Roofing Trends: What’s Hot in Roof Design

Roofs have existed for as long as the first human dwellings. In the past, roofs were always determined by the local rainfall and locally available materials. This is why it’s the easiest to tell traditional architectures apart by their roof shapes. Today, however, this is no longer the case. The materials and construction are so advanced that most objective confines no longer apply. In that kind of environment. Here’s what’s the hottest. 

• Energy-efficient roofing

When it comes to roofing, there’s been a huge shift when it comes to the priorities of homeowners. In the past, aesthetics, texture, shape, and color mattered the most. Today, however, people are mostly focused on the energy efficiency of the roof.

About one-quarter of all heat leaves your home via a roof, which means that finding the roof with the right thermic properties makes all the difference.

Fortunately, you don’t have to choose between energy efficiency since there are many options capable of delivering both. For instance, a cedar shake roof delivers great results while giving a luxurious look to your home. On the other hand, many asphalt and ceramic shingles are quite pleasing to the eye while having some amazing insulation properties. 

Just keep in mind that when it comes to the energy efficiency of the roof, it’s not just the choice of shingles or sheets that makes a difference. You also need to bear in mind the importance of the construction. Ventilation and attic insulation are just as important to the overall energy efficiency of your roof. Therefore, you need to plan the design, not just hope that the shingles will deliver all the energy efficiency that you need.

For all these reasons, it’s essential that you buy quality and, even more importantly, that you hire the right team to do the work. 

• Smart roofing

Smart technology has penetrated virtually every aspect of our lives, which is why it was only a matter of time before smart roofing would follow suit. There are several aspects of this technology and how it can be integrated into your roof design.

First, a smart roofing system can optimize your energy efficiency. While many charts try to guess how much heat you’re losing via the roof, with the help of smarter thermal monitoring, you’ll be able to get a far more accurate estimate. This means that you’ll know exactly how big of a problem you’re facing, as well as develop an easy and accurate way to tell when your insulation and roof integrity start waning down. 

Remember that erosion is a natural process and that while your roof may last for half a century, with advanced diagnostics, you’ll have a better idea of when a repair or maintenance is due.

Environmental monitoring is also an important factor here. Weather changes, moisture levels, and temperature fluctuations are all huge issues that you need to keep in mind. With the help of smart roofing elements and installed sensors, you’ll easily pick up these changes and monitor their effects on your roof. 

Not to mention that smart roofing may help you sell your home much quicker. 

• Pannel-friendly roof

More and more homes are either installing or seriously considering installing solar panels. Not only that, but the idea of getting solar panels is, more or less, “contagious.” When a home installs a solar panel, there’s an increased chance that a nearby home will do the same. 

The problem is that installing panels is not as simple as you think. The thing is that they add an extra weight to your roof, which means that some of the older roofs or roofs with weaker constructions may be out of the question. 

Also, many people choose to construct (or reconstruct) their roofs in a way that will give them an advantage when they decide to go solar. Naturally, you must start worrying about structural integrity. Then, consider the orientation (south-facing in the Northern Hemisphere and opposite in the South) and angle (tilt between 30 and 45 degrees is ideal). Lastly, you might want to clear out any obstructions in the area.

Ultimately, you need to keep in mind that there are alternative options out there. Solar shingles are stacked like regular shingles, each acting as a solar cell. The problem is that they’re slightly more expensive and require more coverage to generate the same power. Also, if you choose not to cover the entirety of the roof, it might be difficult to find conventional shingles that look similar. 

• Innovative shapes and angles

Many people talk about the lack of innovation in architecture, but this is not the case. More and more contemporary homes experiment with different (unorthodox) styles, and here are some ideas you might want to consider. Some such ideas are:

• Butterfly roof: This is an incredible structure consisting of two upward-sloping roof sections meeting at the low point in the middle. This structure is great for natural light, but it’s not good in areas with a lot of snow or rainfall. 
• Mansard roof: The so-called French roof has a double slope on all sides. The upper slope is less steep than the upper slope. It provides extra space in the living area and the attic, which means that, situationally. It could be the best thing that ever happened to you.
• Curved roof: This is an arched roof that, although an ancient concept, has only recently become so widely used. Due to new construction materials, the roof has an easier job in keeping that curved shape.
• Pyramid roof: The name of the roof is self-explanatory; however, it’s not as common as the main roof for the home. It’s commonly seen as a roofing choice for a part of the building.

While these concepts have existed for a while, they’ve only been popularized recently. 

Wrap up

Housing technology is evolving, and roofing is quickly following suit. With more people interested in solar panels, it’s logical that roofs will be optimized for this construction. Smart homes and energy efficiency are also big, and the trends in the roofing industry have to reflect this, as well.

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