When it comes to retractable roof design, the sky is the limit. We’ve described the most popular retractable roof configurations here, but did you know there are many possible combinations of these options? So how do you know which design is right for you and your property? Read on to learn what to consider before investing in a retractable roof.
Retractable Roof Design Guide
Budget, Benefit, and Property Value
First, we recommend you develop a budget for your project that includes not only the roof system but the cost to modify your structure (if adding to an existing building). It helps to consider the increase in value your home or commercial property will realize. If it is a commercial building, perhaps you would improve your cash flow through higher rent fees, given the increase in usable space or functionality.
Aside from a direct return on your investment, the benefits of on-demand fresh air, natural light, and versatility may be more than enough to justify the investment. For your own home, could you enjoy areas year-round that are now off-limits during certain seasons of the year? There are also many other benefits to a retractable roof, for both residential and commercial properties, found here. Learn more about factors that impact retractable roof cost in order to help you set a budget.
Available Roof Space
Roof space is essential to consider when introducing a retractable roof design to your existing structure. Does the roof layout allow enough space for a single-section roof to retract fully? If not, your retractable roof design will need to employ one of several configuration options in order to meet your objectives for allowing natural light and fresh air inside. While having adequate space for the entire movable roof to retract in one direction allows for more simple design and engineering, other configuration options can deliver all of the benefits you seek.
Operable-Over-Stationary Configuration
In order to maximize the amount of natural light that an operable glass roof allows in, while still addressing limited roof space, we often recommend that the operable section of the roof retract over the top of a fixed-glass section. Such operable-over-stationary designs are versatile – making a retractable roof possible even in situations with little or no additional roof space available.
Bi-parting Configuration
When roof space is present on either side of a planned retractable roof design, but neither side is big enough to accommodate the entire roof, we frequently design a “bi-parting” system. This means that the roof opens from the center, with half of the structure retracting in one direction while the other half moves in the opposite direction.
The size and shape of your roof space are not the sole governors of your retractable roof design options. Once you understand the possibilities your roof can accommodate, we will develop an approach to meet your goals. Consulting with Rollamatic involves evaluating your roof to determine both your retraction and design options.
Retractable Roof Design
Once you settle on a budget and determine the possible configuration options for your roof space, think about how much attention you want your retractable roof to command. Will it need to blend in with your building’s design or stand out as a showpiece?
Options range from simple, flat structures to vaulted shapes to even circular, oval, and conical designs. Within those shapes, the retracting motion can be linear, linear with telescoping sections, rotating, and more. The scenarios are nearly endless!
Size and Materials
The size of the opening and structure of the roof may seem to be an obvious factor in choosing the right configuration, but still worth mentioning. Large systems like ones required for covering an entire pool or a commercial atrium, involve more substantial engineering, materials, and installation investments compared to smaller designs. The shape of the opening, and the rooflines surrounding it, will steer the design toward certain configuration ideas.
Ongoing Maintenance
Maintenance of a retractable roof is not always something everyone will consider, but it bears mentioning here. Rollamatic has designed and built thousands of retractable roof systems over our 60+ years, so we know that robust engineering on the “front end” of the project can save significant money and hassle over the roof’s life. A well-designed and installed system should last many decades with minimal preventative maintenance. Many of our earliest installations are still in regular use today.
We Can Help
If you have questions or comments about retractable roof design, give us a call at 800-345-7392 or send an email: customersupport@rollamatic.com