Roofing and Re- Roofing
by Kim Kinrade
Besides the foundation of a home - without which the structure could not stand – the roof is the most important part of the home. In fact when early man left the sanctity of caves roofs were probably the first structures erected, probably an inclined covering like a lean-to covered in leaves which could assist the downward flow of the water and away from shelter.
Modern roofs, although a far cry from the prehistoric shelters, have th same purpose. And for the most part there is the same inclined platform-design with overlaying shingles designed to water off and away from the dwelling. Materials may change but the purpose is still protection. In warmer climates clay tiles are prevalent while asphalt shingles are common in cooler, North American areas.
Roof Design
A home in its simplest parts it is basically a box. The roof is simply a shelter and where rain is not particularly a problem, or in cases of commercial buildings, you will see flat-roofs.In other words it's sole purpose is to keep the weather out.
Roofing contractors suggest a linear reduction from the applicable basic snow roof load, with full load at 30 degrees reducing to "zero" load at 70-degree slope. For those of us who are not engineers this means the ratio where snow will not harm the roof.
In many cases a heavy snowstorm followed by warm temperatures can put unusual weight on the roof. In an old roof this could cause buckling or a collapse.
This is why it is important to get an inspection done on an older home. A qualified home inspection company can check and see if the trusses are spaced properly and are the right thickness. As well, any rot or insect damage will be revealed.
- Gable
Gable roofs are the standard peaked roofs. The weight is born at the peak and transferred to the house via a series of trusses which are usually manufactured to the specifications of the building area. The trusses are then covered with a platform to support the shingles which is now normally oriented strand board (OSB) or plywood. No so long ago many builders used tongue-and-groove boards. - Hip
With a hip roof – sometimes referred to as “hipped roof” - all four sides slope downwards to the walls unlike the gabled which just has two. However, this puts a more gentle slop to the roof and resembles a pyramid shape when all the sides of the house are equal.
Hip roofs are harder to build because the truss system is more complex but this means that they are solid. However, because there are no vertical sides these roofs withstand the wind better than gabled ones. - Barn (Gambrel)
Just like the barns in the movies the upper slope of this roof is a shallow angle while the lower slope is steep. This idea was to add headroom to work in the upper reaches of the barn where the hay was stored. This works for adding a room upstairs in a regular home. - Flat roof
Even in places with moderate snowfall flat roofs work if the right materials are used and there is a way for the water to runoff. Many flat roofs are sealed with bitumen process which adds gravel to make it stronger. Today, there are many new products which are used to make the flat roofs last.
Types of Roof Coverings
- Tile
May not be appropriate for winter where it could crack during a freeze-thaw cycle. It is extremely heavy however it is attractive and should last the life of the home.
- Fiber Cement
A constant in roofing for over 70 years it has only been in the past 20 years that cellulose fibers were substituted for asbestos. An imitation of tile this product is manufactured in corrugated panels comes in a wide range of colors.
- Slate
Slate roofs have been installed on buildings for more than a thousand years. This practice was brought to the New World by European settlers who were used to having stone on their roofs. Although heavy slate comes in a variety of colors and styles and, with proper care, will probably outlast many owners.
- Metal
The draw for steel is that it weighs only 1.25 lb per square foot, almost one-tenth the weight of many clay tile. Many contractors claim that, because it is bolted down, it is safer than tiles in hurricanes withstanding up to 225 mph winds. Better yet, it is great for preventing stress loads from snow.
- Asphalt
The 3-tab asphalt shingle is still the old reliable in roofing and can still do the job if placed in the right way. It’s cheap and easy to put down, however, if you do not tar down the tabs wind gusts are able, in some cases, to strip a roof. With asphalt shingles it is easy to when a roof needs to be redone. Look for curled and missing tabs and take note of mold growing on the shingles.
- Laminates
This type of shingle is generally more durable than 3-tabs. They also look great, like cedar shakes in some case.
- Cedar Shakes
There are roofs with cedar shingles that are a hundred years old. Cedar has the natural oils which resist water and rot. It is very labor intensive to use cedar but the advantage are many and it has a classic look.
Roofing and Re-Roofing Tips
- Drive around and take pictures of roofs you see that might fit in with your style of home.
- Take pictures so you can compare them.
- Write down questions to ask before they arrive.
- Check out the contractors’ licensing and insurance.
- Ask for references from the contractors. Compare: price advice material suggestions.
- Get written estimate that includes all costs, description of work, clean-up and a completion date.
- Get a warranty agreement that guarantees the work for a specified period of time and includes an unconditional repair clause.
City of Newport News, Virginia
Department of Codes Compliance
2400 Washington Avenue
3rd Floor, City Hall
Newport News, VA 23607
Phone: (757)926-8861
Fax: (757)926-8311