Experts recommend that you repair or replace your
roof every ten to thirty years. Since they're the first things exposed to
damaging elements of nature (like rain, wind, sun, snow, hail, ice, etc.),
it's not surprising that they need a little attention now and then. Of course
the climate in which you live will determine how often you repair or replace
your roof as well. For example, a roof in a climate that changes from extreme
cold temperatures to extreme hot ones year after year after year is prone to
problems like brittleness or even crumbling.
Roof Styles
There are six basic styles of roofs. The most common roofs are gable roofs and
you can immediately recognize these types because they're in the triangular
shape that we're all familiar with. |
|
|
A flat roof looks just like its name
implies. Although there are many variations, most roofs are structured along
these two basic styles.
For example, most Roofs are sloped (or pitched) and depending upon the climate,
a roof may be high pitched or low pitched. High-pitched roofs are found in
climates that produce a lot of precipitation. As you might have guessed,
precipitation such as snow or rain doesn't stand much of a chance against a
high-pitched waterproof and/or thermal resistant roof. In warmer climates, like
the southwest, you'll find many buildings and homes with low-pitched roofs. For
your protection, your city may mandate a specific roof pitch (measured in
degrees).
How Roofs Are Born
To build a roof from scratch, constructors (more appropriately called, roofers)
will more than likely either frame it (put it together) at ground level and then
hoist it onto the house, or attach a prefabricated roof onto the house in the
same manner. The idea is to build as much of it within easy walking distance
before attaching to the top of a home - where roofers later have to climb up and
apply additional materials.
What Roofs Are Made Of
What materials? Well first, roofs begin as 2 x 4s. These act as a roof's frame.
Once the frame is built, it's hoisted atop of a house, and then it's covered
with plywood, or sheathing. If advisable, your roof's sheathing may be covered
with insulating board as well. As a precaution against water damage, vital parts
of the roof may even be covered with metal flashing.
Atop of the 2 x 4s, the plywood, and sheathing lies what most of us finally
recognize as a roof: it's covering. Coverings range from asphalt to clay tile,
and from slate to concrete tile, however most of them are covered with either
hot tar or shingles. Shingles are squares of roofing materials overlapped and
nailed to the surface beneath it.
When you talk to your contractor about the type of roof you want, you're bound
to hear some terminology that you're unfamiliar with. Defining all these new
terms is beyond the scope of this article, but you can rest assured that your
contractor is well familiar with the lingo and is more than happy to describe
your options.
About the
Author: Author Paul White represents FloridaHomeBuild.com. A site
designed to help home owners from Florida locate local home contractors with
their home improvement projects.
Visit
http://www.FloridaHomeBuild.com
Find Local Roofing Services. Get Up to 4 Quotes Now. It's Quick, Free, and Easy!
Related Advice and Tips:
Replacing A
Broken Roof Tile - DIY - Do It Yourself
How To Replace A Damaged Asphalt Shingle
How to Measure your Roof for Shingles
How to Repair a Tile Roof
Installing Cedar Roof Shingles
How To Install Roof Shingles
How to Install Roof Flashing
How to Repair or Fix a Roof Leak
How to Install a Ridge Vent
How to Repair a Leaking Pipe Boot on Your Roof
How to Find a Leak in a Flat Roof
How to Install Roof Slates
Roof
Protection
Choosing
Roofing Materials
Prevent Roof
Damage
Basic Roof
Problems
Roofing
Materials: Flat Roofs
Metal Roofing
Materials
DIY: Do it
Yourself Roofing Tips
Corrugated
Roofing Materials
All About
Roofing
Roofing:
Shingle Maintenance
Replacing
Roofing
Metal
Roofing
Roofing
Styles and Materials
Estimating
Roofing Materials Cost
Fiberglass
Roofing Panels
|
