Many homes have thermostatically controlled roof-mounted attic fans, which are wired to the household electrical system. Now, however, these units are being replaced with PV solar-powered attic fans, which can be mounted on a roof pitch of 3/12 to 12/12. The PV panel on the unit can be adjusted from laying flat to a 45 degree angle. In addition, this unit qualified for federal tax credits in the Solar Energy Systems category, under Photovoltaic Systems as defined in the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008.
Keep in mind that gutters and downspouts can be an essential part in water conservation. By connecting the base of the downspout to a barrel, you can make a simple rainwater collection system, and use the water for plants and shrubs, saving the equivalent amount of potable water.
Types of Roof-Mounted Structures
Nowadays, there are more ways than ever to build a roof structure, and home owners have plenty of options to choose from, including the flat roof, the curved roof, the panellised roof and the trussed roof. Each type of roof has its own advantages, but comes with a few disadvantages as well.
Traditional Roof Structure vs. Cut Roof
A traditional roof structure consists of a steeply pitched roof, rarely less than 35 degrees, reflecting the weatherproofing requirements of older roofing materials such as thatch and peg tiles. The rood timbers are cut on one side and erected one at a time, so it is relatively slow and expensive to build. A big advantage over traditional roof building is that the finished structure is readily adaptable: the volume is large enough to convert into living space, and the structure can usually be altered easily.
Flat Roofs
Flat roofs have nothing technically challenging and, actually, they are never flat. They are constructed to a fall in order to stop rainwater pooling. However, it wasn’t until the 1950s that affordable and reliable roofing materials for covering flat roofs became widely available, and this started a boom in flat roofed extensions across the country. The flat roof extension has gone out of fashion, however flat modernist housing is experiencing a revival.
Trussed Roofs
Trussed roofing appeared as an innovation in the 1960s in the UK, and rapidly gained ground in the housebuilding scene. Trussed rafters came with a pitched roof that was cheaper and faster to install than the traditional cut variety, so it became a widely popular roofing style. Instead of preparing individual timbers on site, the trusses were made to order in a factory and delivered to site for placing on the wallplates. A simple roof shape of 15 to 20 trusses could be placed in just a few hours. The disadvantage, however, is that roof trusses cannot be readily altered, so it becomes more difficult to later convert the roof space. Still, this problem has been countered by the open or attic truss which, although more expensive, provides room for a loft conversion.
Panellised Roof Structure
Panellised roofing is commonly used in the industrial and warehousing markets, and it is very popular in some other countries, especially the Netherlands. Instead of erecting complex timber roof configuration, a panellised roof needs just supporting beams, usually one at the ridge and a pair halfway down the roof, known as purlins. Once these are put in place, the roof panels can be craned in a few minutes. This type of roof can be erected very fast, and it also comes pre-insulated, which saves a lot of additional work. It also provides open roof space.
Curved Roofs
Especially on upmarket builds, curved roof shapes are the most fashionable roof designs. Generally, they are covered in either a metal such as zinc or copper or with a green roof, made up of turf planted with sedums.
Warm Roofs
This term is very commonly used, however it doesn’t actually apply to the roof structure, but rather to the positioning of the insulation layer within the roof structure. The warm roof addresses the ventilation and condensation issue by placing the insulation above the roof structure, thus making the roof structure relatively warm.
You have many options to choose from nowadays, especially when it comes to roofs and components of the home. Take into consideration your necessities and the functions of a roof type, determine which roofing materials would be more appropriate, and which type of roof will keep your house under construction for a limited amount of time.