Roofing News Archives - Trusted Roofers Dundee

Roofing Material Guide

Alex — Thu, 27 May 2021 15:33:14 +0000

Our expert roofers have put together a detailed roofing material guide so you can choose the best roofing material based on its performance and intended application.

From pitched roofing to flat roofs, different roofing projects in Dundee require different materials so they can not only provide the best performance, but look the part too. A good roof will be solid, long lasting, and reliable. Factors ranging from location, expected costs of a new roof and weather to the building itself can all play a role in determining which roofing material is best suited to the task.

As experienced roofing specialists in Dundee, the professional team here at Trusted Roofers Dundee are perfectly positioned to offer you impartial and genuine advice about your project. Whether you're looking at a whole new roof or just a roof repair, our highly qualified team are happy to help you out.

We’ve compiled a handy guide to the different types of roofing materials we use when carrying out roofing work to help you understand what is available and why one of our roofers might suggest a particular material is more suited over another one when discussing your roofing project.

Types of Roofing Materials

High Performance Felt

Felt is a very versatile material, making it an excellent choice for a wide variety of roofing jobs. High performance felt is particularly well suited for flat roofs. Here at Trusted Roofers Dundee, to ensure longevity and durability, we will only use industry leading brands of felt. We are trained and authorised by the manufacturers we use, enabling us to offer extended warranties on our new felt roofs.

High performance felt makes a great choice for the following types -

Flat roofs
Rear extensions
Garages
Offices and commercial buildings

Mastic Asphalt

First used in the 60s, mastic asphalt has been a popular choice of roofing material for the last 60 years. Due to its versatility and durability, it is still commonly found on modern projects. Not only is mastic asphalt recyclable, waterproof, and almost completely fire resistant, it has a typical lifespan of 50 years.

Whilst mastic asphalt can be used for a huge range of applications, it makes a great choice for the following:

Flat roofs
Car park roofs
Porches

Slate

An established favourite when it comes to roofing, slate is an easily recognised and traditional roofing material that can be found protecting buildings hundreds of years old. We offer both synthetic and natural slate, giving you plenty of options when it comes to the finer details of your roof. A long lifespan, next to zero water absorption, and great fire-resistant properties, makes slate roofs a firm favourite when it comes to roofing.

Slate makes a perfect choice for the following:

Pitched roofs
Traditional-style Dundee properties

Concrete and Clay Tiles

We offer a huge range of machine and handmade tiles from leading tile manufacturers. Clay tiles are long-lasting and highly fire-resistant, while concrete tiles are a durable, low-maintenance roofing option.

Concrete and clay tile roofing is ideal for pitched roofs of varying sizes and very commonly used on the terraced houses found all over Dundee.

Lead

Thanks to its durability, reliability, and corrosion resistance, lead is one of the oldest materials used for roofing that is still being used today. Flexible and long-lasting, lead roofing makes a great choice for many different roofing projects.

Lead roofing is a good choice for the following:

Historic and listed buildings
Parapets
Flat roofing
Valley gutters

IKO Armourplan

A waterproof roof is essential to keep your property and possessions safe and dry all year round. We offer Single Ply Armourplan to repel water and resist standing water, improving the quality of your roof. Lightweight and fast to install, this is perfect for projects with load considerations

For more information about our services or the materials we use, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team of roofing specialists in Dundee today or give us a call on 01382 671028.

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Benefits of a Roof Survey

Alex — Sun, 07 Feb 2021 15:54:13 +0000

For many people, their homes represent one of the most significant investments made throughout an entire lifetime; therefore appropriate maintenance is vital if you hope to preserve its value over time as well as protect both yourself and what matters most - family members included!

Even though the roof is a primary and one of the most important components of a building, it often falls foul to the old adage, out of sight, out or mind.

Trusted Roofers Dundee offer these roof inspections for free so they can help identify potential problems before anything major happens and get everything fixed up as soon as possible! Giving you the peace of mind your roof is well looked after and in good condition.

Why get a roof inspection?

If your roof is in need of some sort of repair, most reputable roofers will carry out an inspection free of charge, letting you know exactly what's wrong with your roof and how much it's going to cost to put right.

Catch issues early before they develop and avoid costly roof repair bills as well as any redecorating costs repairing the damage caused by water ingress into your home. A competent roofer will be able to flag up something that may not necessarily be an issue at the time, but could present a risk in the future.

It's wise to get an annual check up on your roof even if you don't suspect any damage. Just like you would with a car, annual inspections are important to keep on top of it's condition.

Pre-purchase Roof Survey

Buying a property? Get an official roof survey done first.

Paid surveys are a great way to find out the exact condition of a roof, prior to handing over any money during a potential purchase.

Paying for a proper survey will ensure you get an impartial and honest roof report. Be careful of any roofers offering to inspect the roof for free as they may potentially exaggerate any minor issue in order to drum up some business, either from the buyer or seller.

Roof surveys usually end up paying for themselves, with a typical repair costing double that of the survey, not only do you buy a home knowing the full condition of the roof, but the bargaining process when purchasing said home, can be negotiated to include roof repair costs, thus actually ending up with you in credit after paying for the report.

Whats checked on a roof inspection?

Roof Covering - Overall condition, age, remaining expected life.
Ridge Tiles - Tile and mortar condition.
Rainwater systems - Gutters, downpipes, joints, brackets.
Valleys/Gulleys - Fatigue, old repairs, mortar condition.
Chimney - Mortar, pots, flaunching, flashing and flue.
Flat Roofs - Soft spots, sagging, covering life expectancy.
Windows/Skylights - Flashing, fogging, moisture ingress.
Dormer - Roof covering life expectancy, flashing.
Internal Structure - Support, rafter and joist condition, membranes, ventilation.

Roofing is an important part of your home. It protects you from the elements and keeps your family safe, but it can also be a major expense.

A professional roof inspection will help you identify any potential problems before they become costly repairs or replacements. Trusted Roofers offers comprehensive inspections that include all aspects of the roof including gutters, downspouts, chimneys, skylights and more to ensure everything is in good working order.

You deserve peace of mind knowing that your roof is in great condition and ready for whatever Mother Nature throws at it this year! Schedule a free estimate today by calling 01382 671028 or visiting our contact page

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Asbestos Roofing

Alex — Fri, 01 Jan 2021 15:13:54 +0000

It's safe to say by now, pretty much everyone is aware of the dangers asbestos poses. Despite the fact that it had a number of positive points, the dangers it posed to human wellbeing could often prove to be devastating. Realising the risks associated with asbestos material and other asbestos-containing materials is vital to the safety and long term health of the individuals encountering it.

Here at Trusted Roofers Dundee we have been licensed by the UK Asbestos Training Association and have all the relevant certifications to work with and dispose of asbestos. It's never been simpler to replace your roof with risk free roofing made from modern materials.

Dangers of Asbestos

Although since banned for use in construction, nearly everyone will get exposed to asbestos in some form during their life due to it's prolific use in the past. If the asbestos is disturbed, it can release tiny fibres, which end up being inhaled and get trapped in the lungs. Repeat exposure leads to an accumulation of these fibres which often causes serious health issues.
Here are some common conditions linked to asbestos exposure:

Asbestosis

Caused by high exposure over a long duration, asbestosis causes extensive scarring of the lungs that leads to difficulty breathing and a dry crackling sound when breathing. In the later stages, cardiac arrest is common.

Cancer of the lungs

Laborers presented to asbestos have exceptionally high odds of having cellular breakdown in the lungs particularly the individuals who smoke. Studies show that these faculty who smoke have a 90 percent possibility of developing cancer in the lungs.

Mesothelioma

Developing in a thin membrane that lines the lungs, abdomen, heart and chest, mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is nearly always caused by asbestos exposure. Those at risk from this are often turn out to be those that work in mines or factories that have high asbestos content.

As detailed, asbestos ends up causing some form of damage to most people, but the severity of which seems to depend on the following three factors.

Levels of exposure: The greater duration you are exposed and the higher the level of fibres that enter your lungs has a drastic effect on the chances of developing side effects.
Age: Children are much more susceptible to developing mesothelioma compared to adults, with multiple cases developing the condition after cross contamination with asbestos fibres from the clothes of parents that have been exposed.
Smokers: Individuals who don't smoke have a greatly reduced chance at developing lung cancer when compared to those that do smoke when both being exposed to asbestos.

Areas in Dundee Where Asbestos are May be Found

There are lots of building materials that contain asbestos, aside from those found in a house, which is why it's important to be able to identify these so you can take the relevant precautions if it's found.

Asbestos can be found in floor and ceiling tiles, electrical insulation, wall panels, cement, wall/attic insulation, boiler insulation, paper and millboard. We most commonly find it in garages roofing.

If in doubt, hire a professional to take care of it for you.

Why Hire a Roofing Company to Take Care of Your Asbestos?

If your home contains asbestos, the best thing you can do is hire a qualified company to deal with it for you, they will have the correct training and PPE to keep themselves and you safe.

Normally, asbestos doesn't pose a threat if it's not disturbed, so if you find some, leave it be and call the experts.

Our roofers have the relevant training and PPE to be able to safely handle asbestos roofing when carrying out roof repair work and have the proper systems in place to dispose of it in accordance with local legislation.

If you've found or suspect asbestos to be present in your roofing, please feel free to get in touch with the team at Trusted Roofers Dundee and we will take care of it for you.

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Different Types of Roof

Alex — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 12:46:00 +0000

There are many different types of roof. Roof design and shape can vary greatly, depending on the needs and environment it is designed for. In the UK an open gable or hipped roof is most common due to their practicality, simple construction and high resistance to British weather.

When carrying out research for a replacement roof, working out what type would be most suited to your needs can be difficult to establish. That's why Trusted Roofers Dundee have put together this simple guide to help you identify the numerous roofing styles.

Roof Styles

Boxed Gable

Cross Gable

Front Gable

Open Gable

Gable with Shed

Dutch Gable

Dormer

Crossed Hipped

Hip and Valley

Pyramid Hip

Half Hipped

Hipped

Mansard

M-Shaped

Parapet

Flat

Skillion

Butterfly

Saltbox

Gambrel

Hexagon

Skillion & Lean To

Combo

Clerestory

Box Gable

A boxed off triangular section that is joined by two sloping sides form the basis of a box gable. This design copes well with excessive rain and snow, making it popular in areas that experience a lot of inclement weather.

Cross Gable

When at least two gable roof ridges meet at a 90 degree angle, this is considered a cross gable roof. They are typically found on houses with adjoining garages or properties with intricate layouts.

Front Gable

A traditionally simple design often found in colonial houses, in which the gable end is facing the street, often above the main entrance way to the property. They are a popular choice for houses in the states.

Open Gable

This roof layout is very similar to the box gable, but the ends of the pitched sections of roof are left open to join the walls. This is a very common roof style found in the UK.

Gable with Shed

Usually used to encompass an extension. Integrating the shed portion into a gable roof allows for more head space without having to completely redo the entire roof.

Dutch Gable

An amalgamation of the two most common types of roof found in the UK, a Dutch gable uses a hip roof design with at least one gabled portion in the upper section to allow for greater internal space.

Dormer

Commonly found in loft conversions, dormer windows extend vertically from the roof, using either a flat or pitched roof in their own construction to expanded the loft space and let in natural light.

Cross Hipped

Commonly found, a cross hipped roof features at least two right angled sections that form an L shape in the roof. They stand up well in inclement weather but can be expensive to build due to their more complex design.

Hip and Valley

A hip and valley roof in it's simplest form can be considered an extended hip roof, with an additional ridge, which joins the main roof at the same height, creating a valley.

Pyramid Hip

A pyramid roof doesn't feature a ridge and the top of the roof planes intersect to form a point. This roof layout is very resistant against strong winds and is commonly found in hurricane zones.

Half Hipped

Sometimes called a jerkinhead or clipped gable, the half hipped roof features a half gabled and half hipped roof end. They are most commonly found on cottages and bungalows.

Hipped

The well known hip roof which is common throughout the UK is a style where all roof planes feature identical slopes to the walls, with no gables or vertical sides.

Mansard

Used in buildings designed to maximise internal roof space, a mansard roof features a hip roof design with an increased pitched part way down the roofs surface.

M-Shaped

When two gabled end roofs are used together in the roofs design, this is known as an M-shaped roof. There will be a gutter where the two pitches meet in the middle to allow for water run off.

Parapet

The roof itself is the same as a flat roof, but the external walls extend past the roof layer to create boundary walls. This is commonly used on properties that expect frequent roof traffic.

Flat

Utilised in commercial and domestic roof construction across the UK, a flat roof provides an affordable and effective cover to suit a wide range of purposes. Commonly found on garages, extensions, dormers and commercial buildings.

Skillion

Constructed from a single sheet of pitched roofing, a skillion roof is often used on sheds. They offer affordable and quick roofing that is easy to install and maintain.

Butterfly

Also known as a V roof, the butterfly design features two inverted pitched planes that meet in the middle to form a single valley for water run off. They often feature clerestory windows to allow in natural light without impacting privacy.

Saltbox

A roof constructed with a gable end and asymmetrical planes is referred to as a saltbox roof. They get their name from a similarly shaped wooden salt container from the 17th century, when the roofs were most common.

Gambrel

Similar in style to a mansard roof, the Gambrel features gabled ends instead of another pitch, allowing for greater internal space. They are typically used for farm buildings and barns.

Hexagonal

This roof layout features six symmetrical planes that meet in the middle to form a single point. More commonly used to adorn a garden gazebo than in property construction.

Skillion with Lean To

This roof design has no ridge due to the varying heights of roof. It can be found in agricultural buildings as well as modern domestic construction, utilising clerestory windows in the vertical section between roof sections.

Combination

As the name suggests, this type of roof layout features a number of roof designs to get the best aesthetic and practical combination from several roofing layouts.

Clerestory

Built with roof planes on different levels and features windows in the vertical section between planes. Allows for maximum light to enter tall buildings and is often seen used in churches.

If you have any questions about the subject covered in this article or would like to arrange for one of our expert roofers to visit you to discuss your roof, please feel free to call us on 01382 671028 or visit our contact page and complete the form.

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How Long Does It Take To Replace A Roof?

Alex — Fri, 05 Jun 2020 11:04:00 +0000

There are a lot of questions to be answered when it comes to replacing the roof on your home. After the initial question about how much the roof will cost to replace, the second most common question we receive is always how long will it take to replace the roof?

How Long Does A Roof Replacement Take?

On average, it will take 4-5 days for striping and tiling a roof. This is based on the average sized house found in Dundee, without any particularly unusual roof features. The time it takes to fit a new roof will increase if there is a large area to cover or complex areas to manage.

What Factors Have An Impact On Roof Replacement Timescale?

The previously mentioned timescale for replacing a roof is only a rough estimate, with many factors influencing the total duration for replacement. Any competent roofing company will be able to give you a more accurate answer when providing a quote for the new roof.

It can take a longer or shorter amount of time, depending on the following areas -

Total size of the property

It's safe to assume a large property, such as a tenement or house with a lot of bedrooms is going to take longer than a small bungalow. However, it's common with larger roof replacements to use more roofers on the one job, which helps get the roof replaced as soon as possible, without too much disruption to the owners.

Roof type

The type of roof can have a big influence on determining the time it will take to carry out a roof replacement. It stands to reason a flat roof or a simple open gable roof with the standard pitch style will be a lot quicker to replace that something like a crossed hip and valley roof, which has a complex shape and requires a more sophisticated timber support structure.

Supporting structure condition

Most roofs make use of some form of timber supporting system, either in the form of trusses or wooden planes on a flat roof. If the timber framework that supports a roof also requires work, this can add significant time to the job. Even if the sub-structure is ok, if you've opted for a heavier roofing material, the supporting framework may need upgraded to withstand the additional load.

Roofing material

Not all roofing material is created equal in terms of time of installation. A large corrugated sheet roof is going to take a lot shorter amount of time to cover the span that something like small slate tiles. Not only does the corrugated sheet cover a greater area in one go, it requires less supporting framework, reducing labour time on the timber structure too.

Roofers experience

All our teams are led by a fully qualified and experienced roofer, but that's not to say some of our guys aren't faster than others. The more experience a roofer has also enables them to more accurately estimate a projects total time to completion as they have more experience doing similar projects, which helps reduce customer dissatisfaction if a project goes beyond the projected date.

Weather

Bad weather can cause some serious delays when replacing a roof. Not only do you not want to be stripping off an old roof if bad weather is due, but there is also a concern for the roofers safety when he's up there in inclement weather. There is an option of building a temporary roof out of scaffolding to protect the building from rain, but that adds extra costs to a project. Most roofing contractors wouldn't advise starting a roof replacement if there is particularly bad weather due.

As you can see, there are quite a few things to take into consideration when trying to calculate how long it will take to replace your roof. For the most accurate answer, you should arrange for one of our experienced roofers to come by and first establish whether your roof can be repaired or needs replaced, looking for the 5 signs you need a new roof. They will then follow that up with a quote for the required work and go over any questions you may have, such as how long will it take to replace your roof.

To get in touch, give us a call on 01382 671028 or visit the Trusted Roofers Dundee homepage.

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