Thursday, May 29, 2008

Every Roof Tells A Story


Fascinating facts about a house can be identified by its roof.
This under appreciated facet of every house is often nothing more than a roof. However, before you rush inside, step back and study the roof with an artistic point of view.
Whether composed of slate, tile, wood, metal or modern composites, nothing defines the personality of a house like the roof. An uncomplicated roof line will suggest quiet dignity, while an elaborate roof with cross-gables or turrets may seem like icing on an already delicious cake. Often, you will be able to identify the home’s overall architectural style simply by observing two key features: shape and pitch.
The type and shape of the roof on your home can help determine how well it will perform during a severe windstorm. A hipped roof is one that slopes upward from all sides of the building. Because of its aerodynamic properties and construction techniques, most hipped roofs will perform better in windstorms than the second roof type: a gabled roof.
A gabled roof has two slopes that come together to form a ridge or a peak at the top, each end resembles the letter A. Homes with gabled roofs are more likely to suffer greater damage. Collapse at the end wall, due to high winds, is common because they are often not braced correctly during construction.
Are you experiencing problems with a leaky roof? Has the wind taken a toll on your roof leaving you with missing shingles or tiles? At least twice a year, contact a roofing expert to perform a roof inspection as well as removing plants and/or other debris. During this inspection, broken or missing roofing material will be discovered and arrangements to make repairs can be made before major damage develops.
Do not paint roof shingles! This practise will shorten the life of the roof and despite the coating from the paint, will crack and fade. If the current look of your shingles is heavily cracked and faded, you should consider replacing the roofing material.
Depending on the age of your house, you may need a roofing contractor who is licensed to deal with Asbestos. The contractor should be able to inform you of this upon inspection; if they are not licensed to work with Asbestos, ask for someone they would recommend. Take advantage of the natural "coolness" of light colors. Instead of a dark roof, a light, reflective color can cut your electric demand by 70% during the summer months.
Do not power wash your roof. If your roof has leaves or other debris, hire a roofing expert to remove them by using a leaf blower or a by hand. The intense pressure of the water can have the same effect as severe weather.



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