Types of roofs depend strongly on the climatic condition and the functional purposes. It varies from country to country according to their culture, climate and economical situation. The basic types of roof are the same in terms of its form characteristics.but there are 15 types of roof broadly seen in various countries.
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15 Different types of roofs : category wise explained
Gable Roof: It is one of the types of roofs found mostly in cold countries in Europe and America. It has two sides like a prism.gable roof is suitable for loft space and to protect the heavy wind flows and snow fall.The roof structure is designed by purlins and roof trusses.
Hip roof: It is a four sided pitched roof where the gable part is inclined towards the center of the ridge.This is also seen in europe and america on their traditional houses.But seen in a different character in asian countries like India,bangladesh and sri lanka.
Jerkin head roof: it is a reversed type of dutch roof.Because it has a small hipped part at the top of the gable roof. It allows more space on the top floor or loft floor compared to the hip roof. Also it has a strong protective character compared to the hip roof as the gable part is straight up from the ground which is a strong structural wall.
Pyramid roof: By this name it can be imagined as it looks like a pyramid.The pyramid has four sides of inclined triangles that meet at the top point. The pyramid roof follows the exact same style.This style is used mostly where the house is in a square shape.That square house roof deserves a pyramid roof in many cases.
Mansard roof: It is one of the types of roofs, which is a combination of hip and flat roof. The partial roof is hipped while the top part is flat.In most cases the wall of the loft or top floor is inclined as the hip part and becomes the part of the roof.The windows can be set at this inclined roof to allow skylight as well as the wind-flow into the space.
Bonnet roof: this roof seems like a car bonnet around a hip roof. This roof style is used mostly in warm humid countries where rain storms dominate the climate.In Bangladesh and India, especially in Bengal, the bonnet area is used as a veranda around the house which works as a preparation space to enter into the house.
Gambrel roof: It is a similar style of gable roof but has four surfaces in two directions.let me explain. It is a symmetrical two sided roof but has two segments of slopes on each side.This roof is used to increase loft space while not disturbing the sky view from the ground at a certain distance.
Skillion roof: it is an inclined flat roof. Mostly used in outhouses or temporary houses.it is a very functional roof to negotiate the rain and snowfall.
Curved roof:It is a half circle roof that is much stronger and has uniformly distributed roof loads. This roof is stronger in shape and has unique character to resist the heavy wind-flow.
Flat roof: it is a roof type mostly used in large multi story houses or in terms of single story house extensions. This roof has a strong character to protect any environmental hazards and is used as a roof terrace for multipurpose functions.
Saltbox roof:It is a roof type similar to the gable roof but has a longer and inclined roof slope on one side. Which Is similar to a salt box.This roof is used mostly in the area where heavy rain showers or snow dominate the climate. The long slope can easily glide the rain water to the roof gutter and also for the snow it allows the cleaner to access the roof easily.
Butterfly roof: It is an interesting roof type that is opposite in nature to a gable roof. The ridge of the butterfly roof remains at the bottom part of the roof while at the top in hip roof.This roof type is used in a site where the natural light needs to enter from the high level.This roof allows the external walls to be exposed in higher dimension to welcome the natural light and ventilation to the interior of the house.
Sawtooth roof:This is named saw tooth roof because of having sawtooth like roof structure.this roof type used in any very long site where two sides of the house are not that much exposed to the natural light and ventilation. Sawtooth roof allows light and ventilation in every alternative space in a longhouse. This roof is used mostly in many large industries or factories where natural light and ventilation need to enter every space.
Dormer roof: A dormer roof is a small types of roofs that is projected out vertically from the main roof slope.It is generally done to allow a vertical decent size window at the loft space to keep the ventilation smooth and lit the interior spaces.
These are the 15 types of roofs seen around the world according to the country’s climatic situation.Also the type of the roof does not depend only on the climatic situation but also the site force and site condition where the house is built.
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