Covering (construction)
It is designed to endure all weather conditions such as rain, snow, hail, and wind, as well as external environmental factors like marine environments and the weight of maintenance personnel.
From the ridge to the drainage system, the roof covering directs rainwater by gravity and contributes to waterproofing.
Roof ventilation ensures the proper preservation of the timber in the attic and regulates the humidity level by preventing condensation.
The geographical distribution of slate roofs is linked to the shale richness of the subsoil: Anjou, Brittany, Ardennes, certain parts of the Pyrenees, and the Massif Central in France.
These products are easily installed on low-slope roofs and lightweight structures due to their low weight.
All these products, regardless of their size and origin, require reinforced frameworks and are generally installed using the double roofing technique.
Two types of materials are distinguished: Sheet metal roofs have excellent durability over time and develop a patina that enhances their appearance.
Also known as self-supporting covers (with no continuous support), they were originally reserved for industrial buildings but have found some applications in housing, especially in mountainous areas, due to their economic, frost-resistant, and reliable qualities.
These covers are particularly used in countries prone to strong winds and tropical cyclones, such as the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean (Reunion, Mauritius, etc.).
The significant ribbing of these elements eliminates the need for purlins, and fixing is done by screw and sealing washer at the upper part of the joint between two plates.
To solve condensation problems due to differences in indoor and outdoor temperatures, as well as acoustic issues, double-skinned steel trays with internal insulation are offered.
The most well-known forms are corrugated sheets made of galvanized steel, fiberglass, or bituminous synthetic material.
These different molded sheets also exist in translucent materials of the same dimensions and can be interposed on an opaque roof without any problem.
Still very present fifty years ago on rural buildings in several French regions, notably in Normandy and the Camargue, thatch had almost disappeared due to a lack of specialists.
There are now a few dozen practitioners across the country who install this type of roofing, which is designed to last 30 to 50 years when properly implemented.
Particularly suitable for absorbing thermal shocks, they are favored for their aesthetics and ecological impacts: attenuation of urban heat peaks, buffer zones during rainfall, improved humidity in the home, and CO2 absorption.
Their implementation has a low additional cost compared to more traditional roofs, and they offer the advantage of better waterproofing.
It is considered that 1 cm² of section evacuates 1 m² of ground surface in the case of a cylindrical connection to the receiver.
The capacity of structures collecting rainwater will be calculated based on the ground projection in m² of the slopes considered.
Phenomena due to wind action, overpressure, and depression, static loads (snow, ice) influence supports and fixings.
One of the major challenges in the roofing profession lies in how to carry out these works depending on whether they are located at the junction of slopes or not.
In most cases, local authorities impose types of roofs based on architectural or environmental constraints.
The choice of material and/or the implementation of an installation technique will depend on: The building's location relative to the environment overlaps with the climatic zone.
The complex consists of: In order: The design and implementation of roofs are subject to the rules of the trade, standards, and technical opinions of official bodies as well as the installation advice from manufacturers.
The design and implementation of roofs are subject to DTU (Document Technique Unifié) regulations in the 40 series.
