What Type Of Roof Should I Get

Other Factors To Keep In Mind When Youre Building Or Buying A New Roof

Regardless of the roof type that you have, you will most likely need to have it repaired or replaced during the course of your homeownership.

Major weather events and other natural disasters can be detrimental to the condition of your roof, of course, but planning ahead and going with a roof structure type and roofing material that works best for your specific area and property can go a long way towards preserving and maintaining the state of your roof.

While the types of roofs for houses vary by climate, architectural style, and personal preference, it is good to understand the types of roof shapes and house roof styles that are common in your area and for your specific kind of home.

This will help you make the best possible choice for your needs, whether you are building an existing building or creating a home from scratch with a custom build, or anything in between.

Roof Designs Shapes & Styles

Depending on a homes architecture, a roof can potentially make up 40% of the exterior, often playing a big role in its overall look and curb appeal. So, when the time comes to install a new roof, youll want to pick roofing materials and shingle colors that work well with the shape and slope of your roof, as well as complement your homes exterior design.

Understanding the potential performance and design impact of different roof shapes and slopes can help you decide which shingles and roofing materials are best for your home from both a performance and an aesthetic point of view.

Pro Tip:Owens Corning® roofing shingles work on nearly all types of roof designs, provided the roof slope meets the minimum requirements outlined. From three-tab to architectural shingles, Owens Corning® offers various types of roofing shingles in a wide range of colors that complement any roof style and home exterior, and are durable to help protect your home from the elements. You can try on different roofing shingles and colors using our Design EyeQ® Visualizer to see which products and colors you like best for your home and roof type.

Hurricane Mitigation Adequate Roof Protection Is A Must For Coastal Living

Seaside property, aka coastal living, has long been coveted for its fantastic views and access to beaches. Yet, the glaring disadvantage comes from hurricanes or tropical storms that make landfall.

Did you know? Whether in Florida, Louisiana, Oklahoma, or Texas, its not uncommon to see many wind-damaged roofs from which some shingles have been blown off after a major storm or hurricane ripped through the area.

In the continental U.S., Florida tops the list of states with its 1350 miles of ocean-side coastlines. East, West, and Southern borders are all exposed to the Atlantic sea. A great treasure when the sea is relatively calm. While sticking out like a sore thumb during hurricane season.

Hurricane Andrew, in 1992, was a historical storm that had an impact on Florida which is still playing out today. Wind speeds topped 165 mph and left $25 billion in damages to the state. Around 125,000 homes in Miami-Dade County alone, were severely devastated or completely destroyed.

It may be impossible to overcome the ferocity of a natural occurrence that packs that degree of a punch. Since Andrew, Florida has sought to lessen the chances of that much damage occurring at once.

Did you know? Building codes throughout Florida have undergone significant changes, particularly to High Velocity Hurricane Zones , namely Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.

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Different Types Of Rv Roofs

There are four types of materials used in RV roofs. The materials used are:

• Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer Rubber
• Thermal Poly Olefin Rubber
• Fiberglass
• Aluminum.

Most people assume that any roof on the RV will do as long as it is well installed. However, when getting a roof on the RV, it is best to understand that various types offer different experiences. Each have their own pros and cons.

Understanding the pros and cons of each RV roof material will enable you to make an informative decision.

Choosing a wrong roof option will end up frustrating you in the long run.

Before seeing the advantages and disadvantages each of these roof materials have, lets address the other main question .

What type of Roof My RV has?

Various Roof Types To Accommodate Your Needs

In any case, now that weve covered various roof types. Some specific applicable cases in which certain roofs are better than others. Established a checklist for choosing the best shingles for you. And provided examples of the top-rated roofing shingles.

You are well on your way to choosing the best type of roofing for you. Keep in mind that the best roof is the one that accommodates your needs. Climate, budget, and house.

Regardless of the type of roofing, there is always a chance of it getting damaged. Roofing can be expensive, so make sure that you have proper insurance and coverage to protect you from unseen expenses.

To find out whats best in your area, check out our roofer locator to help you find the best contractor in your area.

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Accessories For Improving Ladder Stability

There are three basic types of ladder stability accessories: those that give the ladder better footing, those that give the ladder a more stable connection with whatever you have leaned it against, and those that make the ladder safer and simpler for you to use. Well discuss all three categories below.

Accessories for Ladder Footing

These accessories give your ladder more stable footing, especially when you have no choice but to place the ladder on uneven or wet ground.

Accessories for Ladder Stability

A major concern when using a ladder for roofing is what you lean the ladder against and how secure this contact point is. You should not lean a ladder against the roof gutters as the sole means of support, as they typically cannot take the weight and may buckle. Therefore, roofers need a solution to allow them to lean the ladder against the roof plane or the homes siding. Roofers may also use other accessories to make this point more stable.

• Ladder standoff stabilizer: This accessory has many names, including a wall standoff, roof standoff, ladder stabilizer and mount guard. All are U-shaped supports that attach to the top of the ladder. They give you the ability to rest the ladder against a wall or the roofs surface. More dramatically, curved stabilizers allow you to place the ladder against the corner of the home. You should avoid those ladder mount guards which help the ladder lean against gutters as they may be unsafe.

Do I Need Gutters In Florida

• gutters in florida

If you live in Florida, youve probably already asked yourself the question: Do I need gutters in Florida? While most people presume that every house needs gutters, thats not necessarily true. There are cases where having gutters may not be necessary. On the other hand, gutters become even more important in Florida due to the amount of rainfall seen each year.

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Which Type Of Roofing Material Lasts The Longest In Arizona

One question we get a lot is, Which roofing material is the best quality and lasts the longest in Arizona? The answer to this really depends on what factors each homeowner values most, whether it be aesthetics, longevity, overall installation costs, or ease of maintenance. In short, every roofing system has its advantages, disadvantages, and eco-friendly contributions.

The lifespan of your roof will depend on a combination of factors, such as the overall design, quality of materials, environmental conditions, and quality of the installation. Todays top roofing products can easily last for decades when installed by a qualified roofing professional and properly maintained. Even still, our severe Arizona heat, monsoon rains, and excessive UV exposure can damage even the best systems. Taking proper care of your roof is critical. Scheduling regular inspections and have any repairs made promptly to ensure a maximum lifespan and unexpected damage to your home or possessions.

The general various lifespans of each roofing material in Arizona are as follows:Asphalt Shingles: 25 to 50 years

There are basically two types of shingles: regular 3-tab shingles and architectural shingles. On average, 3-tab shingles are just a few dollars cheaper than the architectural shingles. 3-tab shingles are also slightly thinner, which reduces their lifespan to the lower end of the expectancy range, depending on upkeep.

Wood Shakes and Shingles: 30 to 50 years

Metal/Steel: 50+ years

What Do You Need To Consider When Choosing A New Roof

The literal roof over your head is an incredibly important aspect of your home or any other property.

Heres what to do if you are considering replacing your roof and where to get started with everything from picking the color and material to determining what you actually want your roof and therefore your home to look like based on your own preferences and style.

First, consider the style of your home you will of course want to choose a different style and color roofing material if you have a Georgian style home versus a ranch versus something super contemporary.

Your climate also matters for instance, in warmer or hot areas a metal roof might be more desirable because it will reflect heat, while an asphalt roof can absorb heat, so that could be a good option if you live in a cold climate that has real winters.

Another key consideration is the actual shape of your house.

Things like gables, dormers, and other masonry or structural details will affect how your roof looks.

You also want to consider your backyard, porch, or any other outdoor living areas.

After all, if you have a deck, a pool or hot tub, a spot to dine outside, a BBQ area, or even a complete outdoor kitchen, youll want to consider the color and material of your roof, especially if much of it is visible from your outdoor hangout spots.

After all, your roof is a key design element of your new home.

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Do You Need A New Roof

There’s no denying when a roof destroyed by fire, windstorm, hail, or other severe weather needs to be fixed. But often, the need for repair or replacement is signaled by a seemingly innocent ceiling stain or drip. That telltale sign can end up being fairly inexpensive to fix or may require a costly overhaul.

Sometimes you can find the leaks source yourself if you have an unfinished attic and can locate the water trickle along a rafter or stud. However, its best to have an experienced roofer do an inspection and handle the repairs. We dont recommend homeowners navigate steep ladders and pitched roofs themselves.

The remedy may be as simple as filling in a crack with caulk, replacing a few shingles, or installing some flashinga membrane of metal that redirects water. Most leaks can be stopped if theyre limited to a few spots. But if youre experiencing recurring leaks and your roof is out of warranty, a new roof is in order. Even without obvious signs of damage, its wise to replace an out-of-warranty roof thats more than 20 years old.

What Are Asphalt Shingles

The different types of asphalt shingles have improved greatly since their first debut in the United States back in the early 1900s. You can find many asphalt shingles types today available in different sizes, colors, and styles to suit different climates and home needs. They are perfect for many homeowners in need of new roofs.

Typically, asphalt shingle types are made of a material mixture including asphalt, granules, sealants, fiberglass, and release film. Stable resin is used to bind glass fibers to reinforce and add durability to the asphalt shingles, while the asphalt allows it to be water-resistant. The granules added to asphalt shingles provide color variety and UV protection. Typically, asphalt shingles are composed of layers: a base mat, layer of waterproofing asphalt, and a layer of ceramic granules.

While there are many types of asphalt shingles, they also come in fiberglass or organic makeup.

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What Is A Gable Roof Or Gabled Roof

A gable roof is the typical pitched triangular roof that you see on many houses in the U.S., and its probably what you think of when you picture what a suburban home looks like in most states with the standard peaked roof lines.

These types of roofs can be fairly inexpensive and simple to build, since the shape is not complex.

In fact, the standard or basic gable roof is the design that most other pitched roof types are built upon.

Basic gable roofs can use all types of roofing materials, including but not limited to asphalt shingles, cedar shingles or shakes, slate, and clay or concrete tiles especially if you are building a standard or basic gable roof.

This versatility makes gable roofs even more cost-effective.

However, if the roof is more complex and contains hips and valleys, then standing seam or metal roofing tiles could be a better choice since they are more likely to be leak-proof.

And if you live in an area that gets a lot of snow, it is considered best to use a 10/12 or 40-degree pitch angle for a gabled roof.

Another reason that gable roofing is popular because the triangular shape allows snow, rain, and ice to slide right off, which is beneficial in most regions.

The shape also allows for attic storage or even additional living space under the roof, or vaulted ceilings.

One thing to note is that gable roofs might not be advisable in areas that regularly experience high winds or are located along some of the more common hurricane corridors.

What Is A Hip Roof

Hip roofs or hipped roofs are perhaps the second most common type of roof after gable roofs.

What is the difference between a hip vs gable roof?

Hip roofs are composed of slopes on four sides that come together to make a ridge at the top, while gabled roofs have two sides.

This variance makes hip roofs even more ideal for snowy and icy areas, since the slopes allow precipitation to run off the roof easily.

Hip roofs are also considered to be more stable than gable roofs due to the inward pitch on all four sides coming together.

Hip roofs also provide more shade than gable roofs since there is an overhanging eave on all four sides.

Hip roofs often include design elements like front gables to highlight a porch or entryway, or dormers or crows nests to add extra storage or living space underneath the roof.

They can be crafted from most standard roofing materials like asphalt shingles, standing seam metal or metal tiles, or clay or concrete tiles.

While hip-style roofs tend to be more expensive than gable roofs due to their more complicated design, they are still fairly common due to their versatility and durability.

After all, hip roof framing and overall builds require more materials and more expertise to construct, but you do end up with more stability and storage and living space underneath the roof.

And of course, regular care, inspections, and maintenance are required to keep your hip roof in the best possible condition.

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How To Identify Metal Or Aluminium Roof On Rv

The metal roof is one of the most straightforward to identify. Look for below characteristics in case of metal roofs on your RV.

• If your RV has metal roofing, you will notice the metal-like appearance.

• The roof will have a shiny-silver like metallic appearance.

• The metal roof will have support beams after 2 feet more or less. The reason is that the metal roof has thin flexibility, which means it cannot be able to support much weight by itself. If you are planning to climb on top, one has to be cautious.

Asphalt And Asphalt Composite Shingle

Asphalt and asphalt composite shingles are the most common and least expensive roofing material available. It is often made from a fiberglass base topped with asphalt and mineral granules or recycled paper saturated in asphalt and covered with granules. It is widely used and is available in a variety of colors. Considered easy to install and manage, asphalt roofs can be reinforced with organic materials or fiberglass to increase their durability.

Pros:

• They are available in many colors, easy to find, affordable, and are also easy to replace.
• In lighter colors, asphalt shingles can provide light reflectance to improve the energy efficiency of the home. Some shingles also may effectively emit light as well, further reducing energy needs.
• Fiberglass shingles are considered to offer excellent protection against fire and may provide a price break on your homeowners insurance.

Cons:

• Asphalt shingles dont last long as roofing materials go, typically 20 to 25 years but can be as few as 10 if cheaply made.
• They provide little to no insulation properties in and of themselves, and the quality varies widely.
• They are not considered sustainable, although they can be recycled. Much of this material ends in a landfill.

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What Is The Best Roof For High Winds

What the best for winds speeds ranging from 50 mph to 150 mph? No problem with metal roofing. If installed correctly, metal does an exemplary job at keeping water out, and the wind away. A metal roof has a limited amount of seams and overlaps, making wind practically incapacitated when trying to get in.

A metal roofing lasts about 60 years. It excels at mobilizing snow and rain and preventing a dampened roofing. This is only possible if the roofing was installed correctly, so an experienced specialist is more important than a quality metal roofing.

Depending on the type of metal used, it can be very affordable. As corrosion susceptibility is variable on each type of metal.