Roof Renovation: Everything You Should Know
The experts behind LIFT construction mentions that roofing is not to be taken lightly and it is better to consult specialists.
13/02/2020
Home renovations are an inevitable process and the most common reasons for home renovations are for improving the comfort, enjoyment and the value of the house. One of the essential aspects of a home is the roof system. It is an integral part of the house because, without it, everything inside the house could deteriorate as it is exposed to rain, snow, sunlight, and wind.
But roof renovations are not a straightforward process. The experts behind LIFT construction even mentions that roofing is not to be taken lightly. It is better to consult specialists or avail of their services to save time and money. However, one should be wary when choosing who would complete your roofing projects as some are flying by night.
But before availing of any roof renovation. Here are some things to comprehend to let your contractors know what you want to be done, and to understand them better too.
Parts of the Roof
• There are basic parts of the roof that one should be familiar with.
• The shingles, made from various materials, are the protection for the underlying sheathing against weather and these are usually measured in squares with a square of shingles equivalent to 100 square feet.
• The sheathing is commonly known as the deck of the roof. These are attached to the rafters roof and are usually in the form of a board or sheet material.
• The trim serves as a protection for the seam in the roof throughout the hip or ridge.
• The rafters act as a skeleton of the roof and are usually manufactured as wood or metal slats supporting the sheathing and shingles.
• The underlayment is made from a water-resistant and paper-like material and by using a membrane and vapour barrier, mostly a sheet of plastic for blocking permeable elements such as water and air, it seals the plywood sheathing against any weather damages.
• The flashing is any material such as a sheet metal. It is mostly installed on top of the joints of any roof system to act as a seal against water damage.
• The drainage is the patterned design of any roof to allow it to shed water elements. It is usually measured using the pitch or slope of the roof that can be determined by the rise in inches for each foot of horizontal distance commonly known as the "run" such as a roof with a 5-in-12 slope rises 5 inches for every foot in distance.
Roof Design
After knowing the basic components of a roofing system, you may also want to know some common roof design elements.
These include the following:
• The Gable Wall which are triangular portions that extend from the eaves to the peak of the roof.
• The Centerline of Ridge, also termed as the verge, is the wall or rafter under the edge of a roof where a gable ends.
• The Ridge is the highest point of a roof or commonly known as the peak of a roof.
• The Valley consists of two sections that meet and slope down in any area of a roof.
• The Eaves or the Edges of the roof easily identified by its hanging design over the exterior walls of a house.
• The Hip is the high point where two sections of the roof meet.
• The Abutment is the area of the roof where sections meet a vertical area such as a chimney or a wall.
• The Dormers are seldom to be found on any roof because they are usually sections of the house that stick out from a roof aimed at bringing in natural light to an attic or third floor.
Signs for Roof Repair
• The lifespan of a roof is mostly 20 to 25 years, although still usable, it may reach its dilapidated stage by this time. There are signs to look at if your roof needs repair already.
• When the shingles are already buckling and curling, they may need to be replaced. This is especially so if you notice any loose granules or are bending due to the slopes of the roof receiving direct sunlight.
• When the shingles in the roof valleys are already gone or already breaking apart, it is time to replace them. The valleys are one of the most critical parts of a roof since rainwater flows through them before going into the gutters. If they are damaged, leakage will be prominent.
• If the chimney flashing that you have is made of tar or cement. These types of materials are better replaced with a metal flashing system that is water-tight and can withstand longer.
• Any inconsistent colours on some parts of the roof can also be a sign for repairs.
• The granules of shingles mostly seen in the gutters can also be a sign that the roof needs a repair.
• A sagging roof may also indicate a structural issue. It is better to check at the attic decking or even the foundation supports.
Materials and Roof Colour
Do not rely on contractors alone regarding the prices of materials. You must also research and canvass for it yourself so that contractors will not take advantage of you. Plus, you will also know the right materials for your house because some materials will be perfect for tropical environments and some will be good for withstanding heavy snowfall or rainfall.
For roof colours, you can pick neutral, cool, warm, or depending on your preference. Finally, changing roofs will be extremely noisy. So, it's best to have earplugs or headphones while waiting for your contractor to finish. Or, if you will be doing it yourself, you really cannot minimise the noise so be prepared for it.
Roof renovation can range from simple jobs that can be DIYed, to complicated tasks that need professionals. Whichever the case, it is wise to know terminologies, roof designs and the materials you need. It is also best to be observant of your roofing system to know when a renovation is necessary.