What precautions and constraints should be taken into account when choosing your roof covering?

Do you have a clear idea about the roof covering you want for your house or extension? Before diving head first into your project and starting to get quotes, there are a few precautions to take.

Whether it concerns a project to build an extension or a new house or its renovation, the choice of roof covering is not up to the owners to decide. Indeed, before deciding on a specific material, it is essential to first find out about the town planning regulations in force in your municipality, recorded in the PLU (Local Urban Planning Plan). This document may in fact require you to use certain materials or a very specific covering, with a view to preserving architectural harmony. It is therefore necessary to ensure that your personal tastes correspond to the instructions of the PLU above all.

Sometimes the PLU does not impose any specific constraints regarding roof covering. However, it is essential to match your choice with the weather conditions in your region of residence. Indeed, the roof is the first element exposed to bad weather and it would be a shame if the first storm caused everything to fly away. Some materials are more resistant than others and better suited to harsh climates.

The roof covering is the element that directly suffers all the bad weather and aggressions coming from the outside. We generally distinguish between roofs built via a juxtaposition of small elements (tiles, slates, shingles, aluminum, copper, zinc, etc.), roofs made up of several plates (sheet metal, fiber cement, etc.) and those made of a single piece (thatch). You will then have to make the right choice to obtain optimal durability and an aesthetic rendering compatible with the rest of the house.

A roof made of terracotta tiles is very resistant to wind and shocks, and has very interesting thermal properties. Particularly suited to sunny and humid climatic conditions and to roofs with a slight slope, terracotta is however sensitive to large temperature variations and frost and is not suitable for cold regions.

There are generally three main categories of tiles that differ from each other in their method of connection to ensure the waterproofing of the roof: canal tiles (for roofs with a very low slope), flat tiles, and interlocking or sliding tiles. Interlocking tiles, also called mechanical tiles, are lighter and easier to install. They therefore save on labor and ensure increased waterproofing. In all cases, the choice of the type of tile and its method of fixing must take into account the specifications imposed . For example, high exposure to wind will necessarily involve a need to nail, screw or use hooks to ensure the roof is properly fixed. The slope of the roof also plays an important role.

The slate roof

Present in abundance in the regions rich in slate schist where it was produced, namely in Anjou and Brittany, slate is now used almost everywhere in the country. Endowed with a timeless charm and great elegance, it is found on the roofs of many buildings, including historic ones. Slate is more expensive than tiles, which gives it a reputation as a prestigious covering.

There is therefore no aesthetic alteration to the roof with a slate roof. On the other hand, it requires regular maintenance, as moss and lichen can develop there. Depending on its level of quality, slate can also have rust stains due to the presence of iron (a phenomenon called slate pyrite).

From a practical point of view, the installation of the elements is quite complex and slate is a crumbly material. A qualified professional will be able, in addition to providing a guaranteed installation service, to advise you on the choice of a quality slate, and on the shape to choose depending on the aesthetic result you want.

Since slate roofing is quite heavy, it is necessary to provide a good framework, capable of withstanding the weight of the covering. Let’s not forget that in winter, snow also exerts a force due to its weight. It is therefore important to provide a framework that is sufficiently resistant. The sizing of the roof supports must therefore be studied very carefully

Zinc, strong and light, is known for its longevity , which can reach a hundred years, compared to around thirty for classic tiles, for example.  Waterproof and easy to maintain , it does not provide a favorable environment for moss. Finally, in the event of renewal, know that  zinc is recyclable .