Even the most diligent homeowner doesn’t spend a great deal of time thinking about roofs.  As long as you do the general maintenance and have the shingles replaced by a professional when necessary, there really isn’t too much to think about.  The next time the need for a new roof comes up in your home, you do have a little more to think about.  In this day and age of environmental consciousness, you have an option in roofing that has been around for centuries and is currently enjoying resurgence in popularity.  Learn a little more about green roofs and decide if you think one would be the perfect fit for your home and lifestyle.

Roofing Contractors

Materials like metal and tile are considered to be fairly earth friendly, but a green roof takes things to a deeper level.  It’s likely you have seen restaurants or other places of business that have vegetation on the roofs.  They often use it as decoration, but this type of roof is not only attractive, it also promotes healthy plant based oxygen and certainly gives your home a unique look.  Thanks to a lot of work done in Europe with this ancient practice, this kind of roofing can be used anywhere in the U.S.  Let’s take a look at the layers of this kind of roof.

Closest to the roof itself, a waterproofing material is used.  If it doesn’t have a root resistant component, another layer with root resistant material will have to be added.  Obviously, it is essential for protecting the sub roof from potential damage due to the root system of the plants.  The next layer is the drainage layer.  A wide variety of materials can be used here.  Some people go with plastic or rubber to reduce weight, but it’s also acceptable to use clay or gravel as well.  Moving up the construction, you come to the soil layer.  Depending on your climate and the plants you are planning to use, this layer could consist of peat moss, regular soil, or potting mix.  Of course, your final layer is the plants themselves.  A qualified green roof contractor will be able to give you a good idea of which plants will work best in your situation.

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When you stop to consider that for many people, the biggest purchase they will ever make is their home, it makes sense that every aspect of it is a big deal.   Many people do decide to build from scratch and thus avoid the potential attic insulation dangers, but many others buy homes that were built decades ago before the real risks associated with certain types of insulation were known.  Concerns about attic insulation are no reason to not buy a preexisting home or to feel unsafe in the house you have.  All you need is to learn about common risks and figure out how you can protect yourself and your family.

The most well known threat when it comes to residential insulation is asbestos.  This material is made from several naturally found minerals that were mined for their insulation properties and used in homes from the 1930’s to the 1970’s.  If the material is disturbed and inhaled into the lungs it can cause lung cancer, a rare cancer of the chest, lungs, and abdomen, called mesothelioma, and asbestosis.  If you are pretty sure you have asbestos in your home, there is little risk if the insulation is in good condition.  If it’s not, you might want to look into the safe ways to have it replaced with a safer material.

Attic Insulation Dangers

Another of the attic insulation dangers you have to consider and check for is pink insulation.  Just about everyone knows what this stuff looks like.  Backed in paper, it looks like pink cotton candy.  At one time, it was thought to be the safest insulation material available.  With more in depth studies in the 1990’s, experts changed their minds and gave it a rating similar to the one for asbestos materials.  The formaldehyde ingredients found in pink insulation is the health risk.

Understanding the attic insulation dangers is important for the health of your family and the value of your home.  If you are concerned at all about your safety, have a professional come in for an evaluation of your home. 

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The idea of needing to replace the roof on your house is only exciting to those who are really bored with life or a professional roofer.  Especially if you have never had to replace a roof before, the sheer number of choices is enough to make you want to go a little crazy, but that is a whole other home improvement issue all together.  Since you have to make the decisions anyway, you may as well learn a bit about one of the newer options in roofing material, the flex roofing shakes.  While they are more expensive than just about any other option you could decide, with some information you might decide they are worth the expense.

There is a good chance you have no idea what flex roofing shake is.  To put it simply, these are shingles made from recycled steel belted radial tires.  In other words, they are rubber shingles.  For those who are concerned about the environment and are interested in recycling wherever possible, these shakes may be the perfect choice.  They certainly help limit the amount of tires found in landfills. 

Flex Roofing Shakes

Another advantage to choosing flex roofing shakes is that they come with a 50 year warranty. That is one serious guarantee.  As you know, rubber lasts forever.  After all, thousands of tons of truck and loads are moved on it everyday.  They are guaranteed against hail and other cases of extreme weather.  To give you an idea of how strong these shingles are, you have to understand that they weigh 350 lbs per square.  There isn’t a storm yet that can beat that. 

If you are worried about the top of your house looking like a truck tire, don’t.  The flex roofing shakes are coated with ground slate and can be purchased in whatever style or color you prefer.  No one but you has to know that you have leftover radial tires on your roof.  Of course when your neighbors have weather damage, you will still be sitting pretty.  Be sure to check with local authorities before installation though.  Some cities and towns prohibit the use of rubber on home roofs. 

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You may wonder why you need to be concerned about roof designs when it is unlikely you will ever design a building, let alone a roof in your entire life. The answer is pretty simple. You never know when the information may be helpful or important in your role as a homeowner. Things happen, whether it is a remodeling project or you need to replace your roof. It is much better to go into a situation like that informed at least a little than not at all. We won’t make this lesson too boring. In the end, you should have some idea of what goes into designing a roof.

Almost every roof design starts with the basic shape. For most houses, the basic design is either gable or hipped styles. From there all kinds of details can be added or subtracted to come up with the correct and most advantageous design for the house in terms of appearance, structure, and environmental hardiness. Of course, the preferred material will also have something to do with the final design.

Roof Designs

The gable roof is one of the most popular designs. This type can be used in all kinds of roof designs and is exceptional for allowing snow and rain water to run off the roof. Naturally this cuts down on leakage and ensures that a replacement roof isn’t right around the corner. You will find that all kinds of materials can be used to create a gabled or cross gabled roof. Everything from wood shingles to ceramic tiles to the standard roofing shingles is possible with this design.

With the hipped roof designs, the architect, homeowner, or whoever is performing the building or remodel can easily add gorgeous eaves to the home. This style is particularly popular in the U.S. southern states. Like the gabled style, this one can be modified to fit any taste.

Naturally this is just the basics of the many roof designs, but at least you have a place to start from. Every roofing option has its importance and you won’t be sorry you learned a bit about them so that you and your contractor can make the best decision for you next home project.

The sheer number of projects and details that are involved with homeownership is enough to boggle the most well organized mind. You have to concern yourself with the little, everyday things, as well as be prepared for the big repairs and changes. One of the most stressful and confusing aspects of owning a home for many people is home roofing. Even if you do it yourself, you are still looking at a large expense in terms of materials and supplies. Of course you can decide to hire a professional to do it for you. The price will be higher, but sometimes it is the better option for someone with little extra time or who doesn’t have the skills to do the job safely and effectively. Either way you go, there are some home roofing terms you may want to become familiar with.

Let’s start with the types of shingles that are available for your home roofing needs. Asphalt shingles are a popular option. They are made in 3 tab designs. The idea is to give the impression that each shingle is separate. They are generally 12 inches wide and 36 inches long. Asphalt shingles are a very economical and durable choice for your home.

Home Roofing 

For a different look to your home, you shouldn’t overlook the idea of using wood shingles in your home roofing project. These shingles can be found or ordered in a variety of natural wood shades, or you could choose another type of finish like painting or staining. They are 1 X 6 inches in size and designed to allow for air circulation to prevent moisture build up.

In some cases, when you choose a heavy home roofing material like tile or slate, you will find you have to build up your roof to allow for the additional weight first. On the upside, this is one of the most unique materials in roofing and is incredibly versatile. You should also expect to pay more for tiles than you would for asphalt or wood.

With the proper preparation home roofing doesn’t have to be stressful or problematic. You can always call in the professionals for advice and help if you need it.