The roof is the part of your house that keeps blazing sun, pounding rains, and gusty winds out, while also looking good from the street. But your roof is more than just shingles and other surface materials.
Before your contractor starts work, you should remove wall decor (especially mirrors and wreaths), protect fragile items with tarps, and keep pets indoors. Hammering and other noise can knock these items off walls or break them. Visit https://www.corpuschristiroofingco.com/ to learn more.
As with width, the length of a roof affects the number and size of rafters required. For accurate measurements, you should get up on the roof and use a tape measure. You may find it helpful to draw a diagram of the roof’s layout on paper before you start measuring, so that you don’t miss any sections or forget to take important information into consideration. This helps to clarify your calculations and is especially useful if you’re bidding on a job or trying to estimate the amount of shingles needed.
Once you’re ready to begin, make sure your ladder is secure and safe to climb before you take off on the roof. You’ll need a tape measure, a pen and notebook to record your measurements, and a calculator for performing simple calculations. It’s also a good idea to bring a small container of water and a few snacks for safety and convenience.
The first measurement you’ll need is the roof’s span, which is the distance between the outermost edges of the walls that support the roof. Half of this distance is called the “run,” which will form the base of a right-angled triangle with the rise of the roof. This figure will give you a starting point in determining the rafter length.
Once you have the run, you can then figure out the roof’s pitch by adding up the number of inches of vertical rise for every 12 inches of horizontal run. This will help you determine the exact number of rafters needed to cover the entire span of the roof.
Keep in mind that the roof will likely overhang the walls on either side, so you’ll need to add a few inches to your measurements to account for this. Finally, be sure to factor in the roof’s allowance and lumber size when calculating rafter length. Typically, 2’’x6’’, 2’’x8’’ and 2’’x10’’ lumber can be used in roof framing, although other sizes are available as well.
Roof Width
The roof width plays a critical role in the structural integrity of the roof. It determines the amount of material required for proper coverage and ensures that the panels fit together correctly during installation. Additionally, roof width dictates the design and appearance of the finished roof.
Different metal roofing options offer varying panel widths. For example, standing seam metal roofing typically showcases panels with a width of 12 to 18 inches. In contrast, classic rib metal roofing offers a standard width of 16 inches that can easily complement a wide variety of architectural designs. The standardized width can also promote straightforward installation and hassle-free replacements.
When determining the right roof width, it is important to take into account the roof’s slope. Steeper roofs might require narrower panels to accommodate the pitch and provide sufficient water drainage. Similarly, wider panels might prove more difficult to install in tight spaces, and may not offer as much protection against weather challenges.
In addition to the roof’s length and width, it is also vital to consider its overall dimensions and layout. For instance, if the building has two separate parts with symmetrical architecture, you can use the results of the first step to figure out how many panels are needed for the full roof.
Measuring a roof is relatively simple, provided you have the right tools. For starters, make sure to have a tape measure, ladder, level, calculator, and notepad. Once you have all these items, climb up onto the roof and carefully measure each section of the roof using a tape measure. Once you have all the measurements, use a calculator to calculate the square footage. Make sure to include the area of any dormers, peaks, valleys, and hips.
Once you have the square footage of the roof, use a calculator to determine how many panels are needed for each section. To do this, divide the total roof size by the panel width. For example, if your roof is 30 feet long, you will need 30 panels to cover the entire surface. It is also a good idea to estimate the width of any overhangs on either side, as they will impact how many panels are required.
Roof Planes
The frame of a roof is built upon decking, or the underlayment that creates the base for the rest of the structure. The decking can be plywood, or in recent decades it has often been oriented strand board (OSB). OSB is similar to particle board, but instead of bits of wood it has strips of wood held together with resin and a small amount of wax.
If the underlayment is not installed properly, problems will occur at the eaves, ridges, valleys and other areas of the roof. In addition, if the first panel is not started square to the eave it can impact the performance and appearance of the finished roof.
Most house roofs do not have a single plane, but consist of many different roof planes, such as gables, dormers and valleys. These features add beauty to the building, but they can create difficulties for installation crews who must work around them.
A dormer is a projecting structure on a wall that usually houses a window. Dormers add space and light to rooms below, but they can affect the performance of a roof. The dormer can add a significant amount of vertical rise to the roof, and this extra height may require additional fasteners or shingle material to handle.
The valley is the indented point between two pitched roof planes, and it is prone to leaks. It is important to seal the valley properly to prevent water from seeping into the interior of the home. The valley can be covered with shingles in either a woven or open valley style.
The eaves are also vulnerable to leaks, especially on gable-end walls that extend out from the side of the house. This can be prevented by using ice and water protectors, such as those made by ArmourGard(tm). These thin layers of self-adhering membrane protect the eaves from ice dams and wind-driven rain that can drive water up between shingles and cause leaks. These materials close around nails and provide a watertight seal. They can be purchased at most hardware stores.
Roof Edges
When asked to draw a roof, most children will scribble three simple lines. However, the roof is a complex structure with multiple components that protect your home, vent air and shed moisture. One of these is a drip edge, which is a strip of metal installed at the top edge of the roof to ensure water flows away from the fascia board and other roofing materials. A drip edge is important because it helps prevent wood rot, mold growth and other damage to the fascia and soffit, and also protects your home against pests.
Drip edges are often overlooked, but ignoring this essential roofing component can lead to costly maintenance costs and structural damage to your home. It’s best to consult a professional roofing contractor and learn about the different types of drip edges and their benefits before making any decisions on the installation of your roof.
A drip edge is a strip of metal installed at the roof’s edge to direct water flow into the gutters and away from the sheathing, shingles and fascia boards. Drip edges are available in aluminum, galvanized steel and copper. Each type offers distinct advantages, but it’s also important to consider your home’s aesthetic when choosing a drip edge.
The main function of a drip edge is to prevent water from seeping under the shingles or other roofing materials and causing water infiltration that can result in rot, mold growth and other structural damage to your home. Drip edges are typically made of galvanized steel or aluminum and can be painted to match your home’s siding.
Aside from preventing water infiltration, drip edges can also help minimize the formation of ice dams during cold weather. Ice dams can cause leaks and other damaging effects to your roof. Drip edges can prevent ice dams by directing water from the roof into the gutters, where it’s safe from refreezing and melting.
Drip edges are available in a variety of styles, but they all have the same functional purpose. The type of drip edge you choose will depend on your preferred aesthetic and budget. For example, aluminum drip edges are lightweight and affordable while galvanized steel is durable and rust-resistant. Copper is more expensive, but it adds a touch of elegance to your home’s roofline and has superior durability.