| Helpful Hint: NEVER USE STAPLES! A really good type of nail to use in roofing applications is a "Hot-Dipped Galvanized" nail. This type of nail is dipped in a bath of molten zinc. Do not confuse these nails with "Hot Galvanized (H.G.)" nails which are coated by tumbling them in a mixture of zinc chips inside a hot furnace. A couple of types of nails that aren't recommended are "Electroplated" (A.K.A. Electrogalvanized or E.G.) and "Mechanically-Plated" (A.K.A. Peen-plated or golden-galvanized). These two types rust quickly when exposed to weather and moisture. |
by James C
Has it come time to replace that old roof? If it is, you have a choice to make. You can go with a boring old shingle roof or you could upgrade to a more durable or more attractive roof. Lets discuss your options.
One popular choice for roof upgrades is slate. Slate makes for a very attractive roof that also offers excellent fire protection and a long life. There is just nothing like the look of a natural slate roof. It is a hard to install roof however and this does make it considerably more expensive than a standard asphalt shingle roof.
Another option is concrete tile roofs. With concrete tiles, you can get a variety of different looks. Concrete can be made in just about any style and color that you desire (including a slate look). It has much of the same benefits of slate in that it is very durable and provides excellent fire resistance. The drawbacks of a concrete roof are that it can be damaged by hail and requires an extensive roof structure due to the weight of the tile.
A third option is a metal roof. Metal roofs are extremely durable. They resist hail, wind and come in a great variety of styles and colors. Since most of the steel used to make a metal roof is recycled, they are also quite environmentally friendly.
The drawback of a metal roof is that it is hard to install which makes it more expensive but it will last a very long time. It can also be loud in the rain. Some people love the sound of rain bouncing off a metal roof but you may not.
About the author:
James C operates a Roofing Directory. Find information on Albany roofers, Raleigh roofers and roofing contractors in a city near you.