1) Asphalt shingles. These are popular for their low cost and wide range of styles. You can buy asphalt shingles with tabs, color shading, scalloped edges, and many more features that can give you the style you want. Most asphalt roofs will last between 15 and 30 years.

2) Cedar roofing. Cedar shakes and shingles look wonderful and are a natural roofing material. When well-maintained, this sort of roof can last up to 25 years.

3) Laminated asphalt shingles. These shingles are made from layers of organic, fiberglass, or mixed felt. The layers provide a three-dimensional textured look that can imitate slate, cedar, or other higher-cost materials.

4) Metal roofing. Light-weight aluminum, steel, or alloy roofing is long-lasting — it can last 50 years or more – and is easy to install. In fact, most metal roofs can be installed over top of existing roofing materials. Modern metal roofs are popular because they offer so many style choices. You can choose from metal panels, shingles or tiles for your roof in a rainbow of colors. If you have an older home, you can opt for granular-coated tiles that imitate shakes or an old-fashioned tile.

5) Slate. Slate is actually an older style of roofing, but many homeowners still have slate roofs, thanks to the fact that this roof can last more than a century. This form of roofing is one of the most expensive to install.

6) Copper Roofing. This style of roofing is very popular in New England. Copper roofs cost more to install than many other roofing styles, but they will last for a very long and improve the resale value of your home.

Built-up Roof

A low-slope (or flat-seeming) roof covered with alternating layers of roofing felt and hot-mapped asphalt and topped off with a layer of gravel.

Cornice

The portion of the roof projecting out from the side walls of the house.

Counterflashing

The flashing which is imbedded at its top in a wall or other vertical structure and is lapped down over shingle flashing.

Courses

Horizontal rows of shingles or tiles.

Deck/sheathing

The surface, usually plywood or oriented strand board (OSB), to which roofing materials are applied.

Dormer

A small structure projecting from a sloped roof, usually with a window.

Drip Edge

An L-shaped strip (usually metal) installed along roof edges to allow water run off to drip clear of the deck, eaves and siding.

Eaves

The lower edge of a roof (usually overhanging beyond the edge of the house).

Fascia

Trimboard behind the gutter and eaves.

Felt

The “tar paper” used by roofer, usually made of a combination of asphalt and either paper or rags.

Fire Rating

System for classifying the fire resistances of various materials. Roofing materials are rated Class A, B or C, with Class A materials having the highest resistance to fire originating outside the structure.

Flashing

Sheet metal or other material used at junctions of different planes on a roof to prevent leakage.

Frieze Board

A Board at the top of the house’s siding, forming a corner with the soffit.

Gable

The triangular upper part of a wall closing the end of a ridged roof.

Hip

The external angle at the junction of two sides of a roof whose supporting walls adjoin.

Joist

In a flat roof, a horizontal structural member over which sheathing is nailed.

Louvers

Slatted devices installed in a gable or soffit (the underside of eaves) to ventilate the space below a roof deck and equalize air temperature and moisture.

Oriented strand board (OSB)

Roof deck panels (4 by 8 feet) made of narrow bits of wood, installed lengthwise and crosswise in layers, and held together with a resin glue. OSB often is used as a substitute for plywood sheets.

Penetrations

Vents, pipes, stacks, chimneys-anything that penetrates a roof deck.

Rafter

A structural member (usually slanted) to which sheathing is nailed.

Rake

The slanting edge of a gabled roof extending beyond the end wall of the house.

Ridge

The horizontal line at the top edge of two sloping roof planes.

Sheathing

The rigid material (often on inch by six inch or one inch by 12 inch boards or sheets of plywood) which is nailed to the rafters, and to which shingles or other outside roofing materials are secured.

Shingle Flashing

Flashing that is laid in strips under each shingle and bent up the edge of a chimney or wall.

Slope

The number of inched of vertical rise in a roof per 12 inches of horizontal distance. Also referred to as pitch.

Soffit

The boards that enclose the underside of that portion of the roof which extends out beyond the sidewalls of the house.

Square

One hundred square feet of roof, or the amount of roofing material needed to cover 100 square feet when properly applied.

Truss

Engineered components that supplement rafters in many newer homes and buildings. Trusses are designed for specific applications and cannot be cut or altered.

Underlayment

The material (usually roofing felt) laid on top of sheathing before shingles are applied.

Valley

The less-than 180-degree angle where two sloping roof sections come together.

Valley Flashing

The flashing in valleys, extending in under to shingles on both sides.

Vapor Retarder

A material designed to restrict the passage of water vapor through a roof system or wall.

For deal with other types of roofing problems visit EPDM Coatings LLC.

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Liquid Rubber

Torchdown roofing is sometimes also referred to as rubberized asphalt and is the most common type of roofing to be used on flat roofs. The asphalt is melted onto the roof using a torch creating an impermeable roof that has an average life of between 15 and 20 years. It is ideal for flat roofs because of the protection it offers from rainwater that might collect on the surface. The cost is only slightly more than the traditional tar and gravel that is frequently used to cover flat roofs but torchdown roofing gives slightly better results. For an extra $1000 it is worth the extra, but there have been reports of several house fires being started because of the torches used in the process of installing the roof.

None of the noxious fumes associated with tar roofs.

Anyone who has had a tar roof installed on their house or anywhere near their house will understand comments regarding the hideous fumes that are emitted during the process. Many people even find it necessary to move out because of this smell often adding extra expense to the cost of fitting a new roof, however, with torchdown roofing this isn’t a problem.

What is torchdown roofing made of?

Torchdown roofing is modified bitumen combined with high quality resins. This combination ensures that you roof is completely impermeable to rainwater and is also resistant to otherwise damaging UV rays. It won’t melt and it won’t gather large puddles of rainwater so it is already weatherproof to a good extent. Torchdown roofing is extremely durable, the combination of asphalt and resin means that it is resistant to punctures and other abrasive damage. The strength and resistance of torchdown roofing means that it not only has a life of up to 20 years, but that that life will be virtually free from repairs except in the most extreme circumstances.

Coating your torchdown roofing.

For extra protection you can let your torchdown roofing settle for between a month and two months before coating it with an extra coating that will make it even more fire resistant and increases the protection from heat by further reflecting the sun’s rays.

Other uses for modified bitumen.

This durable, hardwearing combination of asphalt and rubber resin isn’t only designed for use as torchdown roofing either and is used to great effect on basements, verandas, foundations and garages. If you have a need for a weather resistant, flexible but very strong covering then torchdown roofing is the solution you have been looking for.

The cost of torchdown roofing.

The overall cost of torchdown roofing will ultimately depend on the roofing contractor you use to complete the work and the price of the actual components; however, it is only slightly more expensive than traditional asphalt roofing. In exchange for the small amount of money extra you receive roofing that is more resistant to weather and less likely to become damaged. This means that over its life it will cost you less in repairs; it really does work out cheaper in the long run to have torchdown roofing over asphalt roofing.

What is a Roofing Technique?

The weather is becoming hotter and hotter day by day. One of the best ways to keep your house cool and calm is by converting your normal roofing to eco-friendly roofing. Many people and companies in Vancouver are converting their roof tops into eco-friendly one and going green. To keep the house cool simple roofing techniques like shade and ventilation are very effective. The idea to go-green using these ecological techniques and also save money spent on electrical appliances is very effective in Vancouver having a large forestry industry.

Various Roofing Techniques in Vancouver

Commercial Roofing Vancouver

Commercial Roofing Vancouver is generally a technique used for protecting and closing the top of a commercial structure. In commercial roofing Vancouver Torch-on roofing, EPDM roofing, TPO roofing, SBS roofing,low pitch roofing are some of the methods used. The condition of the commercial structure as well as the life span increases with usage of various techniques in commercial roofing.

Flat Roofing Vancouver

Flat Roofing Vancouver is generally the roofing method technique in which the roof is horizontally laid to a building. It is an excellent technique protecting buildings from water and snow. It is a very sturdy and reliable technique. It is the best in order of functionality and value for money. It is a great technique to protect your home from various external factors and is also comparatively cheap.

Green Roofing Vancouver

Green Roofing Vancouver is an extension of the existing roof which has a root repellent and water proofing system, filter cloth, drainage system, a lightweight producing medium and plants. Green Roofing Vancouver has numerous benefits such as; savings on energy, cooling and heating costs, protection of the roof membrane of the house which results in increasing the lifespan of the structure, Noise pollution is considerably reduced as plants on the roof absorb reflect and deflect great amount of sound, it also reduces or eliminates roof drains. Green roofing Vancouver technique can be used in large scale owing to its maximum viability.

However, there are even other factors, where the design and the type of the roof, will be used according to the local weather and the geographic condition where the house is located. The architect of the home depends on the condition of the weather and sometimes it also depends on the type of the roof use. You can use the roof for commercial purposes like building a warehouse or a strip mall building then the place will look more like a Victorian style home.

Apart from the above mentioned type of roof, there are even other types of roofing as well that largely pertains to the home design and the construction.

The flat roof: The flat roof, as the name suggest is just flat. They are easy to build and require fewer materials and manpower than building any other types of roofs. They are widely used for the purpose of commercial building. Though they are not so attractive forms of roofing but they still they are considered to be one of the unique sets of designs for style homes and multi-family residential places.

The Gabled roof: One of the classic of the gabbled roof includes two slopes that forms a rigid or a peak at the top. From another end, they look like a complete “A.” Gabbled types of roofing are braced properly for preventing damage or a collapse due to the high winds. There is also a triangular roof, in which gable allows rain and the snow to run off easily.

The Cross Gabbed roof: These kinds of roofing are features as the Tudor and the Cape Cod style homes. The cross Gabbed roof includes two gables that crisscross each other. Since this more of a complex architecture the roof requires more construction and therefore more materials and labor.

The Front gable roof: There are many gabled roofs where there are some gable ends on either side of the home. It is influenced from the styles of the Cape Cods and Colonials architecture where you generally found front gables.

Gambrel roof: There is also flattened roof in which the style refers to the Dutch colonial style homes and they are even common in many American Farmhouses. The gambrel roof looks like a bell and there is a triangular shape when viewed from the side. The gambrels may be at the front size or side facing.

Hipped roof: The hipped roofs are common in bungalows or on style homes where you can find sloping roofs and the low pitch allow the snow to glide down.

All of types of roofing are durable and resistant to different weather conditions and so you can choose anything depending on your cost factor and requirement.