Exotics on the roof

Stanislav Fried Standard versions roofing familiar to the consumer, now easily distinguishes the metal roofing from asphalt shingles. Meanwhile, the standard is always fraught with a faceless, so homeowners are increasingly trying to create on the roof of his cottage is something original. The roof, as is known, primarily designed to protect the building from the weather: rain, snow, wind, etc. In this case, however, have to make sacrifices, separated from the same "atmosphere" of powerful non-transparent structures. But the sky can be so beautiful, especially in cloudless weather! Imagine the blue vault of heaven, light cumulus clouds float overhead, rustling leaves bent crown. A night when the sky lit a myriad of stars? Fans look at the stars organize bedrooms on the upper floors with dormer windows, but it's a compromise, half the solution. This natural lighting can be achieved only by making a transparent roof. Of course, the glass roof - not the invention today, they have done before, but not always translucent roof design combined with reliable protection from the cold and safe. In the individual country houses such roof essentially nothing, the owners preferred to attach glazed veranda, which is also, in essence, is a compromise. Only modern technology helped to create such glass roof that allow natural light to flood vacation homes, give them an unusual look and at the same time to keep warm in any weather. Glazing, as well as delicate skeletons of light and strong materials presented what a few decades ago and never dreamed of. Through the use of modern window systems now have the opportunity osteklyat large spans, effectively retaining the heat. One of the most famous glazed options volume - it's winter gardens are very popular in recent years. But here we are still just about the tops, not the winter gardens (this is a separate issue). At first glance, transparent, made of glass roof may not meet the requirements of strength and protection from snow and wind loads. Nevertheless, such a correspondence is observed in particular - translucent roof always fitted so that the snow does not accumulate in the heavy snow drifts, and easily slipped. With regard to protection from the rain, in this respect, glazed roof no way inferior to any other enclosing structure. To ensure the drainage system used a number of structural elements that put a reliable barrier to atmospheric moisture. In addition, translucent roof provide protection from a variety of other adverse factors, including UV. Another plus in this case - an opportunity to save on electric lighting as possible using natural lighting. The basis of this type of roof windows are either steel or aluminum profiles with filling acrylic or polycarbonate. That is not always used glass because it's pretty fragile. For example, polycarbonate is 200 times stronger than ordinary glass, and therefore this polymer material is widely used to create a translucent roof. Polycarbonate is available in two varieties: the tunnel and monolithic. The thickness of the sheet is 10-16 millimeters. If we talk about individual homes, then for all the love the blue sky over your head, you will agree, it is ridiculous to organize a transparent roof over the entire building. Therefore, as a rule, are limited by a single room, such as a hall or living room. One option translucent design - it is a dome, or, in other words, clerestory. He is a local section of the roof, through which enters into the light, and this is sometimes enough to make the originality of the interior, and a cottage appearance. Such design elements pretty effectively illuminate the interior, because the roof is a lot more light than a window. Again, the light that enters the house from above, not blind, not a contrast, it evenly illuminates the entire surface, while the intensity of side light unevenly decreases as it penetrates deep into the room. The design can be used as a steel system, and aluminum. As a translucent materials using glass and glazing, polycarbonate plastic construction. May provide mechanical and electrical drive is opened and closed. Clerestory is arch, gable, reminiscent of a traditional roof, a very popular form of a pyramid, and pyramid can be both with faces and with a round base. On one rooftop, you can also combine different types of rooflights and if they are conceived and written in the architectural context of the house, a cottage get a stylish and original. However, we must remember that the translucent roof needs two or three times a year to clean. Glass covered with dust on them sticks palaya foliage, and without regular cleaning of the passage of time the roof is unlikely to remain transparent. Flowering of the roof even more exotic option - when the roof is in bloom, and fragrant smells of herbs and flowers. This type of roof began to arrange for a long time, several centuries ago in Northern Europe. Roofs were covered with peat or turf, they grew grass on it (if the roof was flat) even ran livestock, particularly sheep, that they are fed with grass roof. The fashion for these roof in recent years has resumed, especially in Scandinavia, where the peat is a traditional roofing materials and green roofs, covered with soft carpet of grass, you can see quite often. Earthen roof retains heat well and protects against rain and very painterly look, changing shape in accordance with the seasons. Packages turf laid on a previously prepared surface - usually the thickness is about 15 centimeters. Further roof sow seed mixture of grasses growing in the area. Another option - over turf rolled coil truncated turf with vegetation. Here, of course, the question may arise: how to defend then the house from moisture? After all, any greenery needs water, which irrigates the land first and then seeps under the roof. The answer: do not leak because it does not allow modern waterproofing materials that are used, complete with earthen roofs. Strictly speaking, it is natural roofing cake, to materials for which there are increased requirements for durability and quality, environmental safety and durability. The first layer of this "cake" - waterproofing. For reliable waterproofing used polymeric roofing membrane with high climatic, chemical and biological stability and durability. Combination thermoplastic membrane - the best material for the waterproofing of earth, or, as they are called, "green roofs". This is followed by a drainage layer, which serves as the primary or additional root protection, and provides drainage. Depending on the type of vegetation used high-rolling materials, in less critical cases, the use of perforated plates of polystyrene or backfilling with gravel. Filter layer is designed to prevent clogging of the drainage of the soil particles. As the filter bed sometimes serves as geotextiles. On top of all laid topsoil with vegetation, which is planted with turf grass, flowers or other plants. It is clear that in our time on the green roof of one sheep will not graze. Typically, such a roof belongs to the category and exploited is usually a kind of roof garden, a place of recreation and relaxation close to nature. Sometimes a green roof is a winter garden and, accordingly, is covered from top to more translucent roof. The above cake is obtained is not so easy, but because the device the green roof should be tied to the capabilities of supporting structures. There is a variant of a lightweight green roof, she begins with a weak bearing capacity of foundation. In this case, the vegetation used lawn grasses, mosses and annual flowers. Weighted green roof is used on more powerful reasons, such as concrete floor slabs. There may be a wider choice of vegetation, until shrubs and small trees. Distinguish extensive type of roof, the vegetation which does not require special care, watering, protection from heat and frost, and the intensive type; option landscaping includes lawn grasses, flowers, shrubs and trees that require care and regular watering. It is clear that the conservative Russia, where a new take root not a quick, this kind of innovation does not appeal to the vast majority of homeowners. Need to be a great original, to arrange the roof of his own cottage mini-park. Yet progress in this area is. At sites are increasingly creating small architectural forms - pavilions, barbekyuschnitsy, etc., and on their roofs are increasingly watching violent flowering herbs. Nature and its imitation Ground roof - not the only option the roof of natural type. Returning to nature - it is generally the trend of recent times, when all became interested in the problem of preservation of the environment and their health. At the same time try not to reinvent the wheel. To get closer to nature, you just need to look back and see in the past, the ancestors, for example, a wing of the roof of reeds - a type of roof was distributed both in Europe and in southern regions of Russia. Thatched roof was relatively easy and protects the house from rain, wind and snow. Replacing a roof of a lot of effort and funds are not required: the reeds was always in excess, and put him on the roof was not difficult. Burned, however, such houses, like a candle, sometimes from the usual spark from the chimney, and it was one of their main drawbacks. Do we make a roof of reeds? Do, that confirms the trend back to natural and sustainable materials. Burn a house with roofs like candles? Do not burn, because today there are many preservatives, which reliably protects the fuel (in principle) of materials from fire. According to the manufacturer of reed roofs, drenched in flame retardants rush sparks can hail - all the same fire will not happen. But a roof is original looks and a well to retain heat in cold weather and cool in summer heat. In addition, modern reed roof to a much lesser extent, vulnerable to decay compared to the roofs of the past. Clearly, the rush saturate with water during the rainy season, and still actively eaten by mold fungi, bacteria, insects and other "wildlife". If soak reeds by special structures, then all of the creatures immediately turn away from him forever and will exclude from the diet. And the water will soak in much smaller, resulting in the roofing material will last much longer. The same can be said about the roofs of straw - this is easily combustible and rotting material can also be protected by impregnating and fire, and mildew. Thatch exceptionally beautiful and gives the structure of the uniqueness and special character. If you do not want to mess with the natural material, you have the artificial, namely: the ersatz straw of polymers. It is no different in appearance from the real straw, but its characteristics are an order of magnitude properties of the natural analogue. Latest "squeak" in this area - the roof of palm leaves, which seem to have to penetrate the domestic market. Although the use of such exotics in our region have not yet been reported.