Home Improvement Caddy: Home Improvement DIY - Roof Coverings

Depending on the age and style of the property and the type of roof construction, there is a whole range of covering materials you may find. So check what type you have, since the inherent problems they may have can vary from one roofing material to another.

Wood shingles and shakes

The best shingles and shakes are of red cedar, although white cedar and redwood are some?times also used. Cedar has a fine, even grain and has natural resistance to water and rot. If left untreated, it weathers over the years to a silvery-gray color.

Sawn shingles are available in 16, 18 and 24in lengths and in three grades, and are nailed direct to spaced or solid sheathing. At ridges and hips the overlap alternates from one pair of shingles to the next.

Split shakes have one highly textured face, and come in 18 and 24in lengths. Because of their textured surface, they are nailed to the roof sheathing with asphalt felt interlayment between each course to prevent wind-driven rain or snow from penetrating between them.

Both shingles and shakes must be chemically treated to achieve the required UL class C rating for flammability.

Fiberglass and asphalt shingles

These man-made shingles are formed in strips with two or three tabs in units measuring about 36 x 12in. Most have self-sealing adhesive or locking tabs to improve their wind resistance -vital if they are used on shallow roof slopes. Each shingle is usually nailed just above each cut-out, with a 5in exposure and 7in toplap.

Fiberglass types have an inorganic base that gives them excellent fire resistance (class A) as well as resistance to rot, moisture and curling, while asphalt types are only moderately fire-resistant (class C).

Plain tiles

These are sometimes found on older prop?erties, mainly in urban areas. Usually made of clay, but sometimes of sand-faced concrete, they come with matching special units for finishing off at ridges, hips, rakes and eaves. The tiles are fixed over solid plywood shea?thing, with an under-layment of roofing felt to prevent draughts and water leaks into the loft space. Watch out for cracked, broken and frost-damaged tiles. These indicate that re-roofing is required. Old roofs with many mis?sing, cracked or broken tiles will definitely need complete re-roofing.

Interlocking tiles

These tiles are sometimes used for re-roofing, especially as a replacement for old slate roofing. As the name suggests, the sides of the tiles -and sometimes the heads - interlock. Laid in single layers, the tiles will be lined with underfelt to eliminate draughts in the loft space.

Source: http://www.homeimprovementcaddy.com/2012/10/home-improvement-diy-roof-coverings.html

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