Roofs are vital part of a building. People ordinarily think of the roof as that component of a house keeping the elements away from the interior and protect its occupants from the weather. Roofs, however, serve more than this basic purpose.

They contribute a major part in defining the overall style and look of a house. The style of most structures can easily be identified by the type of roofs that they have. Roofs also play a significant role in making a building “green” or environmentally-friendly. Some roofs even provide additional spaces in the attic area.

One such roof that gives homeowners extra space is the Mansard roof. Its design—almost vertical slopes on the lower part of the roof that could serve as walls for an additional room—makes it ideal for people looking for an expanded space on top of their homes.

While Mansard roof offers many advantages that other roof styles do not have including flexibility that it affords the owners for additional space in the future, it does have its disadvantages.

Here are the top three reasons why you should not choose Mansard style for your Long Island roofing:

1. High Construction Cost

One feature that makes Mansard roof a favorite among owners is its visual appeal. It exudes a classical elegance reminiscent of the French Renaissance era. However, this desirable quality of the Mansard also contributes to its negative appeal. Simply put, Mansard roof costs more than conventional roofs. The extra details and embellishments that go into the construction of the roof to give it that distinct period look make Mansard roof expensive.

2. Weak Weather Resistance

A Mansard has two slopes on each of the four sides of the roof, the lower part has a much steeper angle compared to the upper slope, which is almost flat. The upper slope is nearly similar to a flat roof with a very slight pitch to allow water to run off. Because of its design, Mansard roof is not ideal for places that experience high volumes of rainfall and snow. The upper slope does not allow for a rapid drainage of water and snow because of its shallow angle. Water ponding is a frequent occurrence, which could ultimately damage the roof and cause leaks into the interior of the building.

3. High Maintenance Cost

Maintaining a Mansard roof costs more than typical roofs because of the almost-flat angle of the upper slope, which makes it more susceptible to damage and other shortcomings inherent in a flat roof. While the cost of maintenance may not necessarily be expensive, the roof requires frequent upkeep that could increase the long-term maintenance cost of the house.

The supply of labor in the construction and roofing repair business is not constant. It has its peaks and troughs. There were times in the past when the industry saw enough trained labor to sustain its growth. These days, however, the industry is plagued by shortage of skilled labor.

The scarcity of trained workers pushed construction costs up as wages surge but drove quality down as contractors rush from one project to another because of heated demands for construction crews.

The labor shortfall could not have come at a worse time for the booming industry. Unemployment levels are down for construction-related trades. Construction spending figures from the Census Bureau show a high demand for new construction of private non-residential projects and apartments. These projects are in danger of being delayed or put on hold because of labor shortage.

In the roofing industry, the lack of manpower poses a big problem for contractors. Roofing business is doing well, but its growth is hindered by the construction industry-wide labor shortage. The entire country could be affected by an acute labor shortage, which would result to extreme competition for experienced roofers and skyrocketing wages.

An article from Roofing Contractor lists the reasons for the labor shortfall.

Why Construction Labor Declined

Fewer Union Apprentices. Union membership reached its peak in 1979 with around 21 million members. In 1954 union membership was at an all-time high of 35 percent. Since then membership in the private sector has continually declined. Overall union membership today stands at a low 11 percent. Unions normally institute training and apprenticeship programs. With declining union membership, worker training also went down.

Workers Left During Economic Slump. Many workers left the construction industry during an economic slowdown. They either retired altogether or changed careers. New entrants to the field have been slow because young people are not eager to enter the industry. For new workers, there is a scarcity of training programs to help them integrate into their new jobs. The past recession saw a generation or more of lost trained construction workers.

Decline in Vocational and Technical Education. Technical and vocational education was a feasible option for high school students few decades ago. With recent emphasis given to college education, funding that went to technical and vocational programs in the past shifted instead to programs for college preparation.

Immigration Policy Changes. Hispanic accounts for 33 percent of roofers today, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A substantial number of these workers are immigrants. Legal immigration for people entering jobs, including roofing, which is a skilled trade, has gradually become challenging.

Mansard roof, also called French roof, is a style of Fort Lauderdale roofing characterized by four sides. Each side has two slopes—the lower slope is much steeper and almost vertical while the upper slope has a lower pitch, making it almost invisible from the ground looking up.

The roof design was popularized by French architect Francois Mansart in the early 17^th century and became extremely fashionable during the Second French Empire. While he did not create the original design, Mansart helped popularize this style, which reflects characteristics of French Renaissance architecture.

An interesting story about the Mansard roof is the use of this design to evade taxes imposed by the French government during the early years when taxes were based on the number of floors below the roof. The extra space on the roof would be exempt from taxation under the old system.

Practical Reasons for Using Mansard Roofing

1. It affords a practical approach to constraints faced by builders in certain areas. For instance, in congested areas of major cities like Fort Lauderdale and Miami, a Mansard roof allows contractors to maintain a practically-low cornice line while creating extra spaces or stories within the area covered by the wide roof design.

2. Many people prefer a Mansard roof because of its aesthetic looks. The roof design reflects classic architecture that radiates elegance and stylishness of past era. Several fast-food chains incorporate this style in the construction of their outlets, including McDonald’s. The style has simple frames and lines that exude an elegant and French-influenced appearance.

3. Perhaps the biggest benefit from incorporating a Mansard roof design is the creation of a wide attic space within the confine of the almost-vertical roof. The design presents a large space that most homeowners use as an apartment or extra room. The extra living space is automatically created on the roof without the necessity of building an additional room.

4. It provides flexibility for future additions in case homeowners decide to build another room on top of their homes. Since the sides of the Mansard roof are steeped, they act as walls for a future room in the attic. The design is suited for young couples who may later want to expand their homes by utilizing the large space in the attic once their families expand.

5. It increases the value of the house because the owner has the option to make additional living space in the attic should their needs change in the future.

With global warming comes extreme climate fluctuations. People living in warm places suddenly experience cold weather while those residing in cold areas get healthy doses of sunshine. The unpredictability of the weather encourages homeowners to be prepared for any eventuality.

For those living in the Northern Hemisphere, snow is something that comes every year during the winter season. The onset of snow causes multiple issues on proper roof maintenance. A very common problem associated with snow is the formation of ice dams on the roof and gutter. Neglecting to address this problem could cause not only roof damage but also ruin things inside the house from leaking water.

People have devised various methods in roof repair Calgary to address ice dams such as removing the snow on the roof with a roof rake, installing heat cables on the roof, and hacking away the snow with axes, ice picks and similar tools. These approaches require you to get up on the roof or ladder to physically remove the snow or install the cables. A different approach is using roof tablets that are designed to be thrown on the roof.

Roof Melt by KMI

We examine one such product, the Roof Melt tablets by KMI. The tablets are made from calcium chloride and are available in a 60-tablet container.

Roof Melt is designed to prevent damage to your roof caused by the formation of ice dams. Its manufacturer hypes the safety aspect and convenience in using this product. Unlike other ice dam-prevention products that necessitate the user to step up the ladder or go up on the roof, Roof Melt will not require you to go up elevated places. Just toss a few tablets on the roof and it will start working. No ladders or other tools are needed. Simply throw a Roof Melt tablet on a square foot of area on the roof and it will begin working within one hour. It is said to have no long term adverse effect on roofs.

Mixed Customers Reviews

The reactions of customers to the usefulness of the product are mixed. Some praise its worthiness and attest to its effectiveness in removing ice dam issues while keeping their roofs safe. Others say it did not make any difference. Some even claim that the tablets damaged their roof.

A common issue with the use of Roof Melt tablets is accurately placing them on the affected areas just by throwing them up to the roof. Most do not land on the intended area or bounced off the roof and get lost in the snowbank. To be effective, the tablets must be placed above the ice formation and not directly on the ice.

Most countries observe four seasons in a year—winter, spring, summer and fall (autumn). However, the dates when these seasons start vary depending on what country you live in.

Fortunately, our scientists (meteorologists and astronomers) agree on the months when the seasons start. Winter starts in December, spring starts in March, summer starts in June and fall starts in September.

Winter signals the coming of snow particularly in the northern states. By this time, homeowners should be preparing for snow on their roofs and its unwanted effect—ice dams. Ice dams form when snow melts, runs down the roof and freezes near the edge. Water pooling behind the ice could drip through the roof and damage the ceilings.

Therefore, preventing the accumulation of snow on the roof is important to stop the formation of ice dams. One of the best snow removal tools for roofing maintenance in the market is the Garelick 89421 21-Foot Aluminum Snow Roof Rake with 24-inch blade.

Positive Features of the Product

The Garelick Roof Rake boasts of its patented “shingle saver” rollers designed to brush away snow without the blade touching the roof’s surface. These are the best features of the product:

• The roof rake is very lightweight, weighing just 5.8 pounds. Practically anyone can use it scrape snow off the roof.
• The blades are long so you can brush off the snow in one stroke.
• It has a large shovel head with shingle saver to keep your roof safe from accidental scraping.
• You can separate the roof rake into four separate sections for easy storage after use.
• It does not damage your roof because the blade does not touch the surface.
• The aluminum material used on the rake means that it is corrosion-free.

Negative Features of the Product

Similar to other commercial products, the Garelick Roof Rake has its downsides. These include:

• The product is more expensive compared to other snow roof removal tools in the same category.
• Removing a large quantity of snow at once or in a single swipe could damage the blade.
• The rubber blade occasionally detaches from the body if you pull on it.

Customer Reaction

Customer approval over the Garelick roofing maintenance rake is overwhelming. Buyers are very satisfied with its performance in safely removing snow from the roof. The only significant albeit very minor complaint refers to the bolts, nuts and washers that came with the product. Most suggest replacing them with something sturdier.

Roof leaks and cracks are inevitable regardless of the material that you used on your Arizona roofing. Defects in workmanship, poor material quality and deterioration through time are common causes of leaks. Fortunately, the market is flooded with roof repair products that seal cracks and prevent leaks.

The Rust-Oleum Leak Seal Flexible Sealant

One of the best-known products out there is the Rust-Oleum Leak Seal Flexible Coating. It is a rubberized utility coating that instantly seals leaks. It is convenient to use because you do not need a brush or trowel to apply it on the roof – you only have to spray it on the affected part of the roof, and it will do its work.

How It Works

It works by filling and sealing cracks to provide a watertight seal that effectively prevents water penetration and corrosion. It maintains flexibility despite being exposed to temperature fluctuations and Ultraviolet radiation. The product can be used on practically all types of roof surfaces, including vinyl, metal, plastic, concrete and PVC.

Leak Seal may be used other than repairing roof leaks. It has been proven to be effective when used to seal leaks on sun roofs, vents, gutters, ductwork and fountain cracks. Its other uses include sealing leaks on air conditioner drip pans, downspouts, concrete foundations and pipes.

Once sprayed on the surface, Leak Seal dries to a semi-smooth firm black finish that does not drip or sag. Coating it over with latex or alkyd-based paints are allowed.

How Customers Rate It

It is not surprising that customers’ feedback on the Leak Seal is consistently favorable. Those who bought the product used it on different surfaces with the same positive result. It was sprayed on a fountain and worked perfectly – the customer did not notice any peeling or chipping. Leak Seal was also sprayed to stop leak on the toilet flooring. It produced a watertight seal.

Another customer who bought the product used it on the leaking sunroof of his van. Despite the movement and vibration of the vehicle and an onslaught of rain that fell 24 hours after Leak Seal was applied, not a single drop was noted inside the van.

The trust that people put on this product is exemplified by a customer who bought the Leak Seal as a tool to use in an emergency, or those situations when leaks could occur at the most inconvenient times.

Based on the confidence and positive reviews given by customers on the product, Leak Seal is undoubtedly a clear winner in instantly and conveniently repairing leaks.

Cracks in concrete commonly happen during construction. The causes for these cracks vary as well as the resulting cracks. They may be caused by mixing too much water or extreme heat that affects the surface of the concrete.

Several methods are available to repair cracks in concrete Miami roofing. You just have to choose the best solution for the cracks.

Evaluating the Cracks

The first step is evaluating whether the crack is active or dormant. Active cracks move and grow such as those produced from continuing foundation settlement. Dormant cracks do not grow, and future movement is not anticipated.

Generally, active cracks need flexible materials for repair and special considerations for future movements. Dormant cracks can use either flexible or rigid repair materials.

The nature of the crack must also be considered, which are typically divided into three categories: Those that require repair to restore structural integrity; those that require sealing and lastly, those that require improvement in appearance only.

Different Repair Techniques

After taking these steps, you are now ready to make actual repairs on the cracked concrete. Some of the repair methods are:

1. Stitching and Doweling. Stitching works by drilling holes on opposite sides of the crack and installing metal staples with short legs across the crack. Doweling works similarly but instead of using U-shaped metal staples, straight steel dowels are used and placed at a 45-degree angle on the length of the crack.
2. Dry Packing. This is ideal for dormant cracks as it is very economical. It consists of opening the crack to a certain depth and width of around one inch. A commercial bonding agent is poured on the expanded crack topped by low-water content cement mortar. Tamping the mortar forces it to enter the pores of the concrete for that tight and durable repair.
3. Polyurethane Injection. This repair method could be used for wet and leaking cracks. The primary purpose of this type of repair is to stop water leaks. A reactive resin is injected into the crack, which when combined with water forms an expanding gel that effectively seals the crack.
4. Epoxy Injection. It bonds cracks together and brings back concrete integrity. The method involves pressure-injecting epoxy on holes drilled on the concrete at regular intervals. The crack must be dormant and not leaking for epoxy to work properly. The presence of water reduces the effectiveness of epoxy.
5. Routing and Sealing. This repair involves enlarging the crack and filling it with sealant. It is one of the most economical ways to repair cracks, whether they are fine or large. It can seal both dormant and active cracks, depending on the sealer used and sealant reservoir.

Concrete cracks are normal occurrence but often misunderstood by homeowners. In fact, cracking is one of the most common causes of complaints in the construction industry. While most concrete cracks are not dangerous and do not pose a serious structural threat, they are, nevertheless, unsightly. In some extreme cracking cases, they negatively affect the durability and serviceability of the structure.

Recognizing and repairing concrete roof cracks is top priority, especially for people living in Atlanta, where potential damage to structures is a strong probability from earthquakes. There are different types of cracks in concrete Atlanta roofing, and each one has its own causes. Some of these are:

Crazing Cracks. These look like shattered glass or spider webs on the surface of the concrete slab. The cause of this type of crack is the rapid evaporation of water from the top of the concrete slab. While they may not look good, crazing cracks do not affect the structural integrity of the concrete roof slab. However, since the cracks are very fine, they cannot be repaired.

Expansion cracks. Concrete slab, similar to other materials, expands under hot weather. The expanding slab pushes against neighboring materials such as an adjacent slab or wall. If these materials do not give in to the pressure, the slab will crack from force.

Overloading Cracks. Putting too much weight on top of a concrete slab roof could cause cracks. While concrete is very strong and durable, it still has limits on the load it can carry. Too much load placed on top of concrete could crush it. While the weight may not be enough to pulverize the concrete, it could cause cracks to appear. The compressive strength of concrete is greater than its flexural strength, hence it bends under the weight.

Plastic Shrinkage Cracks. The most common cause of cracks is probably plastic shrinkage, which can occur a few hours after the slab is poured. This crack usually happens during hot weather. Having excess water in the mix with concrete is the cause of this crack. Water occupies space in the slab and forms part of its size. When water evaporates during curing, the slab becomes smaller. The shrinking creates stress on the concrete slab, which ultimately cracks to relieve the tension.

Vertical Cracks. These are caused by concrete settling around reinforcing bars. The cracks are caused when the concrete near the top partially sets while the rest of the concrete are still settling. Applying vibration to the concrete can prevent this crack from forming.

One of the things to consider when constructing a patio is the roof. A patio roof makes a big difference in comfort, especially during summer months. In selecting a Phoenix roofing style for your patio, choose one that complements the overall look of your house so that your patio appears like a natural extension of your house. At the same time, the roof design should provide you with maximum protection from natural elements.

There are several patio roof designs that you can choose from, the most popular these days being the dome and gable styles. Patio roofs could be constructed using various materials. Each of the different roof designs and materials provide distinct advantages.

Gable. One of the most popular choices for patio roof, gable consists of two angled roofs that meet at the apex in the middle. The pitched roof allows the rain to slide down to the gutter to prevent water pooling while affording maximum coverage from the heat and rain.

Lattice. This type of patio roof consists of lattice-like covering than is thinner and shaped simpler than those used for a pergola and forms a rectangular structure. It is perfect if your home is more contemporary in design. As in other outdoor roofs, using a durable wood that could withstand the elements is the key to long years of service. You can spice it up by adding fabric to the lattice structure, which offers more shades against the sun’s heat.

Cloth. A very practical way of dressing up your patio using inexpensive clothing materials. You only need to put up the posts, attach the fabric using wires to hold it in place, and you have a beautiful shade over your patio to keep the heat away.

Pergola. This is the more traditional type of patio roof, which consists of pergola columns, purlins and rafters. The combination of posts and crossbeams create an open roof. A metal framework acting as roof works just as well to form a more modern pergola. This type of patio can be attached to the side of the house to form a semi-covered patio. A pergola does not always require a flat roof; it only needs an open roof that allows the light in.

Dome. This Phoenix roofing design is gaining popularity among homeowners. While it has a lesser arch than a gable roof, it provides excellent protection against the rain. To make the domed roof of your patio complement the style of your house, you can adjust the height of the dome so that it blends perfectly with your house.

Contractors and homeowners consider different things before deciding on the materials to be used in log cabin roofing. These are the design of the cabin, location, construction budget, and other matters such as the use of green or eco-friendly design and materials.

General Guidelines in Cabin Roofing

Roof Design. A rule of thumb in log cabin roofing is that the design should blend with the topography or surroundings. A well-designed roof should present a challenge for those searching for it among the landscape.

Roof Pitch. The pitch of the roof is also important in roof design. As a general rule, the steeper the pitch, the more expensive and attractive it becomes. Pitch is determined by the vertical rise of the roof over the horizontal run. A common angle for pitched roof is 12, meaning that the roof rises six inches for every foot of horizontal length.

Cold or Hot Roof. Another factor that has to be considered is whether the owner wants a cold or hot roof design. In cities with cold climate (generally in the northern part) a cold roof is desirable for a log cabin. A ventilation is purposely built on the attic, which allows air to escape on the side. This design prevents ice dams from forming on the eaves.

A hot roof design is suited for cabins located in warm climates. Unlike a cold roof design, it has no ventilation on the side for air to escape through. Instead, an insulation is installed on the underside of the roof to prevent the entry of heat into the cabin.

Timber Roof System. Some people prefer timber roof systems on their log cabin for their aesthetic values. This type of roofing can be costly for some homeowners. You can save up to a third of your budget for a timber roof system by opting instead for the conventional truss or rafter roof. You can then add decorative timbers afterward for the same look.

Roof Color. Aside from the material used on the roof of the log cabin, serious consideration is also given in the color of the roof since it affects energy efficiency. Light colors are advisable for hot climates since they reflect sunlight and absorb minimal heat. Dark colors are suited for cold climates because they absorb heat, which is transferred from the roof to the interior of the cabin.

Green Roofs. If you prefer “green” roofs, materials for eco-friendly roofs are available. For instance, a metal roof is ideal if you want to tap rainwater for gardening. Green roofing does not cost more than conventional roofing.