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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.

  • make a copper pipe flashing boot

    Make a Copper Flashing Boot

    Learn step by step how to fabricate a beautiful, durable, and waterproof surround for pipe penetrations in roofs.

  • truss options

    Truss Options

    From gable-end to split trusses, there are plenty to choose from for almost any roof shape.

  • Types of Roof Trusses

    Types of Roof Trusses

    Architect Rob Thallon outlines the six most common roof truss types.

  • Introduction to Roof Trusses

    As part of an engineered system, it’s essential to understand how trussed roofs work.

  • Rafters

    Rafters vs. Trusses

    Compare the pros and cons of the two basic options for framing a roof.

  • The Loads Carried by a Roof

    The Loads Carried by a Roof

    Understand the difference between dead loads and live loads, and design and detail the roof structure to meet local weather conditions.

  • roof debris sack

    Feed-Bag Debris Sack

    An animal feed bag becomes a durable garbage collector on the job site.

  • slate roofing installation

    Secrets of Slate Roofing

    It's hot, heavy, and hard work installing it, but few roofs look as good or last as long.

  • how to install roof sheathing

    Guide to Roof Sheathing

    Use the right tools, materials, and techniques to install a high-quality substrate for your home's roofing.

  • Podcast 290: PRO TALK With Dyami Plotke, Pt. 1

    In this two-part Pro-Talk Podcast, Patrick talks to Dyami Plotke, senior project manager for Roof Services, a commercial and residential roofing company on Long Island, New York.

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