There are two basic methods of pitched roof construction;
- A ‘cut roof‘ – this is the traditional method of cutting the timber on site and building up the roof using rafters, ridge boards, joists and purlins etc – the exact details being determined by the size of roof, size of timbers etc.
- A ‘truss roof‘ – using factory made trusses which are delivered to site complete and just erected.
Current day building regulations require detailed calculation of the stresses, timber size etc used in roof construction, so factory made trusses are becoming the standard practice where all this can be worked out on a computer.
A cut roof
In simple terms this type of roof consists of rafters and joists. The joists prevent the outward spread of the rafters/walls, and conveniently give support for the ceiling below.
The size of rafter timbers will depend upon their length from the wall plate to the ridge, the type of roof covering and whether purlins are incorporated in the roof. It is more economical to keep the cross section of the rafters down, however where an open roof space is needed, larger rafters will be necessary. Typical rafter spacing is 400mm (16 inches), closer spacing will allow small section rafters and batten, that are fixed to the rafters to locate/fix the slates or tiles, to be used. The wider the gap between the rafters, the thicker the rafter and lath timbers need to be.
Rafters are nailed to a wall plate at the top of each supporting walls, these are normally 100x75mm (4×3 inches) timber embedded on cement mortar on top of the inner skin of a cavity wall, or the inner part of a solid wall. The wall plate timbers along the top of each wall should be joined with a half lap joint where they meet.
Each rafter has a small triangular section (referred to as ‘birdsmouth joints’) cut out of them to allow them to fit neatly over the wall plate. The top of the rafter is cut at an angle and nailed to the ridge board, typically 175mmx32mm (7×21/2 inch) mounted vertically.
Purlins, and the associated struts, are used to give some additional support for the rafters. The purlins run at right angles to the rafters, the associated struts are positioned under every forth (or so) rafter to attach to a joist above a supporting wall below.
Hangers, in conjunction with a longitudinal binder running at right angles to the joists, are used to help hold the ceiling up. Each hanger is nailed between the every fourth (or so) rafters and the joist below. The larger the joists size, the less likely there will be a need for hangers.
Collars, ridge collars and/or collars further down the rafters, are sometimes used to provide additional binding between the rafters on both sides of the roof. Where used, they are usually fixed to an occasional pair of rafters along the roof.
No part of a timber roof should ever be cut, modified, remove or the covering of the roof changed (i.e. replacing a slate roof covering by a concrete tile covering) without consulting a structural engineer.
A truss roof
A truss roof is made up of a number of factory made frames (or trusses) each of which which combine the joist, rafter and struts. The illustration to the right shows a typical truss for a simple Duo ridge roof.
Each modern roof truss is designed and made for a particular position in the roof structure and is made up of butt jointed timber lengths typically nailed together using plate fastenings – no type of timber joint being used. Historically truss timbers have been bolted together, or mortise and tenoned and then pegged.
As each truss is designed to form part of the complete roof structure, they should never be cut, modified or their use changed (i.e. replacing a slate roof covering by a concrete tile covering) without consulting a structural engineer.
Now that you know a little more, you can discuss roofing options with your North Carolina roofing contractor and determine which roofing system is best for you.
Article Source: http://diydata.com/general_building/roof_construction/roof_construction.php
So if you are looking for a professional North Carolina roofing contractor, then please call us today at 1-888-DRY-CLUB or complete our online request form.
Is your roof going to waste? Is it just sitting there, covered in TV antennas, leaves and old footballs? It doesn’t have to be. You can alter your roof to aid the environment. Why settle for a roof that just covers your living space? Make your roof a dynamic part of your New Hanover home. Here are four ways.
1.Skylights Skylights are a great way to reduce your New Hanover electric bills. Installing skylights or solar tubes in your roof, can help you save money. It will decrease your need for electric lighting during the day. It will also bring in natural light which is good for your mental health.
2.Paint Your Roof White By painting your roof white, you can deflect light and heat away from your roof. Not only will it help you cool your New Hanover home, it will also help control climate change. According to the physicist, Hashem Akbari, a 1,000 sq-ft roof, painted white, can offset 10 metric tons of CO2.
3.Plant a Rooftop Garden Putting a garden on your New Hanover rooftop is a great way reduce urban heat islands. Did you know that it can also reduce the temperature of the garden-topped building by up to 15 degrees? Growing plants and trees in the city can also contribute to the overall air quality by eliminating carbon dioxide. That’s great news for all us oxygen-breathers.
4.Mount Some Solar Panels Why not turn your roof into a power plant by installing solar panels on your roof and hooking them into your grid. You can generate some clean energy for your New Hanover home. It’s expensive at first, but it can save you money in the long run. Your New Hanover roofing contractor can further inform you as to the benefits of having solar panels installed.
If you are looking for a professional North Carolina roofing contractor , then please call us today at 1-888-DRY-CLUB or complete our online request form.
When you are ready to embark on a roof replacement for your Brunswick County home you should always prepare a list of questions to ask your Brunswick County roofing contractor before your scheduled appointments. There are many different styles of roofing materials, so you should take some time, and look online for the roofing type you want on your home.
What Are The Questions To Ask The Roofing Contractor?
- What Type Of Roofing Materials Do You Sell?
- What Type Of Insurance Do You Have?
- Do You Have Any References?
- How Many People Will Be On The Crew?
- How Long Have You Been In Business?
- How Long Will This Roof Installation Take?
- What Is Your Workmanship Guarantee?
- Does My Home Need Additional Ventilation?
What Are The Different Roofing Types?
There are several roofing materials from asphalt roofing, steel or metal roofing, ceramic roofing, and single ply rubber roofing. Most Brunswick County homes have either asphalt or metal roofing panels as the roofing products, and on the flat roofs like dormers single ply rubber is also used. In tropical or different regions ceramic or terracotta roofing materials which can be used. All of these products are great for waterproofing, and are very easy to find information about online.
What Roofing Materials Are Best?
In different parts of the country, roofing materials will change because of weather conditions. In Maine people use a lot of steel roofs because of the heavy snow fall. In Florida the choice of roofing is tile because of the heat, and asphalt shingles are used all over the country. There are also special asphalt roofing shingles for high winds along the coast, and flat line wind storms like in North Dakota and surrounding areas.
What Insurance Is Required For Roofers?
As you can understand, roofing is a very dangerous job, and not all liability insurance is the same. Roofing liability insurance is usually about 200 percent more than basic carpenter liability insurance, and excludes roofing completely. I have seen many insurance binders over the years from roofer who has only purchased basic carpenter type liability insurance, and when a problem occurs the homeowner will not be protected or covered under this type of policy. As a Brunswick County homeowner, you need to have the insurance company send you a copy in the mail with your name on the binder, and make sure that the policy includes roofing.
The next insurance that your Brunswick County roofing contractor should have is workman’s compensation insurance, and this is where you could lose your home if someone is killed or seriously injured. In most homeowners insurance policy’s it is clearly stated, that anyone you hire to perform work on said property must have workman’s compensation insurance. And you are responsible to make sure that they have this workman’s compensation insurance before you hire them to start the work on your home.
What Should I Need For Ventilation?
The reason a home should have ventilation is to remove the moisture from the home. Prove fact is that each person in the home permeates about 3 gallons of water a day. From showers, to cooking, and breathing water vapor is created and need to be able to leave the property. One of the largest reasons is to allow the attic to breath, and remove all the excess heat from the attic. Roofing manufactures want the attic to be the same temperature as the outside at all times. This adds life to the roofing materials but also helps you save money on your heating, and cooling cost.
How Many Estimates Should I Get?
You should get at least 3 roofing estimate from reputable Brunswick County roofing contractors to ensure the size of the roof, and compare the roofing materials, and pricing. Caution, do not only make your decision on the price, and you as the home owner must assume some of the responsibility if you insist the contractor lowers his price in which he cannot possibly by the materials, and supply the necessary labor to complete the job correctly. To do the job right the roofing contractor will need to pay for the materials and insurance then hire qualified installers to effectively complete the roofing work. Plus the roofing contractor will need to pay for his tools, equipment, and his vehicles plus additional over-head to manage the job correctly.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Deschaine
So if you are looking for a professional North Carolina roof replacement contractor then please call us today at 1-888-DRY-CLUB or complete our online request form.
Like many systems in your Brunswick County home, no one thinks about the roof until something goes wrong. Usually, the first sign of roof issues is a stain on the ceiling. Believe it or not, that is a good thing. Think of it like the check engine light in you car telling you that there is something that needs to be addressed.
In other cases, the water follows the path of least resistance, showing little or no staining until there is a sudden blooming of mold on the walls.
Irrespective, once you know you have a roof problem, you have three way to address it; your Brunswick County roofing contractor can perform a roofing inspection to determine which option is appropriate for your roof.
- Repair the roof
- Restore the roof
- Replace the roof
Repair the roof- This is your least costly alternative. Unless the entire roof is failing, most leaks can be traced back to a point of origin. Depending on the size of the leak and the amount of damage, there are multiple ways in which to make a repair that range from invisible to ugly. A repair is an identifiable point of water intrusion that can be fixed. This does not guarantee that your roof will stop leaking, just that a single point won’t. Keep in mind that in some cases shingles will have to be replaced and it is next to impossible to match new shingles with the ones on your Brunswick County roof that have been exposed to the elements for years.
Restore the roof- Some roofs not only have leaks but the shingles are losing the aggregate (sandy stuff) that protects the body of the shingle. This type of roof should be replaced but sometimes you need time to acquire the funds for a roof replacement. With modern sealants the entire surface of the roof can be protected from further degradation. A roof restoration can extend the life of an older roof from 1-5 years and is less than ½ the cost of a roof replacement. It is not always possible to restore a roof and each one must be addressed on a case by case basis but when it can be done it gives the roof a sheen and a much newer appearance.
Replace the roof- Most expensive but most effective. This involves stripping the entire Brunswick County roof, nailing the roof deck to current code and installing a heavy felt and dimensional shingles. This should also include a wind mitigation inspection that will lower you insurance costs. Installed and vented correctly, a new roof will protect your structure for years to come.
Your business and personal objectives will define your choice but you should have as many options available as possible.
The same choices apply for flat or sloped roofs.
Not only does your roof act as a deterrent to moisture intrusion, it is also an important element in regulating the interior temperature and comfort of your Brunswick County home. A roof with the proper elements can save you thousands on energy bills as well as extend it’s own life.
So if you are looking for a professional North Carolina metal roofer then please call us today at 1-888-DRY-CLUB or complete our online request form.
Here is the scenario that many Brunswick County homeowners have experienced: The roof is leaking; it’s been on for 12 years and this isn’t the first time you’ve dealt with it leaking. The question going through your head is: Should I repair or replace my roof?
There are several points to consider when trying to make this decision, and keep in mind that no two roofs are the same. So while there are general guidelines you can follow to help you decide, keep in mind that you know your roof the best and you know whether there are other considerations that you should keep in mind. your Brunswick County roofing contractor can also advise on whether a roof repair or roof replacement is your best alternative,
Special Considerations:
o If more then 30 percent of the entire roof is damaged, or if there is extensive moisture damage to either the existing roofing layer or the structural deck, you should consider replacing the entire roof.
o If your roof damage occurred as a result of a storm such as a tornado or hurricane, then you should certainly consider replacing the entire roof. In these situations, there are is often damage that you cannot see and it’s important to go ahead and replace the roof. Safety for you and your family is the most important factor.
o Is there a pre- existing condition on your roof that would make it beneficial to go with a full roof replacement?
Consider replacement if:
o You think your roof has a faulty design
o Improper material was used while constructing the roof
o There were past problems with mold or algae growth
Factors to consider:
o Interior Walls- Two sure signs of major need for roof repair are if the walls and ceilings in your Brunswick County home have moisture marks and if the paint on your walls and ceilings are peeling.
o Torn or Missing Shingles- Torn or missing shingles could be caused by many variables from heavy sun to tree branches being improperly removed from the roof. Sometimes torn or missing shingles are a sign of a simple roof repair but there are times that it is the clue that there are more serious roof issues. It’s always important to consult with a skilled Brunswick County roofing contractor who can help you determine the severity of the problem.
o Roof Layers- If you have more than 3 layers on your roof and are again experiencing problems then it’s time to replace.
o Roof Age- If you have an asphalt shingled roof of good quality material and installation than it should last between 15-20 years. If your roof is over 12 years and experiencing roof leaks associated with other roofing problems then you should seriously consider replacement.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marcy_Tate
So if you are looking for a professional North Carolina roof replacement contractor then please call us today at 1-888-DRY-CLUB or complete our online request form.
Have you ever driven through the Southport, NC neighborhood and remarked how different and unique a particular metal roof looked? You probably thought a metal roof was way too expensive for your budget so you never even considered one for your North Carolina home. Lots of people believe the same way you do, not realizing that residential metal roofing prices is available at affordable costs. In fact, many experts will tell you that metal roof products are very good long-term investments.
Now a Good Looking Top
Since these roofs can be designed to look like other types, you will not be able to tell from on the ground that a simulated cedar-shake metal roof was not the real one. Lightweight steel roofs can be painted through a special process where real earth-tone granules are embedded in the final paint coat that then is covered with a high-protective clear coating.
Safety Sells
There are quite a few advantages using a this type of roof. For one, they do not burn! Aside from the obvious benefit from not being able to burn, a home topped by a metal roof may result in significant savings when it comes to insurance costs.
Energy Savings
During the summer, a metal roof causes less attic heat than traditional roofs while retaining a greater amount of warmth during the winter. This can be seen as a significant reduction or retention – as much as 34 percent in warm climates. The savings in air conditioning alone can warrant purchasing a metal roof.
Easy Installation
For homeowners thinking of making a switch to lightweight steel roofs, installation over old shingles is possible eliminating the need for any costly tear off. Metal roofing is manufactured in large sheets making it easy to install by experienced roofers.
Copper is Cool
Roofs made from copper not only provide all the benefits mentioned concerning steel roofs, but produce an aesthetically pleasing weathered green patina over time. The great drawback choosing copper is that it is very expensive and can price out as much as $1,100 per square.