Types Of Roofs

types of roofs

One of the most important aspects of a property is the roof. A qualified roofing professional is necessary to install a new roof. Up for selection are numerous variations of roofs, of which each has its own requirements and needs. A roof is the most noticeable part of a house, it shapes the property whilst protecting all the inhabitants from the outside world. Additionally, roofs with good insulations are able to supply extra space and are more durable when it comes to harsh weather. Nowaday, there are many types of roofs that are available to consumers. Following are some of the most common versions;

Hip Roof

This version spans equally to every side of the home. Each side is installed at the same time and they will all meet once the roof is entirely installed where they will create a ridge. Hip roofing is most endorsed in areas that are constantly exposed to harsh storms and strong winds. The inner sloping of each corner of the roof results in a more durable and stronger roof than gable roofing, this a great advantage of hip roofing.

Cons.

Hip roofing is typically expensive to both install and upkeep.

Gable Roof

This variant is also  commonly known as peaked or pitched roofing. The United States prefers this style of roofing and they are easily recognisable by their triangular shape.

Pros.

The triangular shape allows for great air flow and for the ease of rain and snow to fall off. They are also cost-effective to maintain.

Cons.

It is not recommended to have gable roofing in areas that are subject to high speed winds and storms. They can collapse in these conditions if not correctly installed.

Mansard Roof

An exclusive form of roofing that is sometimes called French roofing. Mansard roofing is pitched and the sides can be either curved or flat. This decision is yours and impacts the overall aesthetics of the house. A contractor can be inquired for a professional opinion concerning your situation and wishes.

Pros.

This style is chosen by people generally due to the increased living area that it allows. This space is known as a garret and it is typically why this variation is chosen.

Cons.

Not generally selected in areas with high snowfall.

Flat Roof

These roofings are flat, as the name suggests, and a few pitched locations can be found in order to see that rain is appropriately disposed of. Generally, this form of roofing was used purely in industry. However, it can be found increasingly in residential houses.

Pros.

The shape of the roof allows for placement of extras on it. These could span from temperature control systems to even gardens.

Selecting the correct variation of roofing to suit your desires and wishes is important, however, the durability and resilience of the chosen roof type is of utmost importance. To ensure this is appropriately considered, making sure you inquire for the help of a professional, licensed roofer will not only ensure you make the right choice but also that the job is done successfully and correctly.

Information provided by roof restoration Sydney.

When To Replace Your Roof

With time, your roof will reach the end of its lifespan without experiencing any damage and it needs to be replaced. However, in some cases, you need to do some preventive maintenance to avoid any issues. Here are some of the signs that you need to replace your roof.

  1. Curled, Cracked Or Cupped Shingles – If the edges if the shingles are curled or cupped, you need to consider replacing the roof. That’s because the damaged shingles will allow moisture and air inside the internal roofing system thus causing further damage. They need to be replaced immediately to avoid further issues.
  2. Missing Granules – Check your roof thoroughly to see if there are any missing granules. There should be bald spots in the areas with missing granules. If not replaced, the entire roofing structure would be vulnerable to damage.
  3. Old Age – How long have you had your roof? If it’s been more than 20 years, it’s time to replace it. Most roofs can last as long as 20 years and they become worn out and old after this time. Note that, although shingles are manufactured to last for a long time, there are many factors that might accelerate the aging process. For instance, if the roof is poorly ventilated it might affect your shingles negatively.
  4. Keeping Up With The Neighborhood – If your neighbors have replaced their roofs, you need to replace yours too to keep up with the neighborhood standards. Note that, if your roof looks old and worn out, the property prices in that neighborhood are likely going to dip. Therefore, you need to match your home to the rest of the neighborhood to keep the property values high, especially if you ever consider selling your home in the future.
  5. Dark Streaks On The Interior Walls – Any airborne algae will leave dark streaks on your roof deck. It might not cause harm to the roof shingles but it’s not a good look. However, it’s a sign that there is moisture leaking into your roof. Depending on the extent of the damage, you will be forced to replace it.
  6. Moss And Mold In The Attic – If there is mold or moss in the attic in your home, you need to replace your roof. It’s a sign that the roof is leaking and needs to be replaced immediately. Otherwise, it will cause damage to the roof decking and you will spend more money replacing the entire roofing system.

Contact Roof Restoration Canberra for more information.

The Most Common Roof Problems

common_problems_of_roofsYour roof is a long-term investment. However, there are a few roofing problems that you might encounter that will threaten the durability of your roof altogether. Here are some of the common roofing problems to check out.

1. Leaks

Most homeowners face roof leaks numerous times. They could be caused by cracked flashing or broken slates, missing shingles, broken tiles and much more, depending on the type of roof on your home. Most roof leaks occur in specific areas such as the skylight, valleys, gutters, near the chimney and much more. Damp walls and discolored ceilings are the notable signs for roof leaks. Therefore, be on the lookout for these signs and contact a professional roofer immediately to avoid further damage.

2. Holes And Punctures

Over the lifetime of your roof, it’s going to experience some punctures and holes, especially from birds and other wildlife scraping over it. Depending on the intensity, these scrapes might become simple puncture marks or big holes. With time, the damage will build up and affect the underlying wood. Eventually, rot will develop because of the moisture. You need to be on the lookout for these holes and punctures that might affect the functionality and durability of your roof and repair them immediately.

3. Shrinking Roofs

Depending on the weather or season, your roof might expand or shrink. If it does so, there are a few problems that might come up. For instance, there might be cracking, deterioration and pulling apart of integral parts of the roof such as the flashing. Well, whenever that happens, you need to contact the professionals who can diagnose the issue and come up with a proper method to repair the roof shrinkage without damaging the underlying structure.

4. Pooling Water In The Roof

During the cold season or rainy weather, water might start making small pools on your roof. It might not be an issue immediately but in the long run you should expect a myriad of problems. If you have a flat roof, you should be especially worried about this. You can prevent further damage by creating tapered areas on the surface of the roof. The slopes allow the water to run off to the gutter or onto the ground thus preventing water damage on your roof.

In conclusion, a regular and properly installed roof should last as long as 50 years and more. However, to achieve this, you need to watch out for these and more problems that might cause irreparable damage.

Contact Roof Restoration Brisbane to fix all of your roofing problems.

What You Should Know About Roof Tiles

roof tilesIf you’re looking at roofing materials, you’ll definitely want to consider a tile roof. What are roof tiles? They’re a versatile material that are perfect for most roofs.

Tile Roofs Can Withstand The Elements

Roof tiles are extremely resilient. They can last for a very long time, even if you live in an area that sees severe weather conditions. Rain, snow, and other elements won’t due much damage to your roof. These tiles can also withstand intense winds. As long as it’s properly installed, tile roof should be able to last for decades or more.

It’s An Energy Efficient Options

How high are your energy bills? If you’re hoping to lower your energy costs, you’ll definitely want to look for an energy efficient material like this one. When these tiles are combined with the right decking and insulation, they can be extremely energy efficient.

They’re A Safe Choice

These tiles are reliable, and their fire safety rating is high. If you want to feel safe and secure in your home, you’ll definitely want to choose these tiles.

Roof Tiles Don’t Require Much Maintenance

Some roofing materials require a great deal of maintenance. If you want to upgrade your roof, but don’t have the time, money, and energy to invest in maintenance, tiles are ideal for you. They require minimal maintenance; it will be easy to keep your tiles in great shape. You won’t have to waste a lot of time worrying about your roof; you’ll know that it’s in excellent condition.

They Come In A Wide Range Of Styles

Not all tiles look the same. You can actually find tiles in a number of styles. Whether you’re looking for tiles that mimic the look of wood or tiles that resemble slate, you’ll be able to find tiles that appeal to you. These tiles come in all kinds of shapes, styles, and colors.

It’s An Environmentally Friendly Option

If you’ve been trying to reduce your carbon footprint, you’ll definitely want to look at this green roofing materials. The materials used for these tiles won’t deplete natural elements. These tiles aren’t just aesthetically pleasing; they’re also great for the planet.

Now that you have a better understand of roof tiles, you can decide whether or not you’d like to purchase tiles for your roof. As you can see, there are a lot of great reasons to choose tiles for your roof. Take a closer look at tiles and see if they might be a good fit for someone like you!

Background of Slate Roofing

So you have got your PC home loan and the property you have acquired has a slate roof. This is a great decision as slate ads value and a touch of class to any home. Here we have a brief look at the history of the slate roof.

Slate roofs have been around for an amazing 700 years!.  It was originally used on castles, it originally had been a product restricted to such buildings due to its expense and the workmanship needed to make the roof.  It is a long-wearing, durable, weather-resistant, fire-resistant material. Its average lifespan is about a hundred years, so that it is one of the best materials for almost any roof. However, it is actually still extremely expensive. Today it is still at the expensive end of the roofing spectrum but its longevity and classy look make it worth it.

Evidence of slate roofing is shown in records of homes in England and Wales in the 1300s and in the USA around 1600s. This material came as shale sediment. It had been also made from clay and volcanic ash based on where it had been sourced. From the very early 1800s, the rock was quarried in Spain. The procedure used was efficient and roofing made of slate become common in regular homes, not simply castles or those intended for the wealthy and is still a popular choice today.

In the USA a quarry opened within the late 1700s. It quickly became offered there to ordinary citizens. The content failed to begin being mass quarried in the states till the 1800s. The largest producer of slate tiles is Vermont. Vermont was house to many immigrants who arrived there within the mid-1800s from Wales. This is certainly one reason they immediately set about finding a means to source and produce slate for the use in roofing. When the railroads arrived, the slate produced there was able to be shipped across the nation and hence started to become a lot more popular and affordable.

It was actually the most typical materials for roofing in the nation until the early 1900s. Homes produced from this time around period that can be found today often still need the slate roofs intact. It is a long-wearing, durable, weather-resistant, fire-resistant material. Its average lifespan is about a hundred years, so that it is one of the best materials for almost any roof. However, it is actually still extremely expensive.

When newer materials began appearing on the marking, including tiles and wood shake, they begun to no longer be used. This is mainly due to the price of slate for roofing as well as the skill and time required to make a roof.

Today they have crafted a comeback on account of many people desiring to refurbish older or historic homes. It is still the priciest roofing material yet it is durable plus it offers a beauty that withstands the exam of your energy.

Thank you to Slate Roofing Sydney for the article.

Roof damage from storms

When you have a home loan you want to know the best ways to care for your assets and minimise the stress of having a home loan. Here we take a quick look at what damage a storm can do to your roof.

Hail, wind, rain and snow can all affect your roof and materials that it is made of. After any storm but particularly severe storms you will want to look at the roof immediately to find out what damage has occurred. After having a visual inspection from the ground speak to a professional roofer such as the team at Roof Restoration Brisbane and have them inspect it again to enable them to start on any repairs that it may require.

Rain can cause damage by exacerbating any leaks which can be already present, it can also cause gutters to back up and potentially cause leaks this way.  Wind, especially severe wind from storms or tornados, can tear shingles and tiles from the roof and cause severe problems. These storms can literally rip the rooftop off of your property. For those who have any spots on the ceiling it is really an indication that a number of the shingles have already been damaged and leaks have begun from harsh rain or wind. Hailstorms can crack roof shingles or tiles. They are able to also fracture the shingles that may weaken the complete roof.

If you live in a cold environment snow and ice may cause damage. Snow at times may not look like it may do much to affect a roof but It can when it piles up and gets icy. This puts a great deal of weight around the roof and might weaken it causing leaks or cracks in the tiles or shingles.

Storms and harsh weather can certainly damage a roof. Depending on your location, certain storms can be more widespread than the others. Once you purchase a new roof, be sure to speak with your neighbourhood roofer to identify a durable material that may withstand the harshest climatic conditions that your particular area is exposed to.

It is important to remember that damage might not happen immediately. It could happen gradually after several storms. That is why it is actually very important to examine your roof just after any serious weather occurs.  If you see any tears, curls or some other damage, have your roof inspected by certified roof contractors right away.

It is also a great idea to have a regular roof check prior to storm season to make sure your roof is safe and secure.

About Solar Rooftop Panels

When acquiring a property one of the things to consider these days is if the house has solar panels or if the house is able to have solar panels installed. This can actually be a financial advantage and can even help to potentially reduce the payments that you need to make on your mortgage.

Before I get started on this I would like to mention that each city, state and country has different rules and regulations regarding power consumption, solar panels and potentially selling the power back to the grid. However that being said, look into your local laws and get yourself educated as there even some financial incentives in such countries and Australia for the installation of solar panels.  There are also options to lease solar panels in some areas.

If the house already has solar panels?

If the property you intend to purchase already has solar panels you will want as much information as you can regarding their condition and their output. Find out from the owner how old they are and if there is any warranty left on them. I would highly recommend getting an expert such as Roof Restoration South Adelaide to inspect the entire roof as well as the solar panels and give you a written report on the condition with an estimate of the price of repairs if at all required. I would also get a copy of all the previous owners power bill records so that you know how much they are saving you in electricity bill payments. You should also keep in mind that over time most panels do become less efficient.

If the house does not already have panels.

There are many things to consider when looking at solar panels, these include if your roof is in good enough condition for installation, if you get enough sun and how many you need to acquire and install. This will all effect exactly how much energy your property and solar panels will produce. As there is a wide range of options I would recommend obtaining multiple quotes on the cost of the installation and panels.

Solar panels can be a financially helpful and environmentally conscious way to reduce your bills and take some pressure off of your mortgage repayments. This information is of general interest and does not take into account your personal circumstances.