A variety of roofing materials, each with advantages and disadvantages, can be used to top a house. Location is a top concern when selecting materials, for example in coastal areas where hurricanes are common a sturdier material is used. In the medical profession a popular phrase is “doctor heal thyself,” but for homeowners it’s “owner know thy roof.”

Fiberglass asphalt shingles consist of a base of glass fibers covered with ceramic coated mineral granules . This is an inorganic shingle with a high fire rating and often a longer warranty (and life span) than other types of shingles. This shingle resists water and cracking. According to Underwriter Laboratories it can also withstand high winds. Sounds like a winner!

Architectural shingle is an inorganic, three dimensional shingle. Because it is multi layered it has depth and thus an appearance closer to wood or slate roofing. Disadvantages are weight and cost, both more than other shingles.

Roll roofing is less expensive than shingles. It can be used on roofs with shallow grades, or in addition to shingles on steeper roofs. This is used most often on industrial buildings. It has a heavy felt base, saturated with asphalt, covered by a smooth or mineral surface. Easy to install, this type of material will last between 10 and 20 years.

Metal roofing is steel panels used in place of shingles. The best steel panels are made with zinc. Like roll roofing this is most common on industrial buildings. Durable, long lasting and resistant to fire, metal roofing is a great choice.

The earliest shingles were made of wood, and wood shingles are still used in modern construction. Cedar is the most common wood used for these shingles, but many consist of a variety of woods. These are more difficult to install than asphalt shingles. Wood burns. A fire-retardant coating reduces the flammability, but does not eliminate it.

A roof has other elements in addition to the shingles. These are not shingles or tiles or total roof coverings, but nevertheless are elements of a roof. Flashing consists of roofing material or sheet metal strips placed to cover joints, to make the joints waterproof. A special type of flashing is a “boot,” made to fit around a vent pipe. The boot is sometimes plastic. A Drip Edge is an “L” shaped, weather-resistant material placed at exposed roof edges to help protect wood portions of the roof by shedding water. Felt paper, or building paper, is a sheet with a tough, fibrous base saturated with asphalt installed under shingles. Felt paper also contributes to protecting the wood portions of the roof, particularly the frame.

A great source of information on roofing materials is the Internet. The more you know the less likely you are to get wet.

Roofing supplies include a wide range of materials and items necessary for roof construction and maintenance. This consists of not only shingles but molding, lumber, pipes and vents, roofing cements, ladders and all the necessary tools , even roofing nails.

One of the most important roofing supplies is, of course, the top roofing material. This is considered the roof proper and includes wood shingles, ceramic tiles, asbestos shingles, metal roofing sheets and tiles, rubber roofing sheets and shingles, and more. Location is a prime concern when selecting roofing material, so that the roof will stand up to the local elements and issues that interact with a roof.

The frame or support structure of a roof is lumber. This generally consists of a triangular truss and a lattice of beams. The roof itself is then laid over the frame. Lumber is used for other elements including the cornice, part of the frame that overhangs the wall, the fascia, which is the underside of the cornice, the eave, beam ends of the wood frame that allow water to drip away from the roof, and the soffit, which is the underside of the eave.

Pipes and vents stick up from the roof. They help the house breathe, and are also the way out for smoke from a fireplace or cooking hood, as well as for hot air from the attic. The bottoms of pipes and vents are always sealed with a boot, or metal strip, that includes a lead based or plastic sealant. These pipes and vents have one way shields sealed with rubber so that the air or smoke can escape, but water doesn’t flow into the pipe or vent.

Roofing tools include the ladder to climb up to the roof, as well as other items necessary for both installation and removal, as well as for regular maintenance. These include simple items such as a broom and bucket to hold waste shingles, a slater’s hammer that includes a hammer as well as an ax and blade, a slate cutter to cut through shingles, seaming pliers to grab shingles, and a hip runner to install the ridge cap, the portion of the roof that caps the seams.

When it comes to roofing nails they must be long enough to extend through the shingles and get about 3/8 inch below the underside of the shingle. Anything that interferes with the nails biting into the wood could cause the nail to spring out of the shingle, and eventually the loss of shingles. This includes shingles with ridges, some under shingle materials, and of course nails that are too short. A good roofer can drive a roofing nail with one solid hit. A homeowner doing it themselves should be able to drive most roofing nails with one hit within a few minutes of work.

Like a well roofing supplies are a deep subject, but satisfying when you get to the bottom of it.

Residential roofing sounds like a boring topic. Residential roofing specialists like roofing contractors might discuss it, but who else would? How about home owners? One of the most important elements of a home is the roof. Therefore it’s necessary for homeowners to be up to date on the subject of residential roofing at least as far as it pertains to their own residence.

Location, location, location is often discussed as the #1 rule in real estate, it’s just as important when it comes to residential roofing. Needs for roofs vary by region and include such elements as need to withstand tree limbs, wind resistance, fire resistance, ability to withstand heavy snow fall, and even color when it comes to a good looking roof for the area. Residential roofing needs are quite different in New Hampshire than they would be in Los Angeles. For those who purchase homes it’s important to be familiar with the features and maintenance needs of the roof. For home builders, particularly if they serve as their own general contractor, selecting the right roof for the region is a key.

Since it’s more common for a homeowner to purchase a home complete with a pre-installed residential roofing system, let’s examine some maintenance practices that ensure best performance and longest life from the roof. First amongst these issues is timing. Proper maintenance should begin as soon as the roofing system is complete. This will ensure a long term savings. Immediate maintenance includes inspecting the work and checking the contractor’s license, insurance, and whether all aspects of the roof were installed to manufacturer’s specifications and to local government guidelines.

After six months to a year the roof should be inspected for debris such as sticks, leaves, and even garbage such as aluminum cans, and those debris removed. This should continue at least yearly. Also further ensure proper drainage by cleaning gutters at least once a year. If the residential roof can’t drain, it will develop leaks. Leaks cause a great deal of damage, including the possibility of mold that can completely destroy a home.

After only a few years the material at the bottom of vent and other roof protrusions, called pipe boot, may need to be replaced. Many states require pipe jacks made out of lead, and this will last longer than the roof. But some states, including Oklahoma, don’t require lead pipe jacks.

A roof needs inspection twice a year. Keep in mind a simple practice of having the roof inspected when the clocks spring forward and fall back.

Vinyl flooring is a great alternative to many materials, such as wood and carpet. Commonly seen in commercial settings because of its durability. Vinyl flooring is simple to install and resists both scratching and moisture. This is in sharp contrast to wood flooring that may warp and crack from water damage, or show scratching from abrasions. Vinyl flooring, on the other hand, can keep a perfect appearance for several years with next to no maintenance. Even when damage or wear occurs, the floor can be very easily refinished with little cost. Damaged tiles can be removed without much trouble as well.

Hardwood flooring provides an attractive aesthetic appeal, but cannot maintain its finish when faced with moisture and high traffic. Vinyl flooring can provide the same traditional aesthetic without the upkeep problems typically seen. Vinyl manufacturers today have large lineups of products with great durability, as well as a range of textures. Vinyl flooring is available that looks just like wood flooring, or any other surface for that matter. Manufacturers such as Armstrong produce vinyl flooring that remains in perfect condition for years, with little maintenance.

High quality Armstrong vinyl flooring is produced to look just like hardwood. The Armstrong Hi-Definition printing process produces surfaces that look exactly like hardwood. Best of all, vinyl tile is no trouble at all to cut and fit around corners. This makes vinyl tile flooring a great solution in a variety of settings. Add to that its affordability, and vinyl tile is an incredibly attractive option for flooring. This is especially true when the flooring must withstand high traffic or frequent abrasions.

Check among any number of vendors for a huge variety of possible styles. Vinyl tile is not only durable, but extremely diverse in its range of style as well. Vinyl tile allows the designer to imitate almost any material without worrying about the subsequent maintenance issues. Armstrong is one of the largest names in the vinyl tile business. Employing over 12,000 workers, Armstrong is a pioneer in the vinyl tile market. With cutting edge printing technology, Armstrong has an emphasis on quality and longevity.

Although carpet and hardwood are great options in many areas of the home, they are sometimes inadequate. Spaces like the kitchen, or garage, frequently demand a greater level of durability and resilience. Carpet is susceptible to dirt and stains, leading to a dirty looking surface that may also attract odors. Hardwood offers a great deal more durability than carpet, but it also falls prey to moisture. A wet hardwood eventually warps and cracks. After many seasons of expansion and contraction, moisture damage can really degrade the appearance of a hardwood floor.

Areas in which spills and accidents are frequent can result in scratching or gouging in the flooring as well. Laminate flooring is a wonderful solution for water damage and durability issues. With a laminate floor, decorators can have the classic appeal of hardwood if they so desire, while dodging many of the typical pitfalls. Laminate flooring is very resilient when it comes to moisture issues and will not absorb water. Stains are not an issue, and as long as they are cleaned up promptly, will cause no lasting damage at all.
Best of all, laminate flooring is very well priced, and can be found in a large selection of shades, colors, and styles.

Laying down laminate flooring is also relatively simple. As soon as a set of tiles can be unwrapped, check each to ensure that each tile is intact. Once certain that the entire package is intact, give the tiles a few days to adjust to their new environment. There may be some contraction or expansion involved when the laminate flooring tiles arrive in a new setting.

Be sure to follow all manufacturer instructions that are included with the tile packaging. Specific instructions on how to glue the tiles are very important, and can affect the overall performance of the tile. It is also important to give the tile a quarter inch between wall and flooring. Although a great deal of tools isn’t required for in home installation, you may have to cut the tiles to fit around corners, fireplaces, stairs, etc. A wet tile saw would definitely be adequate to cut laminate flooring.

Having a level surface for laying down tiles is also important. Be certain to fill any holes in the subflooring, or sand away any protruding areas that might stick up afterward.

Wood flooring can boost the value of any home. For an addition of class and traditional value, hardwood flooring is one of the best avenues. A high quality maple or oak wood flooring can really put a new face on a home, while also building a base for an elegant atmosphere. Hardwood flooring can be found in almost every imaginable color and shade. Finding the best kind of flooring can be a little daunting, but the process is always rewarding in the end. Although carpet can certainly work in some situations, wood flooring has a traditional appeal that is hard to deny.

The first step to take is to assess the value that hardwood can add to the home. Regions that undergo severe weather conditions and change temperature extremes every season, hardwood may be prone to suffering buckling and warping. High humidity is also a real issue when it comes to hardwoods. Excess moisture can wick up from the subfloor and into the wood through spills, leading to warping and buckling as the years pass. Crowning and cupping are common problems for wood flooring exposed to moisture. When a floor crowns or cups, it loses its originally level form, most frequently in the middle of the floor. This can result in a floor that must be replaced or sanded down to restore its level surface.

Once you have decided that hardwood is the best solution for you and your home, there are many products and manufacturers from which to choose. Maple and oak are more traditional species, while cedar gives a more rustic and natural atmosphere. A higher gloss finish will result in a more reflective surface, while a lower gloss fits in with a darker atmosphere. The thickness of the boards is also crucial when determining the best hardwood. Thicker boards will be more durable and more resistant to moisture.

Moisture is very frequently behind hardwood reliability issues. Avoid exposing wood flooring to moisture as much as possible. If storing wood flooring outdoors before installation, make certain that the wood is protected against moisture. Clean up spills on the wood flooring immediately in order to prevent eventual warping and cracking. If water beads up on the surface of the flooring, it is time for another coat of finishing on the flooring. Protect your investment, and wood flooring can last for generations.