of cutting the hip - the Danish one offers small gables, and the Dutch one offers regular-sized gables in the form of a trapezoid.

The difference between the Danish and Dutch design lies in the way the hip is cut - from the top or bottom

Such designs have their strengths and weaknesses. The first include:

  • greater rigidity of the frame due to the corner ribs;
  • ability to withstand considerable snow loads;
  • good protection of the gables of the house from bad weather and the ability to install a regular window in the attic (attic).

Cons of the floor hip roofs:

  • the complexity of the design involves exact calculation rafter system;
  • greater consumption of lumber and roofing sheets.

Mansard roofs are also a type of gable roof. It would seem that in our time such roofs with broken lines would not surprise anyone. However, newfangled elements make modern mansard roofs not only respectable, solid, but also incredibly attractive and functional. For many, such a roof is blue dream, despite the cost of its arrangement.

The rich decoration of the house is emphasized by the unusual roof

The courage of the architects is amazing. To ensure your home retains its individuality, choose unusual shapes and materials that will last for years.

The roof smoothly flows into the walls, creating a solid and complete image of the entire structure

Before installing the attic roof, you must check the condition of the foundation and load-bearing walls to see if they can withstand the additional load.

Beautiful roofs of wooden houses

Frame or wooden houses unlike stone, brick, etc. buildings are lighter and do not need a powerful foundation. This must be taken into account when choosing a roof. In principle, this applies more to the covering material, since the roof can be given any shape. Before this, strengthen the load-bearing walls, strengthen the foundation, install decorative support beams near the house, to which the load from the roof will be transferred, etc. There are a lot of options, but it is still better to choose a lightweight covering material, do not overload the load-bearing structures of the house with natural tiles, For example.

Mainly for wooden buildings use:

  • conventional gable roofs;

    Wooden walls emphasize the quality of the house

  • Saltbox roofs - asymmetrical gable roofs - allow you to expand the house by lowering a long slope onto the elements being added;

    Asymmetrical gable roof frame house allows you to transfer the load through a long slope to the completed elements of the house

  • mansard roofs in rustic style are a brutal fashionable trend designed specifically for wooden houses - a combination of simplicity and rough natural materials.

    The roof made of roofing iron has interesting shape: a regular gable, it unobtrusively changes the angle of the slopes, as if the building merges with the surrounding landscape

Beautiful roofs of complex structures

Recently, roofs of complex shapes have become very popular among private homeowners. This is due to the original look that such roofs give to buildings, as well as the ability to rationally use the space under the roof. This group includes:

  • hip roofs;

    An additional floor is hidden imperceptibly under the roof, while the building seems compact and coherent

  • multi-pincer;

    A strong and reliable multi-gable roof goes well with wooden beams and a chimney

  • combined from different types;

    The noble gray color of the combined roof favorably echoes the milky shade of the walls and decorative elements of the patio

  • vaulted roofs, which are often installed on additional buildings;
  • diamonds, tents and cones;
  • M-shaped roofs - they are rarely used, only in special design solutions when it is necessary to combine 2 buildings under one roof;

    Two houses standing close together visually have separate roofs, but in fact they are connected by a common valley, the loads on which are very high

  • Butterfly roofs look very tempting, but are complex in design.

    The butterfly roof looks very beautiful and unusual, but is impractical due to the price, lack of attic space, and design complexity

Of course, this is an incomplete list of noteworthy roofs for a private home. In the world of construction fashion you can see stunning examples of engineering and design ideas.

In addition to the functional and aesthetic side, it would be good to also consider the practical aspect - the ability to use the roof surface to save energy. Is it possible to install solar panels without damaging the appearance? This is not an idle question. Energy prices are rising with enviable regularity, so easy installation alternative sources energy on the roof of your own house will be very useful.

Having your own energy sources is always useful, especially with the constant rise in energy prices

Which roof shape to choose is a decision that needs to be carefully considered. View all your favorite versions. Determine what difficulties the construction involves. Understand the operating and repair conditions, as well as what advantages this or that type of roof will provide.

Video: types of roofs - overview of pitched, gable and flat roofs

Which roofing material is more attractive?

The choice of roof covering most often depends on the angle of the roof. That’s why you first need to choose the optimal roof slope option. It is believed that the greatest snow load on the roof occurs when the slopes are sloping at 30°. Therefore, in order for the roof to clean itself well, the angle of inclination must be at least 45°.

However, there is no need to arbitrarily increase the angle of inclination according to the principle “the more, the better.” Not better. Especially in regions with an abundance of gusty winds.

When the slope of the slopes increases by 20–30% wind load on such a roof immediately increases 5 times.

But reducing the slope is not a solution - the wind can undermine the roof literally from the inside, making its way through unprotected joints of the floors. So you need to choose the shape of the roof, taking into account the climatic conditions of a particular region, having previously calculated the angle of inclination using the formula: the length of the ridge ridge is divided by ½ the width of the house and multiplied by 100. The result obtained will be the desired angle of inclination.

Wind loads depend on the slope of the slopes

The greater the angle of inclination, the higher the cost of constructing the roof. This also needs to be taken into account when choosing a roof.

Video: how to make the right choice of covering material

So, roofing covering - which is better:

  1. Slate is an inexpensive roofing material. It is used at a slope of 13–60°. With a smaller slope, water will seep in at the joints, rendering the already not very durable coating unusable.

    Private house with slate roofing it looks very stylish, but the slate covering greatly depends on the slope of the slopes

  2. Ceramic tiles are a beautiful and noble covering flooring, which is laid when slopes slope at 30–60°. If the angle of inclination is less, then additional ventilation and waterproofing of the roof are done.

    For thousands of years, ceramic tiles remain one of the most beautiful materials for roofing

  3. Metal tiles are perhaps the most optimal covering option. It fits almost any roof shape and, moreover, does not have a maximum slope value, and the minimum is only 15°. That's why this roofing material is so popular.

    Metal tiles are a material for those who choose stylish solutions for reasonable money

  4. Bituminous shingles look beautiful on unusually shaped roofs with arched elements and a slope angle of less than 12°. The maximum slope value is not limited.

    Bituminous shingles are suitable for roofs of unusual shapes

It is worth highlighting transparent roofs as a separate group - they are incredibly beautiful in appearance, but they will also require a lot of construction costs.

A transparent roof that allows light and air to pass through will become the hallmark of the house, giving it fragility, sophistication and uniqueness.

And, of course, premium roofs:


Advantages of copper and titanium-zinc roofs:

  • prestigious with high aesthetic standards;
  • environmentally friendly and plastic, thanks to which such coatings can cover any contours and form the most incredible designs;
  • do not require special maintenance or painting;
  • differ in natural anti-corrosion protection due to the formation of patina (oxide film);
  • lightweight, easy to install - attached to the base using folds rather than nails;
  • withstand temperatures without loss of their qualities up to +150 °C;
  • tolerate frosts down to -70 °C, therefore they are widely used in northern regions;
  • mounted on roofs of any slope;
  • durable - service life up to 150 years.

Video: copper roofing - the elite can be seen from afar

It is impossible not to mention the reed covering, which, like copper and titanium, can change color over the years, merging with the landscape.

Reed roofs are becoming more popular every year

And if previously it was believed that reeds were the lot of the poor, now this environmentally friendly, warm and durable natural material is preferred mainly by wealthy people.

Video: Charming thatched roofs

Chameleon roofs - as they are popularly called - are fabulously beautiful, reliable, cozy and unique.

Video: photos of beautiful and unusual roofs

Homes are so different. Even those built according to the same design, in the same area, some look like palaces, while others look like just buildings. And it’s all about a correctly selected roof shape and suitable covering material, which do not have to be trendy, but must comply with the canons of style. Then the house will receive a modern, beautiful “headdress”, and its inhabitants will receive comfort and coziness.

What kind of house is this without a roof? The most basic element of reliability, strength, thermal insulation and simply stylish attractive appearance.

Modern architects and builders have invented a huge number of different roofs for private houses, depending on the location of the home, the volume of construction, the overall design of the building and much more.

The main types of common roof layouts for each house

Today we can safely say that the most popular 2 types of roofs are:

  • Flat;
  • Sloping.

The difference between them is elementary, depending on the angle of inclination of the surface. For slopes greater than 10 degrees we're talking about about pitched planes, which, in turn, also have subtypes according to the number of slopes and purpose.

Main types of pitched roofs

Shed roof surfaces are used more in non-residential premises, when arranging outbuildings, storage facilities and shops, garages, etc. When constructing such a building, the structure of such a roof should be taken into account, which implies that the roofing material is supported by the main beams of the building, while the walls are even guides. Here is an example of such a structure.

Most in demand in private construction. The model consists of two equal slopes, which are supported by load-bearing walls of the same height. Most often, such roofs resemble a triangle shape; they have been used in construction for many years and deserve worthy of attention and respect.

When the roof surface has several triangular slopes, then we can talk about hip structure. It has a complex rafter system; its design is most often trusted to professionals. Such roofs are more resistant to strong winds and leaks during heavy rainfall.

The design has 4 slopes, in appearance it resembles a trapezoid, and the corner shapes are small triangles and are called hips.

During natural disasters, such a surface often remains clean and undamaged; debris and dust are quickly blown away from its slopes.

One of the types of roofs for private houses is tent, Designed for square and polygonal buildings. All slopes are even triangles that converge at one point.

The hip roof has no ridge and is completely symmetrical.

Such planes are wind-resistant and are an interesting design solution.

There is also a half-hip roof, as an intermediate option between a hip and a gable roof. Such roofs allow architects to place a full-fledged window on the rear wall area; such a building is very interesting and quite complex for a non-professional to work with.

Let's move on to another interesting structure - this type has a complex rafter system, so highly qualified specialists must be involved in its construction.

broken roof used to cover attic-type houses. A special bend in the angles of inclination of the slopes allows the use usable area internal attic space.

Such a roof is not very different from a regular gable roof, and therefore its construction is not particularly difficult.

For those who wish to create another room in the attic, then this type of house roof should be looked out for.

They are used very rarely in construction, such structures can be noted on ancient centuries-old buildings; our ancestors left us interesting architectural solutions that surprise us with their amazing elements - verandas and turrets.

Less common in modern construction - it is based on one slope, with an almost invisible slope.

It is difficult for such roofs to withstand heavy precipitation, snow and rain, so if they are made, they are reinforced with concrete slabs and metal structures.

We often see these types of roofs in American TV series, when on the surface of the house you can get a wonderful greenhouse or create a corner for relaxation.

There are also quite complex shapes and designs. They include numerous types of slopes, gable, hip, attic, and tent.

Such a building may have open and closed verandas, covered balconies, interesting window solutions, everything that attracts attention with its unusual and original design.

Attention: the more complex the roof structure, the stronger and more reliable it is. You should not save on material for laying the surface of the house; the more expensive the product, the longer the roofing area will serve you.

Advantages and disadvantages of different types of roofs

If we talk about pitched roofs, which are quite common in construction use, then it is worth noting the main advantages:

  • This is a reliable and heavy-duty design that protects the home from the effects of natural disasters;
  • Serves long years, depending on the choice of building material;
  • It has an attractive appearance that will fit into any design of the site or the building itself;
  • Under the roof you can make an additional room, an attic or an attic.

Roof disadvantages:

  • High construction prices and high cost of materials;
  • Difficulty in repairs during operation.

But despite all this, such a roof will protect your family from the wind, heavy rains and heavy snowfalls, which cannot be said about flat structures.

Such a roof is practically not used in the construction of residential private houses.

The reason is that during precipitation, the roof is not able to withstand heavy snowdrifts and flows of water. As a result, it sags and cracks.

This type of construction will be more useful to those who plan to build a terrace, swimming pool or recreation room on top of the house.

Roof design features

  1. Attic, separated from the main room:
    • Cold;
    • Insulated.
  2. Without an attic, combined with the main room:
    • Ventilated with atmospheric air;
    • Non-ventilated.

Today, the lean-to structure is rightfully considered the most popular and attractive in terms of material costs. Such roofs are most often installed on temporary buildings or country houses.

Why does it attract modern consumers?

The main advantage is that a pitched roof can only be ventilated. During construction, it is assumed that there will be special openings in the gable walls, which ensure air circulation in the under-roof space.

The ventilation process helps remove moisture and condensation from the room; during the cold season, the roofing surface retains heat inside and does not allow the room to cool down.

But gable structures are most often created without a ventilated function.

During the winter season, snow does not fall sharply from the sloped surface; it is retained due to the slope angle of -6-9 degrees. It is safe and comfortable, especially during years of heavy rain and heavy snowfall.

But the disadvantage is the fact that the snow cover has to be removed by hand so as not to exceed bearing capacity rafter system.

You can build a pitched roof with your own hands, having clear construction instructions and the necessary materials.

If we talk about a gable roof traditional form, then the design of the rafter system will look like this:

The simplicity and economy of the roof shape makes it popular and reliable. The facade of the building is of great importance; it is decorated with multi-colored metals or various shaped bitumen shingles.

Thanks to the ability to adjust the eaves overhangs, each owner can make an extension or veranda at any time without worrying about the integrity and strength of the roofing. In such cases, there is no need to make a separate roof and create architectural plans.

Warning: the greater the angle of inclination of the structure, the higher its windage. Therefore, in areas where there are strong gusts of wind, you need to carefully calculate the degree of inclination so that it does not collapse during sudden changes in wind loads.

Advantages of gable roofs

  1. Protective function, you are not afraid of storms or hail...
  2. A classic simple option for creating a roofing covering.
  3. The ability to create an exquisite architectural design, at the request of the owner.
  4. The full height of the building and the construction of windows under the roof, in the attic area.
  5. This type of roof allows you to freely manipulate the shape of the gables and the size of the eaves overhangs;
  6. A wide selection of materials and their availability in every hardware store.
  7. Reasonable prices for its construction.
  8. Simple and economical design.
  9. Possibility of its construction with my own hands, without the involvement of experienced professionals, which cannot be said about multi-level and multi-cascade buildings.

In areas where there are strong winds, preference is given to houses with a half-hipped roof. It has small overhangs on the end sides, which are excellent protection during long-term natural disasters. The cut side slopes are shorter in length than the main ones. The attic space of such a building is quite spacious, well ventilated and quite suitable for a living room.

The gables of the house have special protection from any precipitation.

Thanks to this composition, such houses have a beautiful, representative appearance, regardless of the location of the building.

The rafter structure system is complex, requiring special mathematical calculations and the involvement of professional roofers to create it.

In this case, it will not be possible to save on materials, but the walls of the house will be reliably protected for many years.

A sloping gable roof is suitable for country cottages and holiday homes. Lateral breaks guarantee high internal ceilings of the building, but such a structure will not always be powerful and durable. Due to a fracture in the slope, it is quite vulnerable and often cannot withstand wind loads.

When building this type of roof, it is necessary to correctly observe the basic proportions of its elements, which will help you in the future not to spend money on preventive maintenance.

When we talk about “types of roofing” and “types of house roofs,” we don’t always clearly understand the difference between these two concepts. Therefore, before we talk about what types of roofs there are, let’s find out the differences in the concepts of “roof” and “roofing”.

The roof (in the traditional sense) is a part of the building structure that provides its protection from all types of precipitation, retains heat or protects against overheating. That is all top design structures. For a modern stone building with a flat structure, these are floor slabs, thermal and waterproofing. The exit, fences, ventilation ducts and their protection, antenna fastening elements, funnels for releasing storm drains are also roof elements. Regarding the accessory of the hatch with a lock, which hangs the housing unit so that they do not climb onto the roof, consensus No. For a house with an inclined (pitched) structure, this concept includes a load-bearing rafter system or trusses, insulation, water and wind insulation, pipes, weather vanes and roofing.

In fact, from the point of view of Soviet construction science, a roof is a pre-revolutionary and illiterate concept, and only the progressive term “covering” should be used. But in real life, even professional designers and builders rarely use it. Perhaps due to the likelihood of dual interpretation. In part, the definition of “covering” has taken root in relation to structures with a load-bearing reinforced concrete or metal base, mainly flat. And to call the upper part of St. Basil's Cathedral or the roof of a village hut a “covering” would not occur to any architect, even though they were taught “correctly.”

The roof is only a shell that protects the coating from atmospheric influences. The roof does not perform load-bearing functions. That is, floor slabs, rafter system, beams, and insulation do not belong to the roof. Often it includes load-bearing preparation of the roof: sheathing, decking, screed. The material laid on the prepared surface: Soviet roofing felt and slate, folk Russian-French ondulin, fabulous German tiles and New Russian copper is called roofing.

Flat and pitched designs

Roofs can be flat or pitched. In accordance with SNiP, roofs with a slope of up to 12° are flat, and those with a greater slope are pitched. On flat roofs, a slope is arranged to drain precipitation; 1.5-3° is sufficient.

The flat roof provides plenty of room for imagination in terms of design.

A pitched roof can have a very original look

Attic and non-attic roofs

As the name suggests, an attic roof has an attic, while a non-attic roof does not. The Russian hut, and indeed most types of traditional housing in all countries and peoples, have a ventilated attic. With the exception of mobile housing: yurts, tents, wigwams. This is difficult to do there. Also, the tribes living in the equatorial jungle do not have attics; they do not need them. Attics (technical floors) are found in modern multi-storey residential buildings. Therefore, if the roof is leaking, residents will not find out about it immediately.

Attic-free (synonym - combined) coverings can be pitched (attic) and flat. We are familiar with flat combined structures from panel “Khrushchev” buildings. The attic structure allows you to use the attic as a full-fledged living space. Attic and mansard roofs require good thermal insulation of the upper floor. The roof can also be combined one-story building.

A combined gable roof in a one-story house creates the impression of spaciousness

Types of flat coverings

The layout of flat roofs is quite similar; they differ mainly in design. According to the relative arrangement of layers of insulation and waterproofing, in addition to the usual type, they also distinguish inversion roofs, in this case, the hygroscopic (waterproof) insulation is located above the waterproofing layer. Prefabricated or monolithic reinforced concrete, metal profile with metal beams, wooden beams with continuous flooring.

Flat roof roof structure according to reinforced concrete slab coating is multilayer

The area of ​​flat roofs can be used by laying a covering on which you can walk: ceramic or paving slabs, boardwalk, or by arranging a lawn on the roof.

New York has adopted a program to transform the roofs of public buildings into gardens and lawns.

In fact, installing a lawn on the roof of a house is not as difficult as you might think. Perhaps the only thing that is relatively expensive is a waterproofing polymer membrane. Everything else is quite simple, and grass care is standard: it needs to be mowed and watered during drought. A layer of earth additionally protects the premises from cold in winter and from overheating in summer.

The design of the roof lawn is quite simple. It is necessary to use reliable waterproofing - roofing polymer membrane

Details of the pitched structure

Before talking about what types of roofs there are, let’s define the main details of pitched roofs and terms. Main elements: ridge, inclined rib, valley (groove). Overhangs are divided into eaves (lower) and pediment (end or gable). For most types of roofing, in addition to the main material, there are separate additional elements for protecting and decorating the roof parts.

The basic elements of pitched roofs are standard.

Let's look at what types of roofs there are depending on the configuration. The shapes of pitched roofs are very diverse. Most often, the simplest in design and rational single-pitch, gable and hip types and roof structures are used.

The first eight types shown in the illustration are available to a private developer of average income. The rest are quite complex and expensive to implement.

Let's consider individual types of roofs and their properties in more detail.

Single-pitch roofing

A roof with one slope is as simple as possible structurally and has a minimum number of parts. There is no ridge; for non-ventilated roofing coverings (for example, flexible tiles, seam roofing) there is no need for special ventilation elements. It is enough to provide a ventilation layer above the insulation, and ventilation holes can be placed in a binder. A pitched roof does not have valleys, ribs and ridges, which are most exposed to weather conditions. The maximum wear and tear on roofing in cold climates occurs in the valley, as snow and ice remain there longer. A simple-shaped roof with a slope to one side is exposed to uniform influence of precipitation, ultraviolet radiation and wind. The snow load is also distributed evenly. All other things being equal, a pitched roof will last a little longer. And it will cost less: a simpler rafter system, a minimum number of not always cheap additional elements.

Russian project standard house with a pitched roof. The high slope with living rooms should be oriented towards the sunny side

Shed roofs are quite popular in developed countries. More often they are used for inexpensive, or, conversely, prestigious housing. For a house with an attic, one slope allows you to rationally organize the layout, placing living spaces under the high slope, and stairs, bathrooms, and wardrobes under the low slope. In a premium home, such a roof makes it possible to create a magnificent interior.

To build this country house we used simple materials: wood, galvanized metal profile and a lot of glass. Large roof overhangs protect walls from precipitation and rooms from overheating. Athermal stained glass windows fill the house with light, open up the landscape and protect people from the cold

A roof with one barrel-shaped slope looks quite interesting

Gable design

The most common form in the world. The gable (gable) roof is traditional in almost all countries where at least some precipitation occurs. It is not much more difficult to build a supporting structure for two slopes than for one. It is very durable, especially if it is possible to build a closed rafter system using a tie.

Tightening (2) tightens rafter legs(1). From the closed triangular contour, only the vertical load is transferred to the Mauerlat (3) and the wall.

For large spans it is necessary to use additional supports

A gable roof is simple to implement, economical in materials, and not difficult to build yourself. Pediments serve as better places to place windows than slopes; it is not difficult to equip an attic.

The gable roof fits perfectly into the structure of a frame house and allows rational use of the space on the upper floor.

The slopes do not have to have the same slope; the shape of the roof may be asymmetrical. The roof slope is determined mainly by the layout of the second floor.

The peaked roofs of half-timbered houses traditionally hid attics where residents stored some of their supplies. In this reconstructed house, the attic has been converted into living space

The Swiss chalet has a gable roof with a slight slope

The minimal slope and open space of the upper floor create a wonderful, spacious interior

A gable roof can have many options. With a house plan more complex than a simple rectangle, more complex roof shapes are inevitable.

Gable roof with additional gable. With a stretch, it can be called multi-pincer

A gable roof (as well as a single-pitch roof) is perfect for landscaping.

The slope of the green roof should not exceed 25°

Hip view

A hip or hip roof is more complex than a gable roof. Both the rafter system and roofing will cost more. But you won't have to build masonry gables. With an inexpensive roof covering (asbestos slate, ondulin), a hip roof, taking into account the absence of gables, will cost less than a gable roof. If it's more expensive, it's unlikely. Among the positive properties of the hip structure, we can name the optimal aerodynamic drag such a design that, in general, can increase its service life (slightly). Slopes on all sides of the house allow you to make large canopies around the perimeter of the entire structure, providing walls with the best protection from precipitation. But in organizing the attic space, the hipped roof loses.

Simple-shaped hipped attic roof

There are varieties of hip roofs: half-hip (an intermediate type of roof between gable and hip), hip with a visor, or variations thereof.

The main part of the roof is of a rather complex shape - half-hip. To the right is a bay window with a multi-pitched roof and a pediment.

Windows in a hip roof have to be built into the slopes, into the roof covering. This complicates their design and operation and is often more expensive than placing a window in the pediment.

Dormer windows of this type are called “bull’s eye”

Multi-slope variety

A hip roof is a hip roof. But if the house has more than four external corners, there will also be more slopes. A roof with more than four slopes is called multi-slope.

A multi-pitched roof is difficult to construct

A hipped roof is a hipped roof, all the faces (slopes) and edges of which converge at one upper point. This type of roof does not have a horizontal ridge.

Hip roof. It contains three types of roof windows at once.

Attic construction

Roofs are called mansard various forms and types that are united by one common feature: the shape of the slope is made of a broken line to increase the height of the attic rooms. In this way, it is possible to avoid the installation of sloping ceilings and arrange full-fledged rooms upstairs. The broken contour of the rafters can be used for any type of roof: gable, hip, half-hip, and so on.

The rafter structure of the gable mansard roof has been assembled.

The design of the attic roof allows you to connect the upper and lower beams (strings), racks, and rafters into a single truss, which provides it with extreme strength and allows you to slightly reduce the cross-section of the frame elements.

The load from the attic roof truss is transmitted vertically

Installation of load-bearing structures for mansard roofs is more difficult than for prototypes with a straight slope. The roof area is slightly larger. Accordingly, the cost is higher. However, these costs are recouped by increasing the area of ​​normal height by attic floor.

Mansard roof based on a gable roof. Additional fractures in the cornice area make it possible to create large overhangs, making the roof vaguely reminiscent of Chinese pagodas

Pleasant to the eye hip mansard roof. The slopes are divided into different volumes, the lower part has a curved shape

Roofs of complex shapes

All kinds of domed, conical and closed roofs are complex in design and were invented by architects to design important public buildings. After the period of “crimson jackets” and “rouble locks,” complex roofs are rarely found in the architecture of individual residential buildings.

Residential building with a complex domed roof

Sometimes complex roofs are composed of known elements and are “hybrids” of different types.

This roof combines the features of gable, hip, half-hip, pyramidal and conical roofs

But people strive to decorate their home and make it unusual. Sometimes there are “hybrid” types of roofs, which are difficult to define unambiguously.

A natural slate roof is definitely not flat. Germany

A simple but unusual roof. To be more precise, this house has two of them, downstairs and upstairs.

The roof of this “dugout” would be intended for sledding in winter if palm trees were not reflected in the windows. And what type is it?

Choosing roofing material for a pitched roof

Types of roofing are determined by the material of the roofing covering. The roof can be tile, metal, shingle, copper, and so on. The choice of roofing is determined primarily by the financial capabilities of the developer, the aesthetic tastes of the wife and himself, and secondly by the shape of the roof and its slope. Roofs of curved shapes are covered with small-piece or flexible coverings; sheet materials are more suitable for simple pitched and gable roofs. In the presence of fractures (oblique ribs, valleys), cutting sheets is less rational.

The table shows the minimum roof slopes for different types of roofing coverings

For roofs of simple shapes, you can use any roofing materials without restrictions. Roofs with complex curved shapes can only be decorated with small-piece (natural tiles, slate slate, shingles, shingles), flexible (bitumen shingles) coating. Roofing made of galvanized steel, copper, steel with titanium-zinc coating is also suitable, provided that the elements are individually cut and the seam is made on site.

So, we found out what types of roofs there are. What to choose for yourself? First of all, the roof must fit the budget. The more complex the form, the more money you will have to spend. Any developer can handle a gable roof. In Germany there are 80 percent of such roofs. And why are we worse? If you have the funds, you can think of something more original, but something simple can be done beautifully.

In private construction, it is often difficult to decide on the choice of roof, especially if you want to stand out. For example, a modern flat roof cannot be installed where there is a large amount of rainfall each year. In this article I will talk about what types of roofing there are for private houses and give advice optimal materials for these surfaces.

General understanding of roofing systems

The roof is the main protection of the entire building. Thanks to the high quality of the materials used, very high term operation of your home. My words can be confirmed by many examples. Take, for example, houses whose roofs are already standing more than 200 years. On some you can find copper plating, on others ceramic. Of course, modern materials do not have such quality, but you can purchase products with properties very close to ideal.

Before choosing a roofing system, you have to study many nuances, and only after that consider the options. Here is a list of the main factors that influence the shape of the roof:

  • Style and decor of the future building
  • Structure and arrangement of rooms, plan of the entire building
  • Climatic conditions of your region
  • Roof covering
  • The need for insulation, etc.

As you can see, making a choice is quite difficult, especially if you don’t know what you want. If you are stuck in such a situation, then you need to answer the questions in order, and at the end you will get the optimal solution.

By design, the roofing system is divided into:

  • Attic. Due to the interfloor ceiling, which is laid on top of the walls and volumetric rafter system, an attic space is created. It can be used by owners at their discretion. Many use it as a warehouse for unnecessary things, and some equip these square meters as an additional living room. Buildings with an attic are very common in cold regions of the country. The air gap between the roofing pie and the ceiling is a kind of thermal insulation. Therefore, very often such roofs are not insulated.

  • Roofless. In such buildings, the reverse side of the roofing surface is called the ceiling. As a rule, such structures can be found on a flat roof, but also single slope system is a good example. It is optimal to build a building without an attic in warm areas where heat loss is insignificant at any time of the year.

Based on their design, roofs are divided into only two categories: pitched and flat. The second type, in turn, is divided into exploited and non-exploited. As for stingrays, there will be much more subspecies.

Types of pitched roofing structures:

  • Single-pitch
  • Gable
  • Multi-pinch
  • Attic
  • Hip and half-hip
  • And other less popular ones, for example, domed, hemispherical, etc.

There is nothing bad to say about any of these species. They all have strengths and weaknesses. To create a high-quality design, it is enough to reduce the shortcomings to a minimum and emphasize the positive aspects. Take for example a pitched roof. Its design is very primitive; a novice roofer can assemble such a system in a day. If you do not use design services to create interesting project, then your home can hardly be called beautiful.

Types of roofing for private houses photo:



Now let's take a closer look at each roofing system and start with the simplest.

Flat roof

Until recently, flat roofs were very rarely used in private construction. The fact is that there were simply no suitable coatings for this surface. The most popular material at that time was roofing felt, which could last only a couple of years without leaks. Over time, manufacturers of building products began to pay more and more attention to flat roofs and today the service life of some materials is about 50 years.

The negative aspects of a flat roof include:

  • Simple appearance. However, this point may be a plus for some. As surveys have shown, young people consider the “cubic” appearance of a building more attractive, but older people prefer standard buildings.
  • Very high requirements for roofing waterproofing.
  • It is quite difficult to create a usable roofing surface due to labor-intensive work.

Despite such serious shortcomings, positive sides still prevail here.

  • On the flat surface of the roof you can arrange a recreation area, open your workshop, plant vegetation and much more.
  • A well-used roof will become a favorite place for all your friends.
  • At any time you can be alone with nature and watch the ever-moving clouds.
  • Due to the multi-layer nature of the roofing pie, the roof in use is very reluctant to transmit heat.

More recently, such roofs could only be seen on high-rise buildings and industrial buildings, but today it is considered fashionable in private construction. Thanks to the small roof area, you can save significantly on materials. Besides all this, maintaining such a roof is not difficult at all, because you are actually on the ground, and not in a suspended state, as on pitched systems.

Some of the materials for unused roofs very often cannot support the weight of the average person, so they are equipped with bridges and ladders. A roofing pie of this kind is created traditional method and is very economical.

Classic installation means the placement of a heat-insulating layer under the waterproofing, but in inversion it’s the other way around. Operated surfaces are arranged the last way, and due to this the roofing cake is not subject to any deformation.

Bitumen roll coverings, membranes, natural soil, paving slabs and much more.

Shed roof

Single-pitch rafter systems are known to everyone for their popularity in the household business. Thanks to them, sheds, woodsheds, warehouse buildings and other structures are often built. As you already know, they are distinguished by their simplicity and this is one of the negative aspects. However, this problem can be eliminated by contacting a good designer. He will not only create a gorgeous project, but will also advise what roofing coverings can be used in this case.

Even though the pitched roof is simple design, but with its help you can cover large areas. An example is a building that exceeds 12 meters in length. Of course, such a rafter system will be somewhat more complicated, but it will still remain economically profitable.

The slope is determined by the difference in heights of opposite walls. By the way, this is the most common option, since there is no need to purchase additional materials to create it. An alternative way is to use lumber, but then the cost of the entire building will become somewhat more expensive, and the creation itself will be more difficult.

The advantages of shed roofs are as follows:

  • First of all, this is, of course, the simplicity of the design and its installation.
  • The construction of a pitched roof requires a minimum of finance, effort and time.
  • The resulting rafter system does not have much weight, so it can be installed on frame buildings
  • One ramp is very easy to maintain and repair

IMPORTANT: Almost all materials can be installed on the roof surface, but you cannot create a large slope, as this will lead to the creation of windage. This is fraught with tearing off the roofing sheet.

Gable systems

Surely even a child can recognize this roof. Their representatives can be found in any holiday village. Such crazy popularity is justified by its simplicity and efficiency. Due to the gable design, precipitation practically does not linger on the surface, which is very important for the northern regions of the country. In appearance, the rafter system resembles triangles installed at a certain pitch. Very often, the roofs of such buildings are left uninsulated, and the attic space is used as a warehouse.

Positive sides gable system on the face:

  • Calculating such a roof is very simple, this also applies to the installation process
  • The attic space is very spacious, of course it’s not enough for a room, but it’s quite enough for a warehouse
  • Due to the steepness of the slopes, precipitation is removed naturally
  • Easy to maintain
  • Financial costs for construction are relatively small

It is worth noting that this type of roofing has been used for centuries. It has stood the test of time and showed its best side. But most developers who want some kind of innovation are unlikely to choose such a rafter system.

A gable roof, or “gable” roof as it is sometimes called, is excellent for small buildings. By the way, in addition to the original, there is also a slightly modified version. Its pediments have the shape of an isosceles triangle. Such a system is distinguished by its height and its construction is not always possible. It's all about wind load and the higher the surface, the more pressure the gusts of wind will produce.

Very often on gable roofs you can find the following covering: slate, ondulin, metal tiles, corrugated sheets and seams.

Mansard roofs

Such roofing systems are completely reminiscent of gable roofs. The only difference is the broken slopes, thanks to which the volume of the attic space increases. On the front and rear sides of the building, the lower part of the roofing surface is attached almost vertically. And not all products can cover such a slope.

Concerning economic indicator, then such a roof is 30% more expensive than the previous one, but this negative point You can ignore it if you take into account the additional room that is created during the installation process. From my own experience, I will say that the appearance of such a building is strange, but inside the room everything is different. The upper and lower floors can be connected by a spiral staircase, and you will have access to the upstairs at any time of the year.

The nuances of installing a mansard roof:

  • When arranging a living space on top floor you will definitely need to insulate the roof with inside.
  • When laying roofing material, do not forget to make ventilation passages. This will allow the air to remove condensation in a timely manner.
  • Natural lighting can be created by installing skylights directly on the roof slopes.
  • If you plan to rationally use the entire volume, then you will have to build special furniture, which will follow the contours of the inner side of the slope.

An ordinary gable roof can be modified to a mansard one, the main thing is that all underlying structures can withstand the increased weight.

Roof in the form of a tent

To install such a roof you will need an equilateral base. The entire roofing system consists of isosceles triangles, which are no different from each other. In the roofing industry it is also called pyramidal.

The positive qualities of such a system are as follows:

  • Very high resistance to all kinds of loads
  • Interesting appearance
  • Almost all roofing coverings can be laid on such a surface.

Negative qualities include the same appearance. For some people, living in a square building is somehow strange, and they cannot think of any other basis for such a roof. The only solution to this problem may be to develop an interesting room interior. A serious drawback of the design is the complexity of the rafter system, although at first glance you wouldn’t be able to tell.

Hip structures

This roofing system came to us from northern Europe. For residents middle zone In Russia it is considered ideal. The fact is that the hip rafter system can easily withstand the load from strong winds and heavy precipitation. The roofing surface has four slopes, two of which are trapezoids, and the others are triangles. As a rule, they are located on the facades and ends, respectively.

Due to its small height, the roofing material cannot be torn off even by a very strong wind. But if you still don’t believe this, then you can always protect the structure with additional elements in the form cornice strip. The attic space is spacious and is often equipped with living room. To provide enough light, skylights are installed in the slopes.

There is a subtype of hip roofs called half-hip roofs. Its distinctive feature is that the triangular slopes are much shorter, and their angle of inclination is slightly reduced. Such roofs can be easily recognized by their open gable. All products except polymer and roll products are used as coating materials.

You can see these types of roofing in these photos:


Multi-gable roof

This design can be of several types. The simplest one is L-shaped. There is only one valley here. If you just can’t imagine what it looks like, then imagine two gable roofs that had one center, but the planes themselves were perpendicular to each other. The "+" sign describes this situation perfectly.

The valley is a very important part of a multi-gable roof, so its installation should be carried out under the strict guidance of professionals. If you do the work yourself, you will have to acquire all the appropriate materials and try not to skimp. As a rule, on such roofs, in addition to the waterproofing layer, an underlay carpet is laid. Of course, its main task is to level the slope plane so that the coating does not deform, but since it is dense, it additionally acts as insulation. All joints of the lining carpet must be coated with mastic.

Cone-shaped roofs

Such a rafter system is a very rare thing, but it can still be found. The basis for such a roof is a building with a round outline. To make it easier to create a cone, lumber is often replaced with metal.

The range of products that can be used as a coating is very narrowed, so before using the device, carefully study the list:

  • Bitumen products equipped with good protective coating, for example, tiles.
  • Due to steep slope natural tiles are an ideal option
  • Copper or wood shingles
  • Natural materials (reed, reed, etc.)

Domed rafter systems

Although such roofs are not common in ordinary private construction, they can be found on large cottages. There are several types of them.

  1. Insulated option. It can be built either with insulation or completely blind.
  2. Glazed. It stands out for its original and complex appearance.

Wood or metal is often used as materials for the rafter system. Most of them combine or use exclusively the latter product. It's all about the properties of the wood. It is laid on the lower rows, where its deformation is not required, and as it rises, the lumber is replaced with metal. However, you don’t have to rack your brains and use completely metal elements. Thanks to the good rigidity of the materials and the system itself, a fairly stable roof is obtained.

Very often, domed roofs are made transparent; the following products can be used for this:

  • Triplex. When such material breaks down, it forms a minimal number of fragments.
  • Wired glass. If damaged, it does not shatter into dangerous fragments, but the throughput is much less than triplex.
  • Polycarbonate, plexiglass and other plastic products. They are lightweight, do not break and are resistant to direct sunlight.

A panoramic roof is very difficult not only to construct, but also to maintain, so constructing it in Everyday life not practical unless you are doing things that require a lot of natural light, such as growing flowers.

In winter, a large amount of ice will accumulate on such a surface, which can cause destruction of the entire roof. This problem can be solved by installing heating elements.

By constructing a domed roof, you will receive the following benefits:

  • The appearance of your building will look very original
  • The dome shape distributes heat evenly throughout the room
  • Transparent ceiling in which you can watch the ever-moving sky

You can build a roofing surface in a matter of days, but maintaining it is much more difficult. Let me remind you that preventive inspections should be carried out twice a year, then the surface will last as long as possible.