Types of Roofing Material Available For a Roof
Types of Roofing Material Available For a Roof is an article in Home Improvement and Construction. The author is a Roofing expert. You can read more articles at Roofing. the next article: Bamboo Flooring - The Features And Benefits. Please visit http://roofrepair.co.nz for more roof repair, emergency roof repair and slate roof repair information. Tags: metal roofing, Roofing, roofing material, shingle roofing, slate roofing
A house can be topped with a variety of roofing materials, each with distinct advantages and disadvantages. Location is a important concern when selecting a roofing material, for example a sturdier material is used in areas prone to hurricanes or heavy snow fall. In the medical profession a popular phrase is “doctor heal thyself,” but for homeowners it’s “owner know thy roof.”
A base of glass fibers covered with ceramic coated granules are fiberglass asphalt shingles . This is an inorganic shingle with a high fire rating and often a longer warranty (and life span) than other types of shingles. This type of shingle does not absorb water, and it resists cracking. It also tends to resist high winds, as tested by the Underwriters Laboratories. Sounds like a winner!
Architectural shingle is an inorganic, three dimensional shingle. It is made of multiple layers which gives it a depth and thus an appearance closer to wood or slate roofing. These shingles weigh more and cost more than most other shingles.
Roll roofing is less expensive than shingles. It can be used on roofs with shallow grades, or on steeper roofs as a compliment to shingles. Most people have seen this type of roofing, most often on industrial buildings. It consists of a heavy felt base, saturated with asphalt, covered by a smooth or mineral surface. Easy to install, this type of material will last between 10 and 20 years.
Metal roofing is steel panels used in place of shingles. The best steel panels are made with zinc. Like roll roofing this is more common on industrial buildings. It is durable, withstands fire, and lasts a long time.
The earliest shingles were made of wood, and wood shingles are still used in modern construction. They are made with a variety of woods, but cedar is most common. These are more difficult to install than asphalt shingles. As expected wood shingles are susceptible to fire. A fire-retardant coating reduces the flammability, but cannot eliminate it.
In the interest of being complete, a discussion of other elements of the roof is necessary. These are not shingles or tiles or total roof coverings, but nevertheless are elements of a roof. Flashing consists of roofing material or sheet metal strips used to cover joints, to make the joints waterproof. The boot is a flashing made to fit around the base of a vent pipe. Boots containing lead generally last longer than the roof. A Drip Edge is an “L” shaped, weather-resistant material placed at exposed roof edges to shed water and protect the roof’s wood parts. Felt paper, or building paper, is a sheet with a tough, fibrous base saturated with asphalt installed under shingles. Felt paper also contributes to protecting the wood portions of the roof, particularly the frame.
A great source of information on the types of roofing material is the Internet. The more you know the less likely you are to get wet.
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