Roofs are made to protect a building from the elements - rain or shine, you know you’ll be safe under a well-made roofing system, but is that all a roof can do? In this post, we share three types of roof technology that can transform your roof into something more.

Note: As with any roofing feature, talk to us to make sure your roof is performing at its best before installing any new feature, you wouldn’t want to compromise its quality and it’s even better to have these featured planned as considerations in your initial roof design.

Retractability

The ability to retract a roof, isn’t just for commercial buildings like stadiums or restaurants, you can also use them in the private home and courtyards. Folding away at the touch of a button, retractable roofs are designed to ensure users can get the most out an area by offering the flexibility of opening or closing to adapt to changing weather conditions. Dine al fresco with an extended undercover outdoor space; only block elements as you need; create greenhouse type warmth during the warmer months of the year; a retractable roof doesn’t need to cover your whole home, but rather an add on for your outdoor living spaces. Imagine a beautiful evening and the stars are out - with the press of a button the roof disappears. Unlike permanent roof structures you can enjoy the night sky while sipping on a cocktail or relaxing with a cup of hot chocolate. Alternatively, even if it’s raining outside, with a retractable roof you don’t have to worry, retractable roofs will have you covered - literally.

Sound Proof

So you’ve decided on a metal roof but are worried about sounds like rain falling on it during a storm. Nowadays, thanks to advanced roofing technology, products are now considering sound proofing abilities. Unwanted noise can be an issue in any home, it’s not just the weather you need to consider but also location for example, homes near busy roads or under flight paths; noisy neighbours or other industrial noises. This is where insulation comes in quite handy. From cellulose fibre to other soundproofing plasterboards, not only does insulation help regulate temperatures within a home, it also provides insulation from sounds.

Natural Lighting

Imagine a ‘window to the sky’, not only helping with rising energy costs, but also aesthetically pleasing, one of the biggest trends in roofs today is its ability to offer natural lighting. This can be done with the installation of skylights, sun tunnels, carefully placed windows etc. But it’s not just enough that these are put in, they still help make up a roof system - so they too need to be weather proof. Providing light to even the most hard to reach places, skylights provide both privacy and natural light. It’s not only extra light, but they also add a lot to a home as an architectural feature.