1. WHAT DOES MODERN ROOFING MEAN
Contents
Contents......................................................................................................................................1
What Does Modern Roofing Mean..............................................................................................2
Factors to Consider When Roofing..........................................................................................2
Building Codes....................................................................................................................2
Climate................................................................................................................................2
Roof Slope ..........................................................................................................................2
Modern Roofing Materials ......................................................................................................2
Cedar Wood ........................................................................................................................2
Composition Shingles..........................................................................................................3
Dimensional Shingles..........................................................................................................4
Tiles ....................................................................................................................................4
Metal...................................................................................................................................5
Slate....................................................................................................................................6
Problems Associated With Roofs ............................................................................................7
Summary.................................................................................................................................7
About The Authors..................................................................................................................8
Table of Figures ..........................................................................................................................8

2. WHAT DOES MODERN ROOFING MEAN
What Does Modern Roofing Mean
A roof for your home or commercial building is a very important aspect of the property. Today’s
roofs perform a myriad of different functions all blended into one structure. A typical roof should
add to the property’s aesthetic appeal, should be made of long-lasting material, should
significantly reduce carbon emissions, should reflect the sun’s harmful ultra violet and infra red
rays, should reduce energy costs, should protect the building’s interior from the vagaries of
weather, and should be maintenance-free and waterproof.
Factors to Consider When Roofing
Building Codes
Before doing any installation, re-roofing, or even repairs to your roof, you should take steps to
find out if there are any codes or regulations that stipulate the kind of roofs or materials that may
be approved for your area. Check with your city council authority and any home owners’
associations for your area. Also, check on the best practices and materials for the kind of weather
experienced in the area. Check the codes on the number of shingle layers allowed and
fireproofing requirements.
Climate
The accumulation of algae is a cause for worry, especially in highly humid areas. To decrease the
likelihood of algae accumulation, use shingles treated with copper or zinc as these resist algae
accumulation.
Roof Slope
Most roofing materials only work best at certain pitch ranges. Have a roofing specialist measure
and evaluate the gradient of your roof to determine the best kind of roofing materials to use for
your roof. A very steep gradient will reduce the choices you have for roofing materials.
Modern Roofing Materials
Globally, there has been a shift towards engineered roofing materials and this shift is driven by a
few factors. One of the most important factors is the ever-rising cost of wood coupled with the
increased environmental awareness and concerns about environmental degradation. Secondly,
many city by-laws and regulations by professional bodies and home-owners’ associations dictate
the use of fireproof materials for both residential and commercial roofing. The third important
reason is that most people want to build with materials that not only look good but will last long
too. Some of the modern roofing materials include:
Cedar Wood
Cedar wood shakes or shingles combine modern roofing performance and reliability with the
traditional look. They are a favorite for historic buildings or homes that are located in new
upscale suburbs that have high aesthetic-appeal standards. Cedar shakes also provide an
environmental-friendly option for profession al roofers and property owners. The cedar shakes
made of high quality materials have a life expectancy of approximately 30 years. Most home
owners’ associations with high safety concerns typically have a requirement for community
members to install pressure-treated fire-retardant shakes and this usually leads to an increase in

3. WHAT DOES MODERN ROOFING MEAN
material costs. Poor workmanship and the use of commodity materials may reduce the life
expectancy to as little as ten years.
Figure 1: An Oak Farm cottage with Cedar Wood Shingles roofing
Composition Shingles
Asphalt composition shingles are the most commonly used roofing materials in America today.
This is due to their affordability and cost-effectiveness. Composition shingles are typically made
of an organic or fiberglass base containing asphalt saturation. They are commonly coated on one
side with minerals to guard against the vagaries of weather. Fiberglass shingles are more popular
due to their flexibility as compared to organic shingles. Composition shingles come in a wide
selection of vibrant colors and the initial roof can be overlaid by another layer if it is still in good
condition. In general, composition shingles have a life expectancy of about 20-30 years
depending on their quality rating. Most repair issues for composition shingles occur due to
improper installation which may leave the roof prone to flashing and ventilation problems. Most
manufacturers will offer product warranties which will only be valid if the installation is done by
a qualified, professional, certified roofing specialist.

4. WHAT DOES MODERN ROOFING MEAN
Figure 2: An Asphalt Shingle roof
Dimensional Shingles
Though bearing great similarities with composition shingles, dimensional asphalt shingles are
thicker and have a longer life expectancy of about 40 years. They can be used by property
owners to create a more customized appearance for the home or building. Just like composition
shingles, the dimensional shingles should be installed in a manner that avoids ventilation,
flashing, and moss buildup issues.
Tiles
Tiles are perhaps the longest lasting roofing materials with a life expectancy of about 50 years.
They cannot be harmed by insects and they neither rot nor burn. They do not require a lot of
maintenance and can be found in a wide selection of colors, brands, types, and styles. However,
they have two major disadvantages. First, they are very heavy and this makes it necessary to
invest more in the roof supports. Secondly, they are brittle and if walked on they break. This
complicates maintenance of gutters, chimneys, fireplaces, and the roof itself. The initial
installation can also be complex and requires a focused professional roofer.

5. WHAT DOES MODERN ROOFING MEAN
The more traditional look can be obtained by using clay roofing tiles. These are mostly favored
by home owners building in a traditional Spanish, Italian, or Southwestern design and can be
made in several exciting patterns.
For a more modern look and a wider array of styles and colors, concrete roofing tiles are more
preferred by property owners and roofing professionals.
Figure 3: The tiled roof of Guinsa near Danyang, in South Korea
Metal
One of the biggest advantages of metal roofing is the weight. They are far much lighter than tiles
and composition shingles. They are also less expensive compared to tiles and slates though they
are more expensive than asphalt shingles. They have much lower heating and cooling costs
compared to the other roofing materials and have a much longer life expectancy with most
manufacturers giving a warranty of 50 years. A commonly held opinion is that an appropriately
installed metal roof will last as long as the house.
For environmental concerns, there are wide varieties of recycled metal roofing options. Metal
roofs in general come in many more styles and colors compared to all the other roofing

6. WHAT DOES MODERN ROOFING MEAN
materials. When it comes to appearance, the metal roofs can be made to look like any other type.
for instance, you can install metal roofs that look like either tiles or wood shakes. The advantage
here is that you will get the same high quality look but with a longer life and less weight. Metal
roofs are naturally resistant to accumulation of moss and algae. They come in easy to install
sheets though there are also metal shingles which take a little bit more time due to the individual
placement.
Figure 4: The Sheet Metal roofing of the Helsinki University Museum Arppeanum in Finland
Slate
Slate roofs are probably the most costly kinds of roofs and are very heavy. They are not used so
much in modern buildings and home though some of the very rich people prefer them. They
offer a very beautiful finish and last for many years running into centuries. They naturally shed
ice and snow.
Most modern homes and buildings that may want to replicate the beauty of slate roofs use
fabricated materials that look like slate. Most people will appreciate the beauty of these
engineered materials though a more discerning eye will be able to tell that they are not the real
slate. These engineered materials are much less expensive and so much lighter than slate. They
are also easy to install and the roofing professional can use the standard techniques and tools for
other types of roofs. These engineered versions come with 50 year guarantees from their
manufacturers.

7. WHAT DOES MODERN ROOFING MEAN
Figure 5: A Slate roofed bungalow in Heol Buddug in the UK
Problems Associated With Roofs
Your roof can easily fall into disrepair after a while, especially if no inspection and maintenance
is regularly carried out by roofing professionals. For instance, roof tiles made out of concrete
tend to break down within 25 years. Algae, lichen, and moss are likely to cover your roof with
time. This traps in rain water and moisture from the atmosphere and can lead to a significant
increase in the weight of the roof by up to several tones. This will increase the stress upon the
roof’s supporting structures such as the underlying timbers. Additionally, any water that may be
trapped may freeze and expand causing splinters and cracks and make the roof porous. Once the
dampness penetrates the roof itself and reaches the underlying timber, it will cause damp rot and
dry rot and also cause warping and buckling. Most home insurance covers do not cover against
wear and tear and this exposes the home or building owner at risk.
Summary
Modern roofing requirements take into account various issues regarding safety and
environmental concerns. Most home owners and property owners will also find that they are
bound by city by-laws and codes set up by community associations. Professional associations for
architects, roofers, and urban planners may also have codes that have to be adhered to.
Nevertheless, there is still a wide array of roofing materials and techniques that can give your
property the desired finish that can be both functional and aesthetic.

8. WHAT DOES MODERN ROOFING MEAN
About The Authors
Outsource Bd have a wide experience in conducting marketing services for construction firms
and roofing professionals. This e-book was produced in collaboration with Brunwin Professional
Roofing Services Ltd who provided much of the information on roofing best practices and
methods. We would like to thank the Brunwin team for their cooperation and any errors of
omission or commission in the e-book are entirely our fault at Outsource Bd and not a reflection
on the professionalism of Brunwin services. For more details, contact us at:
OutsourceBD.Net
Email: contact@outsourcebd.net
Phone: +8801534575415
You can also contact the Brunwin Professional Services Company at:
Brunwin Professional Roofing Services Ltd
34 Woodside Road
Purley
CR8 4LN
Tel: 0208 660 6939
Mobile: 0797 354 9331
Email: info@brunwinroofing.co.uk
http://www.brunwinroofing.co.uk/contact.php
Table of Figures
Figure 1: An Oak Farm cottage with Cedar Wood Shingles roofing ............................................3
Figure 2: An Asphalt Shingle roof...............................................................................................4
Figure 3: The tiled roof of Guinsa near Danyang, in South Korea................................................5
Figure 4: The Sheet Metal roofing of the Helsinki University Museum Arppeanum in Finland....6
Figure 5: A Slate roofed bungalow in Heol Buddug in the UK ....................................................7