11 Top Butterfly Roof Advantages and Disadvantages | Applications & Benefits of Butterfly Roofs
What is a Butterfly Roof? | Butterfly Roof Advantages and Disadvantages | Why Install a Butterfly Roof? | Applications & Benefits of Butterfly Roofs
What is a Butterfly Roof?
A roof with a double slope that slants upwards near the edges, designed to resemble wings of a butterfly. It is a roofing detail which is shaped like two upside-down “L”s joined together to form a shallow “V” shape.
A butterfly roof offers a unique design touch to a building. It typically has a gabled roofline, and is used on many high-rise buildings.
The butterfly roof has a gentle curve that can be seen from the exterior of the building, often giving the building a distinctive and eye-catching appearance.
It is made of materials like aluminum, steel, zinc, copper, and lead-coated copper
A butterfly roof is an architectural roofing detail which is mostly used on multi-story buildings.
The butterfly roof, which is also known as a butterfly roof drain, is designed to allow rainwater to flow off the roof. This roof design is also beneficial because it prevents buildup of water.
When a heavy downpour does occur, runoff water will flow off the edges of the roof. This prevents water from backing up under the roof and causing damage.
A butterfly roof ensures that there is no wetting of the lower portion of the roof when it rains as rainwater runs off from the steep upper pitched portion and drops into a gutter which directly dumps it onto the earth below.
This means that the lower part of the roof remains dry and this greatly reduces health risks associated with mould and mildew.
This roofing system is ideal for areas that have high temperatures throughout the year because it allows for greater air circulation in the attic which helps eliminate moisture as well as reducing heat build-up and temperature extremes.
This is a great advantage, especially in places such as New York where temperatures can get very high.
Some cons of this design are that it takes a long time to install and it is not easy to repair if there is a leak.
Because of their complexity, they can cause a higher roof/ceiling clearance, which may make some people not to install them. Butterfly roofs may have a high cost in terms of installation, maintenance and repairs.
Why Install a Butterfly Roof?
The main advantage of installing this type of roofing is that it encourages rainfall to run off the roof instead of soaking into it which can cause premature deterioration.
It also has the advantage of increasing the volume in the attic which in turn increases the size of a living space.
It is a very popular roofing system today due its low cost, ease of installation and time-saving benefits.
Flat roofs are not ideal for collecting rainwater because they do not allow water to run off evenly, when rainwater falls it causes the upper slab portion to be saturated more than that on the lower sides.
This can lead to roof leaks as well as the water dripping onto the ground causing floods when it rains.
Butterfly roofs are a better solution for collecting rainwater because they have a sloped valley which allows water to run off from the roof instead of saturating the upper portion of the roof.
Rainwater simply runs down into a gutter and is deposited directly onto the ground below. This means that the water distribution on a butterfly roof is not only more even, but the volume of water that is collected goes towards building up the living space.
Benefits of Butterfly Roofs
Butterfly roofs are well suited to high pitched roofs and are particularly popular with tropical homes. It offers better protection against heavy winds because it has more space for ventilation. That being said, there are many advantages of butterfly roofs that make it more preferable than traditional roofs:
- They increase attic space
- They can be used to build a more spacious home
- They reduce cooling costs, because they allow more air to circulate between rooms
- They can provide better insulation of the attic space
- They are equipped with low-profile gutters, which means they will not excessively cover the roof and conserves rainwater.
- Butterfly roofs shed rainwater well because of the two angles that increase its ability to drain water from the attic space.
Butterfly Roof Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages of Butterfly Roofs
1. Rainwater Collection
These types of roofs are designed to collect water for storage. There are many practical uses for this rainwater, such as watering plants or washing cars.
The collected water may be filtered to remove any impurities before being used.
2. Design’s Appearance
Without a doubt, this is one of the biggest advantages to installing a butterfly roof. Butterfly roofs are designed to improve the appearance of any home with their long, flat top that is reminiscent of butterfly wings.
Many people choose this type of roofing because it adds a distinct aesthetic to any home.
3. Easy Maintenance
As far as roofing systems go, butterfly roofs require very little maintenance. This is because they are made to be simple on the inside while still maintaining the appearance of a traditional roof.
There are no complicated design elements to worry about, and that makes them perfect for those people who love minimalistic designs. However, that does not mean that maintenance is not required.
4. Safe for Professionals
Unlike other roofing types techniques, butterfly roofs protect the foundation of your home from damage.
In addition, because they have low pitches, these roofs are not susceptible to wind damage like other types of roofs are. This makes them much safer for several professionals who work on roofs, such as:
- Insulators
- Roofers
- Roof Plumbers
5. Strong Wind Resistant
Butterfly roofing can withstand wind damage from beach breezes and big storms due to its aerodynamic structure.
The design of the roofing system also implies less maintenance work and upkeep, resulting in lower long-term costs.
6. Cost Effective
While it may take some money to install a butterfly roof, the benefits that come with these types of roofs more than make up for that cost.
The design is sleek, beautiful, and incredibly functional. Those funds can instead be put towards other things in your home or business that need upgrading or fixing.
7. The Option for Larger Windows
Because the slope of the roofing is the opposite of that of ordinary roofing systems, you can have larger windows installed in your home. This gives your home a more spacious sense while also improving air ventilation.
8. Solar Panel Installation
You can have your solar panels installed on the roofing surface of your butterfly roofs. This will not only provide added benefits to your home, but it will make it more energy efficient as well.
Disadvantages of Butterfly Roofs
1. Butterfly roofs are Expensive
Butterfly roofs are more expensive than other roofing types. This is because they are more complicated to install and require more materials.
In addition, there may be some added costs associated with licensing and the labor involved in the installation of these types of roofs.
2. Additional Maintenance
The additional maintenance required for butterfly roofs may not make them worth their extra cost to everyone.
There are some people who will simply not be able to maintain a system that is so complex. However, if they choose to maintain these systems, they are likely to still come out ahead with the added value from the roofing system.
3. No Longer Attractive
Due to the difficulty of maintaining a butterfly roof system, there may come a point where people will no longer desire it as an aesthetic choice for their home.
However, some people still prefer this roofing type because it is completely different from traditional ones and can provide many advantages over them.
4. Heavy Weight
This type of roofing system is heavy and therefore requires a sturdy foundation to support it. If not properly installed, the extra weight can cause extra damage to your home and even your family’s health.
Butterfly roofs are specialized constructions that require a high level of expertise to install properly.
5. Wind Damage
Because butterfly roofs are built with aerodynamic curves, they are more susceptible to wind damage than other types of roofing systems. This may lead to more regular damage and more costly repairs.
6. Butterfly Roofs Are Not Appropriate for Every Home.
They are more likely to use a full-size attic, compared to traditional roofs. This is due to the fact that they provide less protection in order to allow for the airflow needed in the attic space of your home or building.
Butterfly Roof Design Tips and Idea
1. Choose Your Materials
Your butterfly roofing system is unique in its ability to do more than just collect rainwater. It can also help you with many other aspects of building your home, including:
- Structural integrity
- Complete insulation
- Aesthetic appeal
2. Find Proper Handling LLC.
The installation of a butterfly roof is not something that everyone can do on their own. Instead, you’ll want to look for an experienced company that specializes in installing these types of systems.
They will be able to do the installation properly and ensure that all of the parts are secure.
3. Consider All Your Options
This is something that you’ll want to do upfront so you can make an educated decision about which type of butterfly roof you should go with.
There are too many types of systems available, and you may not be able to choose one that works for your needs. This could lead to problems down the road if you aren’t careful with your decision-making process.
4. Don’t Let Distractions Drive Your Design
Working with a huge list of ideas can be overwhelming for a lot of designers. If you are working on your butterfly roof design for the first time, it’s okay to get a little overwhelmed.
However, there are many different things that you can do in order to manage your workload effectively and create the perfect butterfly roof system that meets the needs of your home and your family.
5. Choose the Right Roofing Material
There are many different materials that can be used for butterfly roofs. Some of the more common ones include:
- Clay
- Plastics
- Steel
- Fiberglass
6. Successful Construction Processes for Butterfly Roofs
A butterfly roof needs to be constructed by professionals who know how to do this job properly.
It requires the expertise and experience of the right people in order to make sure that everything is installed correctly and that it won’t lead to problems further down the line.
This is especially true for larger projects.
Butterfly Roof FAQs
1. What is the purpose of a butterfly roof?
The purposes of a butterfly roof are to collect rainwater and trap air in the attic or living space. A butterfly roofing system is designed to collect water in the core of a building (generally in a specifically created holding tank).
After being filtered, the collected water can be used for watering plants, bathing, or even drinking. Keep in mind that this requires certain facilities in order to function properly.
This helps to keep down the relative humidity of the room, control moisture, reduce thermal loads and improve comfort.
2. How do butterfly roofs drain?
This spectacular roof design has two downward sloping roof surfaces that meet in a central roof valley, resembling the wingspan of a butterfly.
As rainwater drains into the center roof valley, the butterfly roof eliminates the need for typical gutter and downspout systems.
3. How is it different from other roofing systems?
The main difference between other roofing systems and butterfly roofs is that the butterfly roof has two slopes.
This steep slope directs water to the center roof valley where it will be collected in gutters and drained directly onto the ground.
The lower slope has a shallower pitch that helps to minimize contact with water, reducing the risk of damage to both living space and roofing materials from moisture.
4. Are butterfly roofs expensive?
The complexity of the design raises the cost of the butterfly roof. Not only would the initial costs be higher than with traditional roofs, but maintenance will also be more expensive.
5. How do butterfly roofs drain?
The shape of the roof prevents water from pooling and being collected in one location. Functionally, the butterfly roof eliminates the need for traditional gutter and downspout systems as rainwater drains into the central roof valley.
This is different from a typical roof which would collect water in one corner.
6. Who invented the butterfly roof?
The modern butterfly roof is widely attributed to William Krisel and Dan Palmer in Palm Springs, California, in the late 1950s.
It is estimated that beginning in 1957, they built about 2,000 homes in a sequence of developments known as the Alexander Tract, which historian Alan Hess describes as “the largest Modernist housing subdivision in the United States.”
Krisel agrees that, while his work popularized the style, he was not the creator of it.
7. Name some advantages of a butterfly roof
The main advantage of installing this type of roofing is that it encourages rainfall to run off the roof instead of soaking into it which can cause premature deterioration.
It also has the advantage of increasing the volume in the attic which in turn increases the size of a living space.
8. What are some disadvantages of a butterfly roof?
The main disadvantage is that installation is more complex and expensive than for traditional roofs.
9. Why are butterfly roofs not as popular as it should be?
Although the advantages of this roofing system are great, it has not been widely adopted due to its complexity and cost.
10. Are butterfly roofs maintenance friendly?
The complex design of the butterfly roof makes it more difficult to maintain and repair. It is therefore recommended that homeowners patch any holes or leaks promptly.
Also, while repainting isn’t too much of a bother, caulking around the base has to be done regularly in order for proper airflow.
11. Explain the process of installing butterfly roofs
Butterfly roofs can be manufactured in both metal and concrete on a large scale as well as being installed individually.
The main difference is that the corners on metal butterfly roofs are defined by PVC and have no cover while the concrete version has more complex shapes with varying angles.
These differences also make it easier to install metal butterfly roofs because they can be cut to size, but it requires more time and skill when it comes to concrete Butterfly Roofs installation.
Butterfly roofs are installed on an individual basis by one member of the design team.
12. Are butterfly roofs maintenance stable?
The shape of the roof makes it more difficult to maintain and repair, but that is not a definitive disadvantage.
The main disadvantage is that the system can have a high cost in terms of installation and this may also be a factor when it comes to the maintenance process as well.
13. What are some problems of butterfly roof?
When it comes to water runoff, butterfly roofing systems are frequently problematic. Despite the fact that these systems may remove or collect rainwater in the form of graywater, they can soon become clogged with debris.
Homeowners must ensure that the area of the roof where the two slopes meet is suitably fortified against potential water damage.
Another problem is that butterfly roofing systems may also be restricted in terms of the amount of attic space they can supply for the residence.
Customers will be dissatisfied because the intricate arrangement of the roofing system’s slopes will not give them with the attic space, they require to add value to their property. T
his means that until additional story is installed beneath the roof, residents may not be able to optimize their storage capacity.
Finally, homeowners may have to work with the design constraints that come with this roofing system. Because of the way the slopes are placed, homeowners will have a higher ceiling at the ends of the home and a lower ceiling in the center.
If a homeowner wants an even ceiling, he or she may need to invest in an additional system beneath the roof.
There are many disadvantages, some of which include:
- It’s very difficult to repair
- Maintenance and cleaning are a hassle
- Butterfly roofs can carry a high price tag, but this varies greatly depending on the specifications of the installation.
14. Why is it not too popular?
Although it has many benefits, butterfly roofs also have their disadvantages and this may discourage people from installing them on their homes.
One problem that will make people not to install it is the cost. The butterfly roofs can be very expensive. Therefore, this may make some people to not consider installing it on their homes.
15. What are the pros of a butterfly roof?
The main advantage of a butterfly roof is that it functions better than traditional roofs in terms of controlling rain water. It also has an increased storage area which may increase the value of a structure by attracting more buyers.
16. What are the cons of a butterfly roof?
The primary disadvantage of a butterfly roof is its high cost and complexity. This may make people refrain from investing in this type of roofing system. Other disadvantages include their ability to drain rain water well. Some homeowners have reported instances of leaks caused by debris clogging the gutters.
17. What are the characteristics of Butterfly Roofs?
The shape of a butterfly roof is easily identified by its unusual appearance compared to traditional roofs. The two sloped portions of the roof meet in a V-shape at the ridge of the house.
