How do you get enough space above the wall and below the roof for both massive insulation and ventilation? One way in new construction, or even in the rebuilding of a roof, is what we call a Raised Heel Truss. This design forces the overhang of the house further out from the house, but does gi...
The sun's energy is free. It's collecting it that costs money.
There are two different ways of collecting solar energy; actively and passively.
Active solar heating systems collect the sun's heat and transport it into the house where it is used to heat water or living space. Usually there is a...
For an overview on changing the roof or roof covering on a house and special information on Mansard roof shingles -- follow this link.
The starter shingle
If you put the first row of shingles on the edge of the roof just like all the rest, you will see the bare roof deck through the crac...
For most houses, never -- let nature handle it. The reason for that is that most roofs are built to handle the snow that is piled up on it, removing snow is dangerous to you and often the process of snow removal causes more damage to the roof than the snow would. Those were the conclusions tha...
This item falls under the heading of 'things that homeowners can teach their contractor'. Unfortunately too many renovators do not know that you can cause serious damage to your roof if you don't duct exhaust fans completely out of an attic. Some know, but just don't care.
You cannot just leave ...
BP and IKO have had problems with some organic base (felt) asphalt impregnated shingles. There are class action suits against them in both the US and Canada.
The advice from my roofing specialist:
"Whoever claims they have a legitimate complaint against BP or IKO should go at it alone and not j...
Our camera caught Burns at the hardware store -- he is going to redo his roof and wanted to know what is the best material to use to re-roof.
That that's a wide open question. And of course, there are a lot of "good" materials.
Start by deciding on the "look" you want, then check that against y...
Connect to your favourite weather forecaster and look for the following conditions:
Category: Roofing Product: Asphalt Shingles
Temperature Limitations: Use above +5 C (+40 F) for shingle installation. Emergency repairs can be made down to -10 C (+14 F). Nailers must be adjusted in col...
Johanne from Laval, Quebec writes: "Could it be damaging to my new shingle roof to climb up on it in the winter time to install a satellite antenna? If so, what would be the ideal temperature to do work without any damage?"
Aside from slipping on ice, winter is not a bad time to walk on th...
Ventilation Maximum makes some of the best outdoor vent hoods on the market – and makes them to work in cold and snow covered climates. They often innovate and others copy.
For instance they invented the square cupola that replaced both the troublesome spinning turbines and the rooftop bu...
