While many homeowners pay attention to the interior of their property, the exterior also deserves equal attention, specifically the roof. As a fundamental aspect of properties, roofs are often overlooked since they’re considered functional, not aesthetic. However, the perfect roof protects you from the elements and enhances your property’s overall look and curb appeal, highlighting the necessity of roof design.
Whether you’re undergoing a new home build project, an extension, or a roof replacement, there are several considerations to remember to ensure that the ideal roof design is achieved. From searching for roofers near you and narrowing down your choice of materials to factoring in the regional climate and using sustainable practices, several considerations go into creating a roof that combines practicality and aesthetics.
By the end of this article, you’ll understand what to consider when designing the perfect roof and how each consideration plays a part in creating a functional and visually appealing roof – keep reading to find out more.
Add Design Elements That’ll Give Your Roof ‘Wow’ Factor
While your roof should be functional above all else, it should also give you that ‘wow’ factor whenever you look at it. And while clay, concrete, asphalt, slate, tile, etc., are popular choices for homeowners when choosing roofing materials, metal roofs crafted out of zinc, aluminium, copper, or galvanised steel can add instant appeal.
Combining aesthetics with energy efficiency, metal roofs are becoming an increasingly popular choice for modern homeowners since they can be customised to fit the style of your home’s exterior without making it resemble a tin can. Plus, metal roofs aren’t just something pretty to gawk at! They offer various benefits such as reduced costs, a better carbon footprint, boosting home value, energy efficiency, impact/fire resistance, saving money on homeowners insurance and more.
If you’re unsure whether a metal roof would be perfect, consider contacting local roofers who can offer you tailored advice based on your circumstances. Using online directories like MyBuilder.com, you can find reputable local roofers who can help you determine whether a metal roof is perfect for your home. Consider visiting their website to start connecting with local roofers today.
Take In Your Surroundings
While you want to choose a roof that speaks to your inner interior designer, you also want to factor in your surroundings before making your choice, as this can make or break your dream. For instance, if your home is in the middle of the British countryside, with red-bricked two-story farmhouses neighboring it.
If you opt for a metal roof, it will look out of place compared to the other houses, which could lower the value of your property if you decide to sell later down the line. So, while choosing a roof design that makes you happy, you should also consider how well it will integrate with its surroundings so that it doesn’t end up looking out of place.
Likewise, it would be best to be careful about the height of your roof, as a too-high roof could cause issues with your neighbors or the local planning authority. Considering the local context allows you to make more informed choices about your dream roof and ensure that it provides a deliberate contrast that is not offputting.
Consider Sustainability
If you opt for a flat roof (or have one already), consider turning it into a living roof, which is both eco-friendly and aesthetically pleasing. Living roofs, also known as green roofs, are flat roofs wholly covered in vegetation and plants; they may also include a root-repellent system, irrigation/drainage systems, and high-quality water-proofing to prevent leaks.
As well as being visually appealing, living roofs boast many benefits for the environment and the health of your roof. From expanding the life of your roof and adding value to the building to increase the morale/well-being of the inhabitants and reducing inside/outside ambient noise, there are many benefits of choosing a living roof as your dream roof.
However, while a living roof is beautiful and serves as a home to birds/bees, depending on what vegetation or plants you decide to incorporate, it can take much maintenance to keep it looking good. Due to this, you will have to have a robust plan in mind, including the types of materials you will use, through access, and more.
But if you nail the planning process and opt for low-maintenance plants and vegetation like succulents, you can keep your living roof looking beautiful all year round while reaping its eco-friendly benefits. Ultimately creating a functional yet visually appealing roof that your friends, family, and neighbours will surely be in awe of.
Think About The Weather
Another consideration to remember when designing your perfect roof is the weather and climate conditions of where you’re living. Depending on where you live, your roof will have different needs to survive the rain, snow, frost, hail, sun, wind etc. and will need design elements to ensure that it doesn’t deteriorate due to these weather conditions.
Some of the design elements you might include could be but aren’t limited to structural integrity, proper drainage systems, insulation, and much more. You might also want to pay attention to other features such as pitch, slope and ventilation, which will help prolong the lifespan of your roof and increase its performance.
