Roof Systems

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Contractors provides roofing for new and existing buildings. We are experienced with a variety of roofing systems, and we can give you an honest assessment of your roof life expectancy with recommendation for maintenance, repairs, or re-roofing.

 

STEEP SLOPE ROOFING:

  • Asphalt Shingles

  • Slates

  • Wood Shakes and Shingles

  • Synthetic Slates and Shingles

  • Metal Roofs

LOW SLOPE ROOF MEMBRANES:

  • Modified Bitumen (MB)

  • Single Ply EPDM

  • Single Ply TPO Heat Welded Membrane

  • Coatings

Roofing Terms

 

It will be much easier to talk to roofers if you become familiar with some roofing terms:

  • Valley: The internal part of the angle formed by two roofs meeting.

  • Rake: On a gable roof, the inclined edge of the surface to be covered.

  • Hip: The external angle formed by two sides of a roof meeting.

  • Ridge: The horizontal line formed by the two nailed together rafters of a sloping roof.

  • Underlayment: Usually No. 15 or No. 30 felt paper applied to a roof deck. It goes between the wood and the shingles.

  • Flashing: The metal or the membrane used around objects projecting through the roof, at eaves, or along vertical walls.

  • Ice Dam: Frequent problem in cold climate. Because of insufficient attic ventilation or insulation, ice on the roof usually above gutters forms a dam for melting snow, water backs up under the shingles, and leaks into the ceiling.

  • Exposure: Distance between exposed edges of overlapping shingles.

  • Square: Shingles needed to cover 100 square feet of roof surface.

STEEP SLOPE ROOFING

Asphalt Shingles

 

Asphalt shingles are manufactured out of three components: the asphalt, the reinforcement, and the surfacing. The asphalt is usually reinforced with fiberglass mats, and is surfaced with coarse mineral granules.

 

National Contractors installs not just new shingles, but a roofing system that has been designed to work as one protective unit. The roofing system consists of:

  • Metal drip edge flashing to cover gap between fascia board and wood decking.

  • Ice shield membrane for protection from ice dams and wind-driven rain.

  • Roof deck underlayment as an extra layer of protection between shingles and roof deck.

  • Shingles.

  • Ridge vent or ventilation louvers - attic ventilation is critical for a long lasting roof system.

  • Ventilation baffles for unobstructed air flow from the soffit to the ridge of the roof.

  • Ridge cap shingles.

National Contractors installs shingles made by numerous manufacturers.

Here are some GAFMC shingles:

 

Royal Sovereign, 25-year warranty, popular 3-tab shingles.

 

 

 

 

 

Timberline, 30-year, 40-year, and lifetime warranty.

 

 

 

 

 

Slateline, 40-year shingles with the look of slate.

 

 

 

 

 

Camelot, lifetime warranty, high performance shingles at a fraction of the cost of real slates.

 

 

 

 

Visit also other manufacturers: CertainTeed, Tamko, or Owens Corning.

Slates

 

Slate is a natural rock or stone material split into relatively thin layers, with the length of the slate running in the direction of the natural grain. The rough slates are trimmed and the nail holes punched to produce the finished roofing slate. Slate roofs may last a century, giving a minimum cost per year. Slate application should be handled by a knowledgeable contractor employing experienced workmen. Visit Evergreen Slate Co. for more information.

 

Wood Shakes and Shingles

 

Wood shakes are split from a wood bolt and may be sawn or shaped. Wood shingles are usually taper-sawn with uniform butt thickness. Shingles and shakes may be applied over spaced or solid sheathing. Cedar shingles and shakes have been very popular steep-slope roofing material for many years. Their life expectancy will vary depending on many factors: the quality of the material, the quality of the application, climate, maintenance. The average life span is approx. 30-40 years. Visit Cedar Shakes and Shingle Bureau for more information.

 

Synthetic Slates and Shingles

 

Natural-looking simulation slates and shakes, manufactured in a number of different styles. These roofing materials have usually long term warranties, are tested and proven for fire, hail, wind, and rain. Synthetic slates and shingles are lightweight products and have lower installation costs than traditional roofing materials. Visit EcoStar to find out more.

 

Metal Roofs

 

Standing seam roofs are increasingly being used for commercial and residential buildings. Metal roofs are maintenance free, outlast many other roofing materials, and are energy efficient because of the reflectivity of colored panels. The metal is folded to a specific profile in a factory or on site with a rolling machine. Metal roof panels are fabricated from a variety of metals like copper, aluminum, or galvanized steel. The panels are available in many profiles, widths, and seam types.

 

National Contractors is installing copper or aluminum standing seam roofs.

Available finishes include Kynar 500 35-year coating, with a wide array of standard colors.

 

Look at Englert for more information.

 

 

LOW SLOPE MEMBRANES

 

Modified Bitumen (MB)

 

Modified bitumen is a composite membrane consisting of bitumen, modifiers, and reinforcement. MB membranes offer flexibility, impact resistance, and strength. They usually come in rolls 3 ft wide, smooth or granule surfaced, hot, cold, or torch applied. GAFMC is one of many manufacturers of MB membranes.

     

 

      

Installation of GAF Liberty Self-Adhering Roofing System on a residential building.

 

 

Single Ply EPDM

 

EPDM is an elastic, synthetic, usually black rubber. Seams are formed using tapes or adhesives. EPDM membranes are available in rolls 45- and 60-mil thick, widths up to 50 ft, and lengths up to 200 ft. Visit Versico for more information on single ply membranes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Single Ply TPO Heat Welded Membrane

 

Thermoplastic membranes, usually white but available in many colors, are lightweight and energy efficient. Heat welded seams and flashings guarantee long performance of these roof systems. Visit Versico or GAFMC for more information.

 

 Coatings

 

Synthetic sealants forming strong, flexible seal that will not dry out or become brittle. They are used as a protection from ultraviolet damage or to waterproof roofs.

 

National Contractors, Inc. ● 145 Fifth Street, Ewing, NJ 08638  ●  Tel: (609) 771-4200  ●  Fax: (609) 771-9230