From the start, let only professionals onto your roof. It does not make sense to simply climb up with a ladder and start working. To keep you out of danger, a professional with a safe scaffold must do the job.

However, this is not all you need to watch out for regarding your roof. The shape of the roof, insulation and fire protection must be well planned before the work begins.     

• In planning, consider the direction of the roof ridge and possible utilization of solar energy.
• Optimal for solar collectors: roof angle of 30 - 50 degrees
• The roofing material must match the roof type and roof angle.
• Storm and rain can damage your roof. Consult the professionals.

A roof not only protects you against wind and weather, it must also endure snow and ice, wind, rain, frost, heat, hail, UV radiation, etc.

Caution: Don’t forget lightening protection. Consult professionals.

Roof forms 

The simpler the design, the faster and more economical it is to implement. Special forms with dormers, etc. require costly constructions and can be difficult to realize. Because they require time, the costs are higher. These are the most common forms:

• The gable roof has many variants.
• The monopitch roof is simple a design.
• Flat roof is simple yet difficult to keep water-tight.

Insulation

In winter the insulation reduces heat losses and in the summer it prevents overheating. Important for execution: it must be wind-tight (see section Air tightness).

The following are the most common insulation options for the roof:

• Insulation atop slats
• Heavy-duty roof insulation with back ventilation
• Heavy-duty roof insulation without back ventilation
• Dual rafter insulation in longitudinal or cross direction

Fire protection

Roof structures in single- and dual-family homes require fire resistance class F30. This can be achieved as follows:

• at least 4 cm of tongue-and-groove wood paneling (fire resistant paneling)
• gypsum (sheetrock) fire protection panels
• 1.5 cm gypsum panels on 2.5 cm paneling
• Excelsior light panels (2.5 cm) with two layers of plaster (min. 1.5 cm)