Roofing and rain gutters are among the last steps in building your new home. Gradually, as your custom house takes the shape of a real home, with the foundation growing into frames and walls and the utility systems completing the “package”, you know that the moment when you can move in is rapidly approaching. A few final moves and the result will turn into a comfy nest to dwell in. Some of these finishing touches are related to roofing and rain gutters, which will represent the theme of the present article.
Although these elements come at the end of the construction project, the homeowner needs to deal with them from the very beginning. It is recommended that the roofing materials be ordered from the framing stage so that they are brought on site by the end of the respective step. Once they arrive, their installment has to be carefully carried out so that the roof looks exactly as the architect intended.
Moreover, pay attention to the construction plans as they specify the type and the quantity of materials necessary to get the job done. Order a little bit over the stipulated amount because it is better to have some extra reserves rather than not enough of it. Sure, if you run out, you can order some more, but you then face the risk of mismatched shingles.
Before putting the shingles in place, your sub and laborers have to make sure that the roof sheathing and flashing are properly installed because the slates are attached to these underlying layers. The sheathing represents a coat of plywood covered with tarpaper that goes on top of the metal stripping (called flashing) installed around the chimney and extruding vent pipes (from furnaces, plumbing, ventilation fans, and other sources).
Sometimes, the sub may suggest that additional flashing be done in order to cover seams and valley sections of the roof so that further protection from moisture is provided. You are advised to accept this suggestion. It is only after the roof has been sheathed, flashed and inspected that the work proceeds towards installing the roofing materials, which come in the form of either shingles or tiles.
Materials to Use for Roofing and Rain Gutters
If you opt for the former type of materials, you have several choices that include:
- asphalt shingles – the most common and the least expensive; made of fiberglass and asphalt, they have a life span of 15 to 20 years;
- clay tiles – they boast the advantage of being aesthetic, but are rather heavy, requiring a reinforced roof to support them; although costing 30 times the price of an asphalt roof, they are fire retardant and last 50 years or longer;
- laminated fiberglass shingles – containing the same materials as asphalt, they are however thicker and can be fashioned with different textures, which allows the roof to take various looks; they do cost twice as much as the asphalt counterparts but last 10 to 15 years longer;
- sheet metal – lightweight, easy to install and available in various colors, metal roofing is not actually a tile, but large rolled plates of metal; it is popular in snowy areas because it enables a faster removal of the snow; ten times pricier than asphalt shingles, it however lasts two or three times as long;
- slate – it is elegant and durable, lasting up to 100 years; but these advantages come with a price, slate requiring roof reinforcement and costs that are 30 times bigger than for asphalt shingles;
- wood shake shingles – they look great, are durable and their price is five times the cost of asphalt shingles, but, compared to the other roofing materials, they are the least fire retardant.
Displayed in overlapping rows from the bottom of the roof to the top, the shingles are fasten into place with galvanized roofing nails. If you opt for sheet metal, then the material will be rolled out or have pre-manufactured seams on the edge of their panels to facilitate installment. For the result to look satisfactory, adroitness and artful cutting are necessary.
The overlapped layering is designed to keep water above the tile surface and make it run over the roof rather than under it. However, proper rain gutters are also necessary to maintain your home dry. Otherwise, water backs up on your shelter and soon finds its way under. Your contractor has to install an efficient drainage system that would also look good on the house.
The main principle of drainage is based on angling the roof in such a way that the water is channeled down and towards the edges. But if you allow rain to flow down to the ground directly from your roof, it will settle around the foundation, which can later create humidity problems. This is where gutters come into play.
Made of aluminum, plastic or fiberglass, gutters are channels that direct the water from the roof surface towards the drainpipes situated at the corners of the house. For correct installment, the gutters are sloped down toward the drainpipe at a rate of 1 inch for every 12 inches of lineal feet. The downspouts then have to be connected to underground tubing that leads water away from your home.
Being given their importance in preventing water from leaking into your residence, gutters have to be kept clean. This task becomes easier with the latest models, which feature special covers that allow water in, but keep leaves and other materials out. They might be more expensive, but they would definitely spare you a lot of effort when having to clean old-fashioned types.
Roofing and rain gutters are two important aspects that can lie at the root of many problems if neglected, so do a good job from the very beginning and you will enjoy a peaceful and pleasant existence in your new residence.