The pros and cons of sloping roofs

Mark Villanueva Mark Villanueva
奈良町の家, ATELIER N ATELIER N Eclectic style garden
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The roof is one of the most important aspects of a house. It shelters us from the sun and rain, protecting the people living under it. Throughout the years, there have been many incarnations of the humble roof, from simple designs like the flat roof to more complex ones such as the gable. Many new designs have since sparked the interest of many home buyers as the rood has evolved from simple shelter into a decorative feature that will crown their homes.

Sloping roofs or shed roofs has been a favorite roof type which has stood the test of time because it continues to express a very modern style. It has inspired many architects because of its simplicity and aesthetic. This design was initially used in agriculture. Placed atop storage sheds containing fruit and produce, the sloping roof protected its contents from the sun and drained the rain. It also used less construction materials, and was very easy to build and maintain. Fortunately, the functional design trend was soon picked up by the thriving modern housing industry and the rest is history.

Today, homify will let you in on some of the pros and cons of a sloping roof, so you can do it right for when you design your own dream home.

1. Beautifully Modern

Sloping roofs are currently used to create a fresh and modern look to any house. Its simple and elegant design allows it to be setup in a variety of different ways, you can tilt it in any direction you please, or you can be creative and go for a stacked layout. This will not only upgrade the aesthetic of the house, it also adds an interesting dimension to your home design.

2. Affordable

Shed roofs use less building materials than other roof styles. Which means, whether you're using wood or tiles for your roof design, you can now invest a bit more on the materials you will be using. Splurge on materials that you really like or spend extra on the strongest and most durable ones to get the most value for your money. Sloping roofs frees up your budget to allow you some breathing room.

3. Easy to Build

Aside from being affordable and cost-effective as far as materials are concerned, another added benefit of sloping roofs is that it’s easy to install, effectively reducing labor costs. It also has a much longer lifespan than other types of roof because it's lighter and more flexible, which means it can hold the structure for longer.

It just goes to show that the reason this roof style still remains so popular in this modern era is because of its primary focus on simplicity, convenience and cost-effectiveness.

4. Comfortable Living

One of the most distinctive features of a sloping roof is that it has something to offer everyone. It is a perfect combination of form and function. It doesn't just look aesthetically pleasing, it also serves a purpose. A sloping roof protects the inside of the house from the sun while still letting natural light in, and when it rains, its canopy drains water effectively to the sloped side preventing it from splashing into the walls.

5. Less Leakage

Because it’s highly effective at draining rainwater, sloping roofs are also prominent for its long service life. This is because they are not prone to leakage like other roof types that don't allow water to flow in one direction. The surface of the sloping roof's tiles do not trap water and moisture making it unlikely for it to leak.

6. Versatility

One of the great things about a sloping roof is that it is not limited by the current design of your home. Its simplicity allows it to be highly versatile when it comes to design. It fits in really well with other roof types like gable or dormer, an ideal trait for when you want to make additions to your home, such as a rooftop terrace or a garage.

Additions are mostly intended to improve the quality of life of the residents, and sloped roofs deliver in terms of providing both shade and stylish aesthetics.

7. Difficult to Repair

Now that we've gone through the pros, let's take a closer look at some of the drawbacks. One disadvantage of a sloped roof is that it is really hard to repair. Eventhough this type of roof can last very a long time, if it does break you are going to have tough time trying to fix it. Another thing you should remember is that repairs on sloping roofs should be done by an expert technician to ensure not only that the repairs are done right but also done safely. Lastly, in order to help prevent damage and avoid costly repairs, try having it checked every year by having it cleaned.

8. Makes the Interior Look Smaller

While the exterior will look beautiful and modern, one of the biggest drawbacks of having a sloped roof is that they can make the interior of your living space look much smaller than it is. In order to circumvent this, try to decorate the area with the lowest ceilings with stylish furniture that way you won't walk as much into these parts. Also, if possible try to incorporate a window into your sloped roof to let the natural light in. This will help the angled part, which tends to be the darkest part of the house become brighter.

Sloped roofs are magnificent aspects of architecture well-known for its beauty, modern aesthetic and affordability. Despite a few disadvantages, the benefits brought on by its cost-effectiveness, simplicity and price far outweigh the negatives.

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