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    Why should you choose a pitched instead of a flat roof

    Are looking for a suitable roof construction for you newly constructed house? The following information helps you to make the right choice and provides a compact overview

    Everything from one source

    Roof solutions by Wienerberger include clay roof tiles, ceramic fittings and also technical components like underlays, storm fixation systems, snow retention systems, insulation, etc.
    Besides the two main brands Koramic in Western Europe and Tondach in Eastern Europe, we provide Sandtoft and Keymer roof tiles in the UK, ZZWancor clay roof tiles in Switzerland and high-end plain tiles from Aléonard in France. Keymer and Aléonard both stand for long history and tradition, Keymer are genuine handmade British clay roof tiles.
     
    Under the quality brand of Koramic, Wienerberger provides individually tailored solutions for all common requirements, that is
    • insulation systems installed on top of the rafters
    • diffusion-open underlays
    • a great variety of durable Tondach roof tile models
    • ridge / hip solutions
    • ceramic and non-ceramic accessories
    • as well as a wide range of different services

    Pitched roof vs. flat roof

    The roof as the upper termination of a building is executed in different ways depending on the angle of the roof pitch. When does one speak of a pitched roof?
    • Pitched roof: inclination angle of 15° to 70°
    • Low-pitched roof: 8° to 15°
    • Flat roof: < 8°
    According to a study by TU Wien a house with a pitched roof is 12.5% more compact than a house with a flat-roof providing same living space. This makes the building more effective thermally, as it reduces the surface of the walls in contact with the outside world. Pitched roofs are especially common in areas with wet and changing weather conditions, whereas flat roofs are more popular in dry, hot areas.

     

    Wienerberger has designed special regional products for low-pitched roof solutions. For a roof pitch between 10°and 15°, Wienerberger offers technically advanced roof tiles, fittings and accessories. These system solutions provide absolute resistance against severe weather conditions.
    Pitched roofs have a firmly secured place in modern architecture. Their versatility makes them ideally suited for the implementation of innovative design solutions, resulting in the desired futuristic-looking rooftops that reflect the modern world.

    The many advantages of a pitched roof

    Economic benefits

    Costs
    The costs for the building component “roof” (roof cladding and sub-structure) are lower for a pitched roof regarding both the purchase price and over the lifecycle (50 years). Running expenses are also relatively constant. Only after a period of 30 years, the need of renovation arises.

    Repairs
    The roof cladding materials can be replaced easily and without complications.

    With pitched roofs, the subsequent creation of living space beneath the roof can be done without the need of elaborate and expensive annexes or attachments. By fitting skylights into a pitched roof, it will also be possible to let sunlight in and create a warm and light-filled living space under the roof.
    Reference: Lebenszyklus unterschiedlicher Dachkonstruktionen, Forschungsbereich für Industriebau und interdisziplinäre Bauplanung, TU Wien, 2014 (AT)

    Sustainability

    Environmental benefits

    Power generation on the roof
    Photovoltaic & solar installations can be integrated into the roof surface area and adopt the function of the roof cladding.
    Reference: Lebenszyklus unterschiedlicher Dachkonstruktionen, Forschungsbereich für Industriebau und interdisziplinäre Bauplanung, TU Wien, 2014 (AT). 

    Environment
    As compared to a building with a flat roof, a house with a pitched roof saves approx. 26 tons of CO2 over a 50-year lifecycle. This equals 200,000 km travelled by car.