Roof construction is the most crucial process in constructing a home. It ensures the safety of the house. You must ensure your roof is protected and capable of withstanding seasonal changes and unforeseen damage. A roof made of wood is definitely at the top of the list. But, just like any other project, you need to know the best practices for your specific project before getting started.
This means researching different styles and types of roofs to see which is most suitable for your project. With the help of professionals in this field, you can learn about the different types of roofs compared to others in terms of durability and strength. Before you can start with your roof construction project, you must ask yourself these five questions:
1. What is My Roof Pitch?
Pitch is the angle of a roof which is measured in degrees above and below horizontal. The higher the pitch, the steeper a roof slopes. A steep pitch will give you added protection from snowfall. You also want to ensure that you can still see or drive through the garage if your door opener is mounted on the garage wall but not its opening.
Generally, homes built in the late nineteenth century had sloped roofs, typically 20 degrees or less above horizontal. For example, a 20-degree pitched roof would be completely flat (horizontal). Hips are best for medium-sized roofs with two to three stories, while valleys are best for large roofs with four stories or more.
2. What is the Estimated Cost of the Construction?
Roof construction is an expensive project, even if you do it yourself. Because of this, you need to estimate costs using Roof Estimating Software. For example, if you choose asphalt shingles for the roof material, you can expect to pay approximately $8 per square foot depending on your specific region.
If you want a metal roof instead, it’s wise to select the lighter versions available to save money. For instance, if you have a small house with 150 feet of roof surface area and two layers of metal roofing weighing approximately 80 pounds each, you can save roughly $6 per square foot by deciding on light metals instead of heavier ones.
3. What is the Overall Size of The Project?
A roof made of wood requires more precision and care than other construction materials. As such, it’s best to build it yourself rather than hire a contractor. Depending on the size of your home, you should also consider whether you need a metal roof.
Roof construction is ideal for small to medium-sized homes, but if you have a large home, you can still try installing a wood roof. However, minimize the size of the tree used for the roof construction. In addition, it’s best to avoid installing too many second and third-story additions on your home.
4. What Are the Different Types of Roof Materials?
Various roofing materials are available today in terms of size, thickness, and weight. For example, asphalt shingles, metal shingles, and tile roofs. There are also many other materials and styles that you can choose from. Wood, gravel, and rubber roofs are among the most popular options. If you want to explore more roof ideas, then you can consider these trending modern roof ideas:
- Metal roofs
- Asphalt roof
- Membrane roofing
- Rolled Roofing
- PVC roofing sheets
There are also more materials for certain styles, such as asphalt shingles for small, medium, and medium-sized roofs. Metal, tile, and wood shingles are good for large and medium-sized roofs. Tile shingles and metals are excellent for medium to large roof styles. Metal roofing is good for large roof styles but requires proper installation.
5. What Are My Roof Setbacks?
Setbacks are the distance between a roof’s peak and your house’s grade line. Generally, you would like to place this somewhere between one-half and two inches apart to maximize the protection from snowfall. However, some contractors may suggest installing it even further from the grade line of your house so that you capture more coverage from snowfall.
If this is the case, it may be wise to consider building a ridge in the center or crown of your house. A wood roof can stay in great condition for several decades if properly maintained. As such, you should always get a professional contractor to inspect the roof for you at least once every year and make any necessary repairs if needed.
The Bottom Line
You must consider all the options available to you to have a properly constructed roof made of wood. Always hire a professional contractor, so your roof is free from damage and in excellent condition for decades to come. Finally, you should also try different framing and material options before making your final decision.