The Complete Guide to Choosing the Right Roofing Material

Your roof is one of the most important components protecting your home from the elements. It is also a key aesthetic feature that can add value to your home.

The framework of your roof consists of either rafters or prefabricated trusses. Rafters are cut on-site from framing lumber, while trusses are assembled in factories and craned into place. Contact Montana Roofing now!

Plywood is a strong and durable engineered wood product made by gluing together thin layers of veneer. The wood grains are alternately positioned in each layer, which provides strength and stability. Due to its affordability and flexibility, plywood is a popular choice for construction projects. Plywood is often used as sheathing to support membranes and asphalt shingles in roofing. It is also an effective moisture barrier, which helps to protect the roof frame from leaks and damage.

Several types of plywood are available, each with different thicknesses and ratings. Each has a specific purpose and is suitable for particular roofing applications. Typically, thicker plywood is more resistant to water damage than thinner sheets. The thickness of the plywood sheathing is also important, as it can affect the roof’s weight and stability.

There are two main types of plywood: construction/industrial and hardwood/decorative. Construction/industrial plywood is made from softwoods such as spruce, fir and pine that have been bonded with adhesives. It is tough and can withstand full weather exposure. It is often used to make beams, interior structures, subflooring and wall bracing. It is also used to create shipping crates, as it can withstand a lot of stress during transport.

Another type of plywood is called hardwood/decorative plywood, which is made from hardwoods such as beech, birch and sycamore that are bound with resin and glue. It is less expensive than construction/industrial plywood and can be used for indoor or outdoor use. It is not as durable as construction/industrial plywood, but it can still withstand a lot of stress and moisture.

While plywood is more economical and versatile than pine, it may be less suited for certain roofing applications. For example, some regions are prone to hail and severe weather conditions that require a roofing material with good impact resistance. However, plywood’s superior strength and moisture resistance may outweigh its disadvantages in these situations. It is also worth noting that the production of plywood requires the cutting down of trees, which can have an environmental impact. Therefore, some prefer OSB as a greener alternative to plywood.

Shingles

A shingle is a thin, rectangular piece of material used to finish a roof. Its main purpose is to protect a roof from the elements. Roofing shingles are typically made of different materials, including wood, asphalt, clay and slate. Each type of shingle has unique properties that make it suitable for specific types of structures and climates.

While shingles serve as an aesthetic showpiece for a finished roof, they also provide vital protection against water infiltration and leaks. The shingles themselves are often coated with an ice and water membrane, which creates an additional barrier against the elements. The membrane also prevents the shingles from becoming brittle over time, which can lead to a leaking roof.

The shingles are installed on the roof in courses, with each successive course extending up the roof surface from a previous one by at least 12”. Each shingle is then fastened with a nail that’s driven in at a 45° angle and sealed with a rubberized asphalt sealant. This protects the nails from corrosion and softening due to the elements, and helps keep water and snow from seeping under the shingles and damaging the roof deck and interior of the home.

Wood shingles are usually made from cedar or red pine and treated with chemical preservatives to extend their life and reduce the risk of insect damage and weathering. Newer wooden shingles are cut from young trees and require less treatment than older wooden shingles, but they still need to be protected from the elements.

Metal step flashing is typically installed around any plumbing stacks and vents on the roof to ensure the shingles don’t leak at these points. The flashing is typically square or rectangular in shape and at least 250 mm (10”) long, with the face of each piece of flashing being about 50 mm (2”) wider than the shingle’s typical 143 mm (5 5/8”) exposure.

Many roofing shingles have a stone granule surfacing to give them a more decorative and durable appearance. These granules also help reflect the sun’s heat, which reduces the build-up of hot spots on the roof. The granules are processed and color-treated to meet a variety of design aesthetics. Some shingles are also available with a reflective coating, which is particularly effective in cooler climates.

Battens

A batten is a strip of material used to strengthen and secure a roof. It is typically made of wood but can also be metal or plastic. It is often used in conjunction with other roofing materials to create a complete system. Choosing the right battens is important for a successful roofing project. They must be oriented and spaced properly to provide a solid foundation for the roof. This will ensure that the roofing materials will be able to withstand the forces of wind and rain.

When securing your battens, be sure to use fasteners that are appropriate for the roofing material you’re using. In some cases, you may need to use roof screws, while in others, it’s recommended to use nails. Using the wrong fasteners can damage the roofing material or even cause the roof to collapse.

Roofing battens are installed before the roofing material is applied, and they help to provide a stable and level surface. They also create an air gap between the roof deck and the roofing material, which helps to keep the roof warm and dry.

It’s important to choose a high-quality roofing batten that is pre-graded and meets the requirements of BS 5534. These types of battens can help to save time during construction and are a more cost-effective option than grading the timber on site. In addition, high-quality battens are treated to prevent weathering and rotting, so they can last for the life of your roof.

If you’re looking for a quality roofing batten, look for one that is PEFC-certified. This means that the timber has been harvested and manufactured in a responsible manner. In addition, it’s important to choose a company that is accredited by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and TrustMark, so you can be confident that they’ll be able to deliver a quality product.

The battens should be fixed to rafters at a distance that is not more than 600mm apart. The nails that are used should be of a length that provides a minimum penetration of 40mm into the rafter.

Flashing

Flashing is a thin strip of metal that lies in between different parts of a roof to prevent leaks. It’s made of corrosion-resistant sheet metal, such as galvanized steel, which has been coated with zinc to prevent rust. It’s usually installed in the areas where leaks are most prone to occur, such as roof valleys and any places where a skylight, chimney, dormer or plumbing vent extends through the roof. Ideally, the flashing is installed by an experienced roofing professional who knows how to install it correctly.

There are many types of flashing, each designed for specific applications. For example, step flashing is used where a sloped roof meets a vertical surface like a wall, and it diverts water away from the vulnerable area. Channel flashing is shaped like a “U” and is often used to protect the joints of chimneys or other roof penetrations. It’s also useful in roof valleys and on the edges of dormers or other protrusions.

To install flashing, the roofing professional first measures and cuts it to the proper size and shape. Then it’s secured in place with a layer of roof cement or sealant. The flashing is also nailed in place to ensure it’s tight and secure.

It’s important to remember that even though flashing is easy enough for some homeowners to DIY, it should always be installed by a roofing professional who understands best practices and building codes. If the flashing is not installed properly, it can lead to long-term water damage and expensive repair bills.

Some flashing materials are more durable than others. For instance, copper is an excellent choice because it doesn’t corrode and it looks beautiful with various roof colors and styles. Another option is tin, which doesn’t require any special treatments or coatings to last. It’s a little more expensive than aluminum, but it’s also less likely to rust. A good roofing professional will consider the pros and cons of each material when recommending flashing for a project. They will also consider the local weather conditions when making their choice. For instance, the type of flashing that’s suitable for a house in Arizona will differ significantly from the type of flashing that’s right for a house in Massachusetts.