Roof skin
The roof skin is the part of a roof that protects against precipitation , wind and sun and rests on the load-bearing roof structure .
In a narrower sense, the term roof skin only refers to the outermost component, which is divided into:
- Roofing
- consists of individual components that are not watertight, but instead divert the water through the roof pitch . A second, also dissipative layer can be installed under the roofing.
- Roof waterproofing
- is completely watertight (e.g. welded roofing membranes, lead roofs or other seamless metals) and is mainly used on flat roofs .
To protect against ultraviolet radiation , mechanical damage, fire or as an ecological compensation measure, the roof waterproofing can e.g. B. be covered with gravel, wood, concrete slabs or a green roof . This cover does not become a roof cladding, but a part of it.
Definitions of terms
A linguistic usage that can already be found in the first half of the 20th century: "... the worn roof covering, as a means of protection against the effects of the weather, in contrast to the load-bearing roof structure." ( Wasmuths Lexikon der Baukunst )
Roof scaffolding is the roof structure , the supporting structure of a roof, insofar as the roof skin is a summary of the terms roof covering (outer skin) and roof sealing (substructure of the roof covering).
The roofer describes a fictitious area as a roof membrane that spans the highest points of the roof covering.
As a legal term, roof cladding can be found, for example, in German state building regulations , in connection with the determination of spacing areas : "Wall height is the dimension from the surface of the terrain to the intersection of the wall with the roof skin ..." ( sample building regulations )
But also with building construction specifications for fire protection : "In buildings of building classes 1 to 3, fire walls must be led at least under the roof skin." ( Model building regulations ) This means that fire walls must penetrate the roof structure.
Maintenance and protection
The roof skin is exposed to a variety of environmental influences. Regular care and control are therefore important to prevent damage.
According to German law, regular roof maintenance is mandatory for all homeowners. The owner must ensure that his property does not pose any dangers such as falling roofing. If he does not comply with the maintenance obligation, he can face high claims for damages in the event of an accident . Even buildings insurance are increasingly demanding proof of regular inspections. Accordingly, professional roofers offer maintenance contracts that are intended to guarantee that the roof is in perfect condition. Independent maintenance by the homeowner, however, does not constitute evidence of his duty of care .
Professional roof maintenance includes the following measures:
- Examination of the condition and quality of the entire roof including skylights ,
- Detection of corrosion damage ,
- Removal of deposits, residues and vegetation,
- Cleaning of sand, mud and leaf traps in gutters and gutters,
- Restoration of the undisturbed water drainage with inlets and overflows,
- Checking and cleaning of ventilation openings,
- Elimination of leaks and defects,
- Repairing weather and storm damage,
- Replacing damaged bricks,
- Refurbishment of seals, sealing compounds and joint seals.
Roof maintenance goes far beyond the services of ordinary roof cleaning. Roof greening offers an additional protective measure against roof damage caused by high temperature differences and external influences such as hail . A green roof creates balanced temperature and humidity conditions and thus reduces tension in the roof cladding.
See also
- Warm roof , cold roof , inverted roof - distinctions that describe the structure of the roof skin in relation to thermal insulation
References and footnotes
- ↑ Composition based on Günther Wasmuth (ed.): Wasmuths Lexikon der Baukunst , Berlin, 1929–1932 (4 volumes), Lemma Dachhaut
- ^ German roofing trade - technical rules guideline lead in construction, 2003
- ↑ Model Building Regulations (MBO), version November 2002 § 6
- ↑ Model Building Regulations (MBO), version November 2002 § 30
- ↑ Press article: Roof maintenance is compulsory , life PR, accessed on March 26, 2013
- ↑ Article: Protection of the roof skin , baunetzwissen.de (knowledge portal), accessed on March 26, 2013