A roofing contractor is a professional who undertakes the task of installation of roofs for residential as well as commercial buildings. The roofing system includes the main structure, the roof, the membranes, as well as other parts that are designed to provide roof protection. The roof is essentially the highest covering of a construction, comprising all structures and materials required to support it over the roof of a building or on its topmost rafters, providing complete protection against direct sunlight, rain, snow, extreme temperatures, and winds. A roof therefore is a critical part of the entire building envelope. Roofing is usually a specialized field requiring expertise in the design and installation of high quality roofs, the use of various materials, and a comprehensive knowledge of different climatic conditions.
Roofing professionals can either be individual homeowners who undertake the task themselves, or commercial contractors who deal with large-scale projects like apartment buildings, schools, hospitals, and office buildings. The number of roofing types varies from simple shingles to gable roofs, slate roofs, tile roofs, metal roofs, and even eco-friendly roofing systems. Most common roofing types include the flat roof, the single roof, the gable roof, the hip roof, as well as the attached or connected roofs. The extent to which different roofing types are used depends on a number of factors, such as the location of the construction, the type of building materials to be used, as well as local aesthetics. Different types of roofing materials, installation methods, and design choices can impact the final appearance of your home.
Gable Roof: A gable roof is one of the most common form of roofing. It is characterized by a sloping roof at its end, which ends up being perpendicular to the slope. This type of roofing can either be pitched roofing, with the former being more popular. Gable roofs are commonly used in terraces as well as high-rises. One of the reasons why gable roofs are so widely used is because of their versatility; they are ideal for any given construction and are considered to be one of the most inexpensive roofing options available today.
Roofing shingles are also widely used for roofing purposes. While asphalt shingles are the most common form of roofing material used today, they are also expensive. Nevertheless, the durability and lifespan of shingles made of wood are proving to be long-lasting, which is why many homeowners continue to choose wood as their roofing material. However, there are some downsides to using wood as roofing material, especially if you live in areas with extreme weather conditions. For instance, because wood rot easily and because they are susceptible to fire, using wood shingles as roofing material is not advisable.
Slate is another very popular form of roofing material that can provide homeowners with both durability and style. It is relatively less expensive than other roofing materials such as asphalt shingles and solar shingles and has a higher install cost as compared to these two choices. As such, the installation cost of slate roofing shingles is slightly higher than roofing shingles made of asphalt. However, there are a number of perks to installing slate roofing material: aside from being durable and long-lasting, slate roofing shingles are also resistant to ultraviolet rays, they do not dent or scrape, and they are also highly impact-resistant.
Lastly, there is solar roofing shingles. Unlike the other roofing types mentioned above, solar shingles are not just popular for their appealing look. In fact, many home owners prefer solar shingles for several reasons. First, solar shingles are highly efficient at collecting and storing heat from the sun. Therefore, it is very possible for a homeowner to drastically reduce his electricity bill by simply adding solar shingles to his or her roof. And because they can be installed over many years with very little maintenance, solar shingles are also a great choice for those who want to live green in an environmentally conscious way.