Entries Tagged 'Roofing' ↓

EPDM roofing is an excellent rubber roofing solution for flat roofs where inflexibility, weathering and failing joints often cause roofs to leak. If you’ve been struggling with a flat roof leak, or you have a flat or gently sloping roof project, you’ll be excited to discover EPDM rubber roofing. With billions of square feet installed, EPDM has been proven to give many years of leak free service. Best of all, it’s easy to install.

EPDM is ethylene propylene diene M-class rubber with a benefit of not polluting run off water. Therefore the water falling from the roof can be re-used for sanitation purposes. Since an element of the green movement is to harvest rainwater, EPDM roofs are popular in green projects. EPDM roofing, like TPO roofing, is a membrane product. It is commonly used in big box stores with large open areas. Chances are if there’s a Walmart around it uses an EPDM roof.

EPDM has been in use as a roofing material since the 1960’s. Efforts to recycle it began in the 1990’s. Today there are more than 1 billion square feet of EPDM new roof coverings installed each year, with over 20 billion square feet already in place. EPA standards in 2007 raised the recycle bar to call for 50% of roofing materials used in any new project to be recyclable. The EPA conducted a study in 2007 to determine if EPDM could be recycled to that level. The results were positive, but with some question remaining as to whether the recycled material could be used and produced in enough quantity to be feasible.

EPDM roofing has its own trade association, the EPDM Roofing Association. This group defines itself in the following way. ?Since the early 1960?s, EPDM single-ply rubber membrane roofing products have gained wide industry acceptance and respect by providing long-term, economically efficient, dependable roofing solutions for the construction community. Their attributes include long-term warranties, low life-cycle costs, reduced labor costs, minimal maintenance and user-friendly code approvals. The sustained growth of EPDM roofing systems is attributed to the development of complementary technologies that have made it possible for EPDM roofing systems to be beneficial in a wide number of applications. Architects and contractors have come to depend on this proven track record of performance. As environmentalists and code regulators place more emphasis on the long-term performance of building materials, EPDM has become an increasingly obvious choice. The need to provide the construction and roofing communities with current and accurate data documenting the many benefits of EPDM roofing systems led to the formation of ERA.?

One benefit of EPDM roofing pointed out by the EPA is wind resistance. EPDM roofs can be designed to resist winds of 120 MPH or more. For buildings in hurricane areas, that’s of huge benefit.

Let’s start with one simple rule for people who want to install metal roofing. If you cannot easily walk on the roof because it’s too steep, call a professional. Now that the rule is out of the way, if you have a building that needs a metal roof but can’t afford what the professionals have bid, here’s how to tackle it.

The proper tools are needed. These include a measuring tape, a chalk line with plenty of chalk, a good drill, a good extension ladder and a good step ladder, ½ pound of ¼ inch roofing nails, metal roofing screws, metal snips, and a cloth nail bag to hold the nails and screws.

Measure the roof’s height and add the desired overhang, generally two to four inches. Take multiple measurements keeping in mind the handy man’s mantra ?measure twice, cut once.? Now measure the roof’s length and height on both sides to determine how much metal edging is needed. Take these measurements to the selected roofing supply company. They will tell you how much roofing is needed. Keep in mind that 3 to 6 inches of unblocked air flow is needed between layers.

Although it isn’t necessary to remove the old roof before laying down a metal roof, it is best. Remove old shingles with a pitch fork, roofing shovel, or roofing pliers. Once this is done lay down 30 pound tar paper as the base for the new roof. If there’s only one layer of shingles on the old roof, lay down 1?x4?x building length pine wood boards screwed onto the old shingles. Once the roof is prepared the metal roof edging can be applied.

Start placing the metal sheets running from top to bottom. Screw them into the wood slats, using a screw every two feet on both sides of the sheet. Each sheet overlaps the last. When you reach the edge cut the last metal sheet so it’s just past the edge of the roof.

Once the sheets are applied to both sides of the roof apply the metal trim along the sides of the roof at the edge. Also apply it at the peak, first scoring it in the middle so it can be bent over the peak.

Of course these instructions are useful only for installing the standard type of tin barn roof seen in industrial buildings, garages and the like. Other types of metal roofs require different methods for installation. But those can be tackled equally as well by a do it yourself person who wants to install metal roofing.

A house can be topped with a variety of roofing materials, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Location is a top concern when selecting materials, for example a sturdier material should be used in areas prone to hurricanes or heavy snow fall. In the medical world a popular phrase is ?doctor heal thyself,? but in the world of homes it’s ?owner know thy roof.?

Fiberglass asphalt shingles have a base of glass fibers covered with ceramic coated mineral granules. 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 close to wood or slate roofing. These shingles weigh more and cost more than most other shingles.

Roll roofing is less expensive than shingles. It’s 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.

Wood shingles are the oldest type of shingle. 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 does not 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 strips of sheet metal or roofing material used to cover joints, to make the joints waterproof. A special type of flashing is a ?boot,? made to fit around a vent pipe. The boot is sometimes plastic. 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. Building paper helps keep water away from the wood frame under the shingles.

The Internet is full of information on these roofing materials, installation and contractors, maintenance, and a lot more about roofs. The more you know, the less likely you are to get wet.

Roofing supplies include a wide range of materials and items necessary for the construction and maintenance of a roof. This means not only shingles but molding, lumber, pipes and vents, roofing cements, ladders and all the necessary tools including roofing nails.

One of the most important roofing supplies is, of course, the top roofing material. This is considered the roof proper and includes wood shingles, ceramic tiles, asbestos shingles, metal roofing sheets and tiles, rubber roofing sheets and shingles, and more. The roofing material should be chosen based on location, so that the roof will stand up to the local elements and issues that impact a roof.

Lumber is used in a roof primarily as the support structure or frame. This usually consists of a triangular truss and a lattice of beams. The roof itself is then laid over the frame. Other lumber elements include the cornice, part of the frame that hangs over the wall, the fascia, which is the underside of the cornice, the eave, beam ends of the wood frame that allow water to drip away from the roof, and the soffit, which is the underside of the eave.

Pipes and vents stick up from the roof. They help the house breathe, and are also the escape routes for smoke from a fireplace or cooking hood, as well as for hot air from the attic. The bottoms of pipes and vents are generally sealed with a boot, or metal strip, that includes a lead based or plastic sealant. These pipes and vents have one way shields sealed with rubber so that the air or smoke can escape, but water doesn’t drip into the pipe or vent.

Roofing tools include the ladder to get to the roof, as well as other items necessary for both installation and removal, as well as for regular maintenance. These include simple items such as a broom and bucket to hold waste shingles, a slater’s hammer that includes a hammer as well as an ax and blade, a slate cutter to cut through shingles, seaming pliers to grasp shingles, and a hip runner to install the ridge cap, the portion of the roof on top of seams.

When it comes to roofing nails they must be long enough to go through the shingles and get about 3/8 inch below the bottom of the shingle. Anything that interferes with the nails biting into the wood could cause the nail to pull out, and eventually the loss of shingles. This includes shingles with ridges, some under shingle materials, and of course nails that are too short. A good roofer can drive a roofing nail with one solid hit. A homeowner doing it themselves will find that they can drive the nails with one hit after only a few minutes.

Roofing supplies aren’t as simple as they first seem. But with a little planning, you’ll have everything needed for a quality roof.

There’s no doubt it’s a wise move to hire a professional to remove, install or maintain a roof. But with a little bit of time and knowledge, and often with the help of a few friends, replacing a roof is a realistic do it yourself project. The key to doing it yourself rather than doing yourself in is the right roofing tools. These tools can be found at the local hardware store.

A slate cutter does just what the name implies, cuts slate and shingles. It goes through most roofing materials like a hot knife through butter. Industrial versions cut 1/2? thick shingles easily. Some models have a punch to get them started, which also offers better control in the cutting process.

Instead of throwing the shingles to the ground, which requires a constant trek to the perilous edge, consider a ridge bucket. These buckets are designed to hug the roof so they don’t slip even on a steep incline. It’s safer and quicker to use this bucket to dispose of materials.

Use a hip runner to install ridge cap and hip ridges perfectly straight every time. Of all the roofing tools this is one the contractors always have, but do it your self enthusiasts rarely consider.

Seaming pliers aren’t for sewing. They’re for yanking off shingles, especially stubborn shingles that seem to have a mind of their own intent on staying in place. Seaming pliers have teeth to grip the shingle without tearing it. Add a good pair of thick work gloves to save your fingers and hands from scrapes, bruises and blisters from gripping and pulling rough shingles.

A slater’s hammer has a hammer head, as well as a small ax and a blade on the opposite side. This roofing tool can be used both for removing the old roof and installing the new roof. It’s also useful as a regular hammer and with the ax and blade for other projects besides roofing.

Not only will most local hardware stores carry these tools, they’ll rent some of the larger ones such as a slate cutter. This way a roofing novice can use the best quality tools rather than one that’s cheaper to purchase. Keep in mind too that knowledge is a roofing tool as important as any other. These local hardware stores are also sources of information on roofing. Between books they carry and staff on hand who can give you advice, they can prepare a person for every step of the roofing process.

Roofing shingles are something that most every homeowner has, but few spend enough time thinking about them. The purpose of roofing shingles are to provide a single layer solution to a leak proof top for a home or structure. Shingles are generally laid out from the bottom edge of the roof upward, with each higher row overlapping the lower row. Traditionally shingles were made of wood and were capped at the top with a row of copper or lead sheeting. In modern shingle roofs this has been replaced by a row of shingles with plastic underlay.

Back to the make up of shingles, wood was considered good. But in time modern materials such as asphalt and asbestos cement replaced wood as common materials. Fiberglass based asphalt shingles are now the most popular shingle used in the United States. The obvious issue with wood is fire, and fire is the reason wood and paper backed shingles are used infrequently in modern construction.

Most people have seen a type of wood shingle, but wouldn’t be able to identify it. It’s called a shake, which is a wooden shingle made from split logs. Shake roofs were common with log cabins, and with many wood frame homes. They’re still in use today, most commonly transported by helicopters, but it wasn’t always done that way. Before the invention of helicopters the shakes were tied into packs and transported by pack animal or even by human power. Often cut in hilly areas, they were carried down the slope with the help of a long line run from the bottom to the top. This line served as a hand hold so people carrying the shake packs wouldn’t fall.

The main difference between a shingle and a tile is flexibility. Tiles are generally made from ceramic. They’re brittle and ill suited to locations where tree limbs might fall on a roof. Shingles are flexible and therefor better able to stand up to tree limbs. Wood shingles rot, while ceramic tiles don’t., but modern materials such as the asbestos base for most shingles don’t rot. Another difference is the shape. Shingles are flat, while ceramic tiles commonly have an ?S? profile to allow them to interlock for strength.

One of the more unique materials for roof shingles is slate. Because of both cleavage and grain slate can be easily split into thin sheets. Such sheets, the slate shingles, make for an old world look for a roof. Slate roofing shingles are installed by a slater, a tradesman trained to work with slate. The same qualities that make slate excellent for roofing shingles, they are fireproof and an electric insulator, made them useful for early 20th century switchboards and relay controls on large electric motors. Imagine that, making a phone call on your roofing shingles.

Fabral is the self described leader in metal wall and roof systems. The Fabral roofing warranty on their products are amongst the best in the business. Simply stated most have a lifetime integrity warranty and 20-30 year fade and chalk or corrosion warranty. With a warranty like that there’s no worry when it comes time to install Fabral products.

The Fabral Grandrib 3 and Grandrib 3 Plus metal roofing is, according to Fabral, ?manufactured from only the best prime quality structural steel available?no seconds ever!? The finish is with another Fabral product, Enduracoat (TM) 2000. As Fabral tells it ?Whether your application is new or old, commercial, agricultural or residential, Fabral’s panels and paint systems are designed to exceed your requirements and expectations.? What’s the warranty? For Grandrib 3 it’s a lifetime integrity warranty, 30-year warranty against fade and chalk for walls and roofs, and a 10-year edge rust warranty against acid rain. For the Grandrib 3 Plus the warranty is a step better in most respects. It’s a lifetime film integrity warranty, a 30-year warranty against fade and chalk for walls and roofs, a 15-year edge rust warranty against acid rain, and a 25-year non-perforation warranty against acid rain for walls, 20 years for roofs.

Fabral describes its Horizon 16 product in the following manner. ?The elements can be tough on roofing materials, but Fabral’s Horizon 16 is up to the task. Horizon 16’s tough, metal construction brings maximum protection, low maintenance, long-lasting beauty and distinctive value to residential properties. Horizon 16 is incredibly energy efficient; many colors reflect the hot rays of the sun to keep homes cooler in the summer. While Horizon 16 weighs considerably less than a shingled roof, it is extremely durable?the fire resistant material can withstand strong winds yet maintain a quiet, soothing sound during a rain storm. Horizon 16 can be installed over any solid decking, or in many cases, right over an existing roof.? The warranty is a good one; a Lifetime warranty, a 30-year chalk and fade warranty for painted, a 15-year edge rust warranty against acid rain, and a limited 20-year paint warranty on Bright Copper Penny.

Ultra-Loc is another Fabral residential roofing metal material. ?Ultra-Loc’s tough, metal construction brings maximum protection, low maintenance, long-lasting beauty and distinctive value to residential properties.? The warranty includes a 30-year chalk and fade warranty for painted, a 15-year edge rust warranty against acid rain, and a limited 20-year paint warranty on Bright Copper Penny.

If it’s starting to sound the same that’s because it is the same. Fabral stands by its products with excellent warranties. For more information on all of Fabral’s products, including the Fabral roofing warranty for each, visit their web site http://www.fabral.com.

When choosing the roofing material for your roof, take the roofing material’s lifespan into account because this dictates how long your roof will last before having to be replaced. And that impacts long term cost.

A roof’s lifespan depends on a number of factors, including roofing style, materials, and the climate in the area where the home is located. It’s generally best to select roofing products that have nearly the same lifespan to avoid piece by piece repairs throughout a ten to fifteen year period. In most cases, roofing materials last for about twenty years. This is if the roof has been maintained properly and there has been no significant damage to the roof from the weather. Some materials have a lifespan of as much as 50 years while some others last as little as 10 years. Here are some of the common roofing materials and their lifespans.

The average lifespan of asphalt roofing is from 15 to 20 years with proper maintenance. Asphalt roofing materials are one of the most common types of roofing materials used throughout the nation because of the low cost of the materials and the ease of repairs.

The average lifespan of fiberglass roofing is from 15 to 20 years. Fiberglass roofing requires little maintenance and can be manufactured in many different colors and styles to give the homeowner the desired look. Roofs made from this material are water resistant and mold resistant.

Many homes in the northeastern portion of the nation use wooden shakes and shingles. These roofing materials will generally last for about 15 to 20 years, and could last for as many as 30 years if the shakes and shingles are well maintained.

Slate roofing materials are some of the longest lasting roofing products on the market, with an average lifespan of 40 to 75 years.

Metal roofing can last nearly 50 years. Metal roofing products come in a wide variety of different colors, finishes, and styles to resemble other types of roofing materials such as tiles or wooden shingles. These roofing products are nearly indestructible from weather and can be installed over the current roof.

A less well known option is rubber roofing. It’s easy to install, easy to maintain, and long lasting. It can be a single sheet cut to fit the roof or shingles. The very first rubber roof ever installed was in Wisconsin in 1980. It’s still doing its job after nearly 30 years.

So you see, there are many different roofing materials each with their own strengths and weaknesses.

When people think of metal roofing they think of the corrugated ?tin barn? look. But metal roofing has come a long way. Today metal roofing includes a variety of styles and materials so that the roof can look good, while retaining the qualities of durability, longevity, fire resistance and easy maintenance.

Metal roofs are made from a variety of metals. These include the traditional aluminum and steel, as well as copper and a variety of alloys. Modern metal roofs can be formed into shapes that imitate Spanish tiles, wood shakes, and even slate. They can be given a variety of finishes such as granulated stone topcoats to complete a realistic imitation of almost any other material.

There are some negatives to a metal roof. One is cost, with a typical square running from $150 to $600. Another is the necessity of professional installation and maintenance, both again adding to the overall cost of a metal roof. But even with these negatives many people feel that metal roofs have benefits that make them worthwhile. Speaking of cost, a properly installed and maintained metal roof can last as long as the house. That means, over a typical home’s life time, the cost of a metal roof is low compared to the cost of other roofing materials that might require replacement after 15 to 20 years.

Metal roofs are very light, 50 to 150 pounds per square compared to 750 pounds per square foot for tile or 900 pounds per square foot for concrete tile. Metal roofs can also be installed right over existing roofs without installing additional support. Metal roofs withstand high winds, snow slides off them, and they are resistant to mildew, insects and rot.

Another major concern with a roof is roof pitch. Many materials require a steep pitch to ensure water flows off the roof so that the roof won’t leak. Metal roofs require a less steep pitch, with a typical recommended minimum being 3-in-12, which is three inches of height for every horizontal foot. Consider the benefit of a less steep roof next time you have to climb onto it to clean the gutters, or retrieve a ball or Frisbee thrown there by a child.

Just as with other home projects that require a professional, the best way to find a metal roof contractor is through word of mouth. Talk to friends and neighbors, or look for metal roofs around the neighborhood and ask the home owners who installed them. The Internet is a good source to find pre-screened metal roofing contractors, as are architects who design homes with metal roofs. The National Roofing Contractors Association can also help. Their number is 1-800-USA-ROOF.

You may not be ready for a cat on a hot tin roof. But if you want a long lasting roof for your home, consider that traditional wood and shingles are good, but metal may be better.

Rubber baby buggy bumpers. I’m rubber you’re glue, what you say bounces off me and sticks to you. Rubber ducky, you’re the one. Rubber roofing. What? Rubber roofing? There’s no such thing as rubber roofing. Yes there is. If rubber keeps rain and weather off a person when worn as a rain coat or rain boots, why not keep water and the elements out of a house as a roof?

Number one with a rubber roof is a myth. It’s perfectly fine to install rubber roofing over an existing roof. After all, it saves time from removing the old roof. And in areas where the old roof is intact there’s double protection. Wrong! Whatever the other reasons, no roofing manufacturer will honor a warranty of a roof that has not been installed on a completely clean surface. So get ready for that removal. It’s step one.

Rubber roofs can be easy to self install. They come in a variety of styles of both rolls and shingles. An ideal material for large flat roofs, rubber roofing will last for years, and won’t split or crack. Rubber roofing experiences less stress than other material shingles because it expands and contracts with the roof in response to weather changes. In fact the first rubber roof, which was installed in Wisconsin in 1980, is still in perfect condition after nearly three decades of service.

Both rolls and shingle rubber roofing is attached to the roof surface with adhesive. Therefore make sure the roof is as clean as possible with nothing protruding which could pierce the rubber. The surface must be dry and free of oils or dirt. So make sure to blow or sweep away and dirt.

Once the base is clean, the rubber roof can be rolled out onto the area being covered, and cut to fit over vents and pipes. Do not apply adhesive until the rubber roofing is cut and shaped. Imagine securing portions of the roof only to find it doesn’t fit, or to develop a bubble or seam. Once it has been fit then apply adhesive to about one half the roof at a time, rolling it back to apply the adhesive. Apply it evenly and give it time to set up, to become tacky.

The roofing will be nearly impossible to lift once it’s stuck. So once the adhesive has set carefully roll the rubber roofing into place. Let the first half dry for about an hour before repeating the process with the second half.

Now your rubber roof is in place. Imagine that.