Inspect your Home’s Attic and Roof prior to Choosing a Heavy Roofing Material
By Mark J. Donovan
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There is a wide variety of roofing material options to consider when roofing your home. However, it is important to understand the pros and cons of each before making a decision.
In particular, it is important to understand the roofing material weights for each product. Not all roof structures are created equal and consequently not all roofs can support any roofing material type. Asphalt roofing shingles vary in weight ranging from 250 to 400 lbs per square (100 square feet of roof area). |
Aluminum roofs, on the other hand weigh in at only 40-70 lbs per square. Steel roofs weigh in at around 75 to 150 lbs, and concrete and clay tiles range in weight from 600 to 1250 lbs per square. Slate roof tiles weigh in at around 800–1,500 lbs per square.
| As a result of the wide range of roofing material weights, it is important to understand the construction of your roof before selecting a heavy roofing material product such as slate or clay tiles.
Key items that need to be inspected inside the home’s attic include the type of roof framing, e.g. roof trusses or rafters, their on-center spacing, and the size of lumber used for the trusses and/or rafters. So before selecting a heavy roofing material such as tile or slate, make sure your roof’s frame structure is designed to support it first. |
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Using a roofing material that is too heavy for your home’s roof structure could ruin the roof’s structural integrity and create a hazard to your family.
For more help on Shingling Your Home’s Roof, see HomeAdditionPlus.com’s Asphalt Shingle Roofing Bid Sheet. The Asphalt Shingle Roofing Bid Sheet will help to ensure that your roof won’t end up with a blue tarp over it and a dumpster sitting in your yard for weeks as you wait for the roofing contractor to come back and finish roofing your home.
Asphalt Shingle Roofing Cost Estimator
Related Roofing Information
- Wood Shingle Roofing Considerations
- How to Lay the First Starter Row of Asphalt Roof Shingles
- Asphalt Roof Felt Paper and Why it’s Needed
Additional Roofing Resources from Amazon.com
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