Common Materials Used In Roofing
Common Materials Used In Roofing
Common Materials Used In Roofing
When you're considering replacing the roof on your house, or just need a few repairs done, it's a good idea to educate yourself a bit about your roof before contracting the workers. By knowing your options for materials, you'll have a better idea of what workers are doing. You'll also be able to save time by deciding before hand what you want over your head.
Basic Components
Before comparing materials, let's look at the basic structure of the roof:
Structure - The beams (or rafters) and trusses (a rigid framework) that support the roof.
Decking/sheathing - The material that covers the basic framework of rafters and trusses
Underlayment - A second layer of material (generally asphalt) that protects the decking.
Roof covering - The materials you see on the top layer of your roof, like tiles and shingles.
Drainage - The design and components of your roof that help it drain off.
Flashing - Sheet metal that's installed to help prevent water leakage.
Roofing Pitch - How steep your roof is, or what degree of slop it has.
Roof Type - Either pitched or flat.
Now let's move on to common materials used on pitched and flat roofs.
Pitched
Composite Shingles - Made of organic or fiberglass materials, coated with minerals to help prevent weathering. They can come in a variety of colors, and are expected to last 20-30 years. Watch out for moss buildup.
Slate - Most common of Roofing in Texas materials. It's durable, waterproof, and fireproof. Comes in four standard types: textural, graduated, flat, and standard. Slate can last for over a hundred years, but regular maintenance is required, including replacement of broken slates every 5-7 years.
Shakes - Shakes are wooden tiles, and have their own personality. They come in slightly various thickness and tapers, but are environmentally friendly. They can last up to 30 years - less if the quality is low. Sometimes you are required to cover the tiles with fire retardant.
Tile - Made of cement, can be molded into various shapes and colors. They are heavy, but can last for 40-50 years.
Metal - Metal roofs are ideal for climates with a lot of water, come in lots of textures and colors, and are usually made from recycled materials. Their life expectancy is indefinite.
Standing Seam Metal Roof - Made of steel, lightweight, and can be installed over existing flat roofs. Lasts for about 20 years.
Flat Roof
Tar and Gravel - This setup can only be used on flat roofs layers of roofing felt are covered with tar or asphalt, and then coated with gravel.
PVC Membrane - The main feature about these membranes is that they are grease resistant, and are reinforced with fabric - great for restaurants, but they do become brittle after a while.
EPDM Rubber - Stands for ethylene propylene diene monomer - a layer of rubberized roof. This material is not recommended for wet climates, but is long lasting and UV resistant.
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