Roofs are available in all manner of shapes and styles, each of them with their own set of strengths and weaknesses. Among these roofing styles is the saltbox roof, which is highly recommended by residential roofing contractors for homes in areas with plenty of rain and snow all year round. What makes the saltbox roof so special and praised by the experts?
Saltbox Roof Features
A saltbox roof’s defining characteristic is its two uneven planes or faces. One plane is a lot larger than the other, which means the roof’s ridge is slightly off-center relative to the rest of the home and located closer to where the smaller plane is. Because of its design, a saltbox roof’s smaller plane has a steeper slope than its bigger plane. Saltbox roofs can be made of different materials, but standing seam metal is the most popular option.
Protection Against the Rain
A saltbox roof does exceptionally well in areas with plenty of rain and snow because of its asymmetrical design. Residential roof repair experts say that the steep slope on one side of the roof allows it to shed rainwater easily, much like a single-planed roof. The larger water shed off by the roof plane can easily be handled by a single gutter system.
Protection Against the Snow
A saltbox roof is especially designed to help reduce the risks of roof collapse due to excessive snow buildup. First, since the smaller plane is steeper, snow tends to slide off easily under its own weight. On the other hand, most of the roof’s supports are located under the larger plane, allowing it to withstand heavy loads. The design is also easier to maintain since it’s no problem to access and clear snow buildup on the roof’s larger plane (instead of having to shovel two planes).
A Complicated Installation Process
Because of the asymmetrical design of a saltbox roof, it must be installed by a residential roof installation company that already has experience designing and building it. Building a saltbox roof must also take all remaining available attic space and adequate ventilation into consideration to ensure that both ends of the roof are safe from problems like condensation and poor temperature distribution. This will reduce the likelihood of moisture or ice buildup.
Get a saltbox roof for your home straight from a reputable roofing company. Kirtley & Sons Roofing is your best source of roofing products in Houston, TX. Call us at (281) 370-8484, or fill out our contact form to request a free quote.
