Traditionally the materials that were used for roofing were metal, timber and terracotta tiles. Today many different kinds of roofing materials are used. G.I sheeting, colour coated steel sheets, fiber cement sheets etc. Until quite recently, asbestos was a popular roofing material. Now however the use of this material has been banned because of the health hazards it poses.

Like everything else in today’s world there are hundreds of options available in terms of roofing options. According to Mr. Mano Daniel an architect of repute, tiles as an option for roofing material is gaining popularity by the day. Though the use of terracotta tiles has been prevalent in the country many hundreds of years ago. They are both attractive and affordable. He goes on to say that in the course of his career he has found that homeowners often want to cut corners when it comes to roofing. What they fail to realize is that the kind of material used also determines the lifespan of the roof. Besides, it is a part of the house that adds to the aesthetic appeal of the building and a good and sturdy roof adds to the resale value of the house.

According to Mr. Sujit, Marketing manager of Jain’s housing, “most builders follow simple insulation and water proofing techniques. Both these add value to customers as insulation techniques help to keep the buildings cooler in warm climates like ours. Water proofing on the other hand increases the longevity of the building.’ He goes on saying,” thermal insulation is a particular value add for people living on the topmost floor of a building.”

According to Ms. Mina Daniel, also a practicing architect,” many kinds of roofing finishes are available in the market today. Especially, it is important to insulate all R.C.C roofs to prevent the building from getting extremely hot. However, considering the diverse climatic conditions of our country it is important to keep in mind that in warmer regions the insulation should be done on the outside, in order to stop the building from absorbing external heat. Whereas, in the regions it is important that the building heat does not escape outside so the insulation should be done in the reverse way.” As a word of caution Ms. Mina adds that all builders should refrain from using “surki” for insulation as a material for thermal insulation though it is cheap and serves the purpose to a certain extent. The reason being that it soaks up water which may result in premature cracking. EPS sheets and polyurethane foam are some of the materials that could be used.’ She says in recent years there is a trend to go in for fashionable roofing.

Mr. Santosh Sebastian  senior marketing manager with a construction company says” another thing that is extremely important and needs to be looked into is the water proofing of the roof and the roofing.’ He says that in my opinion no matter how well planned a terrace garden is it reduces the longevity of a building. I’d recommend using a double roll of the membrane for a full 60 inches of protection.”

Though the roof is such an important part of the building it is often neglected. Much like the brakes of a car- which only gets attention when it fails. What we as house owners fail to realize is that reproofing the house is as important a part of maintenance as everything else. By spending a little extra thought and money at the start of a re-roofing job, you can get a roof that lasts years longer than it otherwise would. This is one area where spending a few extra rupees will repay you big time. Studies conducted around the world have established the benefits of a reflective roof coating for a “cool” roof system. The results are well documented that reflective coatings produce energy savings, a more comfortable work environment and, more importantly, a sustainable roofing solution that can prolong the life of a roofing system with proper maintenance and periodic re-coating, thus eliminating the necessity for expensive roof tear-off and replacement. A high quality roof coating will assist in this process by providing resistance to ultraviolet radiation and the effects of heavy or light rainfalls.

So, just getting a roof above your head is just a part of the story. A happy ending requires timely maintenance.