Important Components of a Healthy Roof
Having a healthy roof is of the utmost importance, particularly at this time of year. The unpredictable and often difficult weather means that your roof needs to stand strong by possessing all of the essential elements necessary for protecting your property.
There are various components that make a healthy roof. Some begin before construction of the roof, while others have more to do with the roof itself. If you want to know what the essential parts of a healthy roof are, we’ve put together a simple checklist.
Before Construction
Prior to the building of a roof, there are a few things that need to be done well, for the roof to perform to it’s fullest once it is built.
The Right Solution
Firstly it must be determined what kind of roof is the most suitable for the building. If this is done incorrectly the finished project will not perform as well. Consider the slope of your roof. Is it flat or pitched? Compare the different materials and their durability and cost. Doing this will help you determine the best solution.
If you are looking at a flat roof, EPDM roofing is a popular choice because of its durability and longevity. It is inexpensive to buy and can last as long as fifty years. Considering these points means you’ll have a healthy roof that you’re happy with when you get the finished product.
Solid Foundations
There is no use in installing a roof on unsuitable foundations. One of the most important factors of a healthy roof is its foundations, just like most things. If the foundation of a roof is shoddy or doesn’t work with the type of roofing you’re planning to install, then the roof will eventually fail and need replacing.
For example, EPDM adheres to lots of surfaces. But, it works best when fixed to timber deckings such as roofing grade plywood or OSB sterling board. If necessary, EPDM can sometimes bond to lightweight concrete and non-porous surfaces like fibreglass and tissue-faced insulation. You must also make sure there aren’t any materials used that your roofing can’t bond to. To use our EPDM example again, EPDM cannot adhere to bitumen or asphalt because the material will get damaged. Any residue that is left behind from old roofs can also be harmful.
Installation
The next most important thing about a healthy roof is the installation. A bad installation can be the difference between a perfectly functioning, healthy roof and a disaster. For proper installation, the roof must be installed in good weather conditions, with experienced hands. There should be no cutting corners or poor-quality installation that could result in leaks or the roof being more susceptible to damage.
The Roof Itself
There are many components of the roof itself that make it healthy.
Material
The material of a roof is very important for determining a healthy roof. Nowadays roofs have evolved, and the materials we use for our roofs are sturdy and able to withstand harsh weather. Roof materials continue to grow and evolve so that every property can have a healthy roof. Plus, it isn’t only the actual material of the roof that is important. You must also think about the drainpipes and other roofline components, to have a complete, fully functioning roof.
Construction
The construction of a roof is another component contributing to a roof’s health. Covered previously, the installation of a roof is very important to make sure it performs well after completion. However, construction is a little different to installation. By construction, we mean the way that the roof is designed to work on a building and how. There are many things that a roof must do to function fully, so it must be designed to complete each of those functions.
Durability
A healthy roof must be extremely durable. Replacing a roof is a difficult and costly job, so making sure that a roof lasts the test of time is vital. Although no roofs last forever, it must withstand harsh weather over many years, as long as it has some maintenance.
Fit for Purpose
Now we’ve covered what must be done before a roof is built, and what the physical components of a healthy roof are, here are some of the things a roof must be able to do.
Drainage
One of the most important things for a roof to do is to efficiently drain water away from a property. Pooling water spells disaster for roofs, so the shape, design and roofline must all work together to stop water from pooling and leaking through the roof. Rain should carefully run away from the roof and into the drain, to reduce the chance of any damage happening.
Insulation
The best and most healthy roofs have great insulation properties which keep the house warm and help you save money on bills. EPDM is known for being eco-friendly because it keeps the property warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Maintenance
One thing that people tend to forget when selecting a roof is how much maintenance is required. Although all roofs require some level of maintenance, which you can read about here, roofs that are low maintenance are much easier for the owner of the property to handle.
To find out more about the EPDM rubber roofing provided by Avenir Roofing, see the rest of our blog or visit the Avenir website.
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