September 16, 2020 Looking for the right type of roofing style for a building can be staggering. There are varieties of different types of roofing styles in Ghana you can choose from. In this article, we will look at some of the different types of roofing styles in Ghana you can consider to help you make an informed decision when designing and constructing a roof for your building. READ ALSO: What You Should Know About Light Steel Frames 1. Hip Roof This type of roofing usually has four sides and they slope downwards to the walls with a gentle slope. A hip roof has no gable or vertical ends. They build good resistance for buildings in very windy areas. There are different types of Hip Roof, including Simple Hipped, Cross Hipped, and Half Hipped. Pros Hip roofs are very stable compared to other roof types due to their four side slope. Water flows easily down the slope toward the rain gutter with a low risk for moisture damage or leakages. Each bottom of the roof can hold a gutter, which allows rainwater to be channelled away from your property into the desired draining site. Rainwater collected can be used for other household chores which can save cost on the water as well. You can choose from Domod Roof accessories like our IDT Gutter Cap, Rain Gutter, and Valley Gutter. It allows for the use of a variety of roofing materials due its angles. Domod Roof has a variety of roofing materials that would be suitable for your building. Cons They can be expensive to install compared to other roof types because it requires more building materials. They can be difficult to build and are not flexible to incorporate ventilation. A hip roof must be at a specific pitch especially in windy areas; anything less or more than 18.5 to 26.5 degrees could affect the structure when a strong wind blows. Also, it is harder to install ventilation because of the equal nature of each slope. If the streamlined profile of the structure is tampered with, it could affect the rest of the structure. 2. Hip and Valley Hip and valley roofs have a total of four or more sloping surfaces, with two joined on a common ridge, and the other two on either end of the central ridge. With a typical hip roof, all slopes meet at the top in a point forming a pyramid but with a Hip and Valley, the roof consists of several ridges forming a design that is very similar to the trapezoid structure. Pros It improves roof and property lifespan by channelling all rainwater straight to gutters with unblocked and efficient downspouts. Additionally, the multiple corners allow builders to install multiple downspouts for maximum rainwater management efficiency. It introduces a spacious attic or as others would prefer, a high-headroom and the generous width allows the installation of dormer nests which adds to the beauty of the building and improves ventilation. Cons Hip and Valley roofs can be prone to leakages if additional designs like a crow nest or dormer are incorporated but are not properly fitted with correct valleys and flashings. 3. Gable Roof Gable roofs also known as Pitched or Peaked roofs are formed with two slopes coming together to form a triangle. They are easily recognized by their triangular or A shapes and are one of the most common types of roofs in Ghana. The A-shaped section of the wall occurs between the two intersecting sloping sides. It is important to note that these sloping sides can have different sizes depending on the property. Larger buildings sometimes have two or more gables to add more structure and depth. There are different types of Gable roofs, there are; Simple Gable, Front Gable, Cross Gable, Side Gable, or a Dutch Gable. Gable roof with dormers Pros They are simple to design and build. They require a very simple construction method compared to other roof types. The A shape or triangular design of the roof provides more space that can serve as an additional attic space as well as provide better ventilation in the property. The angled pitch means that rainwater can easily run off the roof which minimizes the risk of leaks and in turn, ensures that the roof can remain damage-free and last longer. They are less expensive. Since a gabled roof is easier to build than other complex roofing alternatives, the overall costs of building and installation are comparatively lower. Cons They are not suitable for buildings in high windy areas. High winds can cause roofing sheets to peel or rip off and if the trusses are not properly engineered and constructed, the roofs can collapse. Also, If there is too much of an overhang, winds can create an uplift and cause the roof to detach from the walls. 4. Flat Roof Although by its name, it may appear that this type of roof is completely flat, that is not the case. Flat Roofs are not necessarily flat, they just have a very low slope. This low slope is very important as it allows water to run off the roofing material and towards an appropriate drainage system. There are various types of flat roofs to choose from, they are; Built-Up Roof (BUR), Madras Terrace Roof, Jack Arch Flat Roof, Reinforced Concrete Slab Roof, Filler Slab and Modified Bitumen. Pros The most obvious advantage for a flat roof is the cost compared to the other roofing types. It is simple to construct and maintain, it’s labour is quite cheap as there is less to no risk during installation. It saves time. Due to its simplicity, installing a flat roof does not take as much time as the others so you do not have to wait for a long period of time to use the property when installing a flat roof. Also, in the event that the building needs to be re-roofed in the future, installation can be done within 24hours. Flat roofs allow the use of many different roofing materials and depending on the type of material you use, it allows for outdoor usable space. If you do not have enough land space on your property after building, your roof can become an outdoor lounge space to simply hang out and relax. It can also be a good place to set up a small garden or solar panels to save money on electricity and many more. It makes interior space more versatile. If properly built, it is easier to construct an additional floor or an attic without damaging the existing roof whereas with the others the entire roof has to be dismantled before construction. Cons They are susceptible to water leakages. Due to how low the slope is, flat roofs do not allow rainwater to flow down as efficiently as pitched roofs do. Some amount of water may remain on the roof that can damage the roofing material and eventually cause leakages if not regularly maintained. They have a limited lifespan. Some of the materials used for installation come with a lifespan of 10 to 15years and also, the stability of the roof decreases as the area of the roof increases; so it is not really suitable for large industrial or commercial buildings. 5. Skillion and Lean-to Roof Also known as the mono-pitched, Shed, or Pent Roof, but not to be mistaken for a flat roof, this roof type has a steep pitch and it has no ridge on the roofline which results in walls of varying heights within the structure. Skillion roofs are common for additions to existing homes along with being a good choice for sheds and porches depending on how it is built, but more contemporary style buildings may feature a skillion roof as a design statement. This roof type often features juxtaposing slopes that sometimes meet in the middle seemingly looking like wings. Butterfly, Split, Clerestory, and Curved roofs are all variations of Skillion roofs. Pros It allows for the installation of PV solar panels, which naturally increase the energy efficiency of the home. Standing seam metal roofing is the best choice for a skillion roof. It is one of the simplest, affordable, and easily designed roofs and works great by easily directing rainwater from the roof due to its steep pitch. It is considered a type of roof contemporary, giving its high aesthetic appeal compared to other roof types and lasts longer than a standard flat roof. Cons Skillion roofs emerge at a constricted angle from the walls and ceilings of the property. As a result, space is limited and offers less room for a ceiling space or an attic. Although it has a steep pitch which makes it conducive in the rainy season, it is not a suitable choice for windy areas. 6. Combination Roof As the name suggests, this roof type comes as a result of combining two or more different roof types. Suitable for all kinds of weather and conditions, combination roof types offer the best possible functions for any building. The result also creates a unique curb appeal and a perfect opportunity to add contrast to your aesthetics. Pros It works best in all environments once it is properly designed, engineered, and constructed. It allows the construction of Dormers, Solar Panels, Attics among others. It is visually appealing due to its uniqueness. Cons The biggest risk of combination roofs is creating unnecessary end-walls and valleys where leaks can occur. They can be more expensive than single designed roofs and if not properly designed, combination roofs can end up more like an eyesore than appealing. 7. Butterfly Roof It has a very modern design and is aesthetically distinctive. The butterfly roof is V-shaped and the valley in the midsection allows rainwater to be collected making it beneficial for high drought areas. Pros It is wind resistant due to its uniques design It collects water and can be used to water plants. It is environmentally friendly. Cons Its complexity in terms of design makes it expensive Regulating temperature can be difficult due to its open design. 8. Curved Roof Its planes are curved making its design unique and very creative roof design. Its style is perfect for people who want their homes to stand out. Pros They have a unique design It can be customized to the region the home is being built. They can be used to cover an entire or section of a home Cons The cost depends on the complexity of the design. 9. Bonnet Roof This type of roofing is double sloped with the lower slope set at less of an angle than the upper slope. They are not commonly used roofs in modern houses. Pros They are suitable for high wind areas The upper slope offers additional living space It’s favourable for gutter installation Cons Quite expensive Requires regular maintenance 10. Pyramid Roof It is a type of hip roof with all four sides coming to form a point. It has no vertical sides or gables. They are normally used for smaller buildings like bungalows, garages, or storehouses. Pros It provides extra space for shade and ventilation It is resistant to strong winds Cons The cost can be higher due to the complexity of the design READ ALSO: Price Of Roofing Sheets In Ghana We hope you have been informed by this educative article on the various types of roofing styles you can consider for your home. Roofing is a very important part of any building project. That is why you must invest in the right roofing company to properly beautify and secure your investment. Domod Roof has professionally trained engineers for all roof type installation. You can contact us for your best types of roofing sheets in Ghana. FacebookXEmailWhatsApp
