---
title: "Factors for selecting roof covering"
subject: "Building Technology"
chapter: 4
key: "semester_6/building_technology:roof-covering-factors"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/building_technology/roof-covering-factors
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Factors for selecting roof covering

Building Technology · Chapter 4: Roofs

- Asked in: 2079 Jestha, 3 marks; 2075 Bhadra, 4 marks (asked 2 times)
- Video: [Types of Roofing sheets for house || Factors to consider when choosing Roofing sheets.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isvjSrkQ7Cg) — TechSolveHub
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/building_technology/roof-covering-factors
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_6/building_technology/chapter-4

## Question

What factors should be considered while selecting a roof covering material?

## Short answer

Consider climate, roof slope, weight, local availability/cost, durability, fire resistance, insulation, appearance, and seismic suitability, favouring light fire‑resistant materials in Nepal.

## Answer

The following factors should be considered while selecting a roof covering:

1. **Climate and rainfall:** heavy rain needs a steep slope and an impervious covering; areas with strong wind need a firmly fixed covering.
2. **Slope of roof:** thatch needs a steep slope, while sheets can be laid flatter.
3. **Weight and supporting structure:** a light covering (CGI) needs light, cheaper trusses; tiles and slates need strong trusses.
4. **Cost and availability:** local materials (slate, stone, clay tiles) lower the transport cost.
5. **Durability and maintenance:** the life of the covering and the need for repair.
6. **Fire resistance:** slates, tiles and metal are better than thatch and wood.
7. **Thermal and sound insulation:** thatch and tiles insulate better than metal sheets.
8. **Appearance:** colour and texture to suit the building.
9. **Ease of fixing and repair**, and resistance to earthquake damage (light coverings are preferred in seismic zones like Nepal).

For Nepal, light, fire-resistant and earthquake-safe coverings (CGI sheets, light tiles) are generally preferred; heavy stone slabs or clay tiles need a strong supporting structure.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Heavy coverings need?
   A. Light trusses
   B. Strong trusses
   C. Thin walls
   D. No supports
   Answer: B. Tiles and slates are heavy. (Key point: Weight)

2. In Nepal preferred coverings?
   A. Thatch
   B. Clay
   C. Light, fire-resistant, earthquake-safe
   D. Heavy stone
   Answer: C. Light coverings are safer. (Key point: Seismic)

3. Better fire resistance?
   A. Wood
   B. Straw
   C. Slates, tiles, metal
   D. Thatch
   Answer: C. Thatch and wood burn. (Key point: Fire)

4. Heavy rain needs?
   A. Flat slope
   B. Steep slope and impervious covering
   C. None
   D. Thatch
   Answer: B. To shed water. (Key point: Climate)

## Related in Building Technology

- [Roof covering materials for pitched roof](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Aroof-covering-types) — Building Technology, chapter 4, asked 3×
- [Roof covering; double and triple roofs](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Aroof-covering-double-triple) — Building Technology, chapter 4
- [Configuration factors for seismic safety](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Aconfig-factors-seismic) — Building Technology, chapter 11, asked 2×
- [Timber collar beam roof and roof coverings](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Acollar-beam-roof-coverings) — Building Technology, chapter 4
- [Roof coverings in Terai, pros and cons](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Aroof-covering-pros-cons) — Building Technology, chapter 4
- [Repair versus retrofit; configuration factors](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Aretrofit-vs-repair-config) — Building Technology, chapter 11

## Related in other subjects

- [Pipe material selection factors; PPR pipes](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fwater_supply_engineering%3Apipe-material-factors-ppr) — Water Supply Engineering, chapter 8
- [Pipe material factors; CI vs steel](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fwater_supply_engineering%3Apipe-material-factors-ci-steel) — Water Supply Engineering, chapter 8
- [Factors for selecting construction materials](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Afactors-selection-construction-material) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 1, asked 9×
- [Factors in selecting construction equipment](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Aequipment-selection-factors) — Construction Management, chapter 4, asked 6×