Every Home Improvement » Roofing

Roofing Tools And Procedures

Editor — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:00:11 +0000

Have you looked at your home lately? Does it look good to you? Did you look at your roof? Does it have some torn and broken shingles on it? If you have lived in your home for a while now, you have probably painted it almost yearly, maybe you have even put in a sauna. Well, you still need to keep your roof looking well and to do that you are going to need to have the right roofing tools. These roofing tools will help you to ensure that your roof is in good shape. They will help you to be able to replace your broken and vacant shingles.

If you are feeling confident that you can scale the roof and do the work yourself, then go ahead and do it. However, you should still get an opinion from an experienced roofer before you get started. Nevertheless, replacing a shingle should only take you approximately 5 minutes if you have the right roofing tools. This is because this really is a simple job.

Choosing The Right Roofing Tools

There are some things that you will need to know though. First of all, you will have to known how to align the shingle at the right angle. This is very important and besides having to have the right roofing tools, you also need to be positioned comfortably and securely. Once you are securely and safely placed on the roof you will need to have the right roofing tools beside you to use. This includes a flat pry bar to lift the shingle, a hammer, nails, a razor knife and adhesive.

How To Use The Right Roofing Tools

Now that you have yourself situated on your roof with your roofing tools, there are some steps that you should take. First of all, you need to lift the shingle tab of the shingle that is located 2 rows above the shingle that you want to replace. Then you will need to remove the nails from around the shingle tab. You can use the pry bar to lift the shingle and keep it securely positioned so that it will not slide down. You can then use your hammer claw to remove all of the nails around the shingle so that it can be removed easily. Once this is done you can replace the old shingle with the new one and fix the nails so that there are no holes. All that is left to do now is apply the adhesive.

How To Calculate The Cost Of Metal Roofing

Editor — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 12:45:28 +0000

Congratulations! You've decided on a metal roof to either go overtop or replace your current roof. Perhaps you live in a state where there are tax cuts for large home repairs like a new roof. Perhaps you have a great credit rating and are sure to get a homeowner's loan from your bank. But before you can approach a bank for a loan, you need an estimate. A competent roofer will give you an estimate, but you can determine the cost of metal roofing yourself.

The Roof Calculator

Many roofing businesses have websites that include roofing calculators. You feed them the data they ask for and they automatically figure out an estimate for you as to what the cost of metal roofing for you will be. But determining what you need to tell them takes a little work.

First, what kind of metal roofing material are you looking at? Aluminum and tin cost far less than copper or even corrugated iron, for instance. All of the materials have their advantages and disadvantages, depending on the area you live and how steep your roof is.

Then, you need to determine your roof's rise and run. If you have a flat roof, you don't have to worry about this, but if your roof is at any kind of angle, then you need to get a ladder, a marker, a three foot level, measuring tape and your brain.

About a foot up your roof's lowest edge, stick one little side of the level onto your roof's side so that your leveling tool is the same angle as the ground. Get your measuring tape and figure out how long it is from your level's middle to the roof. Divide it by three if you're using a three foot level or two if you're using a two foot level. Write this down. You have now figured out your roof's rise.

Now get off the ladder and go up to the attic with the level and the measuring tape. Place the little edge of the level against an angled beam or gable. Your level should be sticking at an angle to the floor. Measure the distance from the middle of your level to the roof. Divide by two or three, depending on how long your level is. Write this down. You have the roof's run.

Rise and run help you figure out your slope. So you'll get answers like a pitch of 4 inches in a flat 12 inches, or 4 in 12. This is vital information to determine the cost of metal roofing. The website should tell what formula they use to determine your slope and thus how many square feet of roofing you need. This will give you a good idea of the cost of metal roofing.

Types of Roofing Tiles

Editor — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 07:15:06 +0000

There are many different kinds of roofing materials available worldwide. Many of these can be locally made or assembled in your very own country while some others need to be exported from other countries. One of the more expensive kinds of roofing materials are roofing tiles.

Roofing tiles have been around for centuries. They have been used as roofing materials all over the world and during the last century, manufacturers have made extra effort to perfect and polish the roofing tile look. Some new materials have also been added in the roofing tiles roster to suit the needs of many individuals.

Different Kinds of Roofing Tiles

Clay has long been used for roofing and it is no wonder that it has withstood centuries of use because clay is naturally insulated and can help control the temperature of a building or home. Clay is also naturally beautiful to look at and it adds beauty to the home. This is one of the primary materials used in roofing tiles since the old days.

Concrete roofing tiles is commonly used in home and structures due to its durability and hardiness. Manufactures have also recently found ways to make it last longer and withstand the elements. Just like the clay range of products, concrete can be made into many designs to suit the preference of the buyers. Designs and other features are usually integrated into roofing tiles to provide their buyers with what they want.

Slate as roofing tiles is also a traditional material. Some manufacturers have been using clay to create slate-looking roofing tiles. These are naturally blue tiles but some are colored to create a uniform or beautiful blue. Most roofing tiles are valued for their insulation capabilities.

Some manufacturers have also created solar panels which look like roofing tiles to satisfy the needs of the customers. Solar roof tiles add the capability to make solar power to house that want to have solar power at the same time use tiles as their roofing material. Solar energy can benefit homes by providing them with enough energy to power basic appliances and lights.

Roofing tiles create a beautiful pattern on our roofs and this has been going on for centuries already. If you noticed the centuries old buildings that are preserved all over Europe and Asia, some have roofs made of roofing tiles. These are testimonies to the durability and hardiness of the tiles which has withstood time and elements.

The Advantages Of Fiberglass Roofing Sheets

Editor — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 02:44:53 +0000

Fiberglass is a material consisting of fine fibers of glass that is very sturdy and hardy. It is usually utilized to make a product that has mixed the fiberglass with some other components to create what is technically known as fiber reinforce polymer or glass reinforced plastic. This composite is commonly known as fiberglass. It is used in so many every day things.

One of the uses for fiberglass is for roofing material. Many people have opted to use this material for their rooftops because they are not as heavy as metal and ceramic shingles and they are also very good insulators.

Using Fiberglass Roofing Sheets

Fiberglass roofing sheets are commonly used for roofs. They offer home and building owners a sturdy and secure roof that can also be utilized as a lighting roof because some fiberglass are see through. Other fiberglass roofing sheets may have prints but the more common are almost opaque while others are almost see-through sheets. The see through roofing sheets can let a degree of sunlight or just ordinary light in to supply the room or are with light. Fiberglass roofing sheets can help conserve energy and electricity through this use.

Some manufactures of the fiberglass roofing sheets make their sheets according to specs of the buyers as long as they order by bulk. Other manufacturers also have many choices for their purchaser and they stock these items according to the demand. There are also many fiberglass roofing sheets with many different kinds of prints that can be used as decorative and camouflage roofing.

Fiberglass roofing sheets are often made very sturdy by the manufacturers that a person can stand on the flat sheet for a longtime without any fear of it cracking or giving way to the pressure and the weight of the individual. These sheets are also handy to have because they can be used to let light into shed or room at the same time they can protect from the elements. Fiberglass roofing sheets are also good insulators for rooftops. They act as insulators when they house has little or no insulation at all.

They can also be attractive roofing sheets when they are printed on and can complement a house or area with their color and prints. Fiberglass roofing sheets are also longer lasting than some roofing materials and this is one of the reasons why some home owners and builders have switched to fiberglass roofing sheets.

Roofing Tips For Your Leaky Roof

Editor — Tue, 10 May 2011 14:45:12 +0000

If you would like to save some money while fixing your leaking roof, then you may want to do the repairs yourself. This can be done if you are fairly handy, especially if it is just a small job that needs to be done and there is not more than a 6 inch slope to your roof.

Roofing Tips For Fixing Your Roof

One of the first roofing tips that you should know about is going into your attic with a flashlight to look for watermarks. These will show you where your roof needs to be repaired. Another of the important roofing tips is that the areas that need to be repaired will be two to three feet ABOVE the watermark. This is because water travels downwards. Important roofing tips will also tell you that if there is damage to the wood that covers your roof and where the shingles are nailed on top of, then you should have a professional roofing company do this work for you.

Roofing Tips About Materials

Of course, no good roofing tips will stop before sharing with you what materials you will need to have in to be able to fix your own roof. First of all, you will need to find some shingles that actually match the ones that are currently on the rest of your roof. In order to figure out just how many shingles you are going to need you will have to multiply the length of the area that needs the shingles by the width of this area. You should then divide this by 100. This will give you the number of roofing squares that you need in order to do the repair work. A roofing square is actually equal to 3 bundles of shingles. In other words, 1 bundle of shingles will only cover about 33.3 square feet of your roof.

Before going to the store, you should make sure that the tar paper, or roofing felt, is not damaged. This is actually really easy to fix if you get the correct materials, which is something that your local hardware store can help you with.

Conclusion

With these roofing tips, you will be able to fix a minor roofing problem and replace damaged shingles. However, if your roof has any major damage, you will need to call a professional roofer to do the work for you. Otherwise, these roofing tips will help you to save you money by repairing your own roof.

Look Forward To Do It Yourself Roofing Jobs

Editor — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 16:00:07 +0000

When the roof of the house needs replaced due to age or damage, there are a couple of options. The first is to contract the job to a professional, which may be a good idea if the roof is steep and difficult to walk on or if it is high and the homeowner is afraid of heights. Secondly, do it yourself roofing is possible, depending on the type of roofing material you choose to use and how handy you are with tools.

Replacing the roof of a house is not an easy job, but certainly one that can be done by the home handyman, depending on their fear of heights and having enough strength and stamina to carry bundles of shingles onto the roof. However, it must first be determined if the old roof needs to be torn off before the new one is installed. Typically, if there is currently one layer of asphalt shingles on the roof, a second layer can be put on. With do it yourself roofing jobs, it is not advised to add a third layer, mainly due to the weight on the roof structure.

Tearing off the old shingles can be done with a pitch fork or a flat shovel and will leave a mess in the yard around the house. It's a good idea to contract for a dumpster in which to place all the old roofing materials or arrange for someone to clean up the mess when you are done.

Keeping It Straight On Do It Yourself Roofing Projects

Once the old roof is off, insure there are no old roofing nails sticking up and take any errant ones out with a claw hammer or nail puller. Once the roof is cleaned off, including swept with a broom, you will need to lay down a layer of 30-pound roofing felt. Most felt is printed with lines for lining up the new shingles for a do it yourself roofing, provided it is applied straight with the roof edge.

There should also be metal roof edging installed around the perimeter of the roof to give the roof a finished appearance as well as to help prevent leaks from water wrapping around the edge and working its way under the first row of shingles. The first row of shingles on the do it yourself roofing, should be placed inverted, meaning the solid edge should line up against the edge of the metal strip. Subsequent layers are put down with the cut side in the right direction.

What You Need To Know About Tin Roofing

Editor — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 09:00:20 +0000

Tin roofing? Is that just the kind of roofing in Oz for the Tin Man and his family? No. Tin roofing is a cheap, safe and easy to get alternative for all kinds of roofs. People have been using tin roofs all over the world for donkey's years. And, with all the emphasis made about the state of the environment, it is good to know that tin roofing is recyclable.

Why Is It So Cheap?

Usually, you get what you pay for. But tin roofing is one of the most economical roofing materials on the face of the planet. If it's so cheap, can it be any good? It certainly is.
Tin is one of the most abundant metals on earth. Tin deposits aren't going away anytime soon. Contrast this to slate roofing, where particular grades of slate must be mined and carefully shipped and installed in a special way one shingle at a time.

You can also install tin roofing over your existing roof (provided your existing roof is still functioning decently). An overlay can save you considerable amounts of money than replacing an entire roof.

Where Tin Roofs Are Best

Tin roofing is also really resistant to the weather (except tornadoes, but no roofing can protect you from that). Tin roofing doesn't rust or develop holes due to saltwater in the air, acid rain or pollution like other kinds of roofing may be prone to. Tin roofing is often popular near industrial areas because of its toughness.

Oddly enough, some of the wettest places on earth like the Polynesian Islands, India and Tutenendo, Columbia, guess what kind of roofing they use? That's right – tin roofing. When it rains, the noise drowns out all conversation. Apparently, you get used to it after a few years.

But you don't need to. A competent roofer will not just sell you tin roofing, but an underlay, as well (unless the tin roofing is going over your original roof). This will not only cut down on the noise, but also gives insulation to your home. It will keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

Tin roofing isn't just for homes, either. It is also great for mobile home roofs, garden sheds, outhouses, barns and boatyards. They can be flat or corrugated (in tight waves). Usually, it comes corrugated as the wave shape makes water best slide off. But if you have a flat roof, placing plants over your tin roof can help not only cut down on noise, but help insulate your roof and cut down on energy costs.

The History Of Corrugated Roofing

Editor — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 18:00:26 +0000

Perhaps you have property with corrugated roofing. Perhaps you've never heard of corrugated roofing and want to know if the roof needs to be replaced with another material. If you live in a rainy area of the world, your corrugated roofing was made just for rolling water off of your home. Here's a basic history of corrugated roofing.

What Is It?

Corrugated roofing is usually made of corrugated iron. What is corrugated? That means "wavy". When the roof material is wavy instead of flat (like asphalt shingles), then water can best flow right off. Standing water is a big no-no on the top of any roofs. Not only does it make water damage, which will eventually cause expensive leaks, but standing water is a Hilton for mosquitoes and other annoying insects.

Corrugated roofing works best when the roof itself is a triangle shape, instead of being completely flat.

Corrugated roofing is sometimes referred to as CGI, which stands for "corrugated galvanized iron". CGI was invented in the 1840's as a new, lightweight yet tough construction material. Most of CGI concentrated on roofing. For the first time, a cheap, commercially available and sturdy roofing material was available to everyone.

Not Just Iron Anymore

It's not the iron that makes corrugated roofing, but the waves. Some people didn't like iron's ability to rust or dent when large tree limbs fell on it. And, makers of roofing materials are always after the better roof – ideally, cheap, sturdy and easy to install and maintain. Corrugated roofing comes in many materials nowadays. You can choose from stainless steel, fiberglass, aluminum, zinc, coated or painted steel.

One of the loveliest historic homes that has corrugated roofing is in Scotland. It is called Glenlair, and was the home of Scottish scientist James Clerk Maxwell, who developed a lot of things, but the only one this writer can immediately grasp is that he helped develop color photographs. He also had great taste in homes. Although Glenair is still suffering from the effects of a huge fire in 1929, it and its corrugated roofing are still standing and still beautiful. The grand old house is slowly being restored by private donations.

Another historic building with a corrugated roof that's on this side of the Pond is The Captain Coghlan House in the Yukon. It was made very early in the last century with corrugated roofing of metal. In 2005, the Yukon Historical & Museums Association gave the house an inspection. Over 100 years old, the roof was considered in 'fair" condition!

Advantages Of Solar Roofing

Editor — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 05:44:51 +0000

There are numerous roofing materials available to choose from. One of these is solar roofing materials. Solar roofing materials are sturdy covering for your roof that can, at the same time as protect you from the heat of the sun, provide you and your co-habitants energy power to utilize in your home.

Our sun is expected to still b around for several billions of years still. The energy it emits can be harnessed to provide us with enough energy to power our own homes. Solar roofing can help us harness the energy of the sun and make it help us in our daily lives.

Advantages Solar Energy

Solar energy can be used instead of the other energy sources that can be depleted in the near future. Using solar energy instead of those from other sensitive sources can help the world in a little way. If all people try to help in their own little way, a big way will be seen to protect our resources from being depleted.

Solar roofing can help a household generate enough energy to power the most basic appliances in it. Not only that but the roofing itself protect us fro rain and the heat of the sun. Not only that but it can also be used to heat water and to generate enough energy for light in the house. Solar energy can also be utilized to power fans and other ventilation systems.

The amount of energy generated from solar roofing will be dependent on the amount of solar panels you have installed in your home or building. The more solar panels installed in a building, the more energy it can generate to be used in the building itself. Other enterprising individuals have resorted to selling the excess solar they generate from their solar roofing. This is very helpful if you think about the pollution that fossil fuel and other pollutant energy sources can give to our earth.

We should be aware of what is happening to our world, after all we only have one Earth and when it dies we die with it. Some people just used energy without any regard to the consequences of their usage. Solar roofing should be made more affordable to give people the chance to help conserve energy and to help our world get back on its feet again. We should take a stand to protect what is ours instead of exploiting it and leaving nothing for our future.

The Care And Feeding Of Your Aluminum Roofing

Editor — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 08:15:06 +0000

Let's suppose the house or building you want to buy has aluminum roofing. Should you still buy the house or building? That depends on many factors. Aluminum roofing is great for terrains with aggressive weather such as the deserts of Australia, the coastlines that constantly get hit with sea salt spray or places that get acid rain (which is getting to be everywhere these days). The roof itself should still be in good condition. Aluminum roofing can last on average fifty years. So even if it's an older roof, chances are it'll still be sound. Aluminum roofing is better resistant to molds or rusting than other types of roofing.

What's The Weather Up There?

Roofs, even made of aluminum roofing, can get damaged by the weather, falling trees, passing hurricanes and all that sort of fun stuff. But not only does the roof need at the very least a bi-annual checkup, but the roof's fastenings, which is the stiff that connects your aluminum roofing to the rest of your house.

You are looking for any buckling, loosening, puddles that won't go away or just plain broken roofing materials, even if your roof is not leaking. Getting any early damage repaired now when it is only a minor problem can save you money down the road when it becomes an even bigger problem.

If you have gutters and live in a very leafy neighborhood, you need to get your gutters cleaned out at least once a year, or water won't drain from off of your roof. Many professional gutter cleaners will also give your roof a once-over. Although many homeowners clean their gutters themselves, they often do it from the ground or from a ladder and cannot see the entire roof.

If you're uneasy at that thought and rather get a specialist in roofs, you certainly can. Roofing contractors don't just build and repair roofs – they can also inspect them. In order to find a roofing contractor, you can ask trusted friends and family who inspects their roofs, or you can check with your bank and see who they recommend. Why would the bank have a list of recommended contractors? Because they loan homeowner's substantial amounts of money for the purposes of repairing or remodeling their property, and so they want to know that only reputable companies will get them their money back.

If you have a chimney, get that checked as well, to be sure that it isn't clogged.

Choosing A Residential Metal Roofing Contractor

Editor — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:15:03 +0000

If you live in it, then the building you live in is called a "residence". When you are looking for a goods roofing contractor, you will want one who has experience with residential roofing, as opposed to commercial roofing. Often, commercial roofing is flat and has many issues that your home won't have. A good choice for roofs on any home is residential metal roofing.

You can choose from tin, copper, metal or aluminum roofing. Choosing which type of residential roofing material can often be easier than finding a roofer. You can't control the weather or how close your home is to the sea, or factories or rainfall amounts. Where you live and what weather you get will help you choose the residential metal roofing material for you. But what about the contractor?

Metal Roofing Alliance

Good roofers hate shoddy or "cowboy" contractors more than you do. One cowboy contractor makes all roofers and builders look bad, unfortunately. So, proper roofers follow local and state laws and police themselves. One place you can turn for a recommendation for a good local residential metal roofing contractor is the Metal Roofing Alliance (http://www.metalroofing.com/).

They are made up of roofers, roofing material manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and contractors to help the customer find the best roofing materials and roofers for them. They started in 1998 as a few individuals in the roofing industry trying to help clear the reputation of the entire roofing industry. They now have a user-friendly website that will help teach everything you never wanted to know about residential metal roofing.

Others To Ask

If you have a trusted friend or family member who lives in your area and recently hired a roofer, ask which one they used and if they were happy with them. You can also ask your bank for a list of roofers they trust.

When you schedule a meeting with your prospective residential metal roofing contractor, ask him or her all the questions you can. If you are not happy with their answers or if they talk over your head, then drop them. A good contractor will be happy to explain the reasoning behind why he or she is spending your money. Good residential metal roofing contractors will also put detailed estimates in writing. They are also easy to get a hold of by phone or with an office. You don't have to go with the first roofer you come across. Do comparison shopping and you'll find the best roofer and roof for you.

Using Roofing Nailer Saves Arms And Hands

Editor — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:45:12 +0000

Trying to decide if a roofing nailer will make life easier will depend on the definition of easier and whether or not is vocational or, as a homeowner, needed for replacing the roof or making repairs. If the decision has been made to purchase a roofing nailer it will need to be decided on the type. They are available with pneumatic power, electric and rechargeable, and made by various manufacturers.

Essentially, a roofing nailer will save the arms and hands from pounding with a hammer all day long and most have adjustable power settings so the user doesn't over drive a nail into the roof, damaging the new roofing material. This can be especially helpful if installing slate or tile roof and too much power can crack one of the expensive tiles. On asphalt shingles they can tear through the shingle if left unnoticed can cause a leak in the future.

The first feature to look at is its durability. It will have to hold up to hours on a hot roof without being damaged by the sun. It should also be able to live through a two-story drop onto the ground or concrete without breaking into a thousand pieces. Typically, no matter careful the worker is, the roofing nailer is going to take a fall.

Choosing Clutter Or Convenience

While most professionals swear by a pneumatic roofing nailer there are some who are not interested in being connected by a long air hose and having to have an air compressor running all day. Although they can usually be adjusted for air power of between 70 and 120 pounds per square inch, they can be tough to maneuver in tight spots such as under second story eaves or around chimneys.

An electric power roofing nailer obviously does not require the air compressor but the user will still be dragging a long extension cord behind them as they work. Also adjustable depth gauges and built-in tools to help keep nail lines straight into the shingles, they can be slightly heavier than a pneumatic roofing nailer as the power is located in the unit.

Most rechargeable roofing nailers have the same power, with a minimum voltage of around 20, and do everything the electric roofing nailer can do. Typically, most companies claim the battery charge lasts long enough to nail down about two square of roofing material. Extra batteries are available for use on large jobs, but the ability of them to survive a 15 of 20-foot fall is questionable.

Knowing Roofing Terms Makes Homeowner Look Smart

Editor — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 17:15:02 +0000

The two main roofing terms that homeowners need to know are leaks and solid, both are self-explanatory. However, for the do-it-yourself types there are other roofing terms that will be good to know if you every need to buy replacement pieces at the hardware store. Knowing some of the basic terms needed when discussing new roofing materials or roof repairs can help a homeowner explain exactly what they need, as well as help them understand what another person is talking about.

One of the first basic roofing terms is roofing material, which is what the roof is made of. While the majority of houses have asphalt roof materials, other used include slate, tile, rubber and steel. Roofing nails is the most common application method but steel is held down by screws and a rubberized roof, usually for flat roof or roof with wings, can be glued down or held down with ballast, which is weight kept on the roof until the glue dries.

Roof edging is a metal strip, usually aluminum or thin steel that is applied around the perimeter of the roofline to present an even edge as well as to provide support to the shingles overhanging the extreme edges. Other roofing terms such as the overhang of the shingle is typically about two inches. It is also used to secure the edge of roll roofing, a flat felt material impregnated with tar to help prevent the roof from leaking and is rolled out before the shingles are installed.

Roofing Terms Defined For Other Than Shingles

Where the roof material meets a roof obstruction such as a chimney, a vertical wall for another story, around vent pipes or roof vents, a thin piece of metal is often attached. These are roofing terms for this metal, bent at 90-degrees to go under the shingle and up the vertical obstruction to help prevent water from seeping under the shingle and through the hole in the roof through which the obstruction passes.

The very top of a peaked roof is called the crown and the edge on either the sides of a gable or near the gutter, in professional roofing terms, is called the edge. The term overlap refers to how much of one shingle is placed over the edge of the one under it and roof glue is one of the roofing terms pertaining to roof cement, a tar-like substance used to seal shingles to the ones under it or around edges where nailing is impractical.

The Plastic Roofing In My English Misadventure

Editor — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 03:00:05 +0000

In 2000, I fell in love with a blue-eyed recorder player and thief named Mitch (not his real name) in Bath, England. He asked me to run away with him and I did. I was not right in the head at the time, but that's another story. Now, I'd lived all of my life in Pennsylvania, in comfortable flats and houses, and so to suddenly become homeless in south West England was a bit of a shock. But I survived. One of the reasons I did was because of the many variations of plastic roofing I came across in the years I was homeless.

Plastic Roofing?

My first experience with plastic roofing while homeless was a plastic two person tent with a plastic tarpaulin covering it from the worst of the rain. The only real problem with living in a tent (besides no indoor plumbing) is that when it rains, the inside of the tent eventually becomes wet with condensation. You can't touch the sides of the tent when it rains. So plastic roofing certainly has its drawbacks.

Also, plastic roofing needs to be checked every day for new holes or tears. These can often be patched up with duct tape, as long as the plastic roofing is both clean and dry. Otherwise, the tape can't get a proper grip and peels immediately off.

Living in a tent became comfortable and convenient when the weather was warm. When it turned to October, though, both Mitch and I knew that we would never survive in just a tent. He could not get housing, so we had no choice but to build our own home in a corner of the woods on disputed land that no one could develop.

The Bender

Our home, which the English call a 'bender' looks like a short longhouse. It's a framework made of green young tree trunks with all kinds of materials thrown about it for a roof, and a smoke hole for when you install a metal stove and makeshift smokestack. We tried a few materials, but an under layer of plastic roofing seemed to keep the bender dry (for the most part). Over the plastic roofing we threw old Army surplus tents, which had us blend in well with the surrounding woods.

The Greenhouse

Eventually, we tried our hands at growing our own food. For that, we needed a little greenhouse. We made that out of a couple of wooden arches and clear plastic roofing and a desk someone put in the trash. It got right tropical in there at times. The greenhouse was still standing when I left England. The bender lasted over a year longer than my relationship with Mitch. So plastic roofing can help in survival situations.

The Art Of Tile Roofing

Editor — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 10:01:05 +0000

Tile roofing is not only one of the oldest styles of roofing; it is one of the most beautiful. More than five thousand years ago, the ancient builders Corinth, Greece invented tiles to cover the temples of Apollo and Poseidon. It soon spread to Asia and Europe, and today tile roofing is still used all around the world, as both a cover from the elements and as an artistic touch. However, there are many untrue facts that people seem to believe about using tiles for roofing, and I'd like to take the time to clear a few of those up.

Barn Red Tiles

Watching kung-fu movies may give you the wrong impression of tile roofing. Everyone remembers those scenes, with two people grasping swords dancing around on rooftops in a ballet of violence until someone falls on a tile roof, which is where the tiles begin to slip and fall to the ground. This is simply not true. Tile roofing is attached safely so that they can withstand strong winds and other weather conditions. They do not just slip off at the slightest push. Another myth that seems to come from movies is that the only type of tile roofing is the obnoxious bright-red tile, when in fact tiles can be custom made to be almost any color you want.

A Roof For The Ages

If you are looking to buy the best roof for your money, you should look no further than a clay or concrete tiled roof. Costing less than slate, these roofs can stand effectively for 50 to 100 years, and perhaps even longer. There are still large structures in Asia that have had the same tile roofing for centuries, and not only does it still sit there, but it doesn't leak. It's an interesting theory when you really think about it, that tile roofing may in fact outlast the building it sits on, especially when you consider that shingles begin to deteriorate from the first day you attach them.

Safety First

Here's a bit of information that may or may not come as a shock to you: Tile roofing is the safest type of roof you could have. Tiles are considered "Class A" fire resistant, which does not only mean that you have less chance of dying due to your house burning down around you, but your insurance rates may be lowered. Not only that, but tile roofing has also been known to stand up better to earthquakes and ice storms. The most violent of hail storms may only damage a small amount of tile, but would destroy a shingled roof. Finally, there's the myth that most homes are not strong enough to support tile. While this may have been true five thousand years ago, today's tile is lightweight but still strong, and almost any house can withstand the weight.

The Products of Many Roofing Companies

Editor — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 10:45:06 +0000

Roofing materials are so varied and numerous that many roofing companies have made catalogs and other listings for them. These catalogs list down and enumerate the dozens of roofing materials available from the roofing companies. Roofs are a necessity in our lives; it provides shelter and keeps us safe from the elements. It can also insulate us from the cold and the sun's heat.

Roofing Companies Major Products

The more common roofing materials manufactured by most roofing companies are asphalt roof shingles. These are tiles which are manufactured en masse to provide the demand that home owners and other building contractors have for it. These types of material fall under the classification of composition shingles.

Some roofing companies also manufactures PVC or fiberglass sheets for roofs. These are usually translucent materials that are place in an overlapping pattern in our rooftops. They are hardy and durable materials that can withstand a lot of pressure and elements.

Roofing companies also manufacture wooden shingles or shakes to make attractive roofing. These look like authentic old fashioned roofing materials which are used during the old times. These days they are durable and often aesthetically pleasing to the eyes. The only downfall of these wooden tiles is that they need constant maintenance from leaks and water.

Some roofing companies also manufacture metal roofing materials for the convenience of the buyers. Metal roofing is low maintenance, fire resistant and deflects heat from the sun. Steel is durable and can often be overlooked for maintenance because they do not require a lot of attention. For low maintenance roofing materials, choose steel roofing.

Tiles and slates are also manufactured by bigger roofing companies. These roofing materials are the more expensive kinds and they have been used in many buildings for their durability and insulation. When these materials are used for the rooftops, you will need to reinforce your structure to accommodate the additional weight of the slate and tiles. Roofing companies also need to provide the stores that sell these materials with the proper installation guide for tiles and slates because these are rather difficult to install and put up. These are not you average do-it-yourself kind of roof materials.

These are just some of the few roofing materials available. There are more specialized roofing materials like solar panels and these provide home owners and buildings owners with the capacity to produce their own. Not all roofing companies manufacture these types of roofing materials since they are integrated into the materials itself and need additional work.

Why Use Roofing Nails?

Editor — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 06:44:59 +0000

Something as trivial as the type of nails you use for attaching shingles to a roof, that doesn't matter, right? Wrong. It's called the roofing nail, and it's called that for a reason. The most common form of nail, usually called the wire nail, has too small of a head to provide enough surface pressure to hold down shingles through a storm. That's why the roofing nail, while short, has a large flat head, to maximize its holding capacity.

Air Or Hand Pressure?

These days, it's hard to find a roofing company that still hammers their nails by hand. It's almost always comprised of workers using air compressor cables to shoot the roofing nails in. This method, even though it gets the job done faster than a hammer, can provide uneven results. Each roofing nail doesn't receive the same amount of air pressure, and so sometimes they do not fully grasp the wood. You also get less guarantee of the roofing nail entering the wood straight, which can cause ripping and tearing of the shingle and leaks. Hammering the nails in by hand is always preferred, even if it does take longer.

Peeking Out At Me

Improper nail installation can cause problems later. A nail that didn't get a good grip on the wood when it was installed will pull itself out over time, and not only will you have a hole in your roof that could potentially leak but you also have a flapping shingle. Roofing nails that you see coming out should be fully removed and replaced with a new nail. This can also be caused by the wood warping under the nails.

Fixing A Hole

If rising roofing nails have caused a hole in your roof that you have found to be leaking, there's an easy way to fix it. First you must remove the raised roofing nail and then lift up the shingle carefully. If you bend it too far, it could break. Fill the hole with asphalt cement and add some of the loose rocks to it, then lay the shingle back down. Add a small bit of asphalt cement to the hole, and place another roofing nail in a close spot.

If you do not want to be bothered to fix a hole in the roof yourself, or if it is a job that is just simply too big for one person to take on, there is a temporary method for covering the hole while waiting on a contractor. Make a frame out of pressure-treated wood around the hole, and under the frame place a sheet of plastic. Attach the frame and the plastic to the roof using roofing nails. This method is only temporary, and will not stand up to harsh weather conditions.

What Is A Deck Roof?

Editor — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 05:29:57 +0000

If I was to say that I was building a roof deck, would you know what I was talking about? A deck roof, or a flat roof, is very similar to most normal interpretations of roofs, it just lacks the pitch. Think of it like an extra deck on your second story. While popular in rural areas, most roof decks are found in large commercial cities like New York, or on islands where a traditional pitched roof is too hot. There are roof decks on most apartment buildings, hotels, and even high class restaurants. Perhaps one of the most famous roof decks in the United States is Fenway Park's Budweiser Right Field Roof Deck, which gives a beautiful view of the game, unlimited food and drinks, and a behind the scenes VIP tour of the park, for $20,000.

Don't Rain On Me

Outdoor sun decks take a strong beating from the elements. Wind, rain, snow, sleet, hail, anything and everything falls on them, as well as on your roof. However, your roof is covered with thousands of shingles (or aluminum sheets) to keep the rain out. When you begin to combine the roof and the deck to create a nice platform to walk out on, the biggest thing you are ever going to have to worry about is leakage. Making the roof deck waterproof is the most important task.

The best solution to this problem is a slight slope to the floor. Nothing too drastic, but if it's not leaning towards a drop off point, usually the edge of the house itself, then water will start to pile up and the rooms below could get ruined. At the edge of the roof, where the angled floor ends, it's not a bad idea to place a gutter system of some sort, so the water will run off into a specified place.

Roof decks can be a nice addition to a residential home or a commercial business. If you own a hotel, a roof deck can be a place for your occupants to get out on top of the roof and see the sights safely from up above. Hundreds of bars, clubs, and restaurants have roof decks that allow their patrons to eat with the wind in their hair. If you are a residential home owner and you are thinking of spicing up the retail value of your house with some improvements, a roof deck is a nice way to do that and give yourself some extra space at the same time.

How To Hire Roofing Contractors

Editor — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 18:15:01 +0000

If you are planning on purchasing a home or you are thinking about doing some home improvement projects then you should know that the roof is a very big issue for a lot of people. This is because nobody wants to move into a home that has a roof that is not going to be able to survive the next winter. However, changing a roof or making slight changes and fixing parts of your roof, is something that can really interfere with your day to day life. This is especially true if you do it in the winter time or during a rainy season. For this reason, you may wish to enlist the help of roofing contractors.

Learning About Roofing From Roofing Contractors

If you want to learn a little more about roofing work, costs and ideas then you should get into contact with some roofing contractors. These roofing contractors have done a lot of research when it comes to roofs and thus they can help you to understand the basic concepts of roofing. They can also explain the terms and names that are used in this field. Plus they can also give you a list of prices that you will need.

Over time people have devised a wide array of ways in which to deal with different materials that are used for building roofs. Each of these has its own strong and weak points when it comes to weather conditions and area restrictions. These are also things that roofing contractors have great knowledge of.

What Roofing Contractors Do

There are 3 main things that roofing contractors do. First of all you can rely upon roofing contractors to install new shingles for you. Roofing contractors are the experts that you can depend upon whenever you need to put a new roof on your home. Secondly, roofing contractors can also help you correct any problems that have to do with your home's roof. As such, they are able to make things better and safer for you. Third, and finally, roofing contractors can install additional scaffolds and add-ons to keep other damage from occurring.

Conclusion

As with all other contractors you should try to find other people who have worked with the roofing contractors you are in contact with so that you can see the results or at least talk to them about their experiences. Of course, this should be something that you do before finalizing the details, which should be put down on paper and signed.

Roofing Equipment Makes Job Less Labor Intensive

Editor — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 21:30:05 +0000

Most professional installers have a host of roofing equipment designed to make their jobs easier and less labor intensive. Working on a roof is hard enough considering the weight of the materials that have to be taken to the top of a building and fact that roofing work is usually performed on hot, sunny days. In the early days of roofing, equipment was mainly a hammer, a tape measure and a pouch to hold nails.

A utility knife for cutting asphalt shingles is one of the small hand tools used with roofing equipment to make the job neater, but those installing tile, slate or metal roofing materials will need a different type of cutter to fit the pieces together properly. To make the job go faster, most roofers use nail guns. This piece of roofing equipment can either be powered by an air compressor, electric or battery. In addition to a hammer, this is an important part of the roofer's toolbox.

One of the most important piece of roofing equipment is a ladder used to get onto the roof. There are electric powered lifts that attach to ladders to help hoist the shingles onto the roof, since the average pack of asphalt shingles weighs about 80-pounds, they can get heavy lugging them up the ladder on a shoulder. If the roofer does not have a lift, the ladder has to be strong enough to support the person with the added weight of the shingles. For large jobs a contractor may rent a lift for an hour or two until all the shingles have been raised to the roof.

Some Equipment Used Only Part Time

An air compressor to power pneumatic tools or a generator to supply power to electric tools may also be roofing equipment that professionals have on hand. When working on a new building with no electricity connected, the generator can supply power to the compressor. Some contractors also use compressors to power small refrigerators to help keep drinks cold on hot days.

Safety should also be part of the roofing equipment used by professionals and can include goggles to wear while cutting wood when reworking a roof line or repairing a roof. And, they are recommended when using any power roofing equipment to fasten shingles. One of the most important pieces of safety equipment is a rope and harness, typically used on a high roof or one with a steep pitch. In the event the roofer looses their footing, the harness can suspend them in the air instead of allowing them to hit the ground.