Select Commercial Roofing Solutions Provided By Top Rated Chicago Roofing Contractor

By Jessie Drolet


Construction workers do a number of tasks on building projects, including the roofs. The fully trained man who installs them is called a journeyman. Employees who work for a Chicago roofing contractor will be trained, experienced and competent at performing the job.

In other countries, they are known by different names. In Australia, for example, the man who does this work is referred to as a roof carpenter. The materials used are referred to as cladding there. In the United States they are called shingles.

A well-constructed roof does the same thing, wherever it may be located. It keeps out the rain in the summer and the snow in the winter. A roof must be waterproof and remain in good condition for many years. Installing a roof takes considerable time and it would create undue expense if it did not last for a long period of time.

The two parts of the modern roof are a structure that supports it and an outer skin that is the weatherproof layer. The support beams can be rigid timber, cast iron or steel. Large roofs, such as those on commercial buildings are steel girders or reinforced concrete beams. Metal rods are placed in the concrete before it dries to reinforce it.

Shingles made of wood, composition or copper are used for the outer layer. The material must insulate the roof as well as waterproof it. Insulation is required and can be provided by concrete tiles. Ventilation is especially important in cold climates where it will keep ice dams from forming on the eaves. In warm climates this need not be a concern.

Flat roofs are not practical in locations with a winter season. They have been known to collapse under the weight of accumulated snow. They must be shoveled whenever there is a seasonal snowfall. When a Chicago roofing contractor plans for a new roof for a customer, they will advise that a new roof should be pitched to prevent snow from collecting on it.




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