Covering an area of 1,730,648 km2 (or seven times the size of England), Queensland is so big that the climate can significantly differ from one end to another.
While the far north Queensland region has two seasons (wet and dry) and often experiences tropical rainstorms due to a hot and humid climate, the Sunshine Coast has a cooler climate with four defined seasons. As for Outback Queensland, the region can be very arid with hot temperatures and low rainfall.
As a result, the number of options available to home builders and homeowners regarding roof styles and materials is impressive.
To provide some clarity, we’ve chosen to highlight below four of the most common roof styles found in Queensland.
Hipped Roof
A hipped (or hip) roof has three or more pitched planes (depending on the house structure). These planes slope downward towards the walls on all four sides, from the roof’s ridge. Hipped roofs are the most popular type of roofs in Australia, including Queensland, due to their durability and clean and modern design lines. They’re also efficient at draining water and preventing leaves from building up. They often feature large eaves, thus offering good shade and protection.
Gabled Roof
A gabled roof has a triangular shape or two sides that slope down towards the house. This type of roof offers multiple advantages, including a great space for an attic that can potentially be converted into a storage space, a playroom for your kids, or even an additional bedroom. They can elevate the look of a home and are therefore a popular choice in the upscale home market. You’ll find more information about turning an attic into a habitable room here.
Besides, they’re relatively easy and inexpensive to construct compared to more architecturally advanced roofing designs. Finally, they’re also a structurally sound option as the sharp angles of the gabled roofs’ peaks make them particularly effective at draining water off in the event of heavy rain.
Skillion Roof
A skillion is a single-sloped roof structure with a certain amount of pitch (usually between 10° and 15°). This type of roof is usually not attached to another roof surface. Skillion roofs can also sit above the existing roofline or be a free-standing structure. The great thing about a skillion roof is that it offers a clean, minimalist, and modern design while being practical. Yet, with this type of structure, it can also be more expensive to fit an air-conditioning unit.
Flat Roof
A flat roof is a structure that has a minimum amount of pitch (usually around 3°). Flat roofs can be a great option for people looking to build a house as they’re fairly easy and inexpensive to construct. However, they’re not adequate in regions with heavy rainfall as they only have a slight pitch leading to dirt and leaves accumulating. Therefore, the roof can be more costly to maintain. Flat roofs are often used for apartment blocks or commercial buildings.
Some other popular types of roofs found in Queensland are the butterfly roof, favoured because it eliminates the need for a gutter, and the green roof as sustainability is gradually sweeping across the country. Note that Queensland’s roofs are well-known for mostly using metal due to their environmental sustainability and weather-resistant characteristics. Some other materials frequently used in the state include terracotta tiles for their look and energy efficiency and concrete tiles for their durability and affordability.