About Roofs
Roofs are the part of a building that sits on top to protect the edifice from weather. Usually this is rain, but depending on where the roof is built and for what purpose, it may also protect from other things. There are many different kinds of roofs made of different materials and designs, but they all are made with protection and cover in mind. Modern roofs are the most varied and some have additional purposes to them other than cover and protection, such as the capturing of sunlight for energy. Does this Spark an idea?
Features
There are two parts to every roof, the support structure and the outer layer. The supports are made of strong, sturdy materials that have to be able to hold up the roof even under extreme conditions such as rain, wind or snow storms. Up until the Industrial Revolution, they were made generally of timber wood, which is still in use today in some roofs. However, many modern buildings use iron or a mixture of iron and concrete beams for support. The outer layer of the roof shows much more variation. Some nations use vegetation, such as the relatively strong sea grass to lay over their supports. Shingles are in common use elsewhere and in modern times can last 20 years or so depending on the materials that the shingles are made of. A small number of roofs also have solar panels built in among the shingles to convert sunlight into energy.
Function
The main function of the roof of most buildings is to protect against the rain. These are sloped roofs that allow rainwater to fall off the roof and keep the interior of the building dry. Certain parts of the world have roofs that are designed to protect against other things as well. Extremes in temperatures is one example. Where it can get very cold, roofs are built with extra insulation to keep buildings warm. Certain types of roofs also allow for special conditions. For example, greenhouse roofs allow sunlight to enter the interior, but they protect against weathering and cold to protect the plants inside.
Types
There are a number of different types of roofs that are defined mainly by their design. There are flat roofs, which are found mostly in warmer climates and cities closer to the equator, as well as conical and pyramidal, which are all also designed on their shape. Some roofs are defined by their culture, such as irimoya roofs, which are Asian style and traditionally have their curved look because of bamboo supports. Other roof types include hip roofs, mansard, gambrel and pavilion roofs.
Significance
The significance of the roof is fairly clear. Without them, the buildings you occupy would not be protected from the elements, and therefore they would not have the shelter you have come to accept from them. Roofs give you a dry place to go during the rain and allow for easier living conditions in the polar regions of the world, or simply where it gets very old. Insulated roofs are highly sought after in these areas because of the warmth they provide.
Warning
One of the warnings that can be given about roofs specifically applies to flat roofs. These are highly susceptible to damage and should either be built with extra supports or avoided all together. Rain can gather easily on these roofs and put pressure on them. Also, any human traffic on the roof has the possibility of forming cracks. Any pressure cracks or damage on flat roofs can easily spread because of their design. On other roofs, it is important to pay careful consideration to the condition of shingles. They do not last forever and on some buildings new shingles have been added over old ones, which makes them less stable and does not protect against old damage that might have been present.
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