A roof does a lot for your home. It keeps you warm or cool and it keeps you protected from the elements. It also can add to the looks of your home. Read this article to learn about some of the different types of roofs available to you

One popular style of roof is the slate roof. Slate proofs are very attractive in appearance and offer excellent protection from fire. They are also a unique roof and provide for a long roof life. They do have some disadvantages though. They are extremely expensive and are much harder to install since they require extensive structures to support the weight. You also can not walk on the roof without risking damage to the tiles. If you can do it though, nothing looks like a slate roof.

Another popular option is a metal roof. Metal roofs are also durable and offer a long life. They are also resistant to sleet and hail and when made from recycled metal they are very environmentally sound. They are however more expensive to install requiring special tools and skills. Some people might also object to the sound of a metal roof since they may be louder in the rain.

The last option I will talk about is the concrete tile roof. They are similar to slate roofs but are much cheaper. They are an attractive roof available in a number of different styles and colors and offer excellent fire resistance. They are still expensive however and can be damaged by hail storms. You also may not be able to use them in climates subject to heavy freezing.

I hope this article has given you some useful information on roofs. If you are looking to do something different than the basic asphalt shingle, one of these options may be for you. Good luck with whichever one you decide.

By: James C
Learn more about roofs at The Roofer List a website on roof repair and roofers.

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Springtime storms can bring a lot of rain, which can reveal roof leaks. What should you do when an April shower finds its way into your living room?

First, control the interior damage as quickly as possible.
Move any items that have not yet become soaked. If furniture or other items cannot be moved, cover them with plastic sheets to protect them from the water. Collect dripping water in a leak proof container and make sure the container is on a solid surface.

Remove the water.
Begin to dry up water that has soaked into carpet and furniture. For carpeting that has become wet, you may need to pull the carpet away from the padding. Expose the backing to air and allow it to dry. This will also give the padding underneath a chance to dry, and reduce the chance that mold will grow. Circulate as much fresh air as possible around the affected areas.

Call your insurance agent.
If your living space has sustained a considerable amount of damage, call your insurance agent. Your policy may or may not cover damage to the interior from a roof leak. Do not wait to call the agent. They can usually inspect the damage within hours of your call and help you get started on the process of cleaning up or replacing your damaged contents.

Inspect the roof, inside and out.
As soon as possible, check the roof for obvious sources of standing or pooling water. Make sure the valleys, gutters and downspouts are clear of debris and allow the water to move freely off the roof and away from the house. Inspect the roofing materials. Make sure all parts of the underlying roof are covered with shingles, and that the water barrier is not exposed in any way. Keep in mind that the water's point of entry into the living space may not be directly below the roof leak. Roof leaks can "travel" so inspect the entire region of the leak carefully. You may also find it useful to inspect the roof from the attic space above the living quarters. That may provide a better indication of how the water is entering the structure.

Clear the gutters and downspouts.
Remove any obvious blockages and clear the downspouts if they are clogged. You can often do this with a garden hose. If the downspout is clogged, and it cannot be cleared with a hose, you may have to remove the downspout from the gutter and clear it by inverting the downspout or using a broom handle or other long object to push the debris out of the pipe. When it is clear, reattach it to the gutter and direct the water away from the foundation.

Inspect the flashing.
Some roof leaks are not the result of clogged gutters or downspouts. Instead, leaks occur where the roofing material is worn or damaged. In other cases, the flashing around chimneys, vents, or roof projections is damaged and allows water into the structure below. Inspect the flashing, where chimneys, dormers, vents and other attachments abut the roof. If the flashing is in poor condition, it may need to be replaced. If the sealing around the flashing is damaged, a generous application of roof tar may plug the leak.

Look for hidden damage.
Roof leaks often develop over time, so water may collect unnoticed for some time before it enters the living space. When you inspect the attic, check for any hidden damage that the leak may have caused. Look for wet spots on the roof planks or panels, discolored wood, damaged OSB panels, strange odors and dirt on the insulation. Check the interior for bulges in the ceilings and walls, peeling paint, and badly cracked plaster or wallboard. All of these are signs that something may not be right in your attic or walls.

Check for pests.
Ants and other water-loving pests will find wet wood a very attractive place to build a nest. If you experience a sudden invasion of ants, powder post beetles, pill bugs, sow bugs, earwigs or other water-loving pests, immediately look for wet wood. An exterminator can rid your house of these pests, but the only way to make sure they stay away is to remove the wet wood and remediate the problem.

Call a licensed roofing contractor.
If your inspection reveals a lot of water damage, or an old roof that simply needs replacement, and if you aren't up to replacing it yourself, call a licensed roofing contractor to repair or replace your roof. Simply re-shingling the roof will not repair most roof leaks. If the roof is leaking, the most likely cause is a breakdown of the waterproofing layer underneath the shingles. In that case, all old shingles should be torn off, and the water proofing layer, along with the shingles, should be replaced.

Re-roofing can be expensive, so be sure to get several estimates from different contractors before selecting someone to do the work. Verify that the contractor you choose is licensed, has insurance and will apply for the proper municipal permits to do the work. Do not allow the contractor to begin work on the house if permits have not been issued and make sure the contractor replaces all of the damaged wood prior to re-roofing the house. After the roof work is complete, ask the contractor to go over proper roof maintenance with you, and be sure to get a final inspection from your municipal housing authority.

By: Eileen O'Sheen
Eileen is a veteran in branding and public relations. Currently she is working with etaking.com the most comprehensive directory of all sorts of service providers.

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Most of us take for granted that we will always have a roof over our heads. But if that roof is made from wood shake that roof may not be safe. This is especially true if you live in an area designated as a high fire risk. In those areas, found across the United States, wood shake roofs are banned even if they have been treated with a fire retardant. Over a period of time the fire retarding material will wear away, rendering the roof unprotected during the intense heat generated by a fire.

There are many kinds of roof coverings used on homes and commercial buildings. These alternatives can be attractive, durable, and inexpensive, but usually not all at the same time. Explore the choices available and see what might be the smartest choice for your home.

The most popular choice is composition shingle. It is very durable, inexpensive, and may be made with some recycled materials. It comes in many colors and is not easily damaged if it is walked on. The only problem is that it will blow off rather easily during high winds. It has a high level of fire protection.

Another choice for roofing is slate. Slate roofing is very attractive with a natural look, but is quite expensive relative to other home building costs. It will last for many years and will not require much in the way of maintenance. Slate also offers a high level of fire protection. The negative aspects are that it is very heavy and may need extra support and that it cannot be walked on easily, which will make it difficult to maintain.

Concrete tile is also a choice for roofing due to the fact that it is durable, has an extremely long lifespan, has offers good fire protection, and does not rot easily. It has the appearance of wood shake, clay tile, or slate. The problem is that it can be very expensive and may break or change color over time.

These types of roofing materials are good alternatives to wood shake. Especially if you live in an area that may be a fire hazard it is a smart idea to look into other types of roofing. Check with your insurance agent and see if there are laws governing the kinds of materials you use. It is always better to go for safety over appearance when it comes to making sure your roof stays over your head and not in a pile of ash.

By: Connie Ragen Green
Connie Ragen Green is a Real Estate Broker and State Certified Residential Appraiser in California and has bought and sold over 100 properties since 1983. Visit her at http://www.BuyRealEstateforProfit.com for more information about buying and selling real estate.

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For links to roofing material manufacturers and suppliers visit the roofing materials directory.

Visit our Contractor Directory for links to material and building supply manufacturers and suppliers as well as contractors listed by specialty.