Selecting A Roof

Selecting A Roof

Having a "roof over your head" is a basic human need. Granted, roofing is not a glamorous purchase like kitchen cabinets, decks, hot tubs, or cars. It is, however, the most crucial building element protecting the homeowner's most important treasures: their home and family.

The chief purpose of a roof system is to keep nature out of a structure; specifically to provide a barrier to the intrusion of water. Everyone knows that. What is far less understood, is that this purpose is performed primarily by the underlayment, a thin rollout membrane between the structural roof deck (generally plywood) and the visible roofing material (the roof covering). The main purpose of the roof covering (cedar, metal, asphalt composition, concrete tile, etc.) is to protect the underlayment from both man and nature. To accomplish this protection, the visible roof covering must resist both natural and man-made stresses to extents measured by industry standard and regulated testing.

To accomplish maximum protection, the visible roof covering must stand up to foot traffic and resist nature's worst elements; hail, fire, wind, sunlight, snow/ice, temperature extremes, and freeze/thaw cycling. Roofing selection, therefore, is largely the product of matching local climatic conditions and expected roof usage with the performance capabilities and qualities of a roofing material.

Climatic conditions across the United States vary dramatically. Most experts agree on thirteen such climatic zones. For an approximation of climatic elements to consider in product selection, locate the project site on the map below and reference the accompanying chart.

Nature's Worst Elements

If you would like a more detailed discussion of "Nature's Worst" effects on roof life, click on the appropriate column heading.

Zone	Hail	Fire	Wind	Sun/ UV	Freeze/ Thaw	Snow Load	Temperature Extremes	Lightning
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In the sections that follow you will find maps of the United States showing areas of the country generally most susceptible to particular climatic problems.

Click on a specific map for a more detailed discussion of each element.	Hail	Fire

	Wind	Sun/UV

	Lightning	Temperatures Extremes

These maps are small scale and necessarily time related and should, therefore, serve only as a general guide. Knowledge of local weather patterns and conditions is the key. If a specific map suggests that the roof in question will be exposed to a troublesome climate, you may want to obtain more accurate data specific to the locale. A list of websites that may be helpful.

Roof selection can also depend on whether the new roof is to be a replacement on an existing home, or is part of a new home construction project. For a better understanding of appropriate roofing concerns click on the picture depicting your project type.

Reroofing	New Construction

ENDUR•ALL Technologies, Inc., 6200 So. Syracuse Way, Suite 125, Greenwood Village, CO 80111 303-670-0774