Types of Materials

Tar, gravel, or modified bitumen are the most common materials used for flat roofs. These can last for around fifteen years, and are very cheap. They are however, quite messy to install because each layer of the roof is held together by the tar or bitumen. Tar and gravel roofs are built up with interspersed layers of saturated felt and tar or asphalt, and then topped off with a mixture of mineral and rock. This gives the rood a higher weather resistance and allows you to walk on it more easily. If bitumen is the material used, then the layers are made of polyester or fibreglass with bitumen in between.

Roll roofing material is another common, economical material which flat roofing contractors need to be familiar with. Roll roofing has a short life span of only around ten years because it only has one layer. It is however, easier and neater to install because it is only made of an asphalt shingle mat.

EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) is a rubber material which can also be used by flat roofing contractors. It is simple to install because it is also laid in a single layer. Underneath is a stiff insulation mat. Rubber will last much longer than tar, gravel, or bitumen, and can give a limited level of UV protection. In hotter climates, this can help in lowering energy costs. PVC mempane is also a good material to use as it does not have seams which can let in water. This reduces the chances of leaks on the roof. PVC mempane also reflects sunlight to some extent.

Metal roofing is becoming more popular as a material for flat roofing because it offers a lot of choice in terms of appearance and design. It also lasts for a very long time, up to fifty years, and needs very little maintenance.

Questions to Ask

Roof contractor insurance is bought by the contractor, and covers any accidents which may happen while working on a job. The insurance policy should cover the contractor and any workers that are under his authority, as the contractor will be moving around different work sites. The policy should also provide worker compensation for any worker who is injured on a job. It should last for the length of time the work takes, even if it goes overtime.

If you are considering hiring a roofing contractor, make sure you ask to see a copy of this insurance policy. Check to ensure that all workers are covered, not just the contractor themselves, and the insurance lasts for the entire time the work is taking place.

Besides insurance, there are some other important things you should ask about when searching for a contractor. Make sure they have a license to practice from the local governing body; if they don’t, stay well away from them. A contractor should also be bonded by a surety company, and should be a member of a professional organization such as the Roofing Association of New Zealand. This will mean that the contractor should be up to date on the latest techniques, materials, and standards of work. A contractor’s warranty should be offered in addition to the manufacturer’s warranty, ensuring the roof is fully covered.

A good contractor will willingly provide references from previous clients so that you can check the quality of their past work. Once you’ve narrowed down potential contractors to a short list, get quotes from all of them for price, time and materials so that you can make a comparison.

Slate Roofs

The high cost of slate roofing makes finding a properly qualified and trained slate roofing contractor even more important. Because slate is quite brittle, it can be easily broken during installation. An expert contractor is needed to prevent costly wastage of materials, which can cost up to ten times more than composite roofing materials.

When installed correctly, slate roofs can last over a hundred years before needing replacement, and require minimal maintenance. This immense durability is partly what makes slate so expensive. Because slate requires such specialized knowledge and experienced workmen, installing slate roofs is also more expensive.

In addition to being licensed by the relevant local authority, a contractor should be a member of a professional slate roofing organization. This will mean that the contractor is up to date on the latest techniques, materials, and standards of work, and is able to maintain a high level of professionalism. This gives you peace of mind that the contractor can do high quality work. Also enquire about the sort of safety training the contractor’s work crews have, and how often this is updated. Make sure you are clear on what sort of on-site supervision there will be, and how often you will receive updates on the status of the work. Also ask for a list of references from previous clients, either from the organization or the contractor themselves, so that you can see for yourself the quality of past work and the satisfaction of former clients.

It is also very important that the slate roofing contractor is able to provide proof of insurance showing that both the contractor and any workmen used are covered for the entire length of the project. The insurance policy should also provide worker compensation for any worker who is injured on a job. This will protect you from liability should anyone be injured during the work. Also enquire about the sort of safety training the contractor’s work crews have, and how often this is updated. Make sure you are clear on what sort of on-site supervision there will be to prevent any errors during the work.

Properties of Metal

Metal roofing contractors need to be aware of the unique qualities of metal roofing materials. Metal favoured by contractors because it is very lightweight, requiring a less heavy framework in the building, and is easier to manipulate and handle. Metal is durable and easy to fit together, especially when compared with materials like tile or slate. Contractors need to know how to join metal roofs together, however, as metal can expand and contract more than other materials. This requires certain techniques in order to install it correctly.

Because the range of metal roof styles has expanded so much in recent years, contractors need to be aware of all the options available. The man style of metal roof used to be the seam metal roof, which is made of squares of metal placed alongside one another and joined by hidden fastenings. The end result looks like one large piece solid ridged metal. Nowadays, metal roofs can be made to look like many other types of roof, such as cedar shakes, slate, or tile. Because there are many different styles, a contractor has to know the different ways of laying each style.

Questions

Finding the best contractor available takes some time and effort as there are some important questions you need to ask. Ask whether or not the contractor is licensed by the relevant local authority, and whether they are bonded by a surety company. It is also very important that the contractor is able to provide proof of insurance showing that both the contractor and any workmen used are covered for the entire length of the project. The insurance policy should also provide worker compensation for any worker who is injured on a job. This will protect you from liability should anyone be injured during the work. A good way to check out a potential contractor is to ask for a list of references from previous clients so you can see for yourself the level of previous work.

Questions to Ask

The contractor should be licensed by the relevant local authority, and should be bonded by a surety company. Because roofs cost so much, you should not hire any contractor without a license as the danger of receiving poor workmanship are just too great. Commercial roofing contractors should also be part of a professional roofing association such as the Roofing Association of New Zealand. This will mean that the contractor should be up to date on the latest techniques, materials, and standards of work, and is able to maintain a high level of professionalism.

It is also very important that the commercial contractor is able to provide proof of insurance showing that both the contractor and any workmen used are covered by insurance for the entire length of the project. The insurance policy should also provide worker compensation for any worker who is injured on a job. This will protect you from liability should any accidents occurs during the work.

Also enquire about the sort of safety training the contractor’s work crews have, and how often this is refreshed. Because so many workers are needed for large jobs, safety is very important and workmen need to be properly educated about safety standards. The contractor should be happy to give a list of references from previous clients so that you can see for yourself the quality of past work.

Lastly, obtain written quotes from potential candidates so that you can compare costs. The estimates should contain all the details of the project, such as materials, length of time needed, supervisors needed, how many workmen will be needed, and how much labour will cost.

Pitched Roofs

If you have a pitched roof, then there are some specific considerations when it comes to roofing work. Becasue pitched roofs use different materials than flat roofs, roofing contractors need to be familiar with when and how to the various materials. Composition shingles made from asphalt are the most common material used for pitched roofs, but the exact type used can vary. Thinner, organic composition shingles are more fragile than their fibreglass counterparts, which are thicker and more flexible. Dimensional shingles can also be used for pitched roofs. These are the thickest shingles available, and are popular because they allow for a customized appearance which can blend in with the design of a home.

Another roofing material which can be used is metal shingles. Because these are becoming more common nowadays, roofing contractors need to be able to install metal roofs as well. They are popular because they last around twenty years longer than asphalt roofs, if installed correctly, and come in a large range of designs and colours. A roofing contractor needs to be familiar with all these aspects of metal roofing so they can help the homeowner make a good choice for their home in terms of design and reliability. Cedar shakes, tile, and slate are the other roofing materials that a contractor should be able to install. These are more expensive than metal and asphalt, and so are less common. Because they are more difficult to install, contractors who work with them are often specialists in tile, slate and cedar shakes.

Flat Roofs

Flat roofs are identifiable by the fact that they have a small rise of around 7 centimetres leading to a run of around 30 centimetres which allows water to flow to the edges of the roof and stops it pooling in the middle. The benefit of this design is that it can help prevent water damage and leaks. Metal is the most common material used for flat roofs. Metal roofs are adaptable, and come with a galvanized coating which prevents oxidation and corrosion on your roof. Metal roofs can also cost less because the structural support they need from a home is less because of their light weight. The life span of a metal roof is also very good, around fifty years, which is much more than cheaper materials. Metal roofs require minimal maintenance, and so may prove to be cheaper in the long run.