What is a dual pitched roof

Dual pitched roof. With the many roof styles to choose from, making the right decision which design to use with your property must be done carefully to avoid future problems.

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Some of the selection criteria to consider are location, building plan, building geometry, architectural reasons, neighboring buildings, and economics. Not all regions are ideal for the construction of a flat roof or pitched roof.

This is why it pays to research what you plan to do. It pays to find an answer to the question, what is a dual pitched roof, and whether it is the best option for your home, considering the region, climate, and planning permission.

Read on to find out more about dual pitched roof.

WHAT IS A DUAL PITCHED ROOF?

Basically, the most used dual pitched roof definition is it is a gable roof with a peak at the center, called a ‘ridge’.

There are several roof designs, depending on the shape and number of pitches. They have designs, such as a flat roof, mono-pitched roof, pent roof, multi-pitched roof, A-frame, Asian traditional style, half-hipped, Karahafu, pyramidal, and many others.

Some designs are employed in specific regions and only when building codes allow it. But among the most popular roof style is a dual pitched roof.

What is a dual pitched roof, you ask? It is a gable roof that features two slopes that meet at a central line and extend from one end to another to cover an entire structure.

What is great about dual pitched roof is it is available pre-assembled. You can purchase dual pitch roof truss that is ready to install.

This provides DIY enthusiasts the independence to build a roof on their own. Because of the weight concerns, however, heavy equipment is required to hoist the dual pitch roof truss in place.

There are advantages to buying pre-assembled parts. Consistent quality is guaranteed, because most shops fabricate a dual pitch roof truss, following high industry standards and using precision machinery.

It guarantees proven performance, provided the roof truss systems are fabricated and erected properly. It is an economical option, since job site labor will cost less, because no trimming, cutting, or open webs are involved. Finishing may not be required, either.

 

Architectural-wise, a pre-assembled truss also offers versatility, as it has an almost unlimited workable design capability and aesthetics. The choice of material also contributes to better construction.

Lumber offers excellent insulation with no temperature bridges through the timber. This helps keep the interior well-insulated, which will prove beneficial, when you want to turn the empty loft into a study room, playroom, or other additional living space.

Gable

This refers to a triangular portion of the wall, where the roof pitches intersect. It comes in different shapes, depending on the structural system used, often decided based on the local climate, aesthetics, and materials used.

A house can have two or more gables, depending on its design. Most structures that follow a Gothic and classical Greek style architecture uses sharp gable roofs.

For architecture and city planning purposes, the gable of a building is identified as front-gabled and side gabled.

The former faces the street, while the latter has its ridge or cullis facing the street. During the medieval gothic period, side gabled buildings were typical in German city streets. The same thing was true for Renaissance buildings influenced by Italian art.

Also referred to as gable roofs, a dual pitched roof is often used in house and office construction as it lends an airy feel to the interior, especially when the ceiling is high. It is also more convenient to build because of the availability of the pre-assembled dual pitch roof truss.

Advantages

Why is a dual pitched roof a popular choice? For one, it offers sufficient loft space, suitable for a wide range of practical uses. Depending on the height of the pitched roof, the loft space can be a bedroom, living space, or storage area.

These practical functions make a dual pitched roof more advantageous than a flat roof. The gabled roof must be designed with a planned usage in mind, so it will be constructed in such a way it supports your loft requirements.

Check out dual pitched roof photos to get a good idea of what this roof style looks like.

When constructed properly, a gabled roof will last longer, especially when more durable and weather-resistant materials are used.

Because the design also allows for more efficient insulation, the roof and its materials will not be subjected to extreme temperatures that will shorten the life span of the materials.

If a dual pitched roof is used by homes in the neighborhood, using the same style means your property can blend in, without losing sense of its character and individuality.

Drawbacks

The weight of the dual pitch roof truss not only means the use of heavy machinery to hoist it up and install it in place, but also requires a building’s foundation to be stronger and more reliable.

Depth of the footings must be well-calculated to ensure the structure can hold the weight of the dual pitched roof. This would mean higher overall construction cost, even if you used a pre-assembled dual pitch roof truss and labor in roof construction is cut significantly.

Before replacing a flat roof with a dual pitched roof, all other factors must be considered, especially the foundation of the building.

A roof with a gable end is also not advisable for hurricane regions. The design is not strong enough to withstand strong winds, and the roof could easily peel off.

The surface will behave like wings when wind flows over the gable. This problem can be remedied by keeping the pitch of a roof at an angle of thirty-five degrees.

Planning permissions

You need not apply for planning permission to have your roof fixed, especially when it only affects 25% of the area of a pitched roof.

The same thing is true when only 150 mm of the existing roof plane should be altered and the alteration does not go higher than the highest point of a roof.

The only two exceptions are when the structure will be altered, such as replacement of a dual pitch roof truss, and when new insulation must be installed.

Loft conversion is also considered permitted development, but other changes are subject to certain limits and conditions.

  • 40 mof additional roof space for terraced houses,
  • 50 m3of additional roof space for semi-detached and detached houses,
  • When roof extensions are not permitted,
  • Roof extensions must be set back at least 20 cm from the eaves.

Building regulations may vary from one area to another, so make it a point to check for specific planning permissions in your locality.


Founder & Editor

Hi, I’m Jim. I was a roofing constructor for 20 years, before deciding to start myrooff.com and gather the best content about roofing. I love woodworking and construction and it was only natural for me to start this passion project of mine. Thank you for visitng.