The Importance of A
Good Roof
What's so important about the
quality of a roof? Let's take a bit
closer look at what it is we really
want a roof to do. First off we want
it to be sturdy, we want to make
sure that it doesn't come crashing
down on our heads. We want it to be
long lasting; we don't want to
replace it on any type of regular
basis. We want it to keep out the
weather, and elements. Some roofs
are inherently designed to let the
sun in at certain times and keep it
out others. Regardless of what a
roof is designed to do, it maintains
the purpose of protecting the rest
of the entire structure, regardless
whether it is a residential home, or
a large commercial structure. So it
goes almost without saying, the roof
of a structure is key in any
building design. A roof is a
buildings most important structural
aspect. Without a good roof, one
that functions in a manner compliant
to the over all building design and
functionality, everything in that
structure would be left at the mercy
of the fury of nature. To have a
grand and beautiful building will
eventually lead to unwanted
circumstances without a properly
constructed and maintained roof.
We construct buildings and homes to
keep us and "things" safe from the
elements. Imagine the Smithsonian
museum with out a roof of any kind.
How long would the historical
objects contained within last? How
long would it take the wind and rain
and sun to obliterate those things
heralded as national treasures? That
might be a bit dramatic, but it does
get the point across. We construct
sound sturdy roofs to protect us and
our things. It has been going on
since man first built free standing
structures, before the time of
Christ. Even back then, the
importance of quality roofing
materials was well appreciated.
Granted the choices were very
limited two thousand years ago, but
even then they drew on the best
knowledge available as well as the
best materials to construct the
sturdiest and longest lasting roofs
possible. Many of those early
roofing contractors must have
been doing something right, because
many of the roof building practices
used back then are still being used
today. Including but not limited to
Stone, slate, baked clay tile, wood
shingles. Today the choices for
roofing materials is vast indeed,
making the task of choosing the best
for a particular type of application
even more difficult.
Today's choices for roofing include
a vast variety of materials that
include such things as composite
materials, plastics, steel or metal,
asphalt and yes those mentioned
above as well. Stone, Clay tile,
slate and wood shingles are still
popular materials used in modern
roofing.
The roofing mistakes usually made
are one of two. The number one
mistake made in roof construction is
not properly anticipating climatic
conditions of the region of
construction, or using materials
that are insufficient for those
conditions. The number two mistake
is cutting back on or holding down
the cost of roofing to increase some
interior aspect of a structure.
(this usually happens during general
building constructions, and not as a
rule during replacement or
maintenance). The old adage of "Pay
me now or pay me later" defiantly
holds true in the types of roofing
choices made
Choosing the proper roof really has
two aspects, existing or
non-existing. Let me explain. If a
building is pre-existing, and the
roof was constructed of asphalt
shingles from its original design,
it probably wouldn't be feasible to
opt for slate or clay tile as
replacement materials. Why? Because
more then likely the frame material
of the roof structure was not
designed to handle the additional
weight of these types of materials,
so using such material could be
dangerous. Their added weight might
cause the roof structure to
collapse. Generally asphalt shingles
give good protection except under
extreme climate conditions.
The second aspect of choosing the
proper roofing material is generally
considered to be for new
construction. In new construction,
the choices involved in roofing
materials play a key roll in over
all project design. Let's say in
someone's aesthetic design choices,
Mediterranean terracotta style
shingles seem to be just what is
needed. They require little
maintenance, last virtually for
ever, look great and add just the
right touch to the Spanish exterior
design of a new home. But the catch
here is that new home is being built
in northern Minnesota, where it
snows ... a lot. Now a big decision
needs to be made. Having those clay
tiles on the roof sure will look
pretty, but will add a pretty penny
to the cost of construction as well,
not just because clay tile shingles
are more expensive to purchase and
install. It's because the designed
structure will need to be reinforced
to handle the extra weight of the
tiles as well as snow load for that
part of the country. It might be now
that those terracotta tile shingles
just lost some of their shine. So
cost becomes an issue in having the
best material.
But with the advent of modern
materials there are other options
available. There are companies
producing composite and metal look
alike shingles. Most of these new
composite and metal roofing
materials are light weight, durable
and cost effective. So in new
construction, you could have the
best of both worlds. Low initial
cost, as well as great looking, and
functional roofing material.
So many choices, no much to consider
and to learn, how can a person ever
get it all straight? There may be no
easy answer to that particular
question, but to many others help
can be found by looking through the
many resources at New Roof Site.com
Scott Best is a freelance author in
association with
http://www.newroofsite.com
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Best
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