From the Ground Up: Roofing and Siding

However there's extra to these decisions than appearances. Roofing and siding are also a house's first line of defense towards the weather. That is why the supplies need to be sturdy, properly put in, and effectively maintained. Traditional options—wood, brick, stone, and stucco for partitions; cedar, slate, and tile for roofs—are time-examined and good-looking. They're additionally pricey. So in recent many years they've been joined by man-made look-alikes that value much less and don't want as much upkeep.

"You used to have to choose between low-maintenance and good-looking," says Tom Silva, This Outdated House general contractor. "In the present day you possibly can have both." Read on for Tom's installation strategies and a look at the following generation of roofing and siding products.

A Many-Layered Factor

No roofing or siding materials by itself is a perfect barrier against the elements. So earlier than the outer skin goes on, Tom Silva protects all the susceptible areas — the corners and edges — with sticky strips of waterproofing membrane. Then he tops every part with layers of builder's felt, a thick, asphalt-impregnated paper.

What, No Housewrap?
The plastic housewrap underneath the siding of most new houses or additions is supposed to cease wind and water. However Tom makes use of the previous (and much cheaper) supplies — builder's felt or rosin paper — because he prefers to insulate with spray foam. "There is no air or moisture passage to worry about," he says. And all the time, whether or not over felt, paper, or a wrap, Tom tacks up drainage strips earlier than he hangs wooden siding. "It wants an air space behind so it might dry out."

Roofing and Siding Materials

Peel-and-Stick Flashingr
Of all the brand new constructing materials that Tom has seen in the past 25 years, he's embraced none extra enthusiastically than self-adhesive waterproofing membrane. This peel-and-stick excessive-tech tar is impervious to water and literally seals itself around any fasteners that penetrate it. The membrane additionally sticks tenaciously to itself, so set up can be tricky. "We discovered not to set up it in the wind," Tom says. Powerful as it is, the membrane does have an Achilles' heel—sunlight—so it should at all times be covered with siding, roofing, or metal flashing.

Cement Sidingr
Fiber-cement siding is virtually indistinguishable from painted wooden, yet it never rots, won't burn, extends the lifetime of a paint job, and is warranted for 50 years. And the worth—about $3 per square foot, put in and painted—is barely less than that of most wooden clapboard. The siding, a mixture of cement, cellulose fiber, and sand, was used on the Billerica TV challenge house. Tom was impressed. "It seems really nice," he says.

Plastic Trimr
Cellular PVC, an extrusion of stable vinyl whipped stuffed with tiny bubbles, can be cut, routed, nailed, and painted just like real wood. The truth is, it does the whole lot wood does—except rot, test, warp, or fade. Tom used it on the surface of the Concord cottage challenge, and even Norm Abram was hard pressed to inform that it wasn't painted wood.

Shingle Panelsr
Manufacturing unit-assembled panels shortcut the painstaking (and expensive) course of of installing sidewall shingles the old style approach: one at a time. Tom used the two-by-eight-foot plywood-backed panels to re-aspect the barn on the Milton challenge and estimates that they went up thrice faster. The brand new Cedar Panel from Maibec makes use of House Slicker, a yellow mat that creates an air space so wooden shingles dry out faster. (The mat is offered individually in lumberyards.) For the final word in time saving, order the panels prestained.

Solar-Powered Roofingr
Rising electric rates are spurring interest in energy-producing roofing shingles. Place sufficient of them on a south-dealing with roof and they're going to considerably cut back a home's electrical demand. Obtainable in inflexible "slates" (shown right here) that produce 920 watts per a hundred sq. ft., or flexible shingles (600 watts per one hundred sq. ft.). The know-how isn't low cost—one hundred twenty a square foot for inflexible, $50 for versatile—however imagine the delight of watching your electrical energy payments plummet.

Stable-core Vinyl Sidingr
An enormous knock on vinyl has been its hole, concave look and flimsy feel. Now a new sort of vinyl siding contains a solid foam backing, which makes the panel stiffer and more impression resistant. It additionally permits more model choices, such as wider exposures for each "clapboard" (up to 7 inches). Best of all, the siding has 4 instances the insulation worth of normal vinyl installed over a regular insulating backer board.