Advantages and Disadvantages of the Mansard Roof

While there are many types of roofs, the mansard roof has gained popularity long after French Baroque architect Francois Mansart created it centuries ago. The style turns an attic into a living space and expands the home’s interior storage. The mansard style roof is actually recognized as a French roof.

In mansard roofs, beams are no longer an unsightly element and become a decorative home interior asset. Beams change the aesthetics of attics. In the beginning, mansard roofs worked only as false ceilings but now they are ceilings that decorate and add extra space. They are more functional today.

In general, a mansard roof can be small, medium-sized, or large, and has different purposes. Because of this, it can be gabled or have complex shapes or be a combination of these two designs. With that being said, a mansard roof is arguably a versatile and free artistic home expression.

Below are the advantages of the mansard roof.

 

Advantages of the mansard roof

1-Thermal isolation

Buildings with a mansard roof are about 10-15% more compact than those with a flat roof. This significantly translates into greater thermal insulation and less exposure to the outside.

 

 

2-Energy saving

A mansard roof allows natural ventilation between the outer skin and the building, conserving energy.

3-Protection against environmental hazards

If you live in a cold and wet place, a mansard roof can help protect your home. The roof is designed to protect against winds, storms, and hails. Due to the roughness of the material, a mansard roof is more durable and stronger. It is also more resistant to wear, fire, snow, ice, and water, thus old-styled buildings have it. Mansard roofs ensure perfect water drainage and some are made of slate.

 

 

4-Extra space

Because of its shape, a mansard roof adds more space to the home for bridges, tables, and furniture.

 

 

5-Longer lifespan

While flat roofs require more maintenance and sometimes fail to prevent leaks, a mansard roof is all the opposite. The drainage system of a mansard roof lasts longer. The negative side is that this roof is expensive compared to its counterparts.

Nonetheless, not all mansard roofs are equally resistant. Natural slate mansard roofs are slower to wear, as they are made from high-quality material. A mansard roof made of this material can withstand the passage of time for a century. Mansard roof installation is costly, but you will not invest in short-term repairs or maintenance at all.

6-Sustainability

There are different roofing materials with sustainable credentials. Solar panels are easier to integrate into a mansard roof.

 

 

Drawbacks

On the other hand, one of the main disadvantages of living in a mansard house attic is the lack of thermal insulation. Fortunately, there’s a solution to this. Technology has advanced in this field and has developed new mansard roofs over time. An attic mansard roof can be as insulating as the walls of the ground floor.

Obviously, pay special attention to the lining of the ceilings and roofs and the materials of the doors and windows to prevent leaks. Likewise, you will spend less on energy bills, since you will not waste much on heating.

While installing a mansard roof can improve the home’s look, it will definitely be pricey. If you are on a tight budget, decorate with plants and some furniture to create a nice corner.

Some ways to decorate and furnish your mansard house

It is important that you know how to take advantage of gaps and heights. All this will be easier for you if you order custom-made furniture. You can also use small tables, modular furniture, and auxiliary carts.

To complement and expand the storage space, you can buy boxes and baskets of different sizes. You can place them on shelves, furniture, under the bed, in cabinets… You will find them in many sizes, so there will be no problem fitting them into the places you have thought of.

On the other hand, the ceiling height is essential in a mansard loft conversion. There are pieces of furniture and accessories like the shower in the bathroom or the fridge in the kitchen that require a tall roof. It is true that some fridges are much smaller than others but less practical in the end.

 

 

As you see, building a mansard roof is a trend. Undoubtedly, this style is no longer a storage space for empty boxes, but it is a trend that transforms homes.

Nowadays, a mansard loft conversion is much more expensive than a standard roof. A mansard roof is ideal to get more space inside the home. For the installation, you not only need to calculate the square meters but you also need to remember the fact that you will renovate or create an attic, which increases the cost dramatically, regardless of where you live.