How Roofing and Building Are Constructed

The roof is the top part of a building that protects against rain, snow, sunlight, extreme temperatures and wind. It is normally covered by shingles, but it can also be made of other materials such as metal or tile. The roof structure depends on the size and purpose of the building, as well as local environmental conditions. For example, the roof of a large warehouse might need to be stronger than the roof of a house.

The main differences in roofing aceroofingandbuilding.co.uk are the type of material used and the slope of the roof. The latter is determined by the design of the building, safety considerations and what city or state building codes require. It is common to see commercial buildings with flat roofs, while many residential buildings have sloping roofs. It is also possible to have both types of roofs on the same building.

Depending on the area of the country, the weather and the availability of suitable materials, the construction of roofs can vary greatly. In vernacular architecture, a roof may be made of thatched grass or split bamboo, sturdily tied together with rope or twine. Wooden shingles are a common choice, and concrete tiles can be found in some areas.

In modern building, rafters or pre-fabricated trusses are usually used for support. These are often cut on site or built in the factory, and then craned into place. A rafter or truss is then sheathed with plywood or OSB (oriented strand board). Older houses may have tongue and groove sheathing boards made of sawn lumber.

Before the sheathing can be installed, temporary braces must be in place to prevent the trusses from collapsing. To do this, nail a two-by-six board that is 16 feet long to the center of the back wall, then another board of the same length six feet to the left of this one.

Once the sheathing is in place, it is important to apply a water-resistant underlayment. The most common underlayment is a type of roofing felt, which is similar to tar paper but uses asphalt instead of tar for waterproofing. The underlayment is then overlapped and fastened with shingle nails.

If you are thinking of hiring someone to re-roof your home, make sure to choose a licensed and insured roofing contractor. A qualified roofing contractor will know exactly how to handle a variety of different aspects of the project and can help you determine what type of material will be best for your building. They will also be able to address any unexpected problems or issues that might arise during the re-roofing process. It is also a good idea to discuss the pricing of the job and any warranty information that might be included with it. A quality roofing contractor will offer a workmanship warranty as well as product warranties. They should be able to provide you with all of this information upon request. This will give you confidence that the job is being done properly and safely.