SHINGLE OVERVIEW:

Roofing shingles interlock and overlap in a way that channels water off a pitched roof. Shingles are made from materials that vary in cost, weight, durability, color, and architectural style. In roofing a house with shingles, one would want to consider their budget, climate, the roof's pitch, and how they would like the end result to compliment their home’s design.

The use of shingles is reserved for roofs with sloping sides that are steep enough to shed water into a gutter system by gravity alone. There are other roofing materials, such as metal flashing, which would be appropriate for flat or shallow roofs. Most problems with a new roof, like leaking, can be traced to improper installation, not flawed materials. Make sure you hire professional roofers to help you choose the appropriate shingle. Then monitor their proper installation of special rafters, flashing, and the shingles themselves. Problems often arise around fireplace chimneys or other vents.

Many materials are well suited to serve as weatherproof, durable, beautiful shingles such as 3-tab or dimensional shingles.

The standard asphalt shingles, also known as composite or fiberglass, are made by infusing a paper or fiberglass base with asphalt. Then one side is sprayed with even more granules of a mineral of the desired color. A dependable choice, they are affordable and last 13-20 years. A more creative alternative to these plain shingles would be wood shake or copper squares.

ROOF TILES:

Tile roofs endure some of nature's toughest elements, yet despite the harshest weather concrete and clay can withstand wind, hail, rain, earthquakes and even fires. This resilience enables manufacturers to offer U.V. Protection in our area.

The color palette for concrete and clay roof tile includes many selections with options ranging from a single-color tile to a matrix of up to five colors. Styles range from flat to barrel-shaped tile, and either will change the appearance of a roof dramatically. There is also a wide selection of carefully blended hues that range from subtle tints to vibrant colors, and wood and slate textures that simulate nature.

It is no wonder that for quality roofs of unsurpassed beauty, versatility and safety, nothing compares to tile.

Both concrete and clay tiles are made from naturally occurring materials that do not deplete precious natural resources making them environmentally friendly.

CLAY TILE:

Most people are familiar with round, red clay tiles, often called Spanish, "S", Mission or Barrel tiles, that create rolling or rippled patterns on the roofs of many buildings in the Southern and Western united States. However, modern innovations have allowed manufacturers to develop new styles and colors for clay tile roofs that retain their original elegant, handmade appearance while expanding their architectural range to include contemporary and historic as well as Mediterranean designs.

For instance, flat tiles, can overlap or interlock to form distinctive French or English style roofs. Some manufacturers also offer lightweight clay tiles suitable for re-roofing projects and special tile products for roofs with steep slopes.

Although terra cotta red is clay's natural color, the ultimate color of a modern clay tile roof depends on several factors: the natural color of the underlying clay, temperature of the firing kiln, application of color blending techniques and the use of a glaze or finish.

CONCRETE:

Concrete tiles primarily consist of cement, sand and pigments, and are available in an array of colors styles, appropriate for any climate or architectural preference.

Modern concrete tile designs can simulate the appearance of traditional clay tiles, wood shake, slate and stone. Manufacturers achieve these distinctive styles by altering various aspects of the tiles' structure and placement. For example, like clay, concrete tile surfaces can be textured or smooth, tile edges can be uniform or ragged, and architects may select tiles of all one color, blended colors, or combine two or more shades and place them in a uniform or random pattern.

POINTS TO REMEMBER WHEN CHOOSING A ROOF

• Choose the most appropriate type of tile for your project. Consider such factors as climate, region, and type of structure, desired aesthetics, new construction or re-roof and availability
• Protect your investment: a tile roof is only as good as its installation. Look for a contractor with tile roof installation experience.
• Evaluate lifecycle costs when selecting a roofing product. Remember the file is for U.V. Protection and cosmetic purposes and sub roof is what protects you from rain.
• TRI works with state and local building code officials to develop installation techniques, codes, and standards for better roofing systems. The association represents manufacturers and their suppliers of clay and concrete tile roofing products made in the United States and Canada. TRI members produce nearly all the standard and lightweight clay and concrete tile manufactured in North America.

FLAT:

Flat roofs are a great way to keep a building safe from water. Knowing exactly what to do with a flat roof will ensure you have a working roof system that will last a long time.

Though they may look good, and are very common, flat roofs do require routine maintenance and detailed repair in order to effectively prevent water infiltration. If this is done correctly, you'll be happy with your flat roof for a very long time.

Flat roofs aren't as glamorous and/or popular as its newer counterparts, such as slate, tile, or copper roofs. However, they are just as important and require even more attention. In order to avoid throwing away money on short-term repairs, you should know exactly how flat roof systems are designed, the various types of flat roofs that are available, and the importance of routine inspection and maintenance.

A flat roof system works by providing a waterproof membrane over a building. It consists of one or more layers of hydrophobic materials that are placed over a structural deck with a vapor barrier that is typically placed between the deck and the roof membrane.

Flashing, or thin strips of material such as copper, intersect with the membrane and the other building components to prevent water infiltration. The water is then directed to drains, downspouts, and gutters by the roof's slight pitch.

There are four most common types of flat roof systems. Listed in order of increasing durability and cost, they are: roll asphalt, single-ply membrane, multiple-ply or built-up and flat-seamed metal.

Used since the 1890s, asphalt roll roofing generally consists of one layer of asphalt-saturated organic or fiberglass base felts that are applied over roof felt with nails and cold asphalt cement and usually covered with a granular mineral surface. The seams are typically covered over with a roofing compound. It can last about 10 to 12 years.

Single-ply membrane roofing is the newest type of roofing material. It is often used to replace multiple-ply roofs. 10 to 12 year warranties are typical, but proper installation is crucial and maintenance is still required. In addition these roofs often leak due to punctures from AC traffic.

Multiple-ply or built-up roofing, also known as BUR, is made of overlapping rolls of saturated or coated felts or mats that are interspersed with layers of bitumen and surfaced with a granular roofing sheet, or tile pavers that are used to protect the underlying materials from the weather. BURs are designed to last 10 to 20 years, which depends on the materials used.

Ballast, or aggregate, of crushed stone or water-worn gravel is embedded in a coating of asphalt or coal tar. Since the ballast or tile pavers cover the membrane, it makes inspecting and maintaining the seams of the roof difficult.