How Roofing Contractors Protect Your Home

Roofs work hard, protecting homes from rain, snow, sunlight and extreme temperatures. They also add beauty, security and value.

While a re-roof is an expensive project, it is important to do it correctly. A wrong choice can result in leaks and other problems. Roofing is labor-intensive and carries health and safety risks, especially for roofers. Contact Roofing Company Denver now!

A roof is one of the most important parts of your home, protecting it from moisture, heat, cold and other elements. Regular maintenance and replacement of your roof can help to prevent serious damage. A new roof can also add value to your home and make it more attractive. Roofing contractors can help you choose the right materials and styles for your roof. They can also recommend insulation to help you save on energy costs.

Some of the most common roofing materials include asphalt shingles, tile and metal. There are many types of shingles, each with different colors and textures to complement your home’s style. Many shingles are made of recycled material to help reduce their environmental impact. Some are even made of fiberglass or organic materials, making them a good choice for environmentally conscious homeowners.

Tile roofing is an elegant option that can give your home a unique, layered look. It has been used for millennia and is very durable against sun and water damage. It is heavy, however, so the roof structure must be well built to support it. It is also a poor choice in areas that experience frequent wildfires.

Flat roofs are usually made from a single sheet of rubber or another waterproof material that is supported by tar or foam and held down with fasteners. This type of roof is suitable for low-sloped and flat homes and is easy to maintain. It requires little maintenance, but can become damaged by foot traffic or improper maintenance.

Rolled roofing is a thin membrane that is typically installed on low-sloped and flat roofs. It consists of layers of organic or glass-fiber mats with bitumen in between them. The bitumen is either asphalt or coal tar and must be heated before application. It is easy to install and works well in warmer climates.

Modified bitumen membranes are similar to asphalt shingles but have an additional layer that protects against the elements. They are also resistant to chemicals and bacterial growth, making them a good choice for roofs that will be exposed to harsh conditions.

Shingles

Shingles are the defining feature of a roof and, as their name implies, they protect your home by providing an effective barrier against weather conditions. They also give your building a decorative appearance. When choosing shingles, it is important to consider both the aesthetics of your home and how long you would like your roof to last.

Asphalt shingles are the most common type of roofing in America. They are manufactured in strips and then layered in courses starting at the eaves of the roof. Each course is then overlapped with the previous one. The shingles are held together by spots of hot asphalt that bond the different layers of the shingle. This process is called laminating.

The asphalt used to make shingles is an end product of oil refining and is much tougher than road asphalt. The asphalt is mixed with a fine mineral powder to increase its resistance to weathering. This powder is also helpful in making the shingle waterproof and fire resistant.

Shingles can be made in a wide variety of colors and styles to suit any type of building. Metal shingles, for instance, have a sleek and minimalist look that complements modern buildings and structures. Cedar shingles, on the other hand, have a natural, earthy color that adds charm to rustic or historical homes. Clay tiles are particularly popular for Spanish- and Mediterranean-style homes.

You can also find shingles that mimic the appearance of more expensive natural materials such as slate and wood shakes. These shingles are typically more expensive but will last longer than standard asphalt shingles.

When you have shingles, the varicella-zoster virus (the same one that caused chickenpox in childhood) becomes active again and causes a painful, blistering rash on your body. The rash usually only occurs in a single band around the torso, but it can spread to other parts of your body in some cases. Shingles can also cause nerve damage and lead to chronic pain. In rare cases, the shingles rash can lead to pneumonia.

Underlayment

Before any roof-covering material is applied, the roof deck is protected with a layer of underlayment. It serves several functions, including forming a waterproof barrier to limit the impact of rain and snow and enhancing fire resistance. It also helps the deck maintain a uniform surface for more durable roof coverings and it acts as a moisture-vapor barrier. Depending on the type of underlayment used, it can also reduce noise transmission.

There are several types of roofing underlayment available, from felt to rubberized asphalt and synthetic products. The traditional option is asphalt-saturated felt, sometimes called “tar paper.” It consists of varying blends of organic fibers and recycled felt mats that are saturated with a mixture of tar and bitumen to provide water resistance. It can be fastened to the roof deck using either plastic caps or staples. In high-wind areas, staples can easily blow off while the caps offer much greater wind resistance. Although felt provides good water-resistance, it is not fully waterproof and should be avoided on flat surfaces, where water can infiltrate the roof deck.

A more modern choice is rubberized asphalt underlayment, which offers superior waterproofing properties. It is made of a mix of rubber polymers and asphalt that creates a tough, self-sealing membrane. It is ideal for areas that are prone to leaks, such as eaves and valleys, as well as for steep slopes. It is often installed in two layers to ensure that there are no holes or leaks at the joints of the shingles or other roof-covering materials.

Another option is to use a non-bitumen, synthetic underlayment that is lightweight and resistant to mold and UV rays. Some manufacturers even make underlayment that is insulated to reduce sound transmission. It is important to seek out an underlayment that has been tested for IIC and STC ratings, which indicate the level of impact and sound reduction.

Many professional roofing contractors prefer to work with synthetic underlayment because it is easy to cut and install. It is also water-resistant and less prone to tearing, which makes it more stable in high winds. It is often used in low-sloped roofs, but it’s not recommended for steeper slopes unless it’s covered with a vapor barrier or other underlayment.

Flashing

Flashing is the sheet metal used to waterproof the joint where a roof meets other surfaces such as walls, chimneys and parapets. It must be installed correctly to ensure that rainwater is directed away from the building structure rather than in through the roof and into the building.

Roof flashing is available in many materials including galvanized steel, aluminum and lead. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks. Generally, metal flashing is rolled out and bent into place where it’s needed. The material must be durable enough to withstand environmental conditions such as high winds and cold weather. It must also be able to expand and contract with changes in temperature.

There are several types of flashing, each with its own installation process. Step flashing is made of a series of rectangles of sheet metal bent into an L shape. The base of each L is nailed to the roof, and the top is secured to a vertical wall such as the side of a chimney. This type of flashing is also called apron flashing.

Corner flashing is formed by taking a strip of step flashing and bending it around the corner where it intersects with the shingles. It’s important to form the flashing precisely because any gap could cause leaks.

Metal valley flashing is used to waterproof the joint where two sloped roof sections meet. It’s often found around roof chimneys, dormers and walls. Valley flashing can be difficult to install because it must be waterproof and sturdy against uplift caused by wind. It’s important to use a heavy-gauge metal and to secure it to the roof structures with roofing nails that are sized to the structural nail size.

For regions with frequent heavy rains, roofing professionals should consider using rubber and advanced synthetic flashing materials that are flexible to allow for expansion and contraction. They should also install kickout flashing, which bridges the gap between where the step flashing ends and the gutter begins to direct water out of the building structure. In snow and ice prone areas, roofing experts might also use metal flashing that has a slight slope to facilitate the shedding of snow and ice.