Roofing, when it is installed, is hoped to be impervious to water, dampness, and every other natural occurrence that comes with the weather. However, no matter how fine the type of roof or how skilled the workmen who designed and installed it, nature always finds a way to whittle its way through even the toughest of roofing material. Flashing can help better protect your roof.
Flashing is a practice which involves integrating impervious to water material, whether atop damaged roofing, or within the roof itself, prior to the installation of roofing tiles, in order to prevent water and moisture from seeping through and damaging the overall structural integrity of your roof. More often than not, people skip flashing during preliminary constructions, necessitating a need for the re-flashing of skylights and chimneys at a junction when damage has already been done, and a significant amount of work is necessary to repair or replace these.
If you’re a homeowner with an older house, or even one who is simply concerned about the lasting structural integrity of the roof on your newer home, then consider the re-flashing of skylights and chimneys. Consider it not as a last-ditch effort to save your roof from further damage, but as a necessary and a basic step to ensure that your roof is kept in the most serviceable condition possible, for the longest possible time.
Still, it is something that is often overlooked, especially in the light of other expenses that burdens the average householder. If you find that your roof has sprung a leak, don’t opt for a quick-repair solution, but rather, consider re-flashing your roof instead. Not only are epoxy patches and quick-fixes temporary means to stop a leak, these rarely, if ever, do the proper job of really keeping out water and moisture from further damaging your roof in other areas.
Skylights and chimneys, being the more ‘open’ and accessible parts of a roof, are often more prone to water damage, and will thus require re-flashing to maintain its overall functionality. Tar sealers and other means to ‘patching up’ damaged areas of a skylight or chimney simply fail to address the greater problem – water seeps through any porous material. Moisture always finds a way to damage roofing tiles and wood, it’s a fact.
Opting for re-flashing curtails installing tin, copper, or metal sheeting along with a caulking sealer to create a surface that is thoroughly impervious to water. So, for those who want to save on expensive and often ineffective roof repairs and constant maintenance over the years, roof re-flashing is the logical choice.
There are innumerable options to choose from when it comes to roofing materials, and while there has been a growing revival of interest in old-fashioned stone and ceramic roofing tiles. There is likewise a growing interest in older styles of extremely beautiful and long-lasting variant of roofing, such as metal or steel roofs.
Most people now eschew steel and metal roofing for stone or tile roofs, because of the erroneous belief that steel or metal roofing equates to low-quality roofs made from galvanised aluminium or sheet metal. Little do most people realise, but an authentic metal or steel roof is nothing like galvanised aluminium roofing or corrugated galvanised iron sheet roofing (G. I. Sheets).
There are a number of obscure advantages that a metal or steel roof have over most conventional and some unconventional types of roofing. If you are seeking for roofing material that exceeds the durability and flexibility of stone, tile, and ceramic roofing shingles, then consider the following advantages that metal and steel roofing has to offer.
The Advantages of a Steel and Metal Roof
Steel and metal roofing is as unconventional as it gets in some areas. However, while it does require a little bit of modification and specialised construction on the part of your roofing foundations, due to additional needed reinforcement, it nevertheless makes up for its pricey and specialised specifications with an assortment of advantages.
Aesthetics – A well-installed and tastefully chosen metal or steel roof adds just a bit of uniqueness to your home that gets noticed, its sturdy nature and appearance endows a building with a look of strength.
Energy-efficiency – Since metal readily conducts heat and is more than capable of storing it, and then later dispersing the heat, you can save money by cutting down on the use of heaters and air conditioners, since, like stone and tile shingles, metal roofs readily collect, conduct, and disperse natural heat from the sun.
Fire Resistance – The fire-proof nature and resistance to the elements that steel and metal roofing possess, adds an extra ‘layer’ of fire-proofing protection to your home. And, because of its hardy and near-impervious state, it is a choice roofing material for large houses that do not always get regular upkeep, such as homes and buildings in the suburbs. Or, for small houses that would rather cut down on yearly roof maintenance costs.
So, if you’re looking to invest in hardy, long-lasting, and beautiful metal or steel roofing materials for your home, then come visit our showroom at Johnson Roofing, we service the whole Auckland region, from Manakau to Orewa.
