DIY Roofing Book Review

Are you looking to take on your own roofing project? Maybe renovation of the house is not what you want. But nonetheless, you've got a killer instinct for construction - and love tearing down walls with that power drill (ugh, so satisfying). Roofing has been one of those 'major' challenges for many DIYers trying to put their hands in new territory. No worries, Roofing - Step by Step is a book that we highly recommend if you're just getting started in roofing and want to do it yourself. As you can see, the title says it all! One of the most important steps for roofing is securing your safety before anything else... So let's not wait any longer and take a sneak peak of an excerpt of the book below:

“Roofs demand our attention. On many homes, the roof is visible from the street and contributes to the curb appeal of the building, so it is important to pick a roofing product that enhances the design of the house. And a roof that leaks often leads to big problems, including damage to the homeowner's belongings and the structure itself.

Smart Guide: Roofing provides a quick reference to help you select the right roofing product, whether you are applying a new roof or reroofing over an existing roof. You will find information on all of the major roofing materials, including asphalt shingles, wood shakes and shingles, tile, slate, metal, and the new composite mate- rials. This book will show you how to prepare an existing roof for new material, weatherproof joints with flashing, estimate materials, install roofing, and work safely.

And because a long-lasting roof requires adequate roof and attic ventilation to function properly, there is a chapter to help you select the type of ventilation system and the amount of vent area that are best for your house. A final chapter covers roof repairs, including replacing shingles and patching flashin —valuable information to help you find and stop leaks fast.

Roofing Language
Standing out in the yard with a pair of binoculars at the ready. you might be mistaken for a bird watcher by your neighbors. How would they know you are only following the advice of the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association on the best way to inspect your shingles. If your knees get a little wobbly when you climb a ladder, using binoculars is not a bad idea. Of course, you could ask two or three roofing contractors to take a look instead. But it is good policy to know something about the condition of your roof—and the language roofers use—before asking for estimates. The following chapter covers each type of roofing material in turn. from asphalt shingles to slate. But before getting into the particulars, it's worth taking time to nail down a few basic terms.

Roofing Speak
One square of shingles is the amount needed to cover 100 square feet of roof surface. This is the standard measure you'll find in contractor's estimates, and it is the way to order shingles and most other roofing materials. To cover that area you may need more of one type of shingle than another, depending on their size and configuration. But a square of standard asphalt shingles (the material most used on residences) is composed of three bundles of 27 shingles each. Coverage refers to the number of layers of roofing protection provided. For example, standard modified bitumen for flat roofs, or asphalt shingles for sloped roofs. provide one layer. Dimensional asphalt shingles that show a more textured, shake-like roof, may provide two layers of coverage.

The slope of a roof is expressed as a ratio: inches of rise (vertically) per inches of run (horizontally). For example, a low-slope, 3-in-12 roof gains 3 inches of height every foot. On a 16-foot-long run from the eaves up to the ridge. The roof would rise 4 feet. Just measure a set distance along the side wall in from the eaves (run) and then a straight line up to the roof (rise) to find the slope on your roof. You could use slope to help calculate an order or to determine what type of roofing to use. For example, on standard asphalt shingle bundles you might read that the manufacturer doesn't recommend installation (or has special requirements) on roofs with a slope of less than 4-in-12. As a safety guideline, you may use slope to decide if a roof is walkable. That means you can work on it without scaffolding. For most people, the cutoff point is a 6-in-12 slope, which means that a 16-foot-long run would rise 8 feet from the eaves to the ridge. But use some common sense too: for example, wear sneakers, and go up only when the roof is dry. And if you feel uneasy about being up there, even on a low-slope roof, stay on the ground.”