(Most) Roofs Suck

[MixmasterNash]

What do you think? Are the overdone roofs as bad as this guy says? What about in a mild climate where you're not that worried about snow?
http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/...es-roof-design

For example:

1. Avoid valleys
If you are designing the roof of a new house, try to design a roof without any valleys. Valleys concentrate water and often clog with ice. It’s far more common to have leaks or ice dam problems near valleys than in the middle of a simple sloped roof.

Many valleys exist because of a designer’s conceit rather than necessity. Often, these valleys trace back to the mistaken belief that a chopped-up, complicated, multi-plane roof looks better than a simple gable. It doesn’t.

2. Just say no to dormers and skylights
There’s no reason for a new house to have a dormer. When I see a dormer, I conclude that the designer or the architect made a mistake. They didn’t include enough interior space, and the homeowner was forced to cut a hole in the roof because the ceiling was too low to stand up.

If you want to build a multi-story house, that’s fine. If you want two floors, build two floors. If you want three floors, build three floors. Then build a roof over the top floor. This roof shouldn’t have any deliberate holes in it. The “no holes” rule covers both dormers and skylights.

[barry2952]

What do you think? Are the overdone roofs as bad as this guy says? What about in a mild climate where you're not that worried about snow?
http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/...es-roof-design

For example:

Sounds more like an opinion piece to me. What looks good to one person may not look good to another.

He's spot on with saying that valleys are problematic, but that can be alleviated by folded or metal valleys and lots of ice shield.

[Jettavr666]

Sounds more like an opinion piece to me. What looks good to one person may not look good to another.

He's spot on with saying that valleys are problematic, but that can be alleviated by folded or metal valleys and lots of ice shield.

Bingo. Now I will say IMO, most asphalt shingles are utter crap, even the "lifetime" warrenty ones. My parents home is 33 years old, and has had the roof replaced or significantly repairs 3 times, and that is using high end shingles.

The roof on my house isnt in perfect condition, but it still doesnt leak, looks good, and oh did I mention its almost 80 years old?

Slate for the win.

[GeoffD]

The roof on my house isnt in perfect condition, but it still doesnt leak, looks good, and oh did I mention its almost 80 years old?

Slate for the win.

I took a quick look at using slate on my roof. I ran away when I realized that I would have to re-frame to handle the extra weight.

If you have a house with asphalt shingles, you don't have many options. Asphalt or a metal roof. I'm at least using much thicker-heavier asphalt shingles. GAF Slateline. They might not be lifetime shingles for you but I'm 53. By the time my place needs a new roof, I won't care.

[Merc-MarkO]

Bingo. Now I will say IMO, most asphalt shingles are utter crap, even the "lifetime" warrenty ones. My parents home is 33 years old, and has had the roof replaced or significantly repairs 3 times, and that is using high end shingles.

The roof on my house isnt in perfect condition, but it still doesnt leak, looks good, and oh did I mention its almost 80 years old?

Slate for the win.

I agree. They should call them ****gles.

My folks have a tile roof. 40+ yrs without an issue.

[zhenya00]

So what do you guys think about metal roofs? I think they look great, and I think they make great claims about longevity, but how do they really hold up long term compared to asphalt shingles? Negatives?

[RENOG]

^^^I'd like to know this too...

[spockcat]

So what do you guys think about metal roofs? I think they look great, and I think they make great claims about longevity, but how do they really hold up long term compared to asphalt shingles? Negatives?

Likely that the next house we build will have a metal roof. If installed correctly, they can last a real long time.

[FlashRedGLS1.8T]

So what do you guys think about metal roofs? I think they look great, and I think they make great claims about longevity, but how do they really hold up long term compared to asphalt shingles? Negatives?

They have to fit with the design of the house. I've seen some houses that had shingles but then got metal roofs installed and they looked terrible.

[KrautFed]

This guy definitely has strong opinions and is obviously in Yankee-land. I partnered with a co-worker designing houses in a southern state that didn't require an architect to sign off on. The main issue with milder climates is the same as colder climates. Pine straw and leaves clog valleys the same or worse than ice. Just about all of this can be avoided with steeper than Ranch roof pitch and proper flashing/roofing/valley prep/gutters. I preferred to design houses at a steeper pitch w/ and w/o hips because of the visual appeal, more gable area for more venting, and taller attic space for storage and getting hot air away from ceilings/insulation. My partner preferred cheaper construction of lower pitched roof designs and less valleys. The only time I would go low pitch and all hip was for coastal, lake houses, or someone concerned with tornados (legit concern in Alabama).

[barry2952]

I would disagree in that a low slope roof in a snow climate actually aids in snow retention, leading to a crazy thermal blanket, of sorts. We, in the north, often design intentional cold roofs to prevent ice damming, which is far more destructive than a little snow on the roof.

[Mk1Racer]

What do you think? Are the overdone roofs as bad as this guy says? What about in a mild climate where you're not that worried about snow?
http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/...es-roof-design

For example:

Guy seems to be a bit of an extremist. Properly built and designed valleys are not problematic. And neither are properly designed dormers and skylights.

Personally, I hate hip roofs.

[barry2952]

They are not terribly material efficient. Lots of waste.

I have a mixture of roof styles on my home. They can be pleasing together.

[GeoffD]

They are not terribly material efficient. Lots of waste.

I have a mixture of roof styles on my home. They can be pleasing together.

I can see why a roofer would love a hip roof. It's a really easy job that never goes wrong.

[spockcat]

Personally, I hate hip roofs.

You must really hate FL then as it is the most common design due to the hurricane threat.

[Mk1Racer]

You must really hate FL then as it is the most common design due to the hurricane threat.

There are way better reasons for hating Fla.