Roofing and External Siding

 

A hidden benefit to flying in air planes is your ability to observe various roof structures from a birds eye perspective. Roof and siding are the external structures of a home or building that serve as the protectors of the overall structure. These two major aspects of the  structure control elemental rain, snow, hail, wind and direct sunlight's entry into the space. These two structures work together to maintain a homeostatic internal environment.

To build a roof you must consider the necessary materials needed, decide where your pitch will be located (the pitch is the vertical angle of the roof and measure the roof to identify how much of each material will be required. 

The method for building a roof can be thought of as building it inside-out, meaning that you install the 1st layer and then cover it with several subsequent layers. There are four main steps to building a roof:

1. Framing- the first/bottom layer, you will build and install the roof frame with trusses
2. Sheathing- the second layer, is the installing of the roof surface
3. Underlayment installation- the third layer, is the installing of an ice barrier
4. Roof cover installation- the top layer, this layer protects the structure from the elements

The outermost layer of a roof is composed of shingles some of the common shingle types in the US are:

• Asphalt composite shingles are the most popular, they last 12-30 years on a structure, this shingle type is the most common in Texas
• Standing seam metal roof is commonly seen in areas with an abundance of snow and can last 30-50 yrs
• Aluminum shingles are composed of metal and last 30-50 years
• Wood shingles last 60yrs in dry climate and 20-30yrs in damp climates
• Clay tile is perfect for hot climates and can last for a century
• Concrete tile is great for weathering windy conditions and lasts 50+ years
• Slate shingles are the elite shingle type that has been known to last 75-200 years
• Synthetic shingles are made out of rubber and can last up to 50 years
• Eco friendly roof is composed of moss that absorbs water and requires regular maintenance

The exterior walls of a house or building structure is known as siding; siding is also known as "wall cladding" siding works hand-in-hand with the roof to protect against the entry of elements from the north, south, east and western directions. 

To build siding you must:

1. Install boards and batten, this can be achieved by installing wider boards vertically first, creating a gap in between them and the installing narrow battens over the gaps
2. Install siding boards by fastening vertical siding boards to the wall sheathing and covering it with a rain screen and vented air space
3. Pre-finishing the siding boards and installing a wall band board at the base, fasten horizontal boards and apply a finishing coat

The popular types of siding include:

• Wood siding often observed in historic homes due to its exterior finishing such as paint or staining; wood types include hard wood and soft wood types
• Metal siding types include aluminum or steel, currently metal siding has a plastic or vinyl coat to protect it against weather elements
• Vinyl siding can be installed over wood siding, however it has been known to crack if it gets too cold
• Fiber cement siding is made from recycled materials and is available in either stucco panel, shingles or beveled planks