The large number of available roof types means that you can choose the material, workmanship and color to suit your individual preferences. First of all, the choice of roof structure is important in terms of compliance with the local development plan. Check which solution will work in your case.
The roof is of great importance when it comes to the appearance of the building. It is he who gives it proportions and a specific character. Roof types also cope differently with specific weather conditions. Some types of roofs are better suited to mountainous areas where snow often falls. Others will be suitable for use in windy areas.
Take all of these aspects into account when choosing your roof shape. First, check what possibilities are allowed by the local development plan. You will find guidelines on, among others: the shape of the roof, its height or the materials used. Even the color of the roof tiles can be imposed. The already mentioned weather conditions are also equally important. If you are not sure whether a lighter structure will withstand, for example, the severe winters in your area, choose a durable covering.
The gable roof is one of the most popular in Poland. It is ideal for houses with a simple, rectangular outline. Its finishing is not demanding and it does not require roofing work. At the attic level, the roof is topped with triangular gable walls. Making such a design is not expensive, and it provides additional space at the top.
A larger number of slopes makes the roof design much more complicated. On the other hand, the effect may turn out to be impressive. In the case of hipped roofs, envelope and tent versions are built. The first ones consist of two trapezoids and two triangles. The second ones resemble a tent and are made of four triangles. Hip roofs are also considered quite simple and can be covered with a wide range of materials.
Multi-slope roofs are the most complicated. They consist of a combination of several elements of different shapes. They can also be multi-level. They are used in complex house designs in which several shapes interpenetrate. A multi-slope roof has many edges. Therefore, it is difficult to cover it. You will also use more materials.
Each type of multi-slope roof – despite the construction costs – will work well for large projects with complex shapes. Simple implementation does not require the use of such solutions. A single-pitch roof or a flat roof can be just as impressive and much cheaper to build.
The first one involves resting the roof slope on a shed wall. This usually protrudes above the edge of the roof. The highest walls are called gable walls. Modernistic appearance and no material waste are just some of its advantages.
Flat roofs are considered boring by some. However, they are currently coming back into favor. This is a solution between the ceiling and the roof. You don’t have to use trusses to build it. Appropriate design of the spout will, in turn, enable water drainage. You can also use dedicated drainage systems. Flat roofs characterize buildings in southern Europe, where snowfall is rare. They look modern and elegant, and are quick and cheap to build.
Roofs also differ in construction. The architect will advise which technology will work best for your project.
The rafter truss is used for roofs with a short span (up to approx. 6 meters). Provides free space in the attic. A purlin truss will be ideal if you have chosen a larger roof with a slight slope. The purlin-and-tick truss is an ideal solution for very large roof spans (up to nearly twenty meters).
Roofing can be made in an economical or luxurious version. The most popular solutions in Poland are cement roof tiles, ceramic roof tiles and metal roof tiles.
When choosing ceramic or cement roof tiles, you must remember that these are some of the heaviest roof coverings. The roof truss will require full formwork and appropriate construction.
Metal roof tiles are particularly popular in residential buildings. All because of its lightness, ease of installation and attractive price. Metal roofing tiles are easy to keep in good condition – most cleaning is requiredand cases is not necessary because the dirt does not accumulate much.
Some people also decide to use bituminous shingles, corrugated boards or simple roofing felt. Bitumen coatings are extremely versatile. They have a nice appearance and are also flexible. They do not have excellent insulating properties, but are particularly recommended for roof designs with a steep slope. The roofing felt is most often the lower layer of the roof. However, some investors – especially in the case of choosing a flat roof – decide to stop at it. However, the roofing felt has quite poor technical parameters and is difficult to install. It is excluded on roofs with a slope higher than twenty degrees.
You can achieve a transparent roof covering by using plastics. You can use them to finish your terrace, balcony and utility room, gaining great access to light and maintaining the visibility of the roof truss. Plastic roofs have good properties in terms of strength and thermal insulation. Investors may be concerned about their appearance. The style of finishing using such a material may or may not be liked, but for fans of original solutions it will emphasize the modern character of the building.
Do you want to fit in with new trends? The most fashionable colors on the Polish market are dark roof colors. The graphite and gray colors perfectly match various shades of facades and are extremely elegant. Choosing black or brown coverings is also still popular. Matte finish dominates among designers as a synonym of class and elegance. Make sure that the color of the roof matches the style of plasters, balustrades and gutters. Everything should be kept in the same style.
The cost of building a roof is high. He is responsible for protecting the house against weather conditions. It is also the most vulnerable to damage. The roof structure consists of many elements. If you add the finishing and the cost of the construction team’s work, the final expense to create your dream roof may turn out to be significant. If you do not have a specific vision for the project and the local development plan leaves you free to do so, choose a flat or simple gable roof. Both are not only easy to build, but also effective – especially if you match the design style to the roof.
In the case of roofing, the cheapest will probably be metal roofing. You can use modular metal roofing tiles in sheets. It is not only a cheap material to purchase, but also to install – not only is it easy to arrange, but there is not much material lost during operation. A great solution that is coming back into favor are roof panels styled after the method of covering a roof with flat sheet metal, the so-called seam. It will be perfect for a single-family investment and will give it a modern look. You will spend the most if you decide to buy ceramic roof tiles.
Before making the final decision regarding the selection of ideal solutions for the construction and finishing of the roof, consult not only an architect, but also an experienced roofer. Determine what budget you can allocate for implementation. Adapt the material to it. Don’t be guided only by appearance – remember that the roof should be, above all, durable. If you use the services of one construction team, verify whether the specialists have experience in installing a roof made of modern materials. Also factor in the time it takes to order and deliver items. It may turn out that choosing original solutions will not only be expensive, but will also significantly extend the investment implementation time.
