Repairing the Roof with Asphalt Shingles in Maine

David Deschaine Roofing And Siding Work Area - Repairing the Roof with Asphalt Shingles in Maine

Asphalt shingles are perhaps the most used of all roofing covers. When you get right down to it, they’re extremely inexpensive and quite easy to install. If you’re trying to save money through do-it-yourself home maintenance, than for roofing covers you will want to seriously consider asphalt shingles. Maine – especially in the southeast near Portland, ME – experiences quite severe weather that ranges from hurricane winds to hail the size of golf balls.

Roofing Scarborough Maine

Your roof provides the protective covering for your home. In addition to the structural need for a good roof, they also help control the temperature and humidity of your home.  As a homeowner, your roof is going to require at least yearly routine maintenance to ensure that it’s properly protecting your home. Most maintenance is fairly easy and routine, but a great deal of this depends on what roofing material you’re using.

Roofing Westbrook Maine

Asphalt shingles in Maine’s climate are an excellent choice for most any home. It’s the practicality that is tough to resist. Addressing basic roof maintenance annually will help you create a well-preserved roof that will likely outlast your expectations. No other material is as affordable, as easy to repair, or as easy to install as asphalt shingles. How Maine’s weather will treat your roof? Surprisingly nicely. Asphalt shingles are a great roofing material for all weather types.

Roofing Windham Maine

As a homeowner, you should add your roof to that annual checklist: the water heater, the sub-pump, the A/C. It’s odd, but often people don’t think of the roof as an object that needs yearly check-ups too; though you might think that roof maintenance would be obvious, it seldom is. Managing your own roof with asphalt shingles is an easy and efficient way to care for your roof without breaking the bank. Of course, always take any and all safety precautions while working at heights, and if heights are something that you’re uncomfortable with then you should call in the professionals. But repairing your own asphalt shingles will save you money and extend the life of your roof.

Roofing Falmouth Maine

Now, asphalt shingles have received a bad reputation as not being the most attractive of roofing materials. But shingles have come a long way through development and design! Aesthetically there’s a range of colors, shapes, and sizes so that you can choose what’s best for your home’s exterior look and atmosphere. What many homeowners dread as the tar paper look isn’t your only option. Asphalt shingles can be designed in a variety of ways to give you the most appealing roof.

Roofing South Portland Maine

The practicality of using asphalt shingles for Maine’s roofing material is an easy selection.  The shingles will heartily protect your home from the sometimes severe inclement weather as well as year round condensation. Performing this yearly chore is one that will absolutely pay off in the long run when you find your roof lasting longer and doing a better job at protecting your home from water damage.

A Guide to Estimating Roofing Materials

A massive amount of time and energy is spent in the maintenance of assets – whether home or commercial property. Whether you are building a new structure or remodeling an old one, getting personally involved despite the availability of professional assistance always pays off. In case you are someone who prefers a hands-on approach in your roofing project to ensure no substantial wastage takes place, learning how to estimate roofing materials is imperative.

Roofing Portland Maine

If you plan to add an additional layer to your existing roof, you will only have to work out an estimate for nails and shingles. However, if you are contemplating complete replacement of an old roof or building a roof for a new structure, you will have to calculate an estimate for an array of roofing materials such as drip edge, starter strips, and felt underlayment.

Portland Maine Roofing Contractors

Roofs come in scores of geometric shapes such as rectangles, triangles, squares, and trapezoids. Based on the calculations derived from the dimensions of the roof, rough estimates of the quantity requirement of each roofing material can be easily determined - Portland Maine Roofing Contractors.

How to Estimate Roofing Materials

Usually, roofing materials are available in squares. One square of roofing material will be required to cover a hundred square feet of roof, if laid out as per the instructions of the manufacturer. Roofing materials come in a slew of sizes and styles and can be fixed in different ways such as layers, space between pieces or overlap. Therefore, most manufacturers normally designate the number of pieces required to cap hundred sq. ft. of roof and refer to that as one square of material.

1. Calculate the Roof Area

To begin with, you need to find the total area of the roof. For this, you need to measure the width and length of each roof’s segment. Once you have the measurements, multiply length by width to obtain the area of each section. Now, add all the sections to obtain the total square feet. To determine the number of squares in the roof, divide the square feet by 100. Remember, roof experts measure the roof surface by 100 square feet measurements.

2. How many shingles?

Now you need to estimate the number of shingles for the roof. Usually, it takes 3 boxes of the regular 3-tab shingles to cover one square foot. You must add 10% to your ballpark figure as wastage. Further, add 15% if your roof constitutes of valleys and hips. Expect the shingles to be cut for fitting in your roof perfectly.

3. How many nails?

Each shingle needs 4 nails for fixing. Thus, you will need 320 nails per square foot of the roof. For windy areas, employ 6 nails/ 480 nails per square foot. The nail should be long enough to penetrate three-quarters of an inch into the roof. If in doubt, consult your hardware store.

4. Felt Underlayment Calculation

Also referred as tar paper, the felt underlayment is calculated on the base of one square foot of the roof. Once you have determined the total area, you should purchase the most popular tar paper roll of #15. One roll covers four squares of the roof. If the slope of your roof is more than the ratio of 4:12, use a single layer. However, if the slope’s ratio varies between 3:12 and 4:12, you should double the layers, i.e., use 2 sheets.