Types of Roofing Materials to consider
There are three commonly used materials for roofing. These are Terracotta tiles, Concrete or Cement Tiles, and Steel roofing.
Terracotta and Concrete tiles come in many different shapes. Terracotta tiles may be glazed or unglazed, and concrete tiles come in a huge range of colors. A tiled roof needs to have timber battening, and the roof structure must be designed to take the considerable weight of the tiles.
Steel roofing comes in three different finishes - Colorbond, Zincalume, and Galvanized roofing. Steel roofing comes in a variety of profiles or shapes, and the pitch of your roof will determine which of these is used.
What to think about when choosing a contractor
When contacting a contractor to build a supply or install a roof, there are a number of things to remember. Ask for a fixed price quote from at least two contractors. To compare prices evenly, make sure you provide the same information to the contractors on the size and type of roof material required. Some contractors may visit your site and offer you a free quotation.
Ask the contractor for references and previous client’s names and telephone numbers, so that you may get an insight in to the roofer’s work. Ask if the contractor is a member of any trade associations. Ask about product warranties and guarantees, and find out when payment is expected.
Common roofing terms you should know
Understanding roofing terminology is not difficult, but the actual job of building or repairing a roof can be much more complicated. It is useful if you know a few roofing terms when working with a contractor.
(i) Terracotta and concrete tiles are the most commonly used tiles in roofing.
(ii) Steel roofing is the alternative to tiles for roofing, and generally comes in three different finishes - Colorbond, Zincalume, and Galvanized roofing.
(iii) The ‘Pitch’ is the degree of slope or incline of the roof. Stacking the tiles, for example, on the rooftop in preparation for the roofing job must be done in such a manner that equally distributes the load across the roof and so that the roofing materials are not in the way of the workers.
(iv) The ‘Gable’ is a roof structure, which has a central ridge and usually equal sides, as in an inverted V.
(v) There’s the ‘Hip’, where sides of a roof structure are cut on an angle and usually joined by a ridge.
The ‘Profile’ is the shape of the roofing material.
(vi) Lastly there’s ‘Rainwater goods’. This refers to guttering, spouting, valleys and down pipes, as these are the elements of a roof structure, which transport water into the storm water drainage system.
A bit more on roofing
The roof of your house is critical and over time it will deteriorate - not only structurally, but also in appearance. Roof tiles will become brittle and porous. If this is the case, it may be time to replace the roof. Replacing the tiles, or using steel roofing are the options.
If you re-roof with tiles, you will need to contact a roof tiler. The area may need new timber battening, depending on what state the timber under the tiles is in. Often the battens are damaged due to the excessive weight and moisture from those roof tiles.
To re-roof a tiled or steel roof with steel, you will need the services of a licensed Plumber or roof contractor. Your roof will be rebattened to suit steel, and then the roof itself will be installed. A steel roof is lighter than a tile roof, which may make it a more suitable option for some houses. You should check with a professional to ensure that you make the right decision based on your needs.
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