When it's time to repair your roof, you want to work with the most experienced roofing company available. First-rate residential roofing services say that a basic understanding of terminology, and of the different kinds of roofs, can also be helpful. Residential and commercial roofing repair and installation services assert that this information enables an owner to understand the hows and whys of their roofing job, and what the different types of roofing systems mean for them concerning labor and costs.

Two Main Types of Roofing System

The best residential roofing services say there are two main roofing structures used in construction today - low-slope and steep-slope. Low-slope roofs include a slope of 14 degrees (3:12) or less. Steep-slope roofs include a slope of over 14 degrees. The significance in these two types of roofs is mostly how they shed water, affecting the type of roofing material that is acceptable for use on them. Low-slope roofs can be covered with various water membrane and sealant coverings, while steep-slope roofs require layered coverings.

Low-Slope Roofs

There are five basic low-slope roof coverings that can be installed by an experienced roofing company on roofs with angles of 14 degrees or less. These coverings are generally comprised of three main parts: 1) a weatherproof layer against the actual roof decking, 2) a reinforcement layer to add strength and protect the weatherproof layer; and 3) a surfacing layer, which protects the sub-layers against sun, hail, and general weather damage.

Companies who make both residential and commercial roofing repairs, as well as installing new roofs affirm the five main low-slope roof coverings used today are as follows:

  • Built-Up Roof Membranes - BUR, or tar-and-gravel roofs, are made of layers of roofing cloth over a waterproof membrane. They are then coated with crushed gravel, asphalt, or other stone.

  • Metal Panel Systems - Structural metal panels with watertight seals are installed over roof decking, then clamped or fastened into place.

  • Polymer-Modified Bitumen - PMB is a reinforced sheet of roofing fabric made from multiple layers, heat-sealed together, then topped with a layer of crushed PMB.

  • Single-Ply Membranes - Heat-set, weatherproof roof membranes are available as either thermoplastic sheets that can be reset by re-heating, or thermoset sheets, which are heat-set once and remain rigid.

  • Spray Polyurethane Foam – SPF is a spray-on roof coating made from various combinations of rubber, acrylic, silicone, and various polymers to form a completely waterproof barrier.

Steep-Slope Roofs

Good commercial and residential roofing services indicate that steep-slope roofs are constructed of layers of material affixed to roof decking with an angle of more than 14 degrees. There are six main types, and include a base of roof decking, an underlayment over the decking to act as a base weatherproofing layer, and then external layers of roofing material. When properly applied by a knowledgeable residential or commercial roofing repair and installation company, there is no leakage even though materials are not watertight.

The six main steep-slope roof coverings used today are as follows:

  • Asphalt Shingles – These are shingles made of organic felt or fiberglass mat, embedded with crushed asphalt on the top layer to add durability and other protective features.

  • Clay and Concrete Tile – These are tiles made of molded clay or concrete. They are especially useful in hotter climates due to their thermo-protective features.

  • Metal Panel Systems – These are architectural metal panels with non-watertight seals that are installed over roof decking, then clamped or fastened into place.

  • Slate – These are roofing shingles cut from natural slate. They provide great protection from weather, and long-lasting durability - depending on the quality of slate.

  • Wood Shakes and Shingles - Wood shingles are made from cypress, pine, red cedar and redwood, and provide a high degree of natural weather resistance when properly cared for.

  • Synthetic – There are synthetic versions avavailable of all of the above, which can be much more durable and/or long lasting.

Depending on the building and its roof construction, a homeowner should be able to get an idea here, of how these roofing systems work, and the roofing material choices available to them. Picking the most appropriate material should be done with the assistance of a good, local, experienced roofing company, with an understanding of the most suitable choices for the region, and the roofing job.

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