Why do houses have shingles and slanted roofs, but most other buildings have flat tops?
In: 8443
A shingle roof is a very cheap, very efficient, easy and reliable method of waterproofing a building. Tile, slate and terracotta are also similarly effective but more expensive. The sloped roofs also keep things like snow to lower levels.
A flat roof normally requires a more thoroughly waterproof system, as it can actually hold water, and more robust maintenance. They’re more complex to install, and if the waterproofing part is exposed to the elements they have more maintenance issues than a shingle roof. None of this is great for residential use.
But for larger commercial buildings it makes sense. The buildings are so large that a sloped roof would add significant height and construction expense while adding loads (cost) to the rest of the building. These types of structures also normally like to have mechanical systems on the roof (AC, Chillers, Air handling units, etc) as this doesn’t take away from leasable space inside the building. To build these on the roof you want a flat roof.
Latest Answers