3 Important Aspects to Consider When Determining What Roofing Material to Use
Posted on: 29 April 2021
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Even though all roofs protect the interior of a building and the building's occupants from the harsh elements outside, they're not created equal. Different varieties of roofs exist for different roofing applications, and it's vitally important that you choose the correct one for your building. This requires doing a little homework.
Mull over the following factors in deciding on a roofing material for your building.
Building type
What type of building are you constructing? All buildings can be broadly categorised into three main types: residential, commercial and industrial.
Because of the varying shapes, sizes, and uses of each type of building, different kinds of materials are required for roof construction. For instance, low-slope roofing materials such as PVC, polymer-modified bitumen and metal are a common sight in commercial and industrial buildings due to their cost-effectiveness when used for large structures.
Putting high-priced roofing materials such as clay tiles, slate tiles and wood shakes on a commercial or industrial roof may not only be impractical but can also prove to be expensive and uneconomical.
The right roof for your building should not only provide adequate protection from the outside elements but also make financial sense.
Building location
In addition to the type of building you're constructing, environmental factors also come into play when you're selecting a roofing material. The appropriate roof should be designed to withstand the climate of the specific area or region in which your building is located. If the area has a wet climate, you'll need to choose a roof that can endure the persistent rain without requiring much maintenance.
If it's really hot, you may benefit from using roofing materials such as concrete tiles and wood shakes. The relatively low thermal conductivity of these roofing materials makes them more effective at insulating your building against unwanted heat gains than roofing options with higher thermal conductivity. This helps to keep your building's cooling costs down.
Building design
As a part of the building envelope, the type of roof you choose is going to impact the architectural design of your building. Choosing a roofing material that can give the look you want for your building is essential for maximising the overall aesthetics and value of the building.
Picking the right roof is vitally important to ensure the success of any building construction project. If you need professional advice and guidance when it's time to choose your roof, never hesitate to consult a roofing specialist close to you.