Roofer West Chester PA is an essential component of any home. These plans outline the different facets of your roof and the materials that can be used.
There are many roofing designs to choose from. Choosing the right one depends on your architectural style and the climate in which you live.
A Dutch gable is the Swiss Army knife of roof designs. It has the sloping sides of a hip roof, but it also has a gable at the top for that extra space we all crave. This makes it perfect for adding storage, an attic, or a cool loft space. It also adds that aesthetic appeal that other roof types can’t match.
The gable part also helps with shedding rain and snow, so it’s a good option if you live in a windy area. Like hip roofs, it’s a complex structure that can require more materials and stronger supports to build. However, it is also quite durable and can withstand strong winds. A variation of this is the Jerkinhead roof, which looks like a gable but flares out into small hips at the end. This is a good choice for a quaint farmhouse look. It also works well for homes with different wings, creating a symmetrical exterior design.
Jerkinhead roofs are a unique roofing style that can add an architectural element to your house. They look intriguing and are a good option for cottages or small homes. However, they can be difficult to maintain and are less practical than other roof styles.
A jerkinhead roof has a mild slope and requires fewer supports than other roof types. It also offers better wind resistance than a gable or hipped roof. However, it is more expensive to install and limits attic space compared to other roof types. This can be problematic for homeowners looking to increase storage space in their attic. Jerkinhead roofs can also be difficult to access for maintenance, requiring the use of specialized equipment.
The Mansard Roof is a popular choice for homeowners looking to add living space to their homes. The almost vertical lower slope allows for more attic space, and the dormer windows that typically feature on these roofs let in plenty of natural light.
While these roofs are incredibly stylish, they do have some drawbacks. For one, they’re not ideal for areas that experience heavy rainfall or snow. The flatter slope can cause water to build up and eventually lead to leaks. The design can also make it difficult to install shingles, since the shingles may not seal correctly.
Additionally, Mansard roofs tend to have high installation costs. You could often purchase multiple Gable or Hip roofs for the cost of a single Mansard. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize these costs. For example, you can use batten seams instead of standing seams, and the lower edges of the pans should be hooked over an edge strip to form a drip (see Details 8.7A and 8.7B). This will help reduce the cost of installation.
This roof design features two side parts that slope in opposite directions from the ridge point. The tops of these sides are connected by rafters, which are nailed to the ridge board. The ridge board is a piece that runs parallel to the exterior walls and extends all along the roof’s maximum height or peak.
Gable roofs are a popular choice for cold climates, and the style can be seen in many homes Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel The House of Seven Gables and Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables both feature this roof type.
According to IKO, one of the pros of a gable roof is that it’s easy to construct; however, Civiconcepts notes that this roof type requires specialized framing techniques due to its unique shape. Another pro, says is that it allows for easy ventilation. This is because gable roofs are ideal for ridge and gable vents, which allow hot air to escape during the summer and prevent rot, mold, and algae from growing in the attic.
A dormer roof is an attractive way to add windows and natural light to your home. It also increases your living space by creating a room in an attic or upstairs area that may otherwise be blocked by the roof or other structures.
A gabled dormer has a pitched roof that consists of two sloping planes that converge at the ridge. These types of dormers are typically easy to install, but require a knowledgeable roofing contractor because they may involve structural alterations to the house frame.
Another type of dormer is a shed dormer, which has a flat roof that sits on the side of your house. This style can easily be installed and requires little maintenance, but it does increase the risk of leaks because there’s a larger surface area exposed to water. Lastly, a pedimented dormer has a triangular shape that resembles a gable roof and is usually found on Greek Revival or Colonial homes.
The postwar era was the apex of modernism and architects came up with styles that have since become very popular, including the butterfly roof. This shape is created by two gables that meet in the middle of the roofline and slope inward, creating a valley along the ceiling line. It gives homes a unique look that is sure to catch the eye of anyone who passes by.
The roof’s asymmetrical shape allows for longer, higher perimeter walls. These larger wall surfaces allow for a more expansive view and can even house large windows that let light into the interior of the home.
The inward slope of the roof also works to help harvest rainwater, allowing it to be channelled down to drainage spouts at the ridge. This can help reduce the need for costly gutter systems and can be beneficial for homeowners looking to lower their energy costs while also helping the environment.
The clerestory roof is a style that features windows and openings in the vertical wall between two sloping sides of a building or structure’s roof. It can be symmetrical, with a gable or hipped-style shape, or asymmetrical, like the skillion roof. Unlike skylights, which bring in bright sunlight at a direct angle and can cause issues with glare, clerestory windows provide ambient light throughout the day.
These windows are designed to let in as much natural light as possible, allowing occupants to stay comfortably indoors and enjoying the scenery outside. This helps reduce the use of artificial lighting and decreases energy consumption. It also gives the interior a pleasant aesthetic and improves the functioning of the building or structure.
The window glass can be constructed with a wide variety of materials. The choice of constructing material depends on the preferences of the occupants and aptness to the architectural design of the building or structure.
While many homeowners prefer a sleek, modern aesthetic for their homes, some find the quaint angles of the saltbox roof appealing. This roof style dates back to Colonial times and offers a unique look that can enhance your home’s curb appeal.
The distinctive shape of a saltbox roof is inspired by the boxes in which table salt was commonly stored in colonial America. These boxes were rectangular in shape and featured a long slope on one side. The roof design mimics this asymmetrical feature, giving it the name “saltbox.”
This angular roof is often seen on two-story homes that were built with an addition to the rear. It also functions as a rainwater collector and enables snow to slide off the roof before becoming too heavy. It’s essential to have gutters that are sized to accommodate the roof’s design and ensure proper drainage. This is an especially important consideration if you live in a climate with heavy rainfall and snowfall.
Sawtooth roofs are a unique design that allows natural light to enter the building. They have a series of parallel roofs that resemble saw teeth and are usually glazed to block out harmful UV rays. Moreover, they are perfect for industrial buildings because they can prevent heat and provide a comfortable environment for employees.
Saw-tooth roofs require high-strength wood, concrete, and metal materials to build. They also need to be designed with proper symmetry and uniformity. These roofs are designed with box gutters and require periodic maintenance to avoid water leakage.
These roofs also promote upward ventilation, which can reduce the use of electric fans and reduce energy costs. Moreover, their distinct structural shape provides the best inclination for installing solar panels. As a result, they can help save energy and lower carbon emissions. While they used to be limited to industrial buildings, this roof design has re-emerged as an excellent solution for modern houses.