Architecture
10 Roofing Materials to Top Off Your House
These durable and good-looking roofing materials will keep you sheltered from the sun, wind and rain
There are myriad choices when it comes to selecting the material for a roof. Durability and protective properties are two of the most crucial elements to ensure the longevity of a roof and a house, but colour, style and climatic suitability certainly have important parts to play too. Here are 10 materials that are raising the roof in popularity and style.
The clay-based ceramic tiles are hardwearing and provide a well-insulated roof surface that suits any climate. They come in many shapes, profiles and colours including the attractive orangey-red colour most commonly associated with terracotta, as well as this metallic-finish roof tile.
Get fired up over terracotta
Get fired up over terracotta
2. Concrete roof tiles
Similar to terracotta roof tiles, concrete tiles can be used to complement a range of architectural styles and specifications. While they will age to a matt finish and potentially lose some colour over time, the tile’s performance will not be affected.
Also like its terracotta counterpart, concrete roof tiles’ density reduces external sound; the non-combustible material can be safely used in bushfire prone areas; and the weight of the tiles is more resistant to strong wind.
Similar to terracotta roof tiles, concrete tiles can be used to complement a range of architectural styles and specifications. While they will age to a matt finish and potentially lose some colour over time, the tile’s performance will not be affected.
Also like its terracotta counterpart, concrete roof tiles’ density reduces external sound; the non-combustible material can be safely used in bushfire prone areas; and the weight of the tiles is more resistant to strong wind.
3. Roof shingles
Roof shingles are similar to roof tiles but are flatter and much thinner. Manufactured as individual units, shingles are attached in an overlapping pattern to the topmost layer of the roof to help keep rain and moisture out of the building.
Roof shingles are similar to roof tiles but are flatter and much thinner. Manufactured as individual units, shingles are attached in an overlapping pattern to the topmost layer of the roof to help keep rain and moisture out of the building.
Roof shingles can be made from all kinds of materials, including asphalt, wood, slate and terracotta (pictured here). Asphalt shingles, which are extremely popular in America, are fire-proof, as well as being resistant to rain, hail and wind. Wood shingles are less common in Australia since they are vulnerable to fire and termites, but are nevertheless durable, weatherproof and insulating. Slate is also very durable and can withstand freezing temperatures in alpine regions.
4. Copper roofing
Copper is a timeless and durable material with a long lifecycle, and its ductility and malleability make it suitable for irregular roof structures. Copper also develops a beautiful patina and character with age; its warm bronze tones turn an iridescent brown through natural weathering, before developing a green patina.
Exterior metal cladding types
Copper is a timeless and durable material with a long lifecycle, and its ductility and malleability make it suitable for irregular roof structures. Copper also develops a beautiful patina and character with age; its warm bronze tones turn an iridescent brown through natural weathering, before developing a green patina.
Exterior metal cladding types
5. Corrugated metal
Steel is the most popular roofing material in Australia with corrugated iron also being a recognisable element in Australian architecture for more than 150 years. It requires little maintenance and can be used for many different architectural styles.
Steel is the most popular roofing material in Australia with corrugated iron also being a recognisable element in Australian architecture for more than 150 years. It requires little maintenance and can be used for many different architectural styles.
It has a linear wave-like pattern that increases the bending strength of the sheet, and is a lightweight, strong and durable material that weathers well.
Ride the wave of corrugated iron
Ride the wave of corrugated iron
6. Steel roofing
There are two types of steel roofing available – Colorbond and Zincalume. Colorbond steel eliminates the need for the regular repainting of a corrugated steel roof. Colorbond is pre-painted steel, which has the corrosion resistance and hardwearing properties of a zinc/aluminium alloy coating that provides a clean and colourful aesthetic.
There are two types of steel roofing available – Colorbond and Zincalume. Colorbond steel eliminates the need for the regular repainting of a corrugated steel roof. Colorbond is pre-painted steel, which has the corrosion resistance and hardwearing properties of a zinc/aluminium alloy coating that provides a clean and colourful aesthetic.
Colorbond steel is lightweight and flexible and has very high thermal efficiency because it absorbs less heat and cools more quickly. It is also resilient, weather-resistant and non-combustible.
Zincalume steel is a less-expensive corrugated roofing option made from aluminum, zinc and silicon. It’s designed to last around four times longer than its corrugated-steel predecessor. The downside is its shiny aluminium look, but using it in less visible areas can be an economic approach.
Zincalume steel is a less-expensive corrugated roofing option made from aluminum, zinc and silicon. It’s designed to last around four times longer than its corrugated-steel predecessor. The downside is its shiny aluminium look, but using it in less visible areas can be an economic approach.
7. Timber-clad roofing
Hardwood timber cladding provides a protective envelope around a house and can be used on the roof as well as the sides of a building. Timber is suitable for use on traditional or contemporary houses and can be left natural to fade to a silvery-grey colour, or finished with stains, oils or paints.
Hardwood timber cladding provides a protective envelope around a house and can be used on the roof as well as the sides of a building. Timber is suitable for use on traditional or contemporary houses and can be left natural to fade to a silvery-grey colour, or finished with stains, oils or paints.
Timber is a renewable resource that as a construction material can contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and when used in fire-prone areas it typically burns in a predictable fashion, making fire management easier.
Tasmania backs a timber-first policy
Tasmania backs a timber-first policy
8. Pebble roof
Pebbles can extend the life of a flat roof. A flat roof utilises a membrane layer, which may be a tar, asphalt, bitumen, or plastic seal for weatherproofing a house. A layer of pebbles or small rocks spread over the outer membrane will protect it from cracking and peeling when exposed to the sun.
Pebbles can also function as a filter so that leaves, sticks and other debris don’t get caught in the drains, and they can provide thermal protection by absorbing and releasing heat.
Pebbles can extend the life of a flat roof. A flat roof utilises a membrane layer, which may be a tar, asphalt, bitumen, or plastic seal for weatherproofing a house. A layer of pebbles or small rocks spread over the outer membrane will protect it from cracking and peeling when exposed to the sun.
Pebbles can also function as a filter so that leaves, sticks and other debris don’t get caught in the drains, and they can provide thermal protection by absorbing and releasing heat.
9. Glass roof
A glass roof – or perhaps a glass ceiling, depending on which way you look at it – allows plenty of natural light to filter into a space and offers views of the sky or local vegetation.
A glass roof can produce a lot of glare, however, and have a greenhouse effect if not properly glazed, and it needs a stronger structural support system.
A glass roof – or perhaps a glass ceiling, depending on which way you look at it – allows plenty of natural light to filter into a space and offers views of the sky or local vegetation.
A glass roof can produce a lot of glare, however, and have a greenhouse effect if not properly glazed, and it needs a stronger structural support system.
10. Thatched roof
Thatching has been used on roofs since the Bronze Age and can still be seen across Europe, Asia and Africa. Thatched roofs are made with layers of dry vegetation, such as straw, rushes and reeds, to shed water away from the inner roof.
Thatching has been used on roofs since the Bronze Age and can still be seen across Europe, Asia and Africa. Thatched roofs are made with layers of dry vegetation, such as straw, rushes and reeds, to shed water away from the inner roof.
They can often be seen in historic country homes across the UK and Ireland and are a popular choice for more modern outdoor structures, such as pergolas in tropical climates.
TELL US
What’s your favourite roofing material? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
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Browse contemporary house design ideas
TELL US
What’s your favourite roofing material? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
MORE
Browse contemporary house design ideas
Terracotta tiles have been used for centuries and have been a popular roofing choice in Australia since the 19th century. Due to their individual profiles and extensive range, terracotta roof tiles – in fact all roof tiles – are a flexible choice for roof design because they can complement a wide range of architectural specifications and styles.