Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Roofing: Under the Shingles - What goes on beneath the Asphalt, Metal, Wood, Rubber and Clay Tiles


Imagine, you�re standing on the sidewalk, looking at an average house. You see the siding, the windows, the front door, and way up above, you see the roof. Does the roof have asphalt shingles? Wood shakes perhaps? Maybe it�s made of metal or rubber tiles? What you see is where the focus goes, but it�s what you don�t see that really matters. There�s more to roofing than meets the eye. So let�s talk about what goes on, under the shingles.


This is a hot hatch that not only drives like a hot hatch but looks like one. The shrinking violet of the Clio range it is definitely not.Uniquely for a car in this price range, the rear bumper has an air diffuser built into it which draws in the air passing underneath the car, effectively sucking it downwards to give high speed stability, a system more often seen on the race track.PERFECTLY TUNED - Renault Clio Gordini 200As mentioned in the Leak Barrier section, valleys have leak barriers installed underneath them. Even though some Building Codes do not require such a leak barrier to be installed, we recommend installing one always in every valley.Metal RoofingIf you've ever looked at your roof during winter, you'll notice how ice and snow builds up along the length of your eaves troughs and inside the roof valleys. As with Rake Edge and Drip Edge, some Building codes require Leak Barriers to be installed and some Building Codes do not. In Alberta, the Building Code requires a leak Barrier to be installed on all eaves trough and valley areas of a Roof Systems because of issues related to such snow and ice build up. As an optional upgrade, some high end roof systems even have leak barriers installed on top of the entire Roof Deck (as opposed to only along the special areas we just mentioned) where normally a standard Roof Deck Protection would normally have been installed.Composite shingles are made of asphalt. The base material can be made of organic fibre mat or fibreglass core. With their adhesive backing, composite shingles are easy to install. Nails, staples or tacks are used to attach them to the roof. If you live in an area common to hurricanes and rainstorms, then this roofing material is the choice for you. But make sure to add some roofing cement to secure the roof. Shingles are currently the most popular choice of material for roofs in the US. Roofers find the material easy to install and durable. They could last about 30 to 50 years, given that they are reinforced once in a while. Also, roofing contractors and manufacturers have come up with shingles that are resistant to mold and algae growth, which means longer life for your roof.Drip edge and Rake edge is the first part of the Roof System to be installed. It is a long and narrow piece of metal which is installed along each end of your Roof Deck, ie: along the eaves trough and along the gable ends.Each Renault Clio Gordini 200 comes in the famous Malta Blue metallic finish with optional twin white racing stripes on the bonnet, roof and tailgate, in keeping with its famous predecessors.Slip into the driver's seat and the first thing that strikes you is the soft leather, body hugging seats which hold you firmly but comfortably in place. Push the red starter button - no ignition key needed - and the throaty, two-litre, 200bhp rasps into life. But it's not until you actually wind up the revs in each gear that you get the real spinetingling exhaust note of this pocket rocket.Metal: Drip Edge and Rake EdgeA word of caution: Many roofing contractors install valleys in a style referred to as 'closed'. A closed valley consists of Shingles woven inside the valley, as opposed to an 'open' valley which has sheet metal running from top to bottom. Both the 'open' and the 'closed' style of installation are acceptable by the most Building Codes and by most manufacturers, however, the 'open' style installation has consistently out performed the 'closed' style...and costs exactly the same price to install. Ask your Roofing Contractor to use the 'open' style of installation for your roofs valleys, this could save you from having to replace your roof system prematurely and also can avoid headaches in the long run. Typically, an 'open' valley is installed with a 30 gauge sheet metal, 4' wide, coming in 10' sheets. This metal can be ordered in any color to match the shingles on your roof system.ConclusionSeamless metal gutters should pair off with slates very well. You will need highly skilled roofers or roofing contractors to properly install this material.No roofing material has as much variety in price and type as metal roofing. It can feature galvanised iron or lead on a low-cost barn, or it can take the form of elegant copper on royal homes and majestic museums. It can easily be installed as sheets or shingles, both of which are suitable for steep roofs. Mechanically seamed metal, on the other hand, is ideal for gentle slopes. Contrary to the natural property of metal, metal roofing does not absorb too much heat, making it very ideal for tropical areas such as Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Lutz. Those who live in places with occasional thunderstorms can feel safe with a roof covered with a metal sheet because of its ability to disperse lightning. It is non-flammable, too. Metal roofing also appeals to home owners because of its low cost and aesthetic appeal, although one usually has to choose from either of these two factors. The more attractive materials are also more expensive. Metal roofing is probably the cheapest roofing material available in the market today. Roofing companies guarantee 50 years of a secure roof for your home if you choose this material.CAPTION(S):A word of caution; most roofing companies use felt paper as Roof Deck Protection. Although using felt paper is a standard and acceptable practice, some issues can arise if the felt paper becomes wet during or after the installation. Ever notice how paper tends to curl when it dries after it was wet? In a similar way, felt paper can curl if water or excess moisture touches it. For this reason, and because the cost is quite small, we recommend installing a higher quality Roof Deck Protection such as a GAF/ELK Deck Armour. For a relatively small additional cost, you'll be rewarded with a much more reliable Roof Deck Protection.Just 500 of them will be coming to the UK, and each one has an engraved plate near the gearshift showing the build number.THE name Gordini is as evocative for Renault enthusiasts as Cooper is for MINI fans. And now, after the success of the Renault Twingo Gordini, there is a new and even more dynamic Gordini on the streets - but you will have to be fast to secure one.You can pair composite shingles with almost any type of gutter�from galvanized to wooden gutters.Roof tiles are usually made of slate, glazed ceramic and baked clay, and they top all the other roofing materials in terms of age and weight. They have been used to cover the tops of houses in ancient eras, much longer than the other types that we have discussed. Two factors discourage people from using tiles and slates�weight and price. Due to their heaviness, roofers must first ensure that your house has stronger roof and wall to support structure. They are also much more expensive than most materials. Traditional homes and mansions usually have slate roofing. If your aim is for the classic look, then this is your choice. Its best features are they are fire-resistant and sturdy, lasting for generations. They withstand snow and hail, moisture and heat. Termites are not able to build a home on these types of roofs. Most noticeably, they are beautiful. Japanese temples have been elaborately topped with tiles, and so have the famous Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore of Florence in Italy and the Sydney Opera House in Australia.Tile and Slate RoofingThe sporting theme continues inside too, with a white-faced rev counter, drilled aluminium pedals, sports seats in dark grey leather with blue detailing and the same combination on the sports steering wheel, but with two white stripes to indicate the centre point.We learn to crawl before we walk, so when talking about roofing let�s start with square one, the surface area of your roof which is made of wood. Your wood roof deck is comparable to an automobiles metal body. It is installed on top of the basic house frame to give a surface area on which to install Shingles. Without a roof deck installed on your house, there would be nowhere to install your Shingles. And of course without the shingles, your roof deck would rot away due to exposure to the sun, rain, snow and ice and etc...not a comfortable home at all!So there it is, life beneath the shingles. See how much goes on behind the scenes? Professional roofing contractors know this stuff inside and out and can help immensely in ensuring a roof system is reliable for many years. Product suppliers such as GAF/Elk and IKO can help answer specific questions about products as well.Tuned to perfection, the Gordini is a superbly responsive car which needs only the lightest touch on the accelerator to answer the call for more power. It's one of those rare cars which boasts 100bhp for every 1.0-litre of engine size and this really reflects in its scintillating performance.I took model number 1 out for a spin and soon found that the legacy of Amde Gordini, who developed almost 200,000 Renault vehicles over a 20-year period and achieved some of the brand's greatest sporting achievements, lives on.Think of a leak barrier as a "second layer" of protection for your Roof Deck. A backup plan, if you will, and also a protection against moisture build up. Leak barriers are nearly always installed on top of the Drip Edge and Rake Edge metal along eaves trough areas, gable areas and valleys because of the risk these areas pose for leaks, ice build up, shingle deterioration and water back flow.

All the best with your roofing project, and remember, be proactive, make educated decisions.




Author: Eric Gilbert


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