Houses with a recessed roof are a trend in residential projects, it’s true. This style of roof is gaining the preference of designers and architects, for not leaving the tiles visible and giving a more modern style to the coverage.
Although the recessed roofs are becoming popular, this type of coverage requires some attention. Read on to understand the delicate aspects about houses with inlaid roofs.
Recessed roofs: get to know the details of this coverage
Also known as a box roof, the inlaid model is a type of coverage that does not leave the tiles visible. The tiles are hidden by side walls of varying heights, also called platibands, and are practically accommodated on the slab with a minimal inclination.
There are different techniques, styles, and materials for building recessed roofs. However, in residential projects, fiber cement and metal tiles are the most commonly used. If there is one striking feature of recessed roofs, it is their design.
As it is a very modern roof style, it ends up being used in differentiated projects, especially in high standard houses.
Because it is a type of roofing that uses cheaper tiles, it is perceived as a financially viable option. In addition, the construction of recessed roofs is relatively simple, since the required slope is small and this coverage does not require a robust structure.
Negative points of the built-up roof
Recessed roofs can be very interesting for numerous projects. However, before opting for this type of roofing, it is worth evaluating not only the design of the roof, but also the disadvantages of this type of roofing.
Civil construction and architecture rely on various techniques for different types and styles of projects. However, more than aesthetics, the functionality of the materials and the characteristics of each type of coverage should be taken into consideration when building or remodeling.
If you are considering your house with a recessed roof as an option, it is worth evaluating some aspects:
1. Hidden cost
Most consumers use low-cost shingles, such as fiber cement shingles, in houses with a recessed roof. Naturally, the purpose of choosing this type of material is to reduce the cost of the work.
However, even if you save money with the tiles, this model generates other costs such as the construction of the gables and gutters, as well as the thermal blankets, which are almost obligatory for this type of coverage.
For those who are looking for a cheap roof, it is worth researching and evaluating well whether a house with a recessed roof is the best choice. After all, it demands other construction costs that make it less advantageous from a financial point of view.
In this case, choosing non-fiber-cement tiles is a way out. Although tiles made of other materials cost a little more, they offer more advantages in terms of functionality. Fiberglass shingles, for example, can be an alternative for this type of roofing.
2. Thermal discomfort
Thermal comfort is not just a detail in the project and must be carefully analyzed. As fiber-cement roof tiles are the most common choice for the construction of houses with a recessed roof, it is necessary to take some measures so that thermal comfort is not harmed.
In these cases, the use of thermal blankets is recommended to avoid overheating or excessive cold in the internal environments.
A good alternative is to opt for specific tiles, such as thermal tiles, for example.
3. Access restrictions
Houses with a recessed roof do not offer access to the inside of the structure. This hinders the maintenance of the electric grid and other procedures related to the roof.
Because it has very little inclination, this type of roof also does not allow any use of the slab. The installation of a water tank on this type of roof is also not possible.
4. The need for gutters and flashings
The project and the execution of the embedded roofs are not something that demands great complexity. However, the gutter system of this type of roof deserves maximum attention. As the prefabricated roofs do not have any inclination, it is necessary to design an efficient water drainage system to avoid problems such as leaks.
The presence of ruffles is also necessary in ridge roofs to avoid excessive humidity and even infiltrations in the roof. If you are interested in installation of gutters in Riverside, please, follow check our services page.
5. Need for waterproofing
Besides the gutter and flashings system, another point that must be considered for the built-up roofs is waterproofing. As the drainage system of the built-in roof is specific, it is recommended that the roof be waterproofed to prevent humidity from creating problems.
The waterproofing stage must be carried out before the subfloor and final coating. This is because, depending on the type of waterproofing, the roof structure can be overloaded. It is recommended to choose a flexible waterproofing system, without seams or joints, for the procedure to be more efficient.
6. Frequent maintenance
Some types of roof require more maintenance than others. In the case of a recessed roof, precisely because of the water drainage issue, maintenance should be periodic. All failures linked to the accumulation of water and humidity should be corrected as soon as possible, to prevent the problem from worsening in the form of leaks.
Maintenance, of course, also comes at a cost. Therefore, more than evaluating the project’s budget, it is necessary to consider the costs arising from the type of covering used.
7. A question of style
And finally, for those who like a “house that looks like a house” it is important to evaluate well the use of the recessed roof. It’s true that it guarantees a more modern style of architecture. However, for residential projects, when badly designed, the flat look of this type of roof can leave the property with a commercial aspect.
What are the most advantageous alternatives?
Now that you know the main negative points of houses with recessed roofs, you need to understand that there are functional alternatives for your project. Thus, there are ways to reduce the costs of the work, enhance the natural lighting, improve the thermal comfort of the environments and much more.
With this in mind, we have separated 3 alternatives for your roof!
1. Ceramic
The ceramic tiles model is one of the most common on the market. They are made of clay and are capable of leaving buildings with a more rustic and charming look. There are many different types, with the most commonly used being: French, Portuguese, Roman, Colonial, and Flat.
They are used to build an apparent roof, with a big difference from the houses with a built-in roof. Thus, it is possible to have a more traditional look and quite resistant, including to the weather. In addition, this model is very cost-effective and extremely accessible.
This type of tile weighs approximately 40 kg per square meter, requiring an average of 13 to 15 units to compose this space. Although there are several models of ceramic tiles, they all have the same length of 23.5 cm, with the exception of colonial and plan, which are half that size.
2. Ecological
Ecological roof tiles are the ideal alternative for those who want to realize a sustainable project. Besides, this material is the best option for those who want to spend less on their construction work. It happens that this product is much lighter than the others found on the market, weighing only 3.4 kg per square meter. This is up to 12 times less than ceramic tiles and up to 4 times less than fiber cement tiles.
Because of its lightness, it is not necessary to invest in a robust structure, since its weight does not require so much timber to support the tiles. In addition, because of its low absorption of rainwater, it practically maintains its original weight, avoiding overloading the roof.
3. Translucent
This model of tile is an excellent option for those who wish to enhance the value of natural light in the internal environments of their property. Thus, it is possible to guarantee greater sustainability in your home by reducing your electricity costs.
Translucent roof tiles are capable of using up to 90% of the natural light, making it possible to brighten up environments where the installation of a window is not feasible. This material is composed of plastic resin and reinforced with glass fibers.
For this reason, it can be molded into many different shapes. In addition, translucent tiles are practically unbreakable, being 200 times more resistant than glass and 50 times more resistant than acrylic. This material is also very strong, able to withstand the weather very effectively.