Concrete roofing is equally suitable for rural housing projects and as the base for an urban roof garden, says TCI.
Concrete is increasingly becoming the roof covering material of choice for a wide variety of practical reasons, says Bryan Perrie, Managing Director of The Concrete Institute (TCI).
Perrie says the development of high-tech computer modelling systems – coupled with advances in concrete technology and waterproofing – have elevated roof design and construction far beyond previous limitations.
“In cities, if designed accordingly at the inception phase, flat concrete roofs can allow for additional storeys to be added to structures as the need arises, or as funds become available. This increased densification can optimise the use of well-located urban land and existing services.
“There is also increased pressure to provide ‘green spaces’ in CBDs where space is at a premium. In this regard, a flat concrete roof presents an innovative opportunity to offset the carbon footprint of a building by re-introducing potentially lost green space at roof level in the form of a roof garden. At the same time, thermal insulation will also be improved significantly inside the building.
“Latest innovations in waterproofing systems and products, coupled with increased public awareness of their environmental benefits, have resulted in roof gardens gaining in popularity and evolving into a variety of permutations. The functional practicality of water-wise gardens – even food gardens – on concrete roofs provides additional socio-economic benefits in the affordable housing market.”
Concrete roofing is equally suitable for rural housing projects and as the base for an urban roof garden, says TCI.
Perrie says for housing in both urban and rural locations, there has been a rapid growth in the specification and application of concrete roof tiles. “There is a timeless aesthetic appeal in concrete roof tiles, and the installation process is relatively simple. It requires no additional finish, is labour-intensive, and has low maintenance requirements. The roof pitch enhances interior thermal comfort by encouraging the convectional flow of hot and cold air caused by natural ventilation.
“Whether specifying in-situ or precast concrete for roofs, the material presents the means to create shelter that is at the same time both impressive and sustainable by harnessing concrete’s natural qualities of sculptural flexibility, durability, affordability and thermal mass in conjunction with best practices and quality construction techniques,” he adds.
