5 Shapes of House Roofs Suitable for Tropical Climates

When building a house, you need to consider climatic conditions, especially in choosing the shape of the roof of the house. Because Indonesia is a country with a tropical climate, a heat and high rainfall resistant are needed.

When entering the dry season, the roof of the house must be strong against the scorching sun. Then, the shape of the roof should be sloping or steep, so that rainwater can easily flow down. The roof must also be sturdy to withstand the weight of rainwater.

If you choose the wrong shape of the roof, then the protective parts of this house will be easily brittle and damaged. That is why you need to know the forms of roofs that are suitable for homes in tropical climates, such as Indonesia.

The shape of the roof of the house that is suitable for tropical climates

The shape of the roof can be designed in such a way, matched with the exterior design concept of the house. The roof will also add to the aesthetic value of a building. However, since we live in the tropics, building roofs needs to consider climatic factors. This is so that the house can be strong in every weather and well maintained. It is not difficult to take care of the roof while you still can design the house exterior as you wish.

An important factor in building a roof is the steep angle of the roof. About 35 to 45 degrees. The sloping roof structure is made so that rainwater is not retained on the roof for a long time and flows directly into the gutters, which are then discharged to the ground.

Apart from water, dry leaves stuck on the roof can also fall directly to the ground, if the roof is sloping. This helps the owner of the house not to clean it every time. Here are 5 forms of roofs that are suitable for tropical climates:

• Saddle-Shaped Roof

The variation of the roof of the house that is quite commonly used by Indonesians is saddle-shaped roof. The shape is like a horse saddle, consisting of two sloping sides, which form a triangle. Saddle-shaped roof has a simple design, easy installation with a more affordable cost. Another plus point is, saddle-shaped roof has minimal leaks if you build a roof with the right slope angle.

In addition, the saddle-shaped roof makes the inside of the house feel cooler. That is because this roof model can absorb heat to the maximum. Hot air from outside will be locked in the ceiling.

• Shield-Shaped Roof

Another roof shape popular in Indonesia is the roof with a shield shape. This roof model consists of four inclined planes. But it is slightly different from the pyramid roof, the end of the shield roof is not made to conical into a single point in the middle.

The shield model has a gentler slope than the saddle-shaped roof. So that it gives a bigger and wider effect on the house. Besides suitable to be used in tropical climates, this roof shape can also be used in areas with four seasons.

The advantage of the shield-shaped roof is that it is strong against strong winds. Effective enough to drain rainwater into gutters on the edge of the roof.

In addition, shield-shaped roof model also provides additional space on the ceiling of the house that can be used as an attic.

• Pyramid-Shaped Roof

A pyramid-shaped roof is also known as a pyramid roof. That is because this roof model has a pyramid-like shape, in which the four sides are sloping, the top is made conical to a point.

The advantage of the pyramid roof is that the structure is very stable. Rainwater is also easier to flow down the house, because the slope of the roof is quite steep.

The pyramid roof model also provides more space in the form of an attic, which can be used for rooms, storage sheds, or other spaces.

• Bonnet-Shaped Roof

The roof of the house with a bonnet-shape is a combination of the pyramid and hip roof shapes. The pyramid section is at the top of the roof while the lower part of the roof is wider with a trapezoid-like shape.

The shape bonnet roof is like the joglo house of the Javanese, with the lower part protruding more towards the outside of the building. Apart from being found in many areas of Java, bonnet-shaped roof is also widely used in the United States.

• Gambrel-shaped roof

Another roof shape that can be used in Indonesia is gambrel-shaped roof. This roof model is used in old houses from the Dutch colonial era. You may have come across houses with gambrel roofs in Indonesia.

The distinctive feature of the gambrel roof is that it consists of four symmetrical sides. The two sides at the top are sloping and shorter. While the other two sides are made very steep at the bottom.

Because the gambrel roof has a steep slope, it is easier for rainwater to fall from the roof. So that the roof of the house does not get an excess load from rainwater.

You can choose the 5 forms of roof above to build a house that is sturdy and weather resistant. Adjust the shape of the roof with the structure of the house. You can get the desired house facade design with a strong roof.

Roofing Materials for Houses in Tropical Climate Areas

In addition to paying attention to the right shape of the roof of the house, you also need to choose a quality type of roofing material, so that the roof of the house can last longer and have easier maintenance. The following types of roofing materials are suitable for tropical climates:

• Fiber Cement

Although fiber cement roofs are often used for business and industrial premises, house roofs can also be made of fiber cement materials. The shape is similar to an asbestos roof, but unlike asbestos, this roofing material will not make the inside of the house hot. In addition, this material will not cause noise when it rains. Having fiber cement roofs are suitable for all weather conditions in the tropics. The durability of this roof is strong and easy to install, the price is also quite affordable.

Tips on Maintaining a Long-Lasting House Roof 

The roof of the house usually gets the least attention for maintenance. However, if you want the roof of your house to last a long time, you need to carry out the maintenance process regularly. That way the roof of the house does not need to be replaced for decades.

Here are tips on maintaining the roof of the house to make it more durable:

• Roof Cleaning

Clean the roof at least once every 2 weeks. Remove leaves, trash, and other debris that may be on the roof. Also, make sure there is no dirt that clogs the drains, because clogged gutters will damage the paint. If the leaves accumulate and then rot in the gutters, it will cause other problems. Make sure you use tools when cleaning the roof, so that it can be completed more quickly, as well as to maintain your own safety while cleaning the roof.

• Clean the Moss on the Roof

Roofs of houses in Indonesia easily become mossy because of the humid air conditions. Especially on tiles with clay, moss can thrive. Moss on the roof must be removed immediately, because these plants can trap water and over time damage the roofing material. You can clean it using products that contain potassium salts.

• Choose a Quality Roof

Choose a quality roofing material that suits the geographic and climatic conditions of the area where you live. You are free to choose the shape of the roof of the house according to the shape of the building. For additional protection, you can paint the roof with waterproof paint, so it does not leak easily.

• Protect from Animal Disturbances

In addition to weather and climate factors, the presence of animals can also damage the roof of the house, one of the pests is rats. Rodents love being on the inside of roofs, which slowly broke the roof. In addition, the dirt they leave behind creates an unpleasant odor and becomes a germ of disease. That is why you need to get rid of rats from living on the ceiling by having a trap to catch them.

By paying attention to the right roof material and shape, you can build a solid place to live. Make sure you install a roof that fits for homes in the tropics, which has a steep slope. Meanwhile, you can use several types of materials that have been mentioned above. For those of you who are looking for a fiber cement roof, you can install a fiber cement roof from Djabesmen.

There are several types of roofs, from large waves to small waves. Djabesmen also produces fiber cement tiles for residential buildings. If you are interested want

The Djabesmen fiber roof is SNI standard, has a smooth surface with a higher wave shape. The wave height is made the same, so that rainwater can flow more smoothly and prevent leakage. Use fiber cement from Djabesmen and build your dream roof! If you have a question, please fill out the online form or contact us on https://djabesmen.co.id/contact/ and don't forget to follow our social media on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube to get information about building materials, especially fiber cement roofs.