Residential Roof Types

Civil Engineering and Architecture © 2010 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
 Residential Roof Types
• Roof Shapes
• Roof Types
• Roofs in Architecture
• Roofing Materials
• Roofs as Sustainable Space
• Energy Star Roof Systems
• Roof Trusses
• Roof Rafters
• Roof Pitch
• Building Codes
• Roof Pitch and Materials
 Roof Shapes
Roofs protect
buildings and
occupants from
wind, rain, cold,
sun, heat, dust,
etc.
Roofs add to the
visual
appearance of a
building.
Roofs come in many shapes.
 Roof Types

Shed Gable Hip Gable with Dormer

Low-Slope Gambrel Gable & Valley Hip & Valley

(Flat)
 Roofs as Sustainable Space
Natural light
creates a
pleasant space
for occupants
and requires less
energy for
lighting. Istockphoto.com®
 Energy Star Roof Systems

Energy collected from

the sun can be used in
the structure.

Reflective roofs reduce

cooling energy costs.
 Roof Trusses
Courtesy Isle of Palms, SC Recreation Department

A roof truss is a
simple assembly of
members forming a
rigid framework of
triangular shapes. Courtesy Leslie Eaves
 Rafters
Rafters are an
alternative to trusses
for roof support.

Istockphoto.com®
Rafters are roof
beams that slope
from the ridge beam
to the top of the wall.
 Roof Pitch (Slope)

Roof pitch Run 12 in.

determined by
rise/run Rise 7 in.

Example:
A 7/12 (or 7:12) (pronounced “seven twelve”) pitch
means that the roof rises 7 units vertically for every
12 units horizontally.
 Common Residential Roof
Covering Materials

Standing Metal Seam Clay/Cement Tiles Asphalt Shingles

Istockphoto.com®

Wood/Cedar Slate
 Building Codes

• A set of rules that specify the minimum

standards for construction
• International Residential Code for One-
and Two-family Dwellings (IRC)
– Minimum regulations for residential building
systems
– Adopted by many municipalities
– Dictates minimum roof slope by finish material
 Roof Pitch and Covering Materials
The International Residential Code for One-
and Two-family Dwellings (IRC) provides roof
slope requirements based on roof covering.
Asphalt shingles
• Roof slope must be 2:12 or steeper. Shallower
slopes may be allowed if double underlayment is
used.
Clay and concrete tile
• Deck slope must be 2½ :12 or steeper. Shallower
slopes may be allowed if double underlayment is
used.

Source: 2012 International Residential Code for One- and Two-family Dwellings
(www.iccsafe.org). Reference 2012 for additional roof requirements.
Roof Pitch and Covering Materials
Slate and Slate-style shingles
• Deck slope must be 4:12 (33-percent slope) or
steeper.
Wood Shakes
• Deck slope must be 3:12 (25-percent slope) or
steeper.
Metal roof panels
• Slope. Varies by type

Source: 2012 International Residential Code for One- and Two-family Dwellings.
Reference 2012 IRC for additional roof requirements.
Roof Pitch and Covering Materials
Low-slope roofing materials
• Built-up roofing
• Modified bitumen roofing
• Thermoset single-ply roofing
• Thermoplastic single-ply roofing
– Roofs shall have a minimum slope of a minimum ¼:12 (2-percent
slope) for drainage

Source: 2012 International Residential Code for One- and Two-family Dwellings.
Reference 2012 IRC for additional roof requirements.
Identify the Roof Type

Istockphoto.com®
Identify the Roof Type
Identify the Roof Type
Identify the Roof Type
Identify the Roof Type
Identify the Roof Type
Identify the Roof Type
 Image Resources
iStockphoto. Retrieved March 16,2010 from
http://www.istockphoto.com/index.php
Microsoft, Inc. (n.d.). Clip art. Retrieved May 26, 2009, from
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/default.aspx