Pitched or flat roofing materials is the solution

CHOOSING a roof may at first appear to be a simple question, and is often something which has to be taken much for granted. Firstly, a roof equates to more than 30 percent of the country’s investment, and after all, is the helmet that protects people. So when choosing a roof, great care should be taken. A roof, not only looks so good, but being on top of a house, protects the things people treasure most. Therefore, it is important to carefully consider the options within our budget and more importantly within the environment, whereby the roof will be installed. It is important to realize that, a roof, being on top of the house also has to be the most weather resistant surface area as it’s exposed to the elements 24 hours a day. There are simply two different types of roofing materials available.
(A) Flat: Whilst flat (Concrete) roofs may at first appear to be the simple option, there are always a number of advantages and disadvantages thereupon. These differs in the way they are depending on the prevailing weather conditions as follows:-

1. Cost: is often prohibitive. With the high price of cement in Tanzania and with the steel required, a concrete roof represents a considerable area, and will equates to more than 50 percent of the wet works costs.
2. Waterproofing a flat roof can be very difficult, especially in HOT climates, where your roof is exposed to the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays 12 hours a day.
3. Insulating the roof is difficult as concrete conducts heat.
Flat-roofing-material

A typical roofing materials makes good housing structures like this one.

(B) Pitched: There are numerous options and different products available but when considering which option to take, it is important to realize that a pitched roof represents at least 30 percent of the visual aesthetics of your house. So it is important that the product you choose looks good, and keeps looking good.

One big advantage of a pitched roof then is besides adding the overall look of the house. It affords an effective weather barrier against the elements, at the same time giving a convenient covered access areas to plumbing, electric and water storage.

(C) Tiled Roof: Whilst clay and concrete tiles look good, they are heavy to transport,
Prone to breakage, require a strong support structure and are subject to fade after a prone to fungi growth. Whilst Mabati is lightweight, it is difficult to get away from the Commercial look, and in coastal areas, steel roofs are prone to rust and corrosion.

More and more potential house owners are turning to new pressed Zincalume Steel (which has high corrosion resistant properties) Tiles. Whilst they may appear expensive when all the long term cost factors are considered- they are not more expensive. Being lightweight, they are easy to transport and install, and actually reinforce the roof structure, so less wood is required. Their overlooking design assures they are completely weatherproof, and their unique nailing system makes them almost impossible to remove making them an effective cover against the elements, and criminals in addition, some are coated in a natural rock, one of the few materials which can withstand the harmful effects of the sun.
Solutions:- Trade liberalization and foreign investment has exposed Tanzania to a number of new and technologically advanced solutions for the above. One is a type of waterproofing by “Crystallization” Basically, this is cementitious chemical additive which is either used as an ad-mixture into the concrete, as a top coat. After the cement has cured, this chemical literally grows a fine crystal when exposed to 3 ingredients, Lime, Air and Water. Therefore, working on the principal that should your roof start to leak in a certain area, this will activate the Crystallization process, and crystals will start growing. As a result, within three weeks’ time, they will form fine crystal whilst still allowing the concrete to breath, will form a water-light barrier against moisture penetration. This Crystallization process has been measured to penetrate more than 2 meters of concrete. Obviously this works just as well for water reservoirs, as it does for roofs. With the re-introduction of the gypsum ceilings, it is now possible to install and effective air barrier between the concrete and exterior of the house, as the thermal resistant properties of Gypsum are well-known.