Roof framing is a challenging job. Like surgeons, all cuts should be accurate to achieve the desired result. Many Houston roofing contractors agree that roof framing requires more skills and knowledge compared to any other framing activities. There are several roof styles and mathematical equations carpenters have to use in order to build a wonderful house. Many experienced home builders admit even master carpenters who build different roofs are not experts in roof framing. This only confirms that the fine art of wood cutting is hard to master.

Simple Craft to Master

The craft of roof framing happened several years ago. Many tricks and refinements require long years of experience to master; however, some basic roof framing tricks can take only half an hour to master. The level of difficulty in framing depends largely on the roof. Many homeowners want to combine multiple roof types in a single roof. One of the most common is a hipped-roof mixed with gable dormers.

Framing Determines Roof Shape

The assembly of one or two roof types is one of the key elements in creating the architectural design of a house and oftentimes makes the craft difficult. Hips, overhangs and dormers add to its framing intricacies. Roof shapes command a degree of difficulty and will confirm the amount that should be spent for the building of the entire roofing structure. Gables, flat or shed roof types are more affordable; however, a combination of these is relatively expensive. Generally, shed is the easiest roof type to assemble.

Framing Factors

To create a beautiful architectural design, Houston roofing contractors must take into account several factors.

• Architectural parameter ? This includes building height, geographical location, materials to use for building construction, additional corners, and valleys.
• Advanced Technology ? Roof framing should be built using advanced techniques. Applied roofing technology determines the strength of the trusses to support all the roofing materials when they are ready to install.
• Attic ? In crafting roof shape, the carpenter should consider the attic since it can be used as a living room or just a simple storage room.
• Skylights ? This added structure creates a weak spot, so the carpenter must ensure that the framing is strong enough to support the additional structure.
• Materials to use ? There are several types of materials that can be used for crafting roof framing. Materials vary from plastics, metals, and solid woods and the latter is the material of choice by most roofers.

Roof framing ranges from simple to complex. Houston roofing contractors must have knowledge on framing irregularities and different roof shapes and the required knowledge for this kind of endeavor can?t be acquired overnight. Lawyers and physicians spend several years perfecting and learning their necessary job skills; the craft of roof framing needs the same time to master. With the modern advances in roof technology, ways were discovered to easily calculate and cut the desired length of rafters by determining the roof pitch and building line. Framing is not hard; however, it does require learning and practice to excel!

For many customers, the process of restoring their roof can be a complicated process. Which company to use? Whether or not to contact the insurance company first? How much damage is truly there? These are only a few of the many questions to be answered.

Just recently, another big question has come to the forefront of roofing, and this one pertains to when the house is to be sold. That is, should a roof be inspected or certified?

The following article should help answer the question.

Separate from a home inspection, roof inspections typically are not performed in a home inspection. Instead, roofing inspectors climb up on the roof and issue reports on:

* Possible movement
* Condition of roofing materials
* Ridges, caps and drip edges
* Soundness of drains, downspouts, and gutters
* Flashing around roof pipes, chimneys, vents, valleys and mounting of HVAC units

Should the roof does not require repairs, an estimate of the years of life the roof has left can be given by the roofing company, and the inspection certified. The certification period is usually 1-2 years and sometimes as many as 5, however the period requested can vary.

On the other hand, if the roof requires repairs, it is not until after the repairs are performed, that the roofing company will issue the roof certification.

FYI: A number of buyers have stipulated this as part of the contingencies of their contracts (e.g. Subject To: appraisal, inspection, engineer?s report, roof certification, mortgage, etc. ). There are a lot of stipulations a buyer and seller can insist upon to include in a binder and real estate sales contract to close a deal. Contracts should always be reviewed carefully before they are signed.

Roof Certifications are typically requested by; Lenders, Municipalities, and Buyers. Lenders want a roof independently inspected to mitigate risk, municipalities want roofs inspected to maintain a quality housing stock and tax base. Buyers will often request a roof certification after a home inspection.

If a buyer requests a certification after a home inspection, it is likely that the inspector found defects and therefore requested that a roofer inspect and verify the condition of the roof.

You should contact several roofing contractors who work with your type of roof. Ask them if they will repair and then certify a roof what they charge for the roof certification (after it is repaired). A quality roofing company should not charge an additional fee to certify a roof they have restored.

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By Nick Dorotik

nick@asaproofing.com

When it comesato performance, our forefathers had it right long ago. They optimized the three pillars of performance, materials, engineering and installation, to provide roof systems that truly withstood the test of time. The oldest roof system I?ve ever encountered was a slate roof. It combined the performance of stone with phenomenal engineering to account for the weight and slope. Last but not least, the craftsmanship to bring it all together to create a watertight roof system. Many of these roofs had and/or have over 100-year life cycles. I can only assume that cost was not as important as value when it came to construction.

My personal experience with slate came at the age of 14 at the end of a rope tied around my waist while my father tethered the other end. First, we would both scale the roof on a chicken ladder and then he would slide me down the slope while he sat upon the ridge smoking a cigarette. OSHA would have had a fit. My job was to remove the broken slate, cut a new one to fit, and then replace them in such a way that no one would ever tell the difference. These roofs were not only durable, they were beautiful and sustainable.

After World War II architects and designers had to deal with the demand for larger and less expensive facilities and the construction to accommodate them. These steep roofs gave way to the flat and low slope construction that endures today.

Materials

Today?s low slope elastomeric membrane market offers a host of material choices, yet the principles or pillars haven?t changed when it comes to performance. Selecting the right material involves some research to understand the potential the product may offer. Reviewing and making a decision based upon a singular characteristic can be akin to making a decision based upon the results of the 50-yard dash. This analogy would include lowest cost and warranty tenure, but we can discuss those choices another day.

Material performance requires balance and unfortunately I?ve seen numerous material decisions based upon a sole characteristic or attribute. Some are as simplistic as selecting a material because it?s white to deliver theoretical energy savings. Thickness is also mistaken as a great equalizer for forecasting performance. In fact, there are numerous attributes ranging from material chemistry, manufacturing technology, reinforcement, chemical resistance, puncture resistance, elongation and tensile strength that must all be in balance to deliver durability over time. Yes, time is the great equalizer and therefore the track record and history of the material should be given proper weight in the decision process. More often than not, what you?ll find is that materials with the best history were those that achieved balance in a host of physical property characteristics and attributes.

Engineering

How the material you choose is installed is very critical to its performance. Keeping the material in place has become a bit of an art form these days. And there are numerous options that include the basic mechanically fastened, adhered, and ballast systems as well as some of the more exotic assemblies, such as plate bonded and negative vacuum assemblies.

Today?s design professionals are acutely aware of the need to incorporate wind, fire, energy, and component compatibility into the overall engineering for performance. Fortunately, we really don?t construct ?flat? roofs any longer, but the nuisances of low slope roof construction are fairly complex. Having a Registered Roof Consultant to assist in the selection and installation design of the roof is a plus. A RRC can bring peace of mind to the project in the form of oversight and project management as well as the experience with various materials and the engineering required for the variable assemblies. Their reputation is inseparable to performance, and my experience with them suggests that their passion for quality is well worth the investment.

Installation

Unfortunately, not all contractors are alike. Again, reputation and track record will tell a lot about the quality the contractor will deliver. Check their references and visit one of their current job sites. A lot can be told about a roofing contractor just by viewing their job site housekeeping practices.

Obviously, the contractor should be licensed and insured, but the contractor also needs to be experienced in the installation of the materials selected for the roof system. The scope and complexity of the project often demand financial stability and finesse in dealing with customers, contracts, and consultants. It costs money to be a legitimate contractor so beware of the low bid, as it is not necessarily your best value.

Practically every specification I review states that the contractor must have adequately trained workers. The best contractors invest into growing and training their workforce using internal and external resources. In addition to creating a general expertise in the materials to be utilized, SAFETY is pervasive if not the most important aspect of their business.

Installing today?s roof systems is no less an art from than the slate of days gone by. Craftsmanship is essential to the performance of any roof system, so selecting the right contractor can be a make or break decision when it comes to your overall investment.

A new roof is an investmentaand getting a good return on your investment requires that the project involves an alliance that merges the three pillars of performance into a seamless team. The manufacturer of the material, the designer or consultant, and the contractor have to all act in the best interest of the owner to deliver performance that will exceed expectations for performance.

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Types of roofing in Colorado

Colorado is famous for its beautiful landscape and modern lifestyle. However, it is also well-known for having an extreme weather condition. Every year, blizzards and hail storms are a constant visitor to this magnificent place. If you are planning to build a house around the area, you must understand the different types of material for roofing in Colorado. Each has its own special features and advantages so carefully examine them one by one before making a choice.

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Asphalt shingles

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Is probably the most famous type of roofing material in the US. About 80% of residential communities in the states are using asphalt shingles for their homes. These are proven to withstand the test of natural disasters. It is highly resistant to wind, hail stones, heavy rainfall and even fire. These are also tested in terms of its ability to resist tear and other key performance indicators. The best part? Asphalt shingles are aesthetically beautiful. You can choose between standard and designer texture. The surface of standard shingles are light textured while designer shingles have highly textured surface.

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Clay or concrete tiles

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This Spanish-inspired roofing system is one of the most durable material that you can pick. Coloradans are not a fan of tiles, but this is a great idea if you want your house to have a unique look in the neighborhood or community where you are living. There are a variety of colors to choose from. But not all homeowners can opt for this type of roofing material. Tiles are heavy. Ask your engineer if the foundation of your house has the capacity to support a heavy roofing system.

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Slate

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Another material that is not so popular for roofing in Colorado. On the contrary, slate is famous in cities such as New York, Vermont, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. These are generally more expensive because of its indestructible nature. Another thing about slate is that you will need a professional roofer with special skills and long years of experience. This is not easy to install and inexperienced roofers may not be able to install this material properly.

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Metal

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Longevity of life cycle is the primary reason why you should pick metal. Apart from that, this also has a lightweight property, stronger resistance to violent weathers, and best of all, these are aesthetically pretty. If you want to use metal as your primary material for roofing in Colorado, consider buying a customized metal that is fire-proof.

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In a report by the United States Department of Energy (DOE), the primary reason for an increase in household power consumption is the use of central air-conditioning. This accounts for approximately 31 percent of the total energy consumed by every household. In fact, heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) is the major contributor to increased household utility expenses. National domestic power consumption rises during the summer due to the use of air-conditioning. One common factor that can be associated with this abrupt energy amplification is the absorption of heat by the home during sunny days.

When the roof absorbs radiant heat, that high temperature is transferred to the attic space which in turn causes the room temperature below the attic to increase. It is important for the warmth from the sun to be radiated back into the atmosphere to ultimately lower the room temperature. In short, every homeowner with a household air-conditioning unit should have radiant barriers installed to decrease high temperatures during the summer months. Roof company Houston contractors suggest that every homeowner should have at least some basic knowledge regarding these heat-reflecting obstacles.

Household Temperature Controller

Radiant barriers are types of aluminum foil installed in buildings to prevent the transference of reflective warmth between heat-radiating and heat-absorbing surfaces. This should help every household increase their energy savings during the summer. This material will block the infra-red energy emitted from the hot roof to keep the attic space cooler, therefore reducing the amount of radiant warmth in the rooms below the attic. There are several reflective barriers available on the market, including reflective chips, foil, and paint coatings.

Function

There are two factors that are involved in how radiant barriers function: emissivity and reflectivity. These two factors are the most important properties that make their obstructing capability more effective.

• Emissivity (0-1) ? This is also known as ?emittance?. It is the ability of the radiant barriers to emit thermal energy from hot surfaces.

• Reflectivity (0-9) ? This is also known as ?reflectance?. This is the capacity of the surface to reflect emitted heat from a hot surface.

The two properties of this material are essential in order to reduce energy consumption during the summer. These reflective barriers have low emissivity and high reflectivity.

During the summer, heat is absorbed in the roofing material when the sun strikes the roof. It will move into the attic surface by means of conduction and convection. At this point, the warmth will then be transferred from the attic surfaces to cooler surfaces (air ducts and attic floors) through radiation. If radiant barriers are installed, the increased temperature will be radiated back to the outside of the roof. Without such obstructions, the radiated heat will be absorbed by the interior surfaces which will hold the warmth, resulting in increased temperature levels. Local governments encourage every household to use radiant barriers to decrease energy consumption during hot sunny days.

Installation

The effectiveness and performance of radiant barriers is very dependent on how the material is installed by a certified roof company Houston contractor. Proper installation of these reflective obstacles can reflect heat by 97 percent; this provides homeowners with the opportunity to effectively reduce the electric consumption by the use of central air-conditioning.

Radiant barrier systems are different from roofing insulation which only slows down heat transfer. In contrast, reflective barrier systems not only slow down this transfer; they directly reflect the increased temperatures caused by the sun?s radiation. Roofing insulation does not have the capacity to stop this type of heat; therefore, obstructions must be installed to reflect these high temperatures. As an important part of the entire roofing system, it is essential for every homeowner to learn and gain valuable information about radiant barriers!