Your roof is one of the largest and most stand out aspects of your home so it pays to take the time to carefully consider your needs before making any decisions. Employing suitably qualified professionals will ensure that your roof is safe, looks great and stands the test of time, no matter what material you choose.
Roofing Materials
There are several types of roofing material available. Your roofing professional will be able to advise you on the most suitable for your home; however, the two most common roof materials are as follows:
Steel roofing – Types of steel roofs include treated zinc-aluminum, such as Colorbond, and untreated zinc-aluminum. Steel roofs are very flexible so are great for harsher weather conditions. Make sure that you get a warranty of at least 25 years.
Tiles – Tiles may be either terracotta, concrete or slate. Terracotta tiles come in a variety of finishes and are frost-resistant. They are also non-combustible, making them a good choice in bushfire-prone areas. Concrete tiles are extremely durable and should last for at least 50 years. Slate will not fade, crack or discolour and can last for over a century if properly installed. It is ideal to use when you want to make your roof a feature.
Insulating your Roof
When choosing a roof colour, be aware that a lighter colour roof will reflect heat better and therefore keep your home cooler. Some steel roofs are thermally efficient and your roofing professional will be able to advise you as to what they are. Concrete does not conduct heat or cold well, and this can help to keep your home at a steady and comfortable temperature.
Sarking is a reinforced foil material that is laid over the whole area of the roof underneath the roof tiles or other roof material. Its purpose is to help keep out any water as well as to provide insulation against the heat, cold and sound. Steel roofs can accentuate the sound of rain, so if you aren’t a big fan of rain noise, then it is possible to install an insulation blanket made of foil and glass fibre between the roof frame and the roof material. Again, this blanket insulates against noise and the weather.
You can also choose to install insulation after your roof has been completed, whether it is in the form of batts or something else. Your roofing professional will be able to advise you on which insulation materials are best for your requirements.
Plumbing and Guttering
One professional that you should employ is a roof plumber. Roof plumbers make and install guttering, design and install guttering and install stormwater drainage systems. They can also help with you designing a rainwater catchment system, if you decide to install a rainwater tank.
Guttering is an important component of your roof and one that needs to be carefully considered. There are a variety of materials that are suitable, such as copper, aluminum, plain zinc aluminum alloys or zinc aluminum with colour applied. It is also a good idea to get a gutter protection system that will protect your guttering from debris. A good system should have a 25-year warranty on materials and a 15-year warranty on materials.
Truss Roofs – an Explanation
A truss roof is self-supporting, and can be made of timber or steel. Each truss is a triangular unit. Trusses are usually pre-fabricated off site and brought to the project when ready. Trusses are structurally sound and very stable, and are usually laid on top of load-bearing walls in the housing structure. Your roofing professional will be able to tell you more about how truss roofs work and what exactly you will need to ensure a safe roof.
Roofing Terms
Some roofing terms that you may be unfamiliar with are flashing and fascia. Flashing refers to the sheets of metal that are placed between joints to stop moisture from coming through. These joints may be between tiles and a chimney or around the edge of a skylight for example. A fascia is simply a piece of timber or metal affixed to the eaves, and it is to the fascia that gutters are secured.
Finally, before erecting a new roof or renovating your existing one, it is always wise to check with your local council and familiarise yourself with their regulations. For example, some councils will only allow certain materials in certain colours.
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