Roofing Materials & Construction

Asphalt shingles are the roofing of choice in most houses today. They're made with some type of composition or fiberglass base, sealed with asphalt and topped with fine gravel. The most common style…

A screen roof comes in handy when an outside structure is framed like a patio waiting to be screened. A screen roof gives the feeling of being outside with some of the protection of a building cover.…

Although not as effective as a gutter and downspout system, installing roof trim in place of gutters is one option to divert water from the roof eaves on large storage sheds and outbuildings. The roof…

One area on your roof that is susceptible to leaking is around the drain vents. The drain vent, or soil pipe, allows air into the plumbing system for drainage and to flush toilets. Most often soil…

A metal roof can provide your home with many years of protection from the elements. Metal roofing is usually coated with a variety of materials for additional corrosion resistance. However, this…

Architectural shingles, also called dimensional shingles, are more expensive than standard three-tab asphalt shingles and they offer “textured” roof appeal. Architectural shingles are also…

Flashing a chimney, sometimes referred to as leading, can keep your chimney sound and prevent expensive problems down the line. Without good flashing, a chimney can develop leaks at the join between…

A K-series joist, commonly used in building flat-roofed structures, constitutes a type of open web joist. These structures resemble roof trusses in some respects, though differ significantly in…

Spanish-style roof tiles are made of clay fired into a curved shape to allow for easy stacking. Though you can purchase Spanish tiles to install on your home, it is also possible to make your own by…

Most roofs have either a system of rafters and joists or of trusses. Rafter and joist systems are made up of two pieces of wood that run directly beneath the roofing surface and give it its shape,…

A teardrop trailer is a traditional trailer shape with a wide, high rooftop in the back of the trailer and a narrow, short framework near the front of the trailer, where it is pulled by the…

Whether you're installing an addition to an existing building or simply re-roofing part of it, connecting a metal roof to asphalt shingles poses some problems. Most metal roof paneling has ridges…

Snow guards are small brackets that home and business owners mount to their sloping roofs to prevent snow or ice from falling to the ground. These guards hold the snow in place until temperatures rise…

An eave is the roof edge’s underside, and it may be open or enclosed with soffit creating a horizontal plane, giving the eave a finished look. The amount of desired roof overhang determines…

While most metal roofing panels are attached directly to the plywood roof deck, you can elevate the panels to leave an air gap between the two. This method is ideal for uninsulated sheds and garages…

Metal roofing offers homeowners a durable and low-maintenance material for their homes. Metal roofing is simple enough to be installed by do-it-yourselfers and provide an attractive appearance that…

Chimney flashing is used around the edge of the chimney where it meets the roof line. It is installed along any type of roof, including a metal roof. The flashing wraps around the edge of the chimney,…

In the roofing industry, retrofitting means installing new roofing materials directly over an existing roof. Metal roofs weigh less than traditional asphalt shingles, so adding a new metal roof over…

Once a roof has its rafters framed, completing the roof involves placing a deck of sheathing, typically 4-by-8 plywood panels, over the rafters. Builders usually space rafters 24 inches apart in…

A prefabricated Dura-Vent chimney is an ideal option when you need to add a chimney to your house. These chimneys are designed to vent a variety of solid and gas fuel appliances, safely removing gas…

Roof eaves -- also known as overhangs -- help to enforce a roof’s ability to seal out water by directing flows outward and away from a home’s structure. Building roof eaves requires…

Spanish tile roofs are composed of several hundred small clay tiles, each slightly curved. Such tiles are mass-produced today, but historically were made by hand and fired in kilns. You can make your…

The word “shake” traditionally refers to a roofing shingle made of timber. However, many companies manufacture products known as metal shakes, or metal roofing shingles designed to look…

When the roof on a building begins to deteriorate, you should replace the roof as soon as possible to prevent leaks and other possible damage to the roof deck. To replace the roof on a small building,…

Compound rafter cuts occur at roof valleys, on hip roofs or anywhere two sections of roof meet at an angle. The compound cut has two components -- the pitch of the roof and the angle at which it meets…

A patio sunshade awning makes outdoor living more enjoyable by providing protection from the hot rays of the sun while allowing for privacy. Building a sunshade is a moderately simple task for…

Rake molding, often known as gable trim, is important for protecting the rake or gable edge of a metal roof from the elements. Without the trim in place, rain can leak under the edge of the paneling…

Allowing water to dwell in place for any length of time on a flat metal roof is dangerous to the roof’s structure. Damage can occur in the form of loose flashing, the loss of gravel from the…

Though homeowners have many choices of roofing material available, modified bitumen membrane roofing has become a common material for buildings. Modified bitumen consists of polymer-modified bitumen…

Homeowners looking for a graceful, eye-catching addition to their roof might want to consider installing a cupola. These charming features provide a visual focal point to an otherwise drab and boring…

The installation of a skylight usually requires the placement of a curbed frame around the hole cut through your roof to accommodate the skylight. Though this curb is small, it’s still a point…

Building a dormer into your roof allows for the expansion of your attic using existing floor space that you may otherwise be unable to occupy due to the slant of the roof along the wall. With a…

When cutting a tar roof with a circular saw equipped with a wood-cutting blade, heated tar may stick to the blade's surface. The caked tar will eventually clog the blade's teeth and slow down the…

V-crimp panels are among the simplest types of roofing to install as their lengthwise ridges allow them to overlap for a rainproof seal. Before installing the panels themselves, you'll need to cover…

While metal roofs are not generally as aesthetically appealing as their shingle or tile counterparts, keeping up appearances is still important. Adding gable trim to the gable ends of your roof will…

A flat seam metal roof consists of a series of metal roofing panels installed with a system of flat, rather than standing, seams. These panels create a single, smooth surface across a roof. Building a…

It's not the heat, it's the humidity. For your air conditioner to effectively cool your home, you must rid of the air of excess humidity. Removing the moisture makes hot, humid climates more bearable.…

Carlisle SynTec EPDM, or ethylene propylene diene monomer (M-class), rubber roofing kits provide a long-lasting, durable and weather-resistant alternative to other traditional roofing materials,…

Covering a BBQ area protects the cook and guests from the harsh rays of the sun. It also allows for grilling in the rain. You can even barbecue after dark if you hang lights from the awning. BBQ…

Sometimes wind and roof vents do not get along well. If you hear a banging noise coming through your bathroom vent when it is windy, chances are that the wind is picking up the vent flap and then…

White cedar shingles can be used on a roof, but they are most often applied as siding. Red cedar shingles are favored for roofs. Naturally gray white cedar shingles come treated to resist moisture.…

The bow roof construction method is generally reserved for barns, garages and greenhouses rather than for homes, but they still need to be shingled just as much as a normal roof does. The overall…

Sunsetter awnings are convenient additions for all types of households. Awnings are mounted to a home or other building -- and can keep the building cool, shade a patio and reduce energy costs.…

Dormers are add-ons for buildings where the homeowner wants to have extra space with a window looking out from a room. The dormer protrudes outwards from the rest of the roof, usually in a sloped…

Your house may be your biggest asset and if you install siding, you want to weigh all the choices for style, durability and price. This includes decisions regarding natural wood products such as cedar…

Roof leaks can be difficult to fix and harm your roof framework, but if you try to stop leaks too hastily you might end up creating even more problems. A direct roof anchor is tie-off device that's…

According to the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association's website, four out of five homes in the U.S. have asphalt shingles because of its lower cost, durability and ease of installation. Metal…

A hip roof has four slopes and six ridges or peaks with common eaves on all four sides. Hip roofs often are topped with composition shingles, so named because they're made of several materials.…

Galvanized steel forms when the metal submerges into melted zinc. The zinc bonds to the steel and forms a protective seal by actually becoming part of the metal, which makes it both more durable and…

Roof trusses arrive at the job site ready for installation. The truss manufacturer specifies exactly how each truss must be mounted. The typical roof truss rests on the top wall plates, but if…