A roofer, roofing contractor, or roof repair contractor is an individual who specializes in repairing roofs. Roofers repair, replace, install, and maintain the roofs of commercial buildings, utilizing various roofing materials, such as asphalt, shingles, and sheet metal. A roofer has to keep abreast of all roofing material and techniques. While roofers do not always know anything about the inner workings of a home or building, they often know where to find and use quality materials.
Roofers most often use asphalt shingle roofs. They are also the most cost-effective and reliable roofing option. Asphalt roofs come in various textures and colors, which allow the roofer to select the exact color that will best complement the building’s design. Furthermore, asphalt shingles are one of the most basic roofing materials on the market today. When a roofer installs asphalt shingles, the job can be completed in a single day, rather than the traditional months-long process required with other roofing methods.
Bitumen and metal shingles are slightly more involved. Since these roofing materials contain naturally occurring chemicals, they must be properly handled and disposed of. The roofer must have proper training and be licensed before handling any of these materials. Depending on the state, some states require roofers to be licensed or bonded in addition to being trained and registered. Different states have different educational requirements for roofing materials as well.
Other roofing systems, such as slate and clay tile roofs, require more time and specialized tools. Roofers must also be able to work professionally and follow the correct guidelines. When installing slate or tile roofs, there are limits to the number of nails used. A roofer cannot use double-headed nails because the nails could puncture the roof covering. They need to be fitted using only nails of one head. If the roofer plans to install rubber or foam roofs, special saw horses are needed to cut the roof materials to size.
Some roofers specialize in installing asphalt shingles and copper roofs. These specialty materials are available only through a roofer and must be installed correctly. Copper and slate roofs require an experienced contractor. Sometimes roofers are also hired to install prefabricated roofs.
In many cases, an experienced roofer can make repairs or replace a shingle that has been damaged. If a damaged shingle is replaced, the repair may be a one-step process that does not require the skills and experience of a skilled roofer. To replace a damaged shingle, the roofer will need to access the rafters under the existing roof. Underneath the home’s roof structure, rafters are arranged in a flatter, longboards to provide space for beams and joists. Sometimes it is possible to hand-screw these sections together, but in most cases, the roofers will buy beams and joists, cut them to size and then bolt them together with asphalt shingles.
Roofing materials vary depending on the roofer’s needs. Aluminum roofs are less expensive than fiberglass or slate roofs. Most builders prefer to use concrete when installing a roof. However, in areas where it is impossible to work with concrete, the roofer can use felt materials or PVC sheets. All roofers have basic tools to do their job: hammers, screwdrivers, chisels, measuring tools such as the metric scale, cable cutters, tape measures, marking tools such as pencils or markers, wrenches, and sockets with ratchets.
When hiring a roofer for your home, ensure that the company uses the best materials for its job. This means using materials that are rust-proof and waterproof. It also means that they use only the top-quality materials they know their business to be. When it comes to roofs, the client is the one that ultimately decides what roofer to use.