Selecting a roof for your garden building will serve two functions – protection and aesthetic appeal. There are a range of roofing materials available, such as slate tiles or cedar wood shingles with authentic aesthetics that offer long lifespans.
If you’re in search of roofing solutions that can be easily installed yourself and will cut down on labour costs, tile form roof sheets or slate effect sheeting could be ideal. In this article we also cover corrugated shed roofing which looks similar to metal/bitumen sheets but resembles more typical shingle style roofing sheets.
Apex Roofs
Roofs are essential parts of garden buildings, both aesthetically and practically speaking. Your choice of material and style can have a dramatic effect on how your outdoor space looks, as well as ensure its structural soundness, weather resistance and functional efficiency.
One of the most essential components of any roof is its apex, or peak, which occurs where two sloping sides meet to form a point that runs along the top edge of its structure. While usually visible, its presence can also be hidden depending on building design. This point, known as the ridge, serves several critical purposes including evenly disbursing load-bearing pressure across its frame and preventing water accumulation that could compromise it.
Apexes play a pivotal role in snow and rain shedding, helping reduce the risk of collapse during extreme weather. Therefore, it is vital that regularly inspecting the apex of your garden building for signs of damage or deterioration; any time shingles or ridge caps appear displaced may indicate that its sheathing has failed, necessitating strengthening measures in order to protect itself against further damage.
Gable Roofs
Gable roofs add both style and durability to your home or workshop, with their easy design making it cost-effective as it allows more attic space to be created while providing ample ventilation. Gable roofs also work great in areas that experience heavy snowfall or high winds!
Gable roofs feature triangular-shaped structures to evenly disperse weight and avoid collapse during heavy snowfall or high winds, providing greater resistance against damage and inspection failures while making cleaning and reshingling easy. Additionally, this style makes an attractive roof appearance.
Homeowners love gable roofs for their timeless peaked appearance that complements many different architectural styles. Additionally, homeowners can combine them with other roof types to achieve unique styles; for instance combining standard gable with dormer adds additional space and visual appeal.
As with the vanilla ice cream of roofing, this style works with anything. It pairs nicely with both contemporary interiors (white walls with black roofs) and coastal cottage settings (light blue walls + beachy plants). Plus, its energy saving abilities reduce costs by reflecting sunlight back onto your energy bill.
Metal/Bitumen Sheets
Bitumen sheets offer an affordable roof solution with stylish aesthetics that is both waterproof and long-term durability, ideal for garages, sheds, stables and garden buildings. Available in various finishes to meet design preferences as well as compatible accessories and fixings to provide seamless finishes, they’re an excellent way to cover roof surfaces in style!
Bitumen roofing sheets are an attractive choice for DIY-ers and professionals alike, thanks to their long lifespan and straightforward installation process. Not only are they cost-effective solutions for renovations and new builds alike, they’re also ideal for shed roof replacement projects.
Onduline corrugated bitumen sheeting stands out from its metal counterpart by not rusting and producing that familiar drumming noise when it rains, plus being eco-friendly by being recycled with low carbon footprint and superior heat insulation properties that reduce noise levels for an enjoyable at-home experience.
PVC plastisol coating protects this sheeting from fading and scratches, and its UV stabilisation means it can withstand strong sunlight while still keeping its color over time. Easy to maintain and easy to clean, it can be used both sheltered and exposed conditions; in areas with heavy rainfall this sheeting provides effective protection for Eurodita garden buildings against the elements.
Fibreglass
Fibreglass roofing solutions can last many years without extensive repair or replacement costs, while being highly energy efficient – helping reduce electricity bills as sunlight reflects off it instead of being absorbed by it, which helps reduce lighting costs. Furthermore, translucent fibreglass can allow natural light to enter a building’s interior more freely.
CureIt GRP fibreglass roof coating system offers seamless finishes that can withstand even the harshest of weather conditions, making it the ideal solution for garden room roofs. Apply it as liquid and harden to form an ultra-resilient flat roof; additionally, this product boasts a 20-year manufacturer guarantee!
Cedar wood shingles provide a classic aesthetic for anyone who prefers more traditional landscaping styles, offering high insulation properties as well as beautiful aesthetics that blend perfectly with more classic landscaping styles. Cedar shingles also make an excellent addition for garden offices or rooms in colder climates where snowfall may occur, being lightweight so as not to put strain on building structures and needing minimal upkeep from installation through regular washing with high-pressure water washes to maintain peak condition.
Insulated Panels
Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) offer an efficient way to build. Used mostly on walls and roofs, SIPs eliminate the need for other framing components to create one stronger, unified system. There are two primary options for SIPs: Oriented Strand Board (OSB) and Polyisocyanurate foam (PIR).
Manufacturers create these prefabricated elements by joining OSB panels with an inner core, creating ready-made elements with combined properties: stable and resistant OSB outer panels combined with an insulating capability core material for maximum insulation capability and easy handling. Once fixed into place without the need of cranes.
The outer layer of panels typically consist of galvanised steel sheet or aluminium, attached to an insulating core made up of PIR or Expanded Polystyrene (EPS). Any joints between this core and its exterior layer should be filled with mastic to seal against moisture migration. Finally, plastic foam sealant should be added at each joint in order to prevent moisture migration through these joints and into a building envelope.
Standard internal chases are provided with each panel to allow electrical services to run through them, making this an easy and quick process to construct garden buildings with these panels. Furthermore, all internal splines and associated timbers have already been cut and prepared prior to delivery – as well as assembly instructions – making assembling them even quicker and simpler than traditional timber frames! Being lighter means they can easily be moved into place either alone or with help from friends.
Cedar Shingles
Cedar shingles combine aesthetic appeal and long-term durability, adding an earthy accent that suits many architectural styles of homes. Their lightweight low density timber composition requires less structural support than other roofing materials, enabling easier splintering, rot and insect damage resistance as well as customizable stain colours to suit any design scheme. However, regular maintenance must be performed to extend its life; cleaning debris away, inspecting for damage and re-staining when necessary is vital to avoiding common problems like moss growth or wood rot.
Cedar shakes and shingles come in both sawn and sanded varieties, each offering distinct appearance and cost considerations. Sawn shingles feature uniform milling to ease installation for easier overall look while being suitable for various styles of home; both sides can also be sanded down for tailored looks suited for different homes styles. Sanded options are more cost-effective yet provide similar durability with refined styles suited for multiple siding finishes.
Cedar shingle and shake roofs are known for being durable against extreme weather conditions, having been widely used for roofing and cladding exterior walls for centuries. Factory treatments can further strengthen resistance against insects, fungus and moisture issues; proper installation by an experienced contractor is critical to long-term health of a cedar roof.
