Steep gabled roofs allow snow flow off better than low or gradual sloped roofs in parts of Europe, when winter brings significant snowfall. They are most commonly in the shape of a sharp A-frame, although there are several fascinating variants, such as gabled roofs with asymmetrical sides. The word "gable" comes from the Old English gafel for 'pointed roof'.
In parts of Europe where wood is used for housing construction, pointed roofs are common to reduce exposure to the elements. These roofs are usually constructed out of wooden shingles which are attached to the walls of the building with long spikes called "clinker pins".
In North America, where lumber is more plentiful and affordable, this type of roof is not common. However, if you look around at old buildings before they were renovated or replaced, you will often see this type of roof because it is easy and cheap to build.
The first printed book in Europe was also the first to be published in America: The New England Courant was launched on November 1, 1722. It included articles by Benjamin Franklin and other writers. The paper came from Massachusetts and the ink from London. Neither item would have been inexpensive at the time they were bought by Boston readers!
Franklin also invented the first successful stove in 1790.
Higher elevations are cooler, and mountains attract orographic precipitation, therefore it snows a lot. Snow load may ruin flat roofs; sloped roofs allow snow to run off before it accumulates to a harmful weight. As a result, steep roofs are common throughout the Swiss Alps.
The Matterhorn in Switzerland is one of the most famous steep roof hotels in the world. The Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau are other popular peaks with steep roofs. Many churches have steep roofs, which function as weather vaults protecting the interior from rain and snow. The pointed shape of a church roof creates wind resistance that reduces the need for heavy walls or a tall spire. Churches with slate or tile roofs are also found in Europe and America; these roofs can be flat or hipped. Slate is still used for some roofs in the Swiss Alps today. It's hard to tell old slate roofs from wood because they tend to be dark gray.
There are several reasons why Swiss mountain chalets have steep roofs. The most obvious one is protection against snow and ice, but they also provide excellent views from their upper floors. Some chalets have multiple levels for renting out to travelers. The top floor is usually only accessible by ladder or elevator, while the lower floors can be reached by stairs. These higher floors are where you will find restaurants, bars, shops, and activities such as ice skating and snowshoeing.
Why do buildings on hills have slanted roofs? Answer: Houses in hilly places have sloping roofs that allow rain and snow to readily fall down. If the roof was flat, it would be difficult if not impossible for water to drain off of it. The streets in such cities are usually downhill toward the city center, which helps water flow away from these homes.
The same thing applies to cars. In areas where there is a lot of traffic, like cities, cars tend to park with their back ends in the street. This is because if you put your car into reverse and backed up, it would be difficult to get out since the exit is on the uphill side of the vehicle.
Cars in hills have slanting roofs to help drain water. The result could be serious damage to the undercarriage of the vehicle.
While traveling along a mountainous road, stop when you see a house with a slanted roof. You will have better luck finding water there than anywhere else on the road.
Altitude affects everything that lives at this altitude.
If you reside in an area of high rain or snowfall, you must top your home with a slanting roof. This is to redirect water and snow off your roof, preventing pooling and costly damage in the future. There are several different types of roof designs for sloping roofs, but the three most common types are gable, hipped and shed.
Gable-shaped roofs are the most recognizable type of sloping roof. They have two slopes: one to the front and one to the back. The forward-facing slope is called the gable end. It should be no higher than the rear edge of your house. The rear-facing slope is called the rake end. It should be slightly lower than the gable end, so it can be used as additional living space. Gables can be simple or complicated. Simple gables have one plane of shingles; complex gables have two planes of shingles that meet at a point. Hips are similar to gables, but instead of one flat surface, they have four surfaces all angled toward the center of the roof.
Sheds have two flat surfaces, but these surfaces are both perpendicular to the ground. So if the roof is flat, the walls will also be flat. Sheds are best suited for homes without enough yard space for a full-size garage or shed.
Some structures, notably castle turrets, but not only them, have steep (pointy) roofs, which make them more resistant to snow accumulation, which would otherwise shatter the roof trusses. The pointiness of the roofs allows any accumulated snow to slide off rather than pile up.
Turrets are architectural features found on many buildings that were once fortified. They provide extra room inside the wall for soldiers or civilians who needed it. Sometimes they are also used as viewing galleries where people could watch events taking place outside the wall. There are several types of towers including donjon towers, barbican towers, and crenellations.
The word "turret" comes from turris, which means "tower." As you can see, these are very useful additions to a fortress!
Nowadays, most buildings with turrets are houses, but some museums (such as Castle Dracula in Transylvania) include turrets in their designs. Actually, any tall structure without horizontal members such as beams or walls will be considered a turret.
The reason why most turrets are found on houses is because they are easy to build and require few tools. Also, they offer a good view of the surrounding area so people could see if anyone is approaching. Finally, they are easy places to mount weapons such as guns or crossbows.
On residential roofs, conventional slope roofs are the most popular. On most properties, this implies the slope has a pitch of 4/12 to 9/12. Roofs that have a pitch more than 9/12 are referred to as steep slope roofs. These can be harder to maintain because any leaks will run down the surface rather than off the side like on a flat roof.
Soils and climate can affect what kind of roof you need. If your roof is made of ceramic or clay tiles, they must be fitted at least 1-1/4 inches (3cm) apart. If it's made of metal, it should be able to support about 30 pounds (14kg) per square foot (0.45m2). Check with an engineer or architect to make sure your roof is suitable for your situation.
The type of roof you choose affects how water moves off your property. Conventional slope roofs are most effective at draining away from their center. This means if there's ever a pool on your property, the center portion will get drained first. Steep slope roofs work best when they're aligned with the direction of the wind. They'll drain all the way to the edge instead of just half.
There are several different types of conventional slopes: gable, hip, shed, and cross-vaulted.
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