About Roof Structures

Posted On: July 1, 2014

Any structure which makes the top most level of a building is referred to as a roof. The main purpose of a roof is to provide shelter from external factors, such as heat, rain, wind, and animals. The design and pattern of a roof depends on the basic structure it’s intending to protect. Most often, the shapes and patterns of roofs are decided by the cultural and geographical conditions governing that place.

Roofing Elements

The design elements of a roof are the materials, construction, and durability. These design elements can vary widely depending on where you live. Some of the variations include:

• The roof material can be banana leaves, sea grass, copper, ceramic tiles, or asphalt
• The design and structure of the support systems decides the method of construction
• Roofs must be durable, which can mean different things in different places
• The slope of your roof will vary depending on the precipitation you expect

Types of Roofs

Roofing types vary from one region to the other. Common shapes of roofs are flat, arched and domed. The geographical conditions of a place determine the shape and dimensions of a roof. For example, if thunderstorms and rains are frequent in an area, sloped roofs would be commonplace, but if you’re in a dryer area, there may be flatter roofs.

Parts of the Roof

The two main parts of roofing systems are the support and the outer layer.

The support refers to the system of beams and pillars on which roofs are constructed. It is the most important part of the structure as it provides the foundation for the whole system.

The part of the roof above the support is known as outer layer. The role of this layer is to provide protection from external factors like wind, rain and heat. The material generally used consists of thatch and ceramic.

Functions of the Roof

Roofs have several important functions. Some of these are necessary ones, but they can also serve some optional functions. Some functions of roofs are:

• Providing drainage of rainwater
• Roofs provide insulation
• Solar stations to store and use solar energy

Roofing Company

A company which installs roofs is known as a roofing company. Due to the need of skilled labour along with upgraded technology, it is always advisable to get these structures installed from a professional roofing company. We serve Columbus, Ohio and all of central Ohio, including Springfield, Zanesville, Mansfield, and Chillicothe.

(Image and excerpt from “Roof”)