Most Popular Roof Types

Australia has a wide variety of different roof types. These roofs are installed to suit the climate and the needs of the homeowners. Each type of roof has its own benefits and drawbacks. The one you choose will depend on an array of factors, including personal preference, the climate, and the design of your home.

Roof Types in Australia can be categorized into:

Historical Australian Architectural Styles
Roof Style
Roofing Material Used.

Let us look at each one of them in detail:

Historical Australian Architectural Styles

These roofs are built based on historical Australian architectural styles. The roofing materials used are also chosen in accordance with these designs.

These roofs reflect the artistic and cultural heritage of Australia, which is well-known for its colonial architecture built during European occupation.

Some examples include:

Victorian

This roof is characterized by its steeply pitched roof and ornate gables. It was commonly used in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It is often made of slate, tile, or metal. In terms of style, it is usually symmetrical.

Gothic Revival

This roofing style was common between 1800 and 1875, during the Victorian era. It features steeply pitched roofs with gables along one side of the house. Some variations include hipped-roofs (flat on top) or cross gables (angled). They are often made of slate tiles. However, metal may also be used in some cases. The designs feature complex ornamental elements like finials, lacy bargeboards, brackets, buttresses, and more.

Federation Bungalow

The Federation bungalow has a simple design which makes them very versatile compared to other styles from this period. There are no decorative details such as pediments or gables. The roof is typically hipped, with a low-pitched front and rear slope. This style was popular from 1895 to 1915. Roofing materials include slate, terracotta tiles, and more.

Art Deco

Art Deco roofs are quite unique in comparison to other styles on this list. They were most popular between 1920 and 1940. These roofs have very steep pitches and geometric shapes, often featuring triangular or pyramidal turrets at the corners. The roofing material is usually made of metal (zinc or copper), but some examples use tiles or flat concrete slabs.

Queenslanders

This is a style of roof that was popular in the early 20th century. It features a large, steeply pitched gable with eaves that run parallel to the ground. The roofing material is usually timber (usually cedar), and it has a rustic appearance.

Postwar Triple-fronted Brick Veneer

This roof is characterized by its steep pitch, which is far steeper than the other styles listed here. The two side slopes run parallel to each other and converge at a point in front of the house before forming a third slope that runs perpendicular to them both. It was popular from 1945 until 1960.

Roof Style

This is another important factor to consider when choosing a roof. The style of your home will help you determine the best type of roof to install.

Some popular styles include:

Gable

A gable roof has two slopes that meet at a ridge in the middle, forming a triangular shape. This is the most common style in Australia. It is relatively cheap and easy to build.

Hip

This is a style of roof with four sloped planes or sides. It meets in the center at a ridge that runs parallel to the ground on all four sides. Hip roofs are usually triangular in shape, but may also be trapezoidal (rectangular). They are more expensive than gable roofs due to their complex structure; however, they can withstand wind better because more material is used. Gables tend to get blown off during storms while hips remain intact since there are no corners for strong winds to catch onto.

Pavilion/Shed

Another type of hip roof features just one plane that slopes down toward each side before meeting at two ridges that run perpendicular across from each other. This roof is often used on sheds and pavilions because it is simple and cheap to build but does not provide as much coverage as a standard hip roof.

Pyramid

A pyramid roof has four triangular slopes that come together at a point in the center of the roof. It is more expensive to build than other styles but provides excellent weather protection.

Saltbox

This unusual style was popular in America during the colonial period. It features two sloped planes on one side of the house and a single slope on the other side. The rear slope is usually quite steep, while the front slope is lower. This design allows for extra storage space in the attic area.

Flat/A-Frame

A flat roof is exactly as it sounds: a flat plane where water and snow can be easily collected. It is not very common in Australia, which means that maintaining one requires special care to ensure against costly leaks and other major structural damage.

Gablet/Hip-and-Gable

This style features two hip roofs placed on opposite sides of the house with gables above them at each end of the structure. The steepness of these slopes varies depending on how you plan to use this type of home (e.g., if there will be young children living inside). They are also more expensive than standard styles due to their complex design.

Mono Pitch

A mono-pitch roof has just one sloped side with no gable. It is often used on commercial buildings and provides a sleek, modern appearance.

Skillion

This is a flat roof that has a single sloped side. It is often used on outbuildings and extensions, as it is cheap and easy to build.

Butterfly

These are two skillioned roofs with a box gutter in between them. They are popular in Australia because they provide an excellent cover for a deck.

Material Used

Roof types are also classified by the material used to build them:

Tile

Tile roofs are made from clay, concrete, or slate and are very durable. They are often expensive to install but can last for up to 50 years with proper maintenance. They are not affected by humidity or temperature, so they do not need to be sealed.

Metal

Metal roofs are made from either steel or aluminum and are very energy efficient due to their reflective surface. They can last for up to 50 years with proper maintenance if the correct grade of metal is used in construction (e.g., stainless steel). However, they require regular sealing due to corrosion issues caused by rainwater which has a high acid content.

Slate/tile-and-metal

This material combination combines the durability of tile roofs with the low-maintenance qualities of metal ones; however, this type is expensive because it requires two different roof types at once! Slate tiles provide excellent weather protection while still allowing air flow through the structure, keeping the house cool during warmer months. When metal roofs are used in combination with slate tiles they do not need to be painted or sealed, which reduces both maintenance costs and environmental impact due to paint waste runoff into surrounding waterways.

Steel

This is the default material used for many modern houses, as it is cheap and easy to install. It also provides excellent weather protection due to its dark color (which reflects heat) but must be painted regularly in order to prevent rusting through.

Slate

Slate roofs last for more than 100 years, with most lasting between 200 and 300 years before needing to be replaced (some have been known to survive for up to 500+ years). They are heavy and don’t reflect heat as well as metal roofing but do provide excellent weather protection due to their high density and chemical makeup. Maintenance is fairly low unless cracks appear in the structure; however, these can usually be repaired very easily.

Terracotta Tile

Terracotta tiles are made from fired clay and come in a variety of colors. They are very expensive to install but can last for up to 50 years with proper maintenance (sealing every few years).

Concrete

Concrete roofs are the cheapest type of roof to install, as they use recycled materials that are readily available. However, they only have a lifespan of around 20 years with regular maintenance. They also do not reflect heat well, making them an unsuitable choice for hot climates.

Solar Tiles

These are tiles that have been designed to collect solar energy and convert it into electricity. They are becoming more popular as people become more interested in renewable energy sources, but they are still quite expensive to install.

Green

Green roofs are covered in vegetation (usually a type of grass) and provide many environmental benefits such as reducing the amount of rainwater runoff, cooling the building down during summer months, and increasing biodiversity in the local area. However, they require a lot of maintenance and are not suitable for all climates.

Which is the Best Roof For Me?

Well, honestly, there is no roof type that is better than all the others – it really depends on your specific needs and budget. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance roof that will last for a long time, metal or slate/tile-and-metal roofs are probably your best bet/ However, if you want something that is more environmentally friendly, green roofs are definitely worth considering. No matter what type of roof you choose, be sure to have it installed by a qualified professional to ensure its longevity!