A roof protects your home from the elements, keeps it warm in winter, and cool in summer. There are many different types of roofs—from high-pitched roofs to low-pitched roofs—and what type you choose will depend on what kind of house you're building. In addition to the roof design, the materials you use will also play a part in how long it lasts and how well insulated it is against both heat loss and noise. This article will discuss the advantages of having a pitched roof and how Brava roofing tiles will complement it.
What Is Meant By The Term Pitched Roof?
A pitched roof is a roof that angles either up from the base at an angle, or downwards towards the eaves, giving it a triangular appearance. This type of roof is common in many parts of the world, and is often used on homes and other buildings. The pitch of a roof determines what type of shingles or slates can be placed on the roof, and what equipment is needed to work on it. The way a roof pitch is expressed is in a fraction format such as 4/12. This means the height of the roof rises 4 inches for every 12 inches of horizontal run.
Common Pitched Roof Types
Low-Pitched Roofs
A low-pitched or flat roof is a roof that has a pitch or angle that is less than eight degrees. This means that the roof is flatter than a pitched roof, and is generally used on sheds, garages, and other small structures. These roofs are easy and cheap to build, and are perfect for areas that experience little snow or rainfall. However, some designs, like a mansard roof, may actually have a flat roof at the very top of the structure, tying the sides together.
Gable Roofs
A gable roof is one in which the two sides of the roof meet at a ridge to form a triangular shape. Gable roofs are the most common type of roof in the U.S., and they are often used on homes with steeply sloped roofs. Gable roofs are very sturdy and can withstand high winds and heavy snow loads. Gable roofs can also be as low as a 3/12 pitch and as high as 12/12, or more. They are called a single pitch roof, meaning the same angle is on both sides.
Dual Pitched Roofs
A dual pitched roof is a type of roof that has two slopes instead of one. Some popular types include the mansard roof, the hip roof, and the gambrel roof.
Hip Roofs
A hip roof is a roof with ends and sides that have a different pitch and meet at a ridge point. This is an excellent design for shedding snow and resisting damage from high winds, and it creates a look that is unique.
Gambrel Roofs
The gambrel design is characterized by two slopes on the same side that meet in a ridge in the center of the building. The slope on the lower side is usually shallower than the slope on the upper side, providing an elegant aesthetic and maximizing headroom inside the upper story of the building.
Mansard Roofs
The mansard roof is a French-Canadian design that has been used for centuries. It's typically seen on homes with steep pitched roofs in areas that are prone to heavy snowfall. The greatest advantage this type of structure holds over other types is that it can turn an attic into a full-height usable room with straight side walls. Mansard roofs are often constructed with dormers that have windows in them.
Of all the designs described here, this type of roof will require a combination of roofing materials because the very top of the roof is flat or almost flat, and cannot be protected with standard roofing tiles.
Brava Composite Roof Tiles Beautify Every Roof Design
Our roof tiles are a great solution for any roof that has a pitch of 4/12 or greater. This gives you the option to use a Cedar Shake, Spanish Barrel Tile, or Old World Slate on any pitched roof project with the exception of a flat or shed roof. Low roofs are a problem for conventional roofing materials of any kind because water can puddle and drain back below the shingles, undermining the roof deck structure below. Wind damage is also an issue with standard roofing materials on low-pitched roofs.
Brava roofing tiles are designed to provide superior water protection and are able to withstand winds up to 188MPH with ring shank nails and up to 211MPH with high wind screw installation. They also are rated for Class 4 impacts and can have a Class A or Class C fire rating. For color options, we can produce your roof tiles in an almost unlimited color selection, including blends.
You won’t have to worry about the high installation costs of specialty shingles associated with clay, slate, or cedar, because Brava’s synthetic roof tiles are lightweight and can be installed with the equipment that most professional roofers already own.
Combine those features and benefits with a 50-year limited warranty and you can see why our tiles are on homes around the world. Contact us today for your free samples and let us answer your questions about Brava composite roofing tiles.
