On 04/11/2014 18:52, wrote:

Some quotes & comments for feedback on a new wiki article... I think
it needs some work. What do you reckon?

I think one ought to encourage new authors of content on the wiki,
rather than rely on the same few contributors. Part of that
encouragement requires a "light touch" when it comes to editing, rather
than disembowelling on first site ;-)

While this is certainly not the strongest article on the site, there are
plenty weaker!

NT

Might be handy if you make it clear which are your comments... Let me
adjust the quoting for you.



Roofing materials


===Clay Tile===

Clay is what has been used for many years to create the traditional
roof tile look that we have become so accustomed to throughout the
residential streets of the UK. It's the most popular roofing
solutions that can be seen across almost every roofscape in cities,
towns and villages.

not true

So what is the most popular roofing in the UK?

While most new build will use concrete tiles, most properties are not
new builds.

The most popular colour of these tiles is the traditional red, which
appears to be a shade of brown/orange. These are designed to be
interlocking, meaning that they are placed in a row one overlapping
the next, with the next row placed on top until they are sealed at
the top, which is known as the ridgeline with specially designed
ridge tiles. This allows water to simply flow over one onto the next
without the worry of moisture getting in.

===Thatch===

This attractive alternative to solid roofing has become a symbol of
countryside cottages not only in the UK but throughout many other
countries as well such as Denmark. It's the process of layering plant
stalks on top of each other to create a weatherproof roof, helping to
keep water out and heat in. It's a very old method of roofing and
also convenient if you're constructing homes in countries where lack
of resource or funds may limit the use of hard roofing. The plants
used can include rushes, reed and straw, which are then carefully and
skillfully installed using age old techniques with excellent results.
Thatch can be easily incorporated into new builds, adding a
traditional charm that tile just can't accomplish.

well, not sure about easily. You need a very steep roof pitch,
fireproofing measures, and only one type of electrical cable should
be run near the roof. Then there's the fact that thatchers are very
few now, and the ones working are typically booked up for many
months, delaying building works expensively. And of course they dont
come cheaply.

Then there's the fire risk & insurance issue...

===Membrane Roofing===

Membrane roofing is the perfect roofing solution for flat roofs,

hardly!

What would you prefer?

as the material is very light compared to clay tiles or slate and can
also be completely sealed across the surface keeping water out. It's
a popular choice

none of that makes it perfect

for large commercial buildings with flat roofs but also domestic
premises. Many older terraced homes have a kitchen or bathroom at the
rear with a flat roof, which you may notice have membrane roofs. New
builds also incorporate it on garages and parts of the home that have
only one level. There are numerous types of membrane materials
including Synthetic Rubber and Modified Bitumen. The one thing they
have in common is that each piece is completely sealed together
creating one large waterproof surface area.

No, some are, some arent.

===Slate===

Slate roofing works along the same kind of lines and standard roofing
tiles, the main difference being that they are completely flat and
not curved for interlocking. This is due to the slate being naturally
sourced piece by piece and not forged by hand.


the reason is something entirely different

The downside to this is that slate can be very expensive but there
are many upsides to make up for the price. Slate is naturally
fireproof

all the main residential roofcoverings except felt are

and very low maintenance, as it is 100% naturally formed, so it
naturally puts up with the elements.

waffle

Slate also has a very long life span and of course can be very
attractive to look at, making it ideal for modern, traditional and
also commercial buildings.

Its cost makes it far from ideal for commercial buildings, hence is
usually not used for such app

It is very fragile, so always seek professional installers to avoid
potential wastage.

on a diy wiki

===Asphalt Shingle===

While we were busy finishing our homes with clay tiles, thatch and
slate in the early 20th century, our American friends across the pond
were busy inventing a cheaper means to protect their homes. This was
eventually invented in the form of Asphalt Shingle, which was a
success due to its low production cost.

I understood that tarred paper roofs were in use here before then

Creation involves one of two bases, one fiberglass and one organic.

more specifically, card

A number of ingredients are then added to the mix giving each shingle
protection from damaging UV light

bitumen & fillers eg chalk

and special treatment, so they don't stick together.

stone chippings etc

These materials can include ceramic granules and vitrified brick,
which also adds to the colour and once attached not only perform well
against moisture and sunlight but also very strong winds.

they're short lived, bend up & blow off in high winds...

This article was written by: our friends at www.topseal.co.uk


--
Cheers,

John.

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