Roofing refers to covering a structure consisting of all structures and materials needed to support it on top of buildings or uprights, giving protection from rain, sunshine, snow, extreme temperatures, and the wind blows. A roof isn’t a single piece of material but rather an overall arrangement of materials designed to protect. There are different types of roofing to suit different needs. However, no matter what type of roofing you have installed, you need to pay attention to a few important aspects to ensure that it’s serving its purpose. This article focuses on some of these aspects so you’ll know what to look out for.
The first thing to take a look at is your roofing material’s final layer – the roofing felt. This is often the weakest point of any roofing system, as once it’s applied, it’s difficult to remove. If you notice that portions of your roofing felt are peeling, this is a sign that it’s already losing its effectiveness. If you need to replace it, you can do so with ease using high-pressure water jets or a high-pressure washer.
The next weak point in roofing materials is the asphalt shingles themselves. Asphalt shingles are susceptible to the same wear and tear that concrete tiles get, which is why it’s important to avoid them as much as possible. Asphalt shingles can also be prone to fire outbreaks, so make sure you only have asphalt shingles on top of other roofing materials such as slate and concrete tiles.
Another type of roofing that’s prone to damage is concrete tiles. If you notice that your concrete tiles are being cracked, crumbling, or even just falling apart, it could be that they’ve been exposed to too much water. If you have flat roofs, you may even want to consider replacing them with more water-resistant materials such as asphalt shingles. On the other hand, concrete tiles may not be suitable for extremely wet climates, often where many residential properties are located. Even though this isn’t necessarily the case, it’s certainly worth checking your concrete tiles once a year for signs of damage or other wear and tear.
If you’re planning to re-roof your home, you should also pay special attention to your existing roofing materials. Asphalt shingles are very vulnerable to moisture, making asphalt shingles highly unsuitable for hurricane or tornado zones. Asphalt shingles also take a long time to install – some homeowners prefer to skip the installation process and go straight to the re-roofing instead. However, many roofing companies won’t guarantee that their asphalt shingles will last through a two-week hurricane if it’s windy, so it’s best to get quotes before choosing a preferred method. Even though most modern asphalt shingles do a pretty good job of repelling moisture, there are always exceptions.
Fiberglass and cellulose shingles are probably the best options for homeowners in areas that don’t receive a lot of precipitation. Still, they require special treatment to last longer than a few years. Although fiberglass and cellulose are very weatherproof, they require special treatment to keep their shape and lasting power. Many homeowners prefer to skip this process and go straight to new roofing, but they should still make sure that they’re installing the new roof to the same quality standards as the old one.
For consumers who live in an area with a lot of rainfall, natural rubber roofing can be a great option. Because rubber roofing is made up of rubber resins rather than asphalt, it’s more weatherproof than asphalt but less expensive. Also, rubber roofing is available in different thicknesses to mimic shingles’ look, which is very convenient if you’re considering going with a natural rubber roof. If you’re not interested in spending money on a new roof, another option might be to install an inexpensive imitation of natural rubber roofing. Homeowners may also choose to use an extremely weatherproof felt underlayment to protect their new roof.
Choosing the right roofing material can be a tricky decision. While some roofing companies provide many different roofing materials, the quality of those materials can vary quite a bit. Asphalt shingles and other types of asphalt roofing are among the most popular roofing types for homes and businesses, and most homeowners find that they’re easy to install and maintain. When deciding between asphalt shingles and a different type of roofing material, homeowners should make sure that they carefully evaluate both the cost and the quality of materials used to get the job done.