Types of Roof Covering

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When in the field you will encounter a variety of roof coverings and it is crucial that you identify them correctly as the cost between them can vary minimally or drastically depending on the type of cover being used. So in this lesson, we will review the various types of roof coverings you will encounter when in the field.

Shingles 

3 Tab Shingles:

3 Tab shingles are cheaper and usually weigh about 240 lbs per square and are rated for wind speeds up to 60 mph

Architectural or Dimensional Shingles:

Architectural or Dimensional shingles are slightly more expensive but they weigh 340-440 lbs per square and are rated for wind speeds up to 80-120 mph

Tile

There are a lot of different types of roofing tiles, and they all vary in benefits, cost, and availability. Here are just a few of the materials and shapes of tile that you will see when in the field.

Terracotta or Clay Tiles:

These clay-based natural tiles are rather easy to make. They are durable, cheap, and result in a traditional red clay look for your roof.

Metal Tiles:

Metal tiles are also commonly used because of their durability as well as their ability to easily regulate the temperature inside a home by adapting to the weather outside. However, they can be noisy, as rain and hail can produce loud sounds on metal shingles.

Concrete Tiles:

Concrete tiles are easy to make therefore readily available and come in a variety of colors. They are also very durable, and strong, and can protect a home easily and with efficiency. However, due to their weight, extra support is typically needed in the roof to sustain the weight of the tiles.

Copper Tiles:

Copper tiles are known for being durable, easy to design with, and attractive. These tiles also oxidize over time changing their overall appearance to a beautiful green color.

Miscellaneous Roof Types

Tar and Gravel Roof:

Tar-and-gravel roofs consist of several layers of asphalt impregnated building paper, also called roofing felt, applied over a plywood deck. Each layer is hot-mopped with liquid asphalt to form a watertight seal, once this is done the top layer is covered with a light-colored gravel.

Modified Bitumen Roof:

Modified bitumen is a type of asphalt product that can be applied in a number of ways to the roof in both hot and cold temperatures. Modified bitumen roofs have a lot of advantages over other types of membrane roofing, and are often seen as the modern alternative to the built-up roof.