When you think about the “most important” part of a house, what comes to mind? The foundation is a potential answer, of course. Maybe the walls or the windows are another.
However, the roof is probably the real answer here. Think about it—without one, your whole home would be exposed to the elements constantly. Talk about water damage, right?
With the importance of the roof, it’s also key to keep them maintained. This goes for siding, too. If you’re wondering what a roofing and siding contractor can bring to the table, make sure to stick around.
We’ll be covering that, along with how roofing and siding work on any given property. Stay tuned to learn more about it!
The Basics of Roofing
Now, before we delve in much deeper, let’s look at some of the basic concepts you should know. You see, roofing is an essential aspect of construction and architecture. It involves the installation and maintenance of roofs to protect buildings from the elements. Pretty important, right?
Roof Structure
There are a few different components to these structures. Whether you’re getting a new roof installed or you’re getting some maintenance done, it’s worth knowing about these.
Rafters and Trusses: The framework of a roof is typically made of wooden beams (rafters). The alternative is prefabricated trusses that support the roofing material.
Decking: A layer of materials (often plywood or oriented strand board) forms the base of the roof. The roofing materials are installed over them.
Roof Types
There are several types available. A lot of the time, the sort that is in your home will depend on where you’re located. We’ll be covering two of them, but keep in mind there are a lot more than just these.
Flat: These have a slight pitch and are often used in commercial buildings. They require specialized materials to prevent water pooling. Some homes have them as well.
Pitched: As you can probably imagine, they’re quite different than the above. These roofs have a slope that allows water to drain off easily. They can be gable, hip, mansard, or shed style.
Materials
Another thing that’s important to know is that there are many types of materials that can be used. They vary depending on style and location. If you’re looking to get a new roof, this can be important to understand.
Asphalt is something fairly common, especially with residential buildings. It’s known for affordability and ease of installation. That’s why it’s pretty popular.
Meanwhile, metal roofs are starting to become more popular. They’re durable and long-lasting. They can be made from steel, aluminum, or copper. Commercial and residential buildings use them.
Tile roofing is made from clay or concrete. They’re popular in warmer climates and offer a fairly distinctive look.
Slate is another option. It’s a heavy and durable stone. However, it’s a bit more expensive, so it’s not as common to see.
Finally, there are wood shingles. Usually, they’re made from cedar. The traditional look they offer is appealing, but they require more maintenance.
Maintenance
With roofing and siding, there’s a lot of maintenance involved. You can read about it here: https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/documnts/pdf2009/fpl_2009_burke001.pdf. Otherwise, we’ll be covering some important components.
Inspections
It’s important to get regular inspections. Ideally, these should be done by licensed contractors. There are plenty that specialize in roofing and siding. It shouldn’t be too difficult to find them.
What would they be looking for, though? Primarily, it will be to check for damage, wear, and buildup of debris. Any of those things can be detrimental in the long term.
Cleaning Gutters
Gutters are a pretty big component of these things. Gutters and downspouts need to be cleaned regularly. This is to ensure proper drainage happens. Otherwise, water damage could be a real risk.
Repairs
Naturally, another component of maintenance is repairs. Repairing leaks and damaged shingles promptly to prevent further issues. If you notice any issues, it’s probably time to call a contractor.
Why Hire a Contractor?
These days, it’s not uncommon for us to see claims online about do-it-yourself projects. There are folks who will say that anything can be a DIY project. However, roofing is definitely not something to do on your own if you’re not trained.
After all, the safety concerns alone are pretty serious. The use of harnesses, ladders, and scaffolding are important to prevent accidents during installation or repair. Chances are, you probably don’t have all of those things laying around.
Thankfully, there are trained professionals who can help with all of these things. It shouldn’t be hard to find one in your area. Hopefully, the resources we’ve provided can also serve as a jumping off point for you.
Overall, the risk of trying to DIY a roofing or siding project just isn’t worth it. You could injure yourself or damage the roof.
