Types of Roofing
Asphalt shingles account
for about 80% of the residential
roof surfacing in the United States.
Asphalt shingles are measured
against a variety of standards that
evaluate fire and wind resistance,
tear strength, and other key
performance indicators. Asphalt
shingles come in "standard" (or
3-tab) and "designer" (architectural
or multi-layered) varieties.
Standard shingles have a
lightly-textured flat surface, while
designer shingles have a highly
textured surface.
Wood shingles and shakes are
made from cedar, redwood, southern
pine and other woods; their natural
look is popular in California, the
Northwest and parts of the Midwest.
Wood shingles are machine-sawn;
shakes are handmade and rougher
looking. A point to consider: Some
local building codes limit the use
of wood shingles and shakes because
of concerns about fire resistance.
Many
wood shingles and shakes only
have Class C fire ratings or no
ratings at all. However, Class A
fire ratings are available for
certain wood shingle products that
incorporate a factory-applied,
fire-resistant treatment.
Tile — clay or
concrete — is a durable roofing
material. Mission and Spanish-style
round-topped tiles are used widely
in the Southwest and Florida, and
flat styles also are available to
create French and English looks.
Tile is available in a variety of
colors and finishes. Tile is heavy.
If you are replacing another type of
roof system with tile, you will need
to verify that the structure can
support the load.
Slate is quarried in the
United States in Vermont, New York,
Pennsylvania and Virginia. It is
available in different colors and
grades, depending on its origin.
Considered virtually indestructible,
it is, however, more expensive than
other roofing materials. In
addition, its application requires
special skill and experience. Many
old homes, especially in the
Northeast, still are protected by
this long-lasting roofing material.
Metal, primarily thought of
as a low-slope roofing material, has
been found to be a roofing
alternative for home and building
owners with steep-slope roofs. There
are two types of
metal roofing products: panels
and shingles. Numerous metal panel
shapes and configurations exist.
Metal shingles typically are
intended to simulate traditional
roof coverings, such as wood shakes,
shingles and tile. Apart from metal
roofing's longevity, metal shingles
are relatively lightweight, have a
greater resistance to adverse
weather and can be aesthetically
pleasing. Some have Class A fire
ratings.
Synthetic roofing products
simulate various traditional roof
coverings, such as slate and wood
shingles and shakes. However, they
do not necessarily have the same
properties.
Before making a buying decision,
NRCA recommends that you look at
full-size samples of a proposed
product, as well as manufacturers'
brochures. It also is a good idea to
visit a building that is roofed with
a particular product.
About
the Author:
S&K
Roofing, Siding and Windows
is Maryland's leading company in
roofing and maintenance-free home
exteriors. Family-owned and operated
since 1980, S&K Roofing, Siding and
Windows provides high-quality
exterior home workmanship and
customer service that is among the
best in the industry. We offer
maintenance-free home exteriors
including roofing, siding, windows,
doors, gutters and downspouts,
custom trim/wrap, and decks.
To learn more visit
SKRoofing.com.
Article Source:
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/types-of-roofing-164199.html
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company from the Bay to the Central
Valley, please
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Inspection at 800-639-7663 or
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