The Importance of
Quality Roofing
What's so important
about the quality of
a roof? Let's take a
bit closer look at
what it is we really
want a roof to do.
First off we want it
to be sturdy, we
want to make sure
that it doesn't come
crashing down on our
heads. We want it to
be long lasting; we
don't want to
replace it on any
type of regular
basis. We want it to
keep out the
weather, and
elements. Some roofs
are inherently
designed to let the
sun in at certain
times and keep it
out others.
Regardless of what a
roof is designed to
do, it maintains the
purpose of
protecting the rest
of the entire
structure,
regardless whether
it is a residential
home, or a large
commercial
structure. So it
goes almost without
saying, the roof of
a structure is key
in any building
design. A roof is a
buildings most
important structural
aspect. Without a
good roof, one that
functions in a
manner compliant to
the over all
building design and
functionality,
everything in that
structure would be
left at the mercy of
the fury of nature.
To have a grand and
beautiful building
will eventually lead
to unwanted
circumstances
without a properly
constructed and
maintained roof.
We construct
buildings and homes
to keep us and
"things" safe from
the elements.
Imagine the
Smithsonian museum
with out a roof of
any kind. How long
would the historical
objects contained
within last? How
long would it take
the wind and rain
and sun to
obliterate those
things heralded as
national treasures?
That might be a bit
dramatic, but it
does get the point
across. We construct
sound sturdy roofs
to protect us and
our things. It has
been going on since
man first built free
standing structures,
before the time of
Christ. Even back
then, the importance
of quality roofing
materials was well
appreciated. Granted
the choices were
very limited two
thousand years ago,
but even then they
drew on the best
knowledge available
as well as the best
materials to
construct the
sturdiest and
longest lasting
roofs possible. Many
of those early roof
builders must have
been doing something
right, because many
of the roof building
practices used back
then are still being
used today.
Including but not
limited to Stone,
slate, baked clay
tile, wood shingles.
Today the choices
for roofing
materials is vast
indeed, making the
task of choosing the
best for a
particular type of
application even
more difficult.
Today's choices for
roofing include a
vast variety of
materials that
include such things
as composite
materials, plastics,
steel or metal,
asphalt and yes
those mentioned
above as well.
Stone, Clay tile,
slate and wood
shingles are still
popular materials
used in modern
roofing.
The roofing mistakes
usually made are one
of two. The number
one mistake made in
roof construction is
not properly
anticipating
climatic conditions
of the region of
construction, or
using materials that
are insufficient for
those conditions.
The number two
mistake is cutting
back on or holding
down the cost of
roofing to increase
some interior aspect
of a structure.
(this usually
happens during
general building
constructions, and
not as a rule during
replacement or
maintenance). The
old adage of "Pay me
now or pay me later"
defiantly holds true
in the types of
roofing choices made
Choosing the proper
roof really has two
aspects, existing or
non-existing. Let me
explain. If a
building is
pre-existing, and
the roof was
constructed of
asphalt shingles
from its original
design, it probably
wouldn't be feasible
to opt for slate or
clay tile as
replacement
materials. Why?
Because more then
likely the frame
material of the roof
structure was not
designed to handle
the additional
weight of these
types of materials,
so using such
material could be
dangerous. Their
added weight might
cause the roof
structure to
collapse. Generally
asphalt shingles
give good protection
except under extreme
climate conditions.
The second aspect of
choosing the
proper roofing
material is
generally considered
to be for new
construction. In new
construction, the
choices involved in
roofing materials
play a key roll in
over all project
design. Let's say in
someone's aesthetic
design choices,
Mediterranean
terracotta style
shingles seem to be
just what is needed.
They require little
maintenance, last
virtually for ever,
look great and add
just the right touch
to the Spanish
exterior design of a
new home. But the
catch here is that
new home is being
built in northern
Minnesota, where it
snows ... a lot. Now
a big decision needs
to be made. Having
those clay tiles on
the roof sure will
look pretty, but
will add a pretty
penny to the cost of
construction as
well, not just
because clay tile
shingles are more
expensive to
purchase and
install. It's
because the designed
structure will need
to be reinforced to
handle the extra
weight of the tiles
as well as snow load
for that part of the
country. It might be
now that those
terracotta tile
shingles just lost
some of their shine.
So cost becomes an
issue in having the
best material.
But with the advent
of modern materials
there are other
options available.
There are companies
producing composite
and metal look alike
shingles. Most of
these new composite
and metal roofing
materials are light
weight, durable and
cost effective. So
in new construction,
you could have the
best of both worlds.
Low initial cost, as
well as great
looking, and
functional roofing
material.
So many choices, no
much to consider and
to learn, how can a
person ever get it
all straight? There
may be no easy
answer to that
particular question,
but to many others
help can be found by
looking through the
many resources at
New Roof Site.com
More information and
Resources about
Roofing and
Guttering can be
found at
http://www.newroofsite.com
Scott Best is a
freelance author in
association with
http://www.newroofsite.com
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Best
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