2013 Roofing Trends and DIY Tips

A good roof means security for the home, but also needs to provide aesthetic appeal. Additionally, it has to be able to stand the tests of the climate. When all these aspects are being considered, one can even proceed to make adjustments on his own, as the roofing DYI online resources leave nothing uncovered. If inspiration doesn’t come easily, the following will discuss some of the current trends and options concerning this job.

A Brief Look at the Trending Styles

Elements of the 18th century Georgian style make for a popular category nowadays. This means a hipped roof and a gambrel roof. Known as the Dutch Gambrel, it is two-sided and has slopes on each side. A shallow angled slope is noticed at the top. A hipped roof comes in more variations. All the sides are sliding downward and, if square, it will have a pyramid shape.

Popular Roofing Materials

New constructions are still making use of classical roof designs. The novelty is represented by the evolving methods of application. The materials have also known betterment. Homeowners are looking for attractive, inexpensive, low maintenance ones. The variety is overwhelming, therefore picking only one trending material would be inappropriate. Metal roofs have made it to common usage once again. The advantage of metal nowadays is that it can be transformed in such a way so that it looks like any desired material. Fire resistant and highly durable, it barely requires any upkeep. Besides, energy efficiency is assured, since metal reflects the sun heat outwards. Steel roofs are recommended to homeowners who wish to keep their old roof and add a new one over. These are lightweight and the material comes from recycled sources, but installation tends to get on the expensive side. Slate tiles in all forms, reminding of the upper classes, embody all desired advantages, given the home is a solid one to support the added weight. A great choice for professional exterior work is Schantz Home Improvement

Green Roofing Materials

With many having adopted the green lifestyle, a green roof becomes a major part of their home needs. Moreover, it has to be resistant and appealing. Sod and turf roofing are trending, a fashion borrowed from 17th century’s Scandinavian countries. This involves a base of wooden boards covered in layered birch bark. These make it impermeable to water. To keep the bark in place, a layer of grass is added. Modern sod included special layers to disperse water and also facilitate the growth of the organic material. Insulation is excellent, and if it is properly installed, it is long lasting and helps clean the air.

DIY Options and Repairs

Many hardware providers encourage homeowners to repair or upgrade their own roofs, since the materials and techniques have known an evolution towards simplified methods. Composition roofing is easy to install and can be placed over an old roof. One can even walk on these. For metal roofing repairs, one firstly needs a ladder and a will to climb on top of the roof, these being probably the hardest to acquire. The most common problems are loose flashing seams or nails. When it comes to the latter, old nails need to be replaced with new ones. If the same hole has to be used, then the old hole must be filled with roofing cement or sealant, left to dry and only then the new nail is inserted. If rust is the problem, it can be eliminated by applying an industrial rust remover to restore the damaged area. Liquid sealant or metal roof paint are required after the rust removal process is finished. This will prevent corrosion in future. If rust has caused advanced corrosion, the metal section has to be replaced. When working with shingles, coil roofing nails are essential. Make sure you are familiar with and take all the required safety measure before working on roof improvements by yourself.

Authors’ Bio:

Antony James is a professional freelance writer and he mainly writes topics on business and industrial niches.