The roofer will inspect your roof for any damage that needs to be repaired. If the structure is sound, they’ll move on to the next step.
They’ll lay down a protective layer called underlayment, which is an extra barrier against moisture. They’ll also install flashing around chimneys, windows and other leak-prone areas. Contact Roofing Companies Winston Salem for professional help.
Choosing the right roofing materials is crucial for your home’s protection, lifespan, and aesthetic. The type of roofing you choose should take into account the climate and weather patterns in your area, as well as the style of your home’s exterior.
The roofing materials you use should also factor in the cost of the project. Different types of roofing require a variety of tools and installation techniques to ensure proper and long-lasting results. For example, asphalt shingles are a popular roofing choice for most homes because they are affordable and easy to install. However, installing them correctly requires a skilled roofer to avoid shingle lift and leaks.
Clay tile roofs are another popular roofing option for homeowners. They are molded and fired to create a strong and durable tile that is perfect for warm weather areas. However, clay tiles are expensive and require frequent maintenance to prevent deterioration.
Standing-seam metal roofs are becoming increasingly popular in certain regions because of their durability and low maintenance. They consist of large steel panels that overlap in raised ridges running along the roof’s slope. The seams must be sealed with rubber or metal sealants to prevent water leaks. Standing-seam metal roofs are not as attractive as other types of roofs, but they are a good choice for homes in areas where wildfires are a concern.
Wood roofs are both durable and beautiful, but they have some limitations. They are not as long-lived as other roofing materials and are susceptible to moisture damage. However, they offer a high level of customization and a traditional look that many homeowners love. Wood shakes and shingles differ from one another, as shingles are thin wedge-shaped pieces of wood that require precise sawing and shakes are thicker and have a rough texture.
A key component of any roofing project is the roof sheathing, which is the base layer that contractors attach shingles and other roofing materials to. The sheathing must be sturdy enough to support the weight of the shingles and other roofing materials. It should be waterproof and fire-resistant, as well as resistant to rot and insect infestation. Depending on the roofing material, sheathing may be made of plywood or oriented strand board (OSB).
Underlayment
The underlayment is the layer that goes between your roof’s sheathing and the shingles or other roofing material. It protects the sheathing from moisture damage and shields it from harsh weather elements like rain, sleet, hail, snow, and wind. There are many types of underlayment, and the type you choose depends on the climate where your home or building is located, the type of roof covering you want, and local roofing regulations.
Regardless of the type you choose, you must clean the plywood sheathing that forms your roof deck before installing the underlayment. You should remove any stray roof fasteners and sweep away dirt, debris, or dust. It’s important to use a brush instead of a vacuum cleaner to avoid damaging the sheathing.
There are three popular underlayment materials for new or replacement roofs: felt, self-adhered, and synthetics. Felt underlayment is one of the oldest types of roof underlayment and is made from organic felt paper or a synthetic material that’s saturated with asphalt to help it resist water damage. While it’s durable and affordable, it can tear easily and can cause rot if exposed to moisture for too long.
Self-adhered underlayment, also called roof membrane or self-adhering underlayment, has a sticky back that adheres to the roof deck, creating a waterproof seal. This type of underlayment is often used on low slope roofs, in valleys, around penetrations, or other areas where leaks are likely. It’s often thicker than housewrap and more flexible than felt underlayment, which helps it withstand extreme temperatures.
Synthetic underlayment, which became popular about a decade ago, is a lightweight, effective water barrier. It’s resistant to fungal growth and won’t wrinkle, making it easier to install than felt underlayment. It can be cut with a utility knife, and most rolls have a selvedge edge along the side that should be placed against the sheathing to create a strong, watertight seal. Many synthetic underlayments have plastic caps that snap into place to prevent nails from piercing the underlayment and allowing water to leak into a roof. These caps may also protect against damage from the sharp edges of nails during installation.
Shingles
When the roof deck is ready, your roofing team will install the shingles. Whether you have an asphalt, tile, or metal roof, the shingles will get laid carefully and precisely to ensure your new roof looks great and is properly protected.
For asphalt shingles, the crew will begin at the eaves and work their way up to the ridges. They will overlap each course for maximum strength and protection, and apply a sealant to keep the shingles water-resistant.
They will also add a protective layer of flashing around any vents, chimneys, or other objects that protrude from your roof. This is a very important step because leaks are often caused by these protrusions. The flashing will help prevent the shingles from leaking at these vulnerable spots.
Next, the crew will install shingle starter strips along a roof’s eaves to create a good adhesive surface for the first course of field shingles. These strips will also strengthen the roof at its eaves. If you have a flat roof, your roofing contractor may also use a tar sheet to protect the interior of your home from rain and wind.
Once the first course of shingles is on, your roofing contractor will install a series of shingle tabs to secure them to the roof deck. These tabs will be spaced according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and nailed in at a consistent distance (called stagger) from one another for best results.
When the field shingles are on, your roofing contractor will finish by installing a ridge cap shingle to the top of the roof. This is a special type of shingle that straddles the peak of the roof and sheds water down either slope.
Finally, your roofing contractor will clean up any areas of the roof that require it and cover any open drains to protect landscaping or other outdoor plants from clogged drains. Your roofing contractor will also check for crooked shingles, sealant in the wrong place, or exposed nails and underlayment. This final inspection will help to ensure that your newly installed roof is leak-free and ready for the elements!
Slate
Slate is a fine-grained, foliated metamorphic rock that is created when clay or sedimentary rock such as shale undergoes low-grade regional metamorphism. It is a popular material for roofing, flooring and flagging construction due to its durability and attractive appearance. It can be found in a wide variety of colors, although it is most commonly associated with shades of grey. Slate is a dense, strong, waterproof and fireproof stone that can be used in many different ways. It can be cut into various sizes to make tiles for roofs, walls, flagging and flooring. It is also used for ornamental purposes such as billiard tables, tombstones and scrimshaw.
The primary mineral in slate is mica, but quartz and feldspar are also often present. The composition of a slate can vary depending on the amount and intensity of metamorphism it underwent. For example, a slate may contain hematite, calcite or biotite as well as micas. It can also contain a variety of other minerals including feldspar, tourmaline and zircon.
To create a slate, intense pressure must be applied over a long period of time. The pressure causes the rock to transform into a metamorphic rock such as phyllite or schist. The original parent rock for a slate can be shale, mudstone or basalt.
As slate is compressed, the minerals become flattened and stretched and a pattern of parallel cleavage planes forms. These cleavage planes are not the same as the bedding planes of the original rock and cause the foliation that gives slate its characteristic texture. It can also form striations in the rock. When expertly cut with a specialized tool, these striations can be separated into thin pieces that can be used as shingles or floor tiles.
