The first topic on the agenda is to list out the materials you’ll require for the job.
Listing out the materials required for the job will give you a more or less accurate estimate of the enormity of the job. You’ll have to plan to spend that much money and time on it. It is better to over-estimate by about 5% to 10%, depending on the price of the material and how frequently it is required. Short estimation does not only entail an extra trip to the supply store, but it means downtime. Your assistants will be earning pay for waiting. That’s going to add significantly to budget overruns. When creating your estimate, consult a supplier. His experience will help you to fine tune your estimate. Online stores have a helpdesk, so consult them too. Forewarned is forearmed! The materials most commonly used for roofing the house are asphalt shingles, wood shingles, stone, and clay tiles. Newer materials like metal, plastic and composites are also used.
Will you be roofing over an existing roof? Check what material the old roof was made of. If the roof was made of asphalt shingles then you’ll have to continue with the same. The old roof was designed to support asphalt and will most likely not be able to bear the weight of clay tiles or slate. There is an outside chance that the building may collapse if loaded with a burden it was not designed for.
In any case asphalt shingles are very good. They are durable and economical in the long run. There is a small problem in using asphalt shingles. They tend to crack when exposed to extremes of heat and cold.
You do get a lot more liberty in selecting the material to roof your house with when you’re putting up a fresh roof since the construction of the roof is in your hands. However, you’ll need a lot of expertise in designing the roof, a job that calls for the skills of a civil engineer. Don’t take this lightly because the integrity of the roof depends entirely on getting the design right.
Every house owner aspires to an aesthetically pleasing house. Remember that structural considerations far outweigh appearance in the selection of roofing materials. Don’t build a pretty Mediterranean villa in a harsh, cold climatic area, prone to blizzards and deep sub-zero temperatures! It’s not going to be very pleasant spending New Year’s Eve in a roofless house, because the pretty tiles have all been blown off by a blizzard straight from the North Pole!
Newer metal, plastic and composite materials are lightweight and structurally sound. These provide a viable alternative to traditional materials. Just check the pricing. Some of these newer materials can be used with traditional structuring; some may require updated construction techniques.
To summarize, the prime roofing commandment is: Thou shalt use only top quality material for the roof! Neglect of the prime roofing commandment will lead to frequent roof repair jobs. Seepage from the roof can affect the integrity of the supporting walls, indicating more repairs, more expenses. A damp house is also responsible for the health problems of its inmates. So take care to select and use only the best quality material for the roof of your house!
Asphalt roofing shingles are still the most familiar choice for home roofs, although wood and metal are gaining in familiarity. Go to www.roofing-information.com to discover more about your roofing choices. Choosing the correct roofing material can be the difference between a roof that lasts, and one that needs constant repair.
