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Roofs

When someone tells you he’s working to “keep a roof over his head,” the phrase instantly reminds us of a basic human need — safe shelter from the elements. And that’s exactly what a roof will do, providing it’s appropriately designed and installed.

Roofing is at the same time an important visual and functional part of a house. Like siding and windows, roofing is highly visible because there’s so much of it. So homeowners often spend a lot of time weighing the relative merits of asphalt shingles over metal roofing or one of the many other options now on the market. All the old standbys are still available, if you can afford them or are permitted by code to use them— cedar shakes, slate, copper standing seam, and tile. Now there also are synthetic alternatives made to look like the real thing. All of these options come with different price tags, and service lives of various lengths.

As houses are built to ever-stricter energy codes, there are other issues to consider:  controlling the movement of moisture and limiting thermal bridging. These are two potential problems that no builder can afford to overlook. The rules are certainly changing.

Most everyone in the trades has spent some time on a roof. It’s also a job many homeowners feel they can tackle, at least on a shed-sized project. But roofing is a specialty, just like framing or finish carpentry. If you want the skinny on how to install a vent boot, weave a valley, or put down a waterproof roofing membrane, you might as well start with solid advice from Fine Homebuilding’s roofing specialists. Come on up and we’ll have a look.

  • Insulating a Roof: Getting Higher R-Value

    An expert weights in on how to boost performance without ruining the look.

  • Balancing Design and High-Performance Construction

    Builder Travis Brungardt and architect Chris Fein reflect on working together to design and build a beautiful midcentury-modern home with durability and performance goals in mind.

  • Rainwater Storage and Fence in One

    WaterFence combines the function of a privacy fence with rainwater storage that can connect directly to an existing irrigation system.

  • Advantages of a Vented Over-Roof

    Builders Travis Brungardt and Joe Cook walk through the decisions behind building a ventilated over roof and the problems it solves for their assembly.

  • Kickout Flashing for Seamless Siding and Trim

    J’d Out from American Flashing provides a recessed siding receiver and water deflector for an easier and more aesthetic installation.

  • Sponsored Content
    Simplify the Wall-to-Roof Transition With ZIP System

    Travis Brungardt and Joe Cook detail how Huber Engineered Woods family of products were used to create the air and water barrier at FHB House Kansas.

  • Air-Sealing Exposed Rafter Tails

    Travis Brungardt and Joe Cook demonstrate how they're dealing with the air barrier between their exposed rafter tails.

  • First Aid for an Old, Sagging Roof

    This roof framing would be considered undersized today. Is there a way to get the sag out?

  • A Vented Soffit That Blends In

    Learn why the Stealth Soffit from Rollex is a good alternative to standard aluminum options as well as how to install it.

  • Podcast 513: Trusses in a Fire, Roof Outsulation, and Problems With Spray Foam

    The crew hears from listeners about tilt-turn windows and roof sheathing before taking listener questions about trusses, rigid insulation on the roof, and spray foam.

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Fine Homebuilding Magazine

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Fine Homebuilding

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