BlogSpot.PK|The General Purpose Blog

The term “roofing supplies” covers a wide range of materials and items needed for the construction and maintenance of a roof. This consists of not only shingles but molding, lumber, pipes and vents, roofing cements, ladders and all the useful tools , even roofing nails.  

One of the most important roofing supplies is, of course, the top roofing material. This is considered the roof proper and includes wood shingles, ceramic tiles, asbestos shingles, metal roofing sheets and tiles, rubber roofing sheets and shingles and a lot of other types of materials. The roofing material should be chosen based on location, so that the roof will withstand the local elements and issues that impact a roof.

Lumber is used in a roof primarily as the support structure or frame. This generally consists of a triangular truss and a lattice of beams. The frame serves as the base for the roof which is laid over the top. Lumber is used for other elements including the cornice, part of the frame that overhangs the wall, the fascia, or underside of the cornice, the eave, which allows water to drip away from the roof, and the soffit, or underside of the eave.

Pipes and vents stick up from the roof. They assist in the house breathing and are also the way out for smoke from a fireplace or cooking hood, as well as for hot air from the attic. The bottoms of pipes and vents are always sealed with a boot, or metal strip, including a lead based or plastic sealant. These pipes and vents have one way rubber sealed shields so that the air or smoke can escape, but water doesn’t drip into the pipe or vent.

Roofing tools include the ladder to climb up to the roof, as well as other items necessary for both installation and removal, as well as for regular maintenance. These include mundane items such as a broom and bucket to hold waste shingles, a slater’s hammer that includes a hammer as well as an ax and blade, a slate cutter to saw through shingles, seaming pliers to grasp shingles, and a hip runner to install the ridge cap, the portion of the roof that caps the seams.

When it comes to roofing nails they must be long enough to go through the shingles and get about 3/8 inch below the bottom of the shingle. Anything that interferes with the nails biting into the wood could cause the nail to pop out and eventually the loss of shingles. This includes shingles with ridges, some under shingle materials, and of course nails that are too short. A good roofer can drive a roofing nail with one solid hit. A homeowner doing it themselves will find that they can drive the nails with one hit after only a few minutes.

Roofing supplies aren’t as simple as they first seem. But with a little planning, you’ll have everything needed for a quality roof.

Founded in 1886 GAF Roofing claims to be North America’s largest residential and commercial roofing manufacturer. According to GAF roofing, “GAF is your best and safest choice.” 

To examine that claim let’s start with some of the reason GAF gives for its lofty status. GAF has manufacturing locations across North America - to serve you better. And that will generally serve you better because it means less time and expense in shipping materials, as well as a nearby point of contact. GAF invented the Timberline shingle which is the #1-selling architectural shingle in North America. If GAF didn’t make good products, people wouldn’t buy them. GAF was Awarded #1 visual brand by Life Magazine, which means GAF products look as good as they perform.  GAF’s Fireshield brand roof restoration system was named “Best Product” by the editors of Buildings magazine. GAF was rated #1 in shingle quality by home builders. GAF was the winner of the Builder’s Choice award. Home builders named GAF’s Cobra ridge vents # 1 in quality. Of course, which home builders and how many would be natural follow up questions. GAF products are featured regularly in leading home and garden publications and on home improvement networks such as HGTV. GAF is the premium designer roofing shingles and is a two time recipient of the Architects Choice For Excellence award. GAF’s Freedom TPO self-adhering roofing systems was chosen Product Of The Year by Commercial Building Products magazine. Modeling contractors named GAF the most-used brand of shingles and roof vents, but again the question is which contractors and how many contractors agreed with this. GAF was named #1 in innovation for shingles and ridge ventilation by home builders, and most-recommended brand by upscale remodelers. Lastly, GAF was the first company to produce an energy-efficient asphalt shingle available in rich colors, called the Cool Color Series.

Of course all of that is marketing material, but it points to GAF being well known and respected in the roofing industry.

GAF-Elk is GAF Roofing’s residential brand. This roofing brand includes quality shingles, 100% watertight leak barriers, roof deck protection, low-slope membrane roofing, fiber cement siding, ridge cap shingles, attic ventilation, starter strip shingles and accessory paint. They have earned the Good Housekeeping Seal for this line. GAF’s website http://www.gaf.com lists distributors by zip code.

GAF Roofing also offers stone, decking and siding to help compliment and complete the home. Always compare multiple roofing products before making a choice. No matter how well liked~ the company or how many awards it has, it’s always wise to consider a number of options.

Fore more free information on roofing be sure to try visiting Roofing Help.