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by: Max Guerra |
Roofing systems are introducing many creative possibilities. Home-owners, architects, builders, engineers and designers are all having a great time choosing a new roof. There are products to satisfy all your roofing needs, from structural enhancements to distinctive elegance for all roof styles.
Basically, roofing can be broken down into six categories:
Each of the above have their own unique features and limitations:
SHINGLE ROOFING
Shingle roofing is the most common and inexpensive roofing system. They are available in both organic and synthetic materials. A good shingle roof has two layers of shingles over the entire roof area, with the shingles overlapping by slightly more than half.
METAL ROOFING
Priced between shingle roofing and wood shake roofing, Metal roofing is made up of various types of metals such as steel, aluminum, tern plate and copper. They can be plain, stamped with patterns or available in factory applied coating of ceramic granulars.
WOOD SHAKE ROOFING
There are different grades of wood shake roofing. A good wood shake roof is never less than three layers in thickness. It is mostly desired for its look but not durability. The downside to this type of roofing is that it absorbs water thus creating moisture and it is also very flammable.
CONCRETE AND CLAY TILE ROOFING
This type of roofing is extremely heavy in weight. A clay tile roof usually consists of two layers of tiles with the exposure equal to less than half of the tile. Concrete tiles usually interlock at both sides and are placed by hooking their top ends over strips of wood strapping.
SLATE ROOFING
This type of roofing is very expensive and it should only be installed by professionals. For example, the nails should be hammered in so that the nail heads just clear the slate surface in order for the tile to hang. By hammering the nails too deep, the tile will shatter around the nail hole and will be subjected to wind blow-off.
After careful consideration of the above possibilities, choose a roof that strengthens your structure instead of having dead weight on your roof. Colors and designs are endless but make sure that you choose a roof that protects your investment and at the same time beautifies your property.
The following are a couple of points that you should remember when considering a roofing company:
Warranty
Warranty is a large part of your re-roofing investment. Your warranty is only as good as the company behind it. Always get your warranty in writing and preferably transferable for resale value.
Installation
When purchasing a new roof you are also buying the workmanship that comes with it. Always ask about the experience they have installing that product, the clean-up process after the job is done and the labour warranty that is given, because even the best roofing system
improperly installed is not worth its money.
Look for any of the following signs, all of which serve as indicators that your roof needs help.
Bare Spot
The protective granular surface of shingles wears off as the asphalt, into which the granules are embedded begins to harden over time. Bare spots are often accompanied by the fine fissures on granules in the gutters.
Broken Shingles
Damage can be caused by extreme wind conditions and snow removal. Since shingles are designed to shed water, broken, torn or missing tabs become obvious entry points for water, especially on low slope roofs where run-off is slower and at the peaks of the roof where shingles are the most vulnerable to high winds.
Buckling
Buckling is a visible distortion or waviness in the horizontal lines of shingles, and usually runs in a straight line up the roof slope. Shingle tabs become exposed to wind and can be torn off. Very often, the problem is warping in the roof deck caused by poor attic ventilation. The use of thinner than recommended plywoods and other non-plywood materials adds to the problem.
Curling
The upward curling of shingle tabs makes them highly susceptible to wind and ice damage. This is a problem on older roofs where moisture build-up in the attic affects the underside of the shingle.
Clawing
This is the curling under the shingle tab’s bottom edge and is part of the
normal aging process of shingles. The bulge created is susceptible to substantial damage by wind,hail and ice.
THINGS TO REMEMBER
A reliable roof is the crowning glory to your investment. It not only binds the walls and the foundation of your property, it stands firm and unyielding to whatever mother-nature may hurl at it.
There are a wide variety of roofing systems and contractors in today's market that can make re-roofing an aggravating and confusing task. Getting a lot...paying a little...is a risk you take on. If you are thinking of dealing with the lowest bidder, the risk that you undertake might be greater than the money you save, thus you pay for what you get.
REMEMBER: THOSE SUCCESSFUL CONTRACTORS AND MANUFACTURERS WITH A GOOD REPUTATION HAVE EARNED IT BY CONSTANTLY DELIVERING GOOD VALUE.