Roofing Techniques - Roofing and Roofing Materials

Roofing Techniques

There are specific roofing techniques you need to use to ensure that your roofing project meets code and quality standards. These techniques definitely apply to re-roofing, new roofs, or roof repair. Depending on the job you are doing there are specific tools, techniques and materials needed to accomplish your task.
First you will have to follow local or municipal guidelines and laws. You cannot just roof any way you want ... roofing has to meet building codes.

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Other guidelines include your own personal preferences plus the type of home or building you have. To determine the best implementation process and to protect the life and functionality of your new roof, work with either a contractor or a lumber company with roofing expertise.

Steps to Laying down a new Roof

Roofing techniques follow a fairly standard process. The first layer of your roof is the sheathing. These are plywood sheets you can see attached to the rafters in your attic. Plywood sheets provide the foundation where the rest of the roofing system is built.

The second layer is the underlayment. Different types of materials can be used for this step and the most common is builders’ felt. This second layer is required in most building codes and provides added protection from the weather. Third the valleys, eaves, protrusions and rakes get an application known as flashing. Flashing directs water away from vulnerable sections.

The last step in roofing is installing the outer covering. This includes many different varieties of materials and styles like asphalt shingles, wood, metal, slate or ceramic. Know what you want and choose a contractor who is an expert roofer and knows how to use different roofing materials. By going with an expert you are guaranteed that the proper techniques for installation and roofing are carried out.

When re-roofing an asphalt surface, check the sloping edge to find out how many layers are currently on the roof. There are building rules that specify the number of outer layers a house can have on the roof. After determining how many layers you have on your roof and if you are repairing the roof, research how to fix that particular problem. Do not let any roofing problem continue or you will experience more serious damage and the costs of repair will escalate. Once you have located the problem in your roof, check for wood rot, repair, and proceed with re-roofing.

Building a new roof will require determining the type of finish roofing material you want. If you are doing asphalt shingles, determine the number of bundles you will need, enlist the help of friends and neighbors and go to work hammering the shingles to the builders’ felt and plywood sheeting. If you are using other types of roofing materials like slates, metals, woods, or ceramics unless you are a professional roofer, you will need expert advice and help. When estimating the cost of you new or repaired roof, do make sure you include labor and tax.