Roofs made from wood are one or the rarest roof types to find around these days, as concrete slab and shingles take over, according to Choice Solutions Roofing and Exteriors Co. In Oklahoma City.

Wood is not seen as strong as some other materials when it comes to construction, but in general well-maintained roofs made of wood can have a lifespan that ranges from 30 to 50 years. Having a wooden structure on top of a house has several good qualities, and it can look great. Here are some examples of wooden structure which are not the average roof that will provide an idea of how unique and marvellous structure topped off with wood can become.

Centre Pompidou-Metz (France)

The Centre Pompidou Metz has a hexagonal pattern of a load-bearing timber roof structure which is visible at night through its transparent covering membrane. It is interesting to know that the inspiration of the roof comes from a woven Chinese hat. Before this one-of-a-kind structure got created, it was studied from every angle to ensure that it would withhold heavy weather conditions. This woven like structure roof is made out of wooden beams, spaced 2.90 meters apart, forming a hexagon pattern that is 90 meters wide.

The timber used is glue laminated which enables the different lengths of the beams and makes them more resistant. It is without a doubt an astounding structure due to its complex curves and counter curves and therefore it is one of the most challenging and largest structure built up to date.

The mesh can allow the roof to expand 40 meters, made from protective fabric which consists of fiberglass and Teflon, forming a membrane over the wooden structure. This layer helps the inside temperature to stay natural. This building was created for displaying art and the goal behind the innovative structure was to draw tourism to Metz, France.

Sea Folk Museum (Japan)

Another interesting museum structure is the Sea Folk Museum, designed by the Naito Architects & Associates, located in Toba, Mie Prefecture, Japan, constructed in 1992. The building was made to display crafts of the Japanese architect Hiroshi Naito. This massive structure is made from wooden beams that run across the high ceiling, without any vertical columns. The roof structure cleverly compliments the fishing related arts as of this artistic designer and is 60.7 feet wide.

One would think that the appearance of the building represents that of a ship when it was actually designed according to a whale’s belly. The roof, constructed of laminated timber trusses, allows sunlight to fill the large space from a skylight implemented in the centre. The light that shines in illuminates the fishing boats and other exhibits which add some magic, according to Choice Solutions Roofing and Exteriors. 

Church Sun-Pu (Japan)

The church of Sun-up in Japan can be easily spotted when passing by as light and shadow change the appearance of the building continuously from all angles. This cubic chapel building, made with rough hewn, red cedar strips, was completed in 2008.

The cedar wood is untreated to keep its natural weathering process which helps to maintain the wood durable and strong. As a result in keeping the wood untreated, the color of the wood will change to a silver-gray color in a few years. The roof is a gable structure with wooden trusses that support a 52-inch ceiling and 30-inch walls. Inside are horizontal pine slats that cover the walls and ceiling where daylight seeps through slits lining the ceiling and sidewalls. This gives the sacred space a translucent quality.

Mokuzaikaikan / Nikken Sekkei (Japan)

Located in Shiki ba, Koto, Tokyo, Mokuzaikaikan is a building of the Tokyo Lumber Wholesalers Association headquarters. This is an impressive structure which is crafted from Japanese cypress with reinforced concrete forming the primary structure to comply with Tokyo's strict fire code. The cypress elements are all connected with vertical timber wedges. They are all combined with wooden oak plugs, connecting every two pieces in horizontal.

Stainless steels rods and joints are used to keep the wood pieces together. The cypress elements are each only 0.105m high and 4.0m long. This method of construction allows for a natural breeze to enter while strong sunlight is kept out. This fascinating civic construction provides the feel of being in the middle of the forest and shows the great possibilities when mixing wood and urban structures.

Woods of Net / Hakone Open Air Museum (Japan)

Another museum-like structure, which lies in the Fuji Hakone Izu National Park, is the Woods of Net which contains an exclusive artwork by Toshiko Horiuchi Macadam. When it comes to connecting timber logs together, there are different types of corner systems that can be used. The wood of Net structure is made of interlocking timber logs that are stacked together, in other words, they are connected with each other without the help of a joints or bolts.

The wooden member weighs together a total of 320 tons, without the use of metal components. The construction process followed an old Japanese method together with world leading structural analysis techniques. It is hard to distinguish between the inside and outside because there are no walls in the Woods of Net as wood pilings shape the area.

Using timber for building is an excellent choice because it is strong and can last for hundreds and even thousands of years. Wood can be used in any construction from roofing, building bridges or as simple implementations to help heat a home. If a designer wants keep the green movement in mind, then it is best to choose wood that comes from sustainably managed forests.

See Choice Solutions Roofing and Exteriors Co., http://choiceroofs.com/.