Why should you choose a pitched instead of a flat roof
Are looking for a suitable roof construction for you newly constructed house? The following information helps you to make the right choice and provides a compact overview
Everything from one source
Choosing a roof tile with the right surface finish is crucial to the finished appearance of the roof and how it will look in the future. It is important for roofing contractors to understand why manufacturers use certain surface finish treatments on clay and concrete tiles, and how this affects the aesthetics and performance of the product in the short and long term.
Under the quality brand of Koramic, Wienerberger provides individually tailored solutions for all common requirements, that is
The roof as the upper termination of a building is executed in different ways depending on the angle of the roof pitch. When does one speak of a pitched roof?
● Pitched roof: inclination angle of 15° to 70°
● Low-pitched roof: 8° to 15°
● Flat roof: less than 8°
According to a study by TU Wien a house with a pitched roof is 12.5% more compact than a house with a flat-roof providing same living space. This makes the building more effective thermally, as it reduces the surface of the walls in contact with the outside world. Pitched roofs are especially common in areas with wet and changing weather conditions, whereas flat roofs are more popular in dry, hot areas.
Wienerberger has designed special regional products for low-pitched roof solutions. For a roof pitch between 10°and 15°, Wienerberger offers technically advanced roof tiles, fittings and accessories. These system solutions provide absolute resistance against severe weather conditions.
Pitched roofs have a firmly secured place in modern architecture. Their versatility makes them ideally suited for the implementation of innovative design solutions, resulting in the desired futuristic-looking rooftops that reflect the modern world.
The many advantages of a pitched roof
Economic Benefits
Costs
The costs for the building component “roof” (roof cladding and sub-structure) are lower for a pitched roof regarding both the purchase price and over the lifecycle (50 years). Running expenses are also relatively constant. Only after a period of 30 years, the need of renovation arises.
Repairs
The roof cladding materials can be replaced easily and without complications.
With pitched roofs, the subsequent creation of living space beneath the roof can be done without the need of elaborate and expensive annexes or attachments. By fitting skylights into a pitched roof, it will also be possible to let sunlight in and create a warm and light-filled living space under the roof.
Reference: Lebenszyklus unterschiedlicher Dachkonstruktionen, Forschungsbereich für Industriebau und interdisziplinäre Bauplanung, TU Wien, 2014 (AT)
Environmental Benefits – Sustainability
Power generation on the roof
Photovoltaic & solar installations can be integrated into the roof surface area and adopt the function of the roof cladding.
Reference: Lebenszyklus unterschiedlicher Dachkonstruktionen, Forschungsbereich für Industriebau und interdisziplinäre Bauplanung, TU Wien, 2014 (AT).
Environment
As compared to a building with a flat roof, a house with a pitched roof saves approx. 26 tons of CO2 over a 50-year lifecycle. This equals 200,000 km travelled by car.
