Roofing is the covering of a structure, consisting of all structures and materials required to support it upon the wall of the structure or upon uprights, giving protection from rain, wind, sun, extreme temperatures, and dust. A roof, like any other part of a structure, is usually comprised of several different types of materials, each serving a particular purpose. Some roofs are flat, having many rungs or ribs for supporting the entire roof while others are hipped, having longer runs of ribs for added strength. There are also tables that have no visible roofs, called “green” roofs, although some roofing systems do add solar reflective panels to reduce the amount of heat lost through the roof.
Most roofs are flat, but some can be hipped up at their bases to increase the structural integrity of the roof. The most common type of flat roof is a flat and sloped roof made with one continuous layer of shingles, which are nailed to the roofing material and secured with cap flashing. Another option is a V-shaped roof made with parallel sides of single plywood or a wood frame with a ridge cap, securing the shingles with nails or metal clips. Another popular option is the pergola-style roof, which is made with sloped roofs of flexible metal. In this design, the roof has no ridges but is V-shaped in cross section.
Pitched roofs are another common type of roofing system. In a pitched roof, the pitch is a number that is used to determine the length and width of the roof. Most pitches are for maximum performance, but some residential roofers may prefer a more natural and conservative pitch of three inches per foot. If one’s roof has a wide base and steeply pitched roof, the pitched roof can be built to accommodate larger loads. For this type of roofing system, special tools are needed to install, such as tar paper, a stapler, a hammer, and hand tools.
Clay tile roofs are made from clay, a naturally occurring mineral that can be formed into beautiful and durable materials. These roofs have a number of advantages, which include reduced cost of installation and maintenance, durability, and ease of repair. While they are commonly made out of clay tile, cedar shakes and shakes tiles can also be used. For this type of roofing system, an expert can pitch the roof using metal stakes and planting the clay tiles into place, adding a variety of different styles and shapes. In order to get the most value out of this type of roofing system, it is important that the clay tiles be installed by a professional roofer.
Fiberglass is a common roofing material, which is constructed by applying pressure to blow fiberglass shells into an outer layer of PVC plastic. This outer layer is then molded into a number of different shapes, which include rectangles, squares, diamonds, and ovals. These types of roofs can be extremely durable, but because of their tendency to bend, the concrete coating on them must be strong enough to withstand heavy winds. If you live in an area where there is often heavy downpours or strong winds, you may want to consider fiberglass as your roofing material. However, many experienced roofers will warn against going with this material, as it tends to give out a thick and scratchy sound when it is being used.
Asphalt shingles are the most common type of roofing material, which are constructed by applying pressure to blow asphalt shingles into a thick layer of concrete tiles. The asphalt layer is highly effective at providing insulation to a home, which can help to keep warm air inside during the winter months and keep cold air inside during the hot summer months. Because asphalt shingles are highly effective at providing insulation, they are often used as the roofing material of choice for both commercial and residential applications. Unfortunately, asphalt shingles also tend to be the most expensive type of roofing material, which makes it a less popular choice than other roofing materials.