A roofer’s job is often very important in building construction, as without a properly installed roof, buildings would not be able to withstand the harsh weather conditions that are so common in most areas of the country. A roof is typically the main covering of a building, consisting of all installations and materials required to support it on either the upper walls of the building itself, or on external uprights, giving maximum protection from rain, light, snow, sunshine, and other environmental factors. In commercial buildings, a roof also provides security for the business owners, as rain or snow damage can cause great destruction to the interior of the building. A well-installed roof also increases the property’s marketability, as a well-designed roof can attract many prospective buyers who see the building with its attractive roof.
The major categories of roofing systems used are flat roofs, sloped roofs, pitched roofs, fabric roofs, metal roofs, as well as a variety of roofing materials such as clay tiles, slate, wood shakes, ceramic tiles, asphalt shingles, gravel, stone, and concrete slabs. Each of these different types of roofing systems can be used for their respective building applications. For example, some buildings may need to withstand strong winds, while others may have to withstand intense solar radiation. Almost all buildings, both residential and commercial, will require some type of maintenance such as cleaning, repainting, or painting, as well as waterproofing and soundproofing. Modern roofing materials such as PVC, foam, aluminum, metal, and fibreglass have greatly improved the performance and longevity of many types of roofing systems, and new innovations in the manufacture of roofing materials are being made every year.
One of the most popular materials used in modern roofing systems is asphalt shingles, which are typically fabricated to be installed on a roof in just one day, with no waiting time for the asphalt to set. Because asphalt shingles are extremely durable and strong, they are very resistant to many types of weather conditions and are highly flexible and lightweight, which makes them easy to install and remove when the need arises. Other popular roofing materials include clay tiles, metal roofs, slate, and fibreglass roofs, which are also very popular. Almost all roofing materials are designed to provide an optimum level of resistance to weather, although each type of roofing system is susceptible to weather wear and tear, such as when a light wind occurs. Certain types of roofing materials, such as slate or clay tiles, are especially affected by this phenomenon.