Black & Decker DIY Roofing: Shingles . Shakes . Tile . Rubber . Metal . PLUS Roof Repair
128
Black & Decker DIY Roofing: Shingles . Shakes . Tile . Rubber . Metal . PLUS Roof Repair
128eBook
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Overview
While a contractor's hardworking crew can replace an average asphalt shingle roof in a day or two, it will cost several thousand dollars. And your roof covering choices are rather limited. By doing the job yourself, you can pocket the savingsor even upgrade to an entirely new type of roof, like cedar shakes, standing seam metal, or fiber cement.
With detailed step-by-step photos, you will see all of the most popular roof types installed the correct way, including:
- Asphalt shingles (three-tab and architectural)
- EPDM rubber membrane
- Metal
- Cedar shakes
- Clay and concrete tile
- Roll roofing
- Faux slate
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780760364505 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Cool Springs Press |
| Publication date: | 10/30/2018 |
| Series: | Black & Decker |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 128 |
| Sales rank: | 756,219 |
| File size: | 50 MB |
| Note: | This product may take a few minutes to download. |
About the Author
The Editors of Cool Springs Press have produced the highest quality DIY home improvement books for more than 30 years. In conjunction with the experts at BLACK+DECKER™ they have combined resources to create more than 200 home improvement titles that provide consumers and weekend DIYers with the information they need to get the job done right. Their books have set the standard for do-it-yourself publishing, featuring clear, professional photography and concise step-by-step instructions that get straight to the point. View our full catalog at quarto.com.
The Editors of Cool Springs Press have produced the highest quality DIY home improvement books for more than 30 years. In conjunction with the experts at BLACK+DECKER™ they have combined resources to create more than 200 home improvement titles that provide consumers and weekend DIYers with the information they need to get the job done right. Their books have set the standard for do-it-yourself publishing, featuring clear, professional photography and concise step-by-step instructions that get straight to the point. View our full catalog at quarto.com.
Read an Excerpt
CHAPTER 1
Roofing
The pages that follow will help get you started on the right foot with your roofing project. You'll begin the planning process by evaluating your needs and estimating the material quantities required, the cost, and roughly how long the project will take. Then, you'll take a more in-depth look at the wide variety of product options available.
Safety is an issue with a roofing project. You'll learn important tips for working safely, how to set up ladders, and how to prepare your job site to minimize damage, manage debris, and work efficiently.
The right roofing material for your home is one that looks great, is within your budget, and offers maximum longevity with the least amount of maintenance. Many homeowners opt to simply replace their roofing with the same type — often the most sensible choice. However, if you'd like to change the look of your home or upgrade to a longer-lasting material, you'll find plenty of options.
In this chapter:
• Evaluating Your Needs
• Choosing Roofing
• Estimating Roofing
• Working Safely
• Roof Systems
• Tools & Materials
• Completing the Tear Off
• Replacing Sheathing
• Underlayment
• Drip Edge
• Asphalt Shingles
• Ridge Vents
• Cedar Shakes
• Roll Roofing
• EPDM Rubber Roofing
• Raised Seam Metal Roofing
• Faux Slate
• Tile Roofing
• Inspecting & Repairing a Roof
Evaluating Your Needs
Even if you choose to tackle it yourself, installing a new roof is a major financial investment. You'll find it worth your while to study the many material options. If you do choose to stick with the type of roofing you currently have, you may find an attractive or efficient upgrade in profile, color, or durability.
If you are considering a new type of roof covering, check out the following pages. You'll find a wide range of attractive roofing options that offer some good ways to enhance the look of your home. Bear in mind that while roofing has the all-important function of protecting your home from rain and snow, it has a decorative role as well. A roof packs a lot of visual wallop, making up about a third of a home's façade on average. Neutral colors are a good choice if you are likely to alter the color scheme of your siding and trim. Generally light-colored roof coverings are more energy-efficient, and some government programs offer financial incentives for selecting light-colored shingles.
The architectural style of your home will seldom limit the choice of roofing material. With the exception of clay tile roofing and some cement tile options that tend to look best on Southwestern- and Mediterranean-style homes, the range of roofing materials can suit almost any home. And roof coverings can be combined. For example, standing-seam metal roofing can top off a bay or bow window for an elegant feature that complements standard asphalt shingles on the main roof deck.
Choosing Roofing
With so many options, choosing a roofing material for your home can seem like a daunting task. Appearance, cost, ease of installation, lifespan, value, and maintenance all play a role.
Style: After you've narrowed your decision down to a type of material, you'll need to choose a style and color. You have quite a few options; even basic asphalt shingles are available in a seemingly endless number of colors. Styles include three-tabs, textured, and scallops.
Architectural features of your house, including the existing materials, can help in your decision making. Stucco siding and clay roofing are a natural fit, especially for a Spanish, Mediterranean, or Southwest styling. Brick siding and metal roofing make a pleasing contrast. Slate (real or faux) is an ideal complement for more traditional homes.
Because roofing lasts for decades, you'll be living with your decision for a long time. Be thorough in looking at different products, weighing their advantages and any disadvantages, before finalizing your decision.
Price: Prices are as varied as the roof-covering products themselves and can differ from region to region. For example, slate is a relatively accessible roofing material in Vermont where it is quarried but a luxury roofing elsewhere because of its high shipping cost. Cedar shingles and shakes are more expensive in the Northeast than in the Northwest, again due primarily to shipping. However, slate, clay, and copper are generally the most expensive roofing products, followed by concrete tiles, metal, cedar shakes and shingles, organic asphalt, fiberglass asphalt, and roll roofing. If you are married to a particular look but can't afford the real thing, consider less expensive substitutes. The look and features of many premium roofing products are now replicated in other materials. Some metal roofs have the profile of tile, and some asphalt shingles look like the higher-priced wood shakes.
Durability
In general, maintenance for roofing materials is fairly minimal. On shaded roofs, moss should be kept under control. Any buildup of leaves and fir needles in valleys should be removed to prevent ice dams. Most non-scheduled maintenance is the result of damage to roofing components, such as torn or cracked shingles or loosened metal flashing. Individual asphalt shingles may be damaged by wind or fallen limbs and wooden shakes or shingles may crack and loosen, in which case they can be re-nailed or replaced. Roll roofing can develop blisters or small holes, which can be repaired with roofing cement. Metal, tile, and clay roofs need only minimal maintenance.
Consider the lifespan of the products that you want to install on your roof. Some materials are extremely durable and guaranteed to last 50 years or more, while others may need to be replaced in less than 10 years.
Climate influences product longevity. Long winters with many ice and thaw cycles take their toll on roofs, and so does intense wind. Even intense sunlight is a factor; often a south-facing roof deteriorates more quickly because it bears the full brunt of the sun and its UV radiation for much of the day.
Roof pitch also affects product lifespan. Generally the higher the pitch, the less the likelihood of wind, snow, and ice damage. Flat roofs are more susceptible to damage from falling branches or ice. Standing water is almost inevitable on flat roofs, often turning minor points of weakness into major problems. Keeping nearby trees trimmed back lessens moss buildup and the hazard of damage due to falling limbs.
Wood shakes are available in different durability grades. Top-quality shakes carry 50-year warranties, while the lower-end shakes are rated to last about 30 years. The lifespan of asphalt shingles also varies. They should last a minimum of 20 years, with the thicker, more durable architectural shingles lasting another decade or more. Roll roofing has the shortest life span, lasting between 6 and 12 years. Metal roofs, despite their light weight, are remarkably durable. Warranties vary by product and manufacturer, but warranties for metal roofing of 30 to 50 years or more are typical.
Asphalt Three-Tab Shingles
Asphalt three-tab roof shingles consist of a sandwich of asphalt and fiberglass or felt layers covered by mineral granules. For several important reasons they've been the dominant roofing option in the United States for more than a century. Weighing 2 to 3 pounds per square foot, asphalt shingles are relatively lightweight compared to slate, clay, or cement tile. Any pitched roof that's suitable for shingling (a 4-in-12 slope or greater) and properly constructed can accept asphalt shingles without further reinforcement.
Asphalt three-tabs are reasonably priced, and you can expect them to last about 20 years, depending on the quality of the shingle and the intensity of the local climate. Installing or repairing asphalt shingles isn't difficult; in fact, it's the most approachable roofing material for do-it-yourselfers or any qualified roofing installer. Ease of installation also helps keep costs down. Once installed, high-quality asphalt singles are relatively maintenance free and offer good fire and wind resistance. They come in a wide range of colors to blend in nicely with any siding and trim color scheme. If you live in a damp or coastal environment, you can also find asphalt shingles impregnated with algaecides to prevent staining.
Laminated Asphalt Shingles
Laminated asphalt shingles are an increasingly popular option for new homes or roofing replacements. You may also hear them referred to as "dimensional," "architectural," or "multithickness" shingles. Essentially, laminated asphalt shingles have the same material composition as multitab cutout shingles — a sandwich of asphalt, base sheeting of felt or fiberglass, and granular coatings. However, the important difference is that instead of a single shingle layer, two layers are bonded together to create a three-dimensional appearance. The top layer has wide, randomly sized notches, and it overlays a staggered, unnotched bottom layer. The effect of this lamination treatment helps mimic the natural inconsistencies of a cedar shake or slate roof.
Laminated shingles are no more difficult to install than three-tab shingles, and the same installation methods apply. The random pattern can even reduce overall installation waste because the pattern is more visually forgiving than the uniform design of three-tab shingles. Sections of shingles that would otherwise interrupt a three-tab pattern can still be used in a laminated shingle installation.
The added shingle layer makes laminated shingles heavier than standard three-tab shingles, but the weight difference isn't critical; any pitched roof can accept them without special structural reinforcement. Laminated shingles are also thicker than multitab shingles, which gives them improved wind resistance and durability. As you might expect, they're more expensive than three-tab shingles. The added thickness enables manufacturers to offer longer 30- to 50-year warranties, which can make them a better investment than three-tab shingles over the life of your roof.
Asphalt Roll Roofing
For low-pitched roofs, or in cases where budgetary concerns are more important than appearance, rolled roofing might be the perfect choice for your situation. Roll roofing is also a good option if you need to cover a roof for an extended period but plan to install the final roofing at a later date.
Think of asphalt-and-granule roll roofing as continuous strips of asphalt shingles without the tab cutouts. Roll asphalt roofing is installed in overlapping layers just like asphalt shingles, but the amount of exposure from one layer to the next is much greater than it is with roll shingles. Depending on the product, asphalt roll roofing will either be entirely covered with granules and installed to provide a single layer of coverage, or only half the sheet will be covered in a granule layer. The uncoated half (called a selvedge edge) and half of the shingle layer above it are covered with roofing cement for an improved seal. The wider overlap provided by the selvedge edge lends a double-coverage effect. (Double-coverage roofing is rapidly becoming rare.)
Single-coverage roll roofing may also have a selvedge edge for cement, but it will be only a few inches wide. Single- and double-coverage styles are secured with roofing nails around the edges. Both types are suitable for do-it-yourself roofing.
New self-adhesive products have lifted this type of roofing out of the bargain basement. Made of two layers — a base layer covered by a granule-coated top layer — these products install much like an ice and water shield and offer better appearance and increased longevity. The adhesive is fierce, all but eliminating any tendancy to blister. Because of the adhesion and two-layered installation, manufacturers warranty the material for 15 years. Most manufacturers of standard roll roofing offer no warranty at all.
EPDM Rubber Roofing
Rubber membrane roofing, also known as ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) roofing, is installed in wide sheets using a specialized latex bonding adhesive, but it is not nailed in place. Rubber roofs for home use are almost always fully bonded to the roof deck with cement. The absence of nails make it an even better choice for low-pitch roofs that are susceptible to leaks. You may choose to install a rubber membrane on a pitched roof simply because it is seamless and easy to install.
The membrane is available in 10- or 20-foot-wide rolls to help reduce the total number of seams. Common thicknesses are 45 and 60 mil (.04 and .06inch). In recent years, EPDM membrane has become more do-it-yourself friendly, and it's available to consumers through roofing suppliers and some home centers. It is comparably priced to quality asphalt shingles. For heat reflection and an added layer of protection, some homeowners opt to add gravel ballast or, if the structure can bear it, concrete pavers.
Slate Shingles
Slate roofing has been around for centuries, and it's one of the most weather-resistant and beautiful options you can put on your roof. It is quarried and cut into thin individual shingles and installed with nails. Natural variations in color and texture give slate an organic quality that is unmatched by synthetic roofing products.
However, despite its visual appeal and long-lasting performance — more than 100 years in many cases — a number of important factors may make slate unfeasible for your home. For one, slate is heavy, weighing about twice as much as asphalt singles per square foot. It's also about triple the cost of premium asphalt shingles. A conventionally framed or truss roof may require additional framing before it's suitable for slate shingles. Check with a structural engineer to see if your home's roof will support slate.
Installing slate shingles involves the use of specialized cutting tools and skills, which makes it extremely complicated to install for do-it-yourselfers as well as many roofers. Once installed, slate's durability to the elements doesn't extend to foot traffic. The shingles are brittle and can break if they are stepped on. Replacing broken shingles involves installing extra staging and ladders to prevent further damage, and removing individual shingles is a complicated process.
Clay Tile
Clay tile roofs are common on southern and coastal homes, where intense heat and high winds are a concern. Since clay is a manufactured product, roofing tiles are available in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors. Clay tiles offer excellent durability and fire resistance. However, clay is slightly heavier than slate, and installing it over typical roof framing may require adding structural reinforcements. Of course, this adds to the project costs.
Depending on the region in which you live, there may be many qualified roofers who can install it properly. Working with clay tile requires cutting with a diamond-blade saw, and it may not be suitable for complex roof designs. It is also relatively fragile and cannot be walked on, so repairs can be difficult. The installed cost of clay tiles is comparable to slate. On all but the most basic roof designs, clay tile is not do-it-yourself friendly.
Concrete Tile
Concrete continues to grow in popularity as a roofing material. That's not surprising, given that the right formulation in a roof tile provides superior wind, hail, and fire resistance, with a life to rival much more expensive clay or slate tiles. Contemporary concrete roofing tiles are produced in an impressive range of surface shapes and appearances, some mimicking other materials. Some manufacturers even offer concrete tiles that look convincingly like wood.
As you would expect, concrete roof tiles are heavy. They weigh a bit more than slate tiles do and about the same as a roof built of clay tile. However, modern versions are often fortified with wood fibers, composites, or polymers to cut down on the overall weight and put less stress on the framed structure — all without compromising durability. Concrete tiles offer the same performance as slate or clay tiles, with a significantly lower installation cost — roughly half the price of a roof made of slate.
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "DIY Roofing"
by .
Copyright © 2018 Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc..
Excerpted by permission of The Quarto Group.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Table of Contents
DIY Roofing,
Introduction, 7,
ROOFING, 9,
Evaluating Your Needs, 10,
Choosing Roofing, 12,
Estimating Roofing, 26,
Working Safely, 28,
Roof Systems, 34,
Tools & Materials, 36,
Completing the Tear Off, 38,
Replacing Sheathing, 40,
Underlayment, 42,
Drip Edge, 44,
Asphalt Shingles, 46,
Ridge Vents, 54,
Cedar Shakes, 56,
Roll Roofing, 62,
EPDM Rubber Roofing, 68,
Raised Seam Metal Roofing, 72,
Faux Slate, 78,
Tile Roofing, 84,
Inspecting & Repairing a Roof, 90,
FLASHING, SOFFITS, FASCIA, GUTTERS & VENTS, 97,
Flashing, 98,
Soffits & Vents, 100,
Aluminum Soffits, 102,
Aluminum Fascia, 106,
Wood Soffits, 108,
Repairing Wood Fascia & Soffits, 110,
Gutters, 112,
Resources, 126,
Photo Credits, 126,
Index, 127,