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Take Care to Select The Proper Roofing Screws When Installing a Metal Roof

Home Improvement — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:26:56 +0000

It may seem quite simple and quite honestly I was debating about even writing this article. I mean if you are going to go through the trouble of installing metal roofing materials, you should know what you need as part of the job. However, my lovely wife encouraged me to go ahead and share this information since you never know who might find it helpful. So if that “someone” is you…I sincerely hope this helps you out. So to start out, if you are planning on installing new metal roofing on your home, shed, or outbuilding the roofing screws are the most vital part of the job. It is very important that you choose the correct screws to use as there are significant differences between normal screws and those intended to hold roofing in place.

When you are working with metal roofing, gaps are often created when the screws are put into place and this can cause some damage in the future. It is therefore very important that you buy screws that have rubber caps on the tops or that come with washers so that you get the correct seal. The roofing screws with washers already have the washers integrated and they are made of rubber or plastic. These will prevent your roof from eroding and rusting over time due to water seeping into the open spaces and causing damage. You must take care that you do not place the screws too near to one another or too far apart either.

The screws are inexpensive to buy and you can generally purchase a package of five pounds worth of two-inch long screws made for use on metal roofing for around forty dollars. They can be purchased at nearly every large home improvement store or if you have a huge project, you may be able to buy them directly from a local roofing company at their cost. It certainly doesn’t hurt to ask.

When actually screwing the screws into the steel paneling it is generally best to leave a space of between one and one half to two feet between the screws and not more.

It is not recommended that you attempt to manually drive the screws into place with a hand held screwdriver as it is a very difficult task to do and will be nearly impossible to finish in this manner. There are battery powered screw guns on the market that are made for driving roof screws but you will need to re-charge the batteries at least hourly which would waste a good deal of time. The easiest way to drive the screws into the roofing is by using an air gun that runs on compressed air or an electric drill with a screw tip on it. These guns are safe to use and will give the roof a fine, finished look.

The length and style of the roofing screws you will need depend on what type of roof you are installing as well as where on the roof they are being used. When you are laying the roofing over the top of a layer of asphalt, you should use a three inch long screw. In the case that your roofing does not come with pre-drilled holes then you will need to use a self-tapping variety that will make getting through the metal easy, quick and with less chance of an injury occurring due to the screws breaking. The self-tapping type are ideal for the general areas of the roof as well. For attaching the first edge of the roof down, a one-inch long screw will suffice

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Tips on How to Properly Install Gutter Hangers

Home Improvement — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:01:09 +0000

Gutter hangers are one of those small unnoticable things that are definitely taken for granted. However, without them, you literally can find yourself up a creek. The purpose of gutter hanger brackets is that they hold your rain gutters in place in their correct positions to control the water’s flow. Failing to install and position them properly with your gutters may cause water to stagnate and overflow which can in turn can damage your roof, shingles, and home exterior.

You can’t just walk into a hardware store and casually pick them out because you need to make sure that you choose the best ones that are compatible with your gutters and suit the overall look of your house. There are many different types that are available in stores everywhere but the most commonly used is the K Style, which has a clip situated in the front lip and is secured to the roofing of your house by inserting a screw or a nail into the gutter’s back and into the boards. Another commonly used type is the half round style, which is essentially used with half round gutters. People who want to add a little design to their gutters use the ornamental style. The basic styles of the ornamental types include copper, brass, and a patina finish but you can easily turn these into a variety of shapes for added decoration.

Here are a few tips to help you on how to install gutter hangers:

First, have someone hold one end of the gutter while you hold the other end as you snap a line of chalk to run your gutters along so you can have a guide to follow. If the gutter’s run is about 35 feet or less than that, an inch below the fascia board should be your starting point with the ideal slope of about a quarter inch for every ten feet of the gutter’s run. If it is more than 35 feet, the starting point is at the center and the slope will ideally be out to the sides and you will need a downspout on every end of the gutter.

Carefully mark each starting and low point. To attach the hangers, use deck screws and fasten them onto the fascia board about an inch from the roof’s end. Put a screw every 24 inches using the trail of chalk. At the other end, put a hanger about an inch away from the roof.

One more tip is that if you live in a climate that has several months of snow and ice, you may want to consider installing a heated gutter element inside your gutters. Electric gutter tape is used to keep ice from freezing solid in your gutters and thus allowing water to flow. This alleviates extra strain from ice weight on your gutters and will help give the brackets and hangers extra life.

Keep in mind that proper positioning and installation of gutter hangers will effectively protect your gutters from damage and make them last for a very long time.

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How to Determine If You Are Getting the Best Metal Roofing Prices

Home Improvement — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:42:31 +0000

Have you been trying to find an affordable quote for tiled roofing? It’s almost impossible. The same with copper roofing — it’s just not possible to find a quote that makes it a reasonable purchase. Sheet metal roofing, on the other hand, is fairly affordable, remarkably versatile and the perfect material for your next major roofing project. What other material offers incredible quality, massive strength and stability, all combined with a low price point? Very few compare, and of those, even fewer can compete in another area where metal roofing excels: versatility and flexibility.

Metal roofing prices have been consistently low for many years, particularly due to its massive industrial quantities and ease of availability. In over a hundred countries worldwide, if you’re building a home, you’re most likely going to be building it with metal roofing. The combination of low price and high strength makes it the ideal pick for small houses, major low-rise construction projects and verandas. Another testament to its strength and quality is the massive amount of use in patios covers and balconies — if you’re building a beach house, metal roofing seems to be the standard material.
So how do you know if you are getting the best prices for your money when choosing roofing contractors and roofing quotes? The National Roofing Contractors Association has put together an incredibly helpful consumers guide that helps you and I determine all the details and considerations to review when looking at replacing your roof for your home. The guide can be found here: FYI:Buying a new Roof and Getting Your Money’s Worth
The gist of this helpful guide is that there is no “one size fits all price” There are too many factors to consider. However, one thing is evident and that is that metal roofing is affordable, durable, and adds immense long term value to your home or buildings.

Remember, only about half of the value of metal roofing is in the comparably low cost. The other half is in the very high long term value. It’s not just about the low price point — as plenty of terrible products and materials are inexpensive — it’s about the low price point and incredible build quality and supportive strength. Metal roofing material makes back its cost and more, and will save you time, money and frustration when building your home, restoring your home, or taking part in an addition or new project. These roofs can last 1.5 to 2 times the length of regular shingled roofing. Basically they can last an entire lifetime of home ownership. That’s quite incredible when you think about it.

So next time you’re signing the dotted line on your roofing permits, remember that quality should be your number one concern. By using versatile, durable materials like metal roofing, you can minimize cost, maximize building potential, and create the houses, apartments and condominiums that you’ve always wanted. With low metal roofing prices, simple availability and incredibly versatile installation procedures and design characteristics, sheet metal roofing is definitely a material that you should keep in the front of your mind and the top of your resources sheet.

And one final thought, it’s worth noting that some types of metal roofing materials — copper especially — don’t offer the same cost – benefit ratio as others. That’s not to say that copper doesn’t have it’s place, just that it isn’t the same ultra-low cost material as other metal sheeting types. If you don’t necessarily care as much about cost, copper roofing is unbelievably beautiful AND adds curb appeal that simply can’t be beat when trying to sell a home or building.

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Scam Roofing Contractors-Warning Signs

Home Improvement — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 22:48:31 +0000

When we think of roofing contractors, most of us think of people who are professional roofers and have the expertise needed to repair or replace our roofs. Unfortunately, not all roofing contractors are the same. There are disreputable people who are out to make as much money as possible while doing as little work as possible in the meantime. Here are some warning signs that should warn you that not everything is on the up-and-up with certain roofing contractors.

If a guy comes along right after a bad storm and tells you your roof is about to cave in, there is a good chance the person may be trying to rip you off. There is a whole segment of not-so-good roofers that are known as storm chasers – they come around after a storm and try to scare homeowners into spending lots of money but a good percentage of the time, the repairs are not necessary. Be very wary of anyone who wants more than half of the money upfront before even beginning work. They could easily disappear with your money and you will never see them again. When roofing contractors bid on your job without first coming to the property, that is a serious sign to take heed. There is no way they could give you an accurate quote without actually inspecting the condition of your roof.

Another tactic is to ask for a hefty deposit upfront without providing you detailed costs analysis and a contract. Many times these roofing contractors will offer “too good to be true” total price estimates and then ask you for “only” 50 or 60 percent downpayment. Unfortunately if you hand over the money, you’ll never see these folks again. They go from town to town doing similar activities and usually only spend a few days in any one area in order to avoid getting caught. A best practice here is to always ask to think about a price for 2 or 3 days. These guys will try to pressure you into making a decision right away, and most likely then you’ll know that something is not quite right.

So how do you find reliable and trustworthy roofing contractors? A great place to start is with your community chamber of commerce. Ask them for referrels of local trusted business contractors. You may also contact your local building department. Most likely you are going to need a building permit to reroof your home anyways. While you are there, you can ask the building inspectors who they might suggest using. Another good idea is to use an online referral service. One that I personally have used is called Angie’s List. It has user reviews of local contractors and will lead you to some great local roofing contractors. Finally I also highly recommend checking with the local Better Business Bureau and local roofing professional organizations. Both of these organizations are going to know the scam roofing contractors from the good roofing contractors immediately.

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Metal Roofing Materials – Better than Other Roofing Types?

Home Improvement — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:09:29 +0000

Roofs in general, including the latest flight to quality craze using products such as metal roofing materials are one of the most important parts of any modern home, and an absolutely essential purchase for any builder or contractor. Whether you’re renovating an aging home, restoring an old villa to its former glory, or simply building from scratch, your roofing materials will prove one of the most important, expensive and major purchases of your project. With several different types of roofing material available, it’s important to ensure that you pick what’s best for the job. For this article, we’d like to focus on metal roofs in particular.

Why is metal roofing so valuable and popular? One factor is certainly about weight and portability. Sure, having a portable roof isn’t particularly important, but the lightweight materials are highly portable and easily maneuverable for builders, contractors and roofing workers. This ease of manipulation and installation means that metal roofing materials can adjust to fit different structures, construction types and roofing styles easily. Compared to tiles and other roofing forms, working with metal roofing materials can be less labor intensive with properly trained crews.

Add to that the fact that individual pieces of metal roofing materials weigh less than huge rubber rolls or ceramic tiling and you’re left with a roofing product that’s easy to use for simple constructions and housing. While sheet metal roofing materials can be lightweight, they also are very strong and can hold structures that seem much too large for their type.

Metal roofs are often used in sporting stadiums, semi-indoor constructions and other outdoor building projects. Usually its chosen because of its ability to last for many, many years vs. traditional asphalt shilgles or rolled ashphalt. Some modern metal roof contractors even offer extremely attractive guarantees of their work and the materials used. If strength is a priority, make sure to put metal roofing materials at the start of your to-buy list.

Finally, metal roofing material prices can be fairly reasonable. This has two major benefits for sheet metal roofers. Firstly, the overall project costs will be lower when compared with other roofing types such as tiling and wooden slats. This allows for a greater profit margin for their bids. Also, the lower price means metal roofing materials as well as metal roofing jobs are easily available, not just in the first world but in developing countries too. Visit any South Asian country and you’ll find that metal roofs are the construction material of choice, ahead of tiles and other types.

Low cost, ease of manipulation and installation and incredible lightweight materials make sheet metal roofing materials one of the top picks for any builder, developer or contractor. Whether you’re restoring an aging roof, replacing a damaged roofing system or building a brand new house, you should keep metal roofing materials in the front of your mind. Invest in quality, enjoy the low prices, and watch as your roof comes together high in quality and low in cost.

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3 Tips for Roof Maintenance

Home Improvement — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:33:02 +0000

Your roof is by far one of the most important parts of your home, yet for many people it’s nothing more than an afterthought. With millions of homes worldwide experiencing roofing leaks, severe structural damage brought on by poor roof installations, and drafts and breezes coming in through poorly constructed roofing, proper roof maintenance is becoming increasingly important for home owners. Flat roof maintenance is increasing dramatically, especially as owners of flat roof houses begin to experience severe leaks brought on by poor roof designs and cheap roofing materials.

These three tips will help you get the most out of your roof, no matter what type of construction, design or materials are used for it. Regardless of what building you live in, be it a large house, an apartment or a condominium, these tips will help you minimize long-term costs, promote structural integrity and ensure that your home remains stress-free.

#1: Spend a little to save a lot.

There are lots of contractors out there ready to do a poor job with the cheapest materials. If you want to minimize your roof maintenance commitments, it’s absolutely essential to make sure that you avoid the cheap materials and go with something that will last. Whether this means rubber roofing materials or expensive tin roofing, the results are the same. Spending a little more on your roof up front will prevent you having to spend thousands every few years on maintenance and repairs.

#2: Use rubber roofing to prevent leaks.

One of the key costs associated with home repairs is leakage caused by low quality roofing materials. If you want to keep your roof maintenance quota down, it’s wise to invest in materials that will stop leaks from occurring in the first place. Rubber roofing materials are very good for flat roof maintenance and is often found in commerical roof maintenance programs. Rubber material can be good for homes in certain situations like flat roof garages or upper level walk out patios. Remember, it’s one thing to have to spend time and money repairing things every few years, and a much better strategy to simply prevent it from happening in the first place. Whether this is for home or commercial roof maintenance, these simple additions can keep costs down and keep convenience up.

#3: Get the PROFESSIONALS!

Ever amateur repairman thinks that they can tackle their roofing problem. As easy as it may look, it’s best to leave the potentially crucial jobs to the professionals. If you’re feeling a little overconfident, take a step back and assess the situation. Often it turns out cheaper and much easier to simply employ someone to take care of your roof maintenance.

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Three Reasons You Need a Quality Roof Vent

Home Improvement — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:05:19 +0000

Why is roof ventilation so important? It all comes down to some simple laws of physics, and some even more simple laws of comfort. Roof vents are incredibly important for venting hot air, removing unwanted air particles, and ensuring that there’s a steady air flow through your home, office or apartment. No matter what type of climate you live in, or even what setting, a ventilation system of some sort is an absolute necessity. For most people, a roof vent is by far the most simple and affordable option.

Here are three compelling and important reasons to have a roof vent, regardless of what type of building you live in.

#1: Roof ridge vents help moderate your home’s temperature.
Ever spent a long day in a stuffy home? Sure, crisp and warm is nice once in a while, but a consistently stuffy and hot room is never a particularly pleasant place to have to work in. Whether you’re spending your time relaxing or working hard on assignments and commitments, a steady temperature and a comfortable level of heat are of absolute importance to you. Thankfully, a roof vent can help moderate your air temperature at a cost much lower than an air conditioning unit or other central air system. In fact, after installation, your roof ventilation system won’t cost you anything at all.

#2: Roof vents clear your home of unwanted odors and air particles.
There’s a second problem with still air in the house — it leaves odor and unwanted air particles in the air far longer than it should. We’ve all spent time in offices and homes that lacked adequate airflow, and it’s never a particularly enjoyable experience. As well as leaving us in the company of unwanted smells, still air often causes trouble breathing and concentrating. In fact, for many people still air can produce headaches, dizziness and nasal congestion. A simple roof ventilation system can actively prevent these possibilities by providing constant airflow and ventilation.

#3: Solar roof vents are 100% free! (sort of )
Truth be told, solar roof vents cost money to purchase them, but after your roof vent is installed, you pay no price to keep it operating. Say goodbye to annoyingly expensive air conditioning systems and enjoy the 100% free air ventilation provided by a roof ventilation system. By installing a solar powered roof vent, you’ll keep costs down and decrease your carbon emissions at the same time!

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What Are the Benefits of Rubber Roofing?

Home Improvement — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:43:53 +0000

There are several reasons to get rubber roofing, most of which are based around your weather conditions, house characteristics, and the design and materials used to build your home. Also, the type of building is often a major factor in determining whether a rubber roof is a good idea. For most people, it’s a matter of leakage and damage. Standard roofing materials have a tendency to allow large amounts of water in after five to ten years, particularly in flat roofed buildings. As a result of this, many modern apartment building, condominiums and flat roofed houses are looking towards rubber roofing materials to replace their leaky roofs.

Rubber roofing material is highly useful no matter what type of roof you’ve got installed. If you’re running a single ply roofing material, rubber membranes can help you prevent leakage around the edges of the roof. With rubber roofing materials available for all types of roof design and composition, a rubber roof is a great choice to protect your home from the demanding weather conditions that can often lead to leaks, permanent damage, and expensive repair bills.

Rubber roofing should be available for flat, curved, and even grassed over roofs. While it’s most popular amongst homeowners looking to protect from water leaks and excess rain damage, rubber roof material is also important for protecting against airborne particles, wind damage, and the material expansion that’s often caused by hot temperatures. Thus, even if you’re in a climate that doesn’t experience a large amount of rain or snow, it’s wise to invest in rubber roof material to prevent the possibility of buckling, distortion and structural damage.

Of course, the major benefit of rubber roofing materials is the simplicity of installation. Next to other roofing types, rubber roofing is such an easy install that it can be completed without any elaborate preparation or regular maintenance. This ease of installation, combined with incredible availability to the public means that rubber roofing is one the most popular, maintenance free forms of roofing.

However, it’s important to remember that you shouldn’t try to install roofing materials without any experience — it could lead to injuries, issues with build quality and some expensive repair bills down the line! When in doubt, invest in professional installation. It will save you the trouble of going through a difficult installation by yourself, and ensure that you achieve the best possible build quality.

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