Roof sliding: types, advantages and features of the device

Many believe that the roof is sliding - the invention of modern designers, but this is a misconception: a similar kind of roof devices was used even in ancient Rome. The proof of this is that in the Colosseum, in order to protect the audience from the scorching sun or bad weather, the sliding roof was equipped. What is this device, what are its advantages and features?

Abroad such devices have been used for a long time and have gained popularity, but on the territory of Russia they began to be used quite recently. This is hampered by the conservatism of Russian architects, as they are sure that the sliding roof can not withstand wind and snow loads. This opinion completely rejects the fact that in Canada, which has similar weather conditions, many large public buildings are equipped with sliding roofs.

Scope of application

You can see the sliding top structure on structures of different purposes. These are shopping and cultural centers, sports grounds, water parks.

A special place is occupied by stadiums built in:

1. Texas (Cowboys Stadium).
2. Astana (Astana Arena).
3. Warsaw (Stadion Narodowy) and other major cities of the world.

But you can build such roofs not only in giant structures: you can use such structures to extend the work of open restaurants, cafes, terraces.

Advantages and characteristics

The advantages of the upper sliding structures include the following:

1. Providing natural lighting.
2. Saving of electricity.
3. Access to fresh air.
4. Reliable protection against bad weather.
5. Excellent aesthetic characteristics.
6. Ability to install quickly.

It is very important that there is no restriction on the shape and size of the structures. They can be installed both above the whole structure and over its part, for example - over the veranda at the private house.

Types of roofs

Today, thanks to the use of the latest mechanisms, materials, adaptations, the sliding roof can be arranged in any way and be:

1. Sliding. This system ensures the "travel" of parts of the roof in different directions.
2. Mobile. The construction moves along the guide rollers from one side to the other. It can have 2-3 or more limit positions.
3. Partially sliding, when not the whole surface moves, but only a few elements, and the rest is fixed.

Device Features

The sliding roof mechanism is so simple that it allows each segment to move along separate rails. An aluminum profile is used to make the base, as this material does not rust. The steel frame is used less often because of its high cost and significantly higher weight. Next to the frame are fastened panels. What material will be used for their production depends on where the roof is installed. It can be:

1. Strained glass. Its strength, reliability and durability are beyond doubt.
2. Cellular polycarbonate. It has excellent sound and heat insulation properties. Has a light weight.
3. Any non-transparent materials.

Sliding system smoothly and quietly opens the structure. Rollers at the same time fulfill their main task - move and hold the roof segment in the desired position. The system can work both in manual mode and automatically. In the second case it will be necessary to provide electricity supply.

If it is, for example, a greenhouse with a sliding roof to improve the microclimate inside the structure, you can install sensors that will respond to temperature and humidity. When they rise or, conversely, fall below the permissible level, the sensors will give a signal, and the drive will close / open the sections of the structure. For more complex systems, you will need to install a controller.