Choosing the right material for your roof is an important decision. A large part of the initial visual aesthetics of a building lies in the roofing structure and materials, so it's worth considering spending money where you'll get maximum impact for your dollar - your roof makes up approximately 5% of the total property value.

Consider materials and colour as well as profile - products with channels like traditional terracotta tiles and steel roofs help water run off, whereas flat profile materials have a defined, clean look.

A Look at Roof Design

Good roof design is as much art as science. A roof has to seem a natural part of the building, one that helps the building relate visually to its environment. Consequently, the best roof designs spring from the shape of the house and mesh with the overall style of the building. That is why certain roof shapes and roof coverings are associated with particular historical periods and designs, and even the most creative modern architecture selects a roof to harmonize with the overall structure. When modifying a house or adding on, it's important to be sensitive to the way the new roof fits into the existing design

Function

Roof design must work on a practical level: The structure needs to anticipate and support expected loads, the water-shedding details have to work, and the covering must suit the slope and climate. Roof coverings, like roof shapes, serve double duty because their appearance and their function are intertwined. Slate, tile, metal roofing, wood shakes, and asphalt shingles are all associated with certain periods and styles of home. The color and texture of the roof, its patterns of tone and shadow, lend character and personality to the home. On a practical level, some roof coverings are better suited to various slopes and weather conditions than others, and some may be more cost effective in terms of installation and service life.

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Roof Shapes

Roofs are broken into two basic shape families: gabled and hipped.

Gabled
Gabled refers to the family of houses classified by the straight slope falling from ridge to eave, creating a peak or triangle on the side or front facade. Gabled houses have rakes on the gable facades and eaves on the non-gabled facades.

Hipped
This family of houses avoids having a peak or triangle at the roof junction by breaking the roof plane along the slope line, allowing the roof to bend or wrap around the house. Hipped houses have an even roof to wall junction all the way around the house and eaves on all sides.

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