There are different types of gutters with respect to materials, sizes and styles. We listed here the most common to serve as your quick and easy reference.

Box Gutter

This type of gutter is used mostly on commercial and light industrial buildings because it is capable of holding a large volume of water. Unlike most gutters, box gutters do not hang on the edge of the roof.

Half Round Gutter

The shape distinguishes this type of gutter from other gutter types. It may be made of plastic or metal. Seamless half round gutters are available, which can be installed on the site.

Seamless Gutter

Unlike the traditional sectional gutters, seamless gutters are made and installed on site and have no seams, eliminating most of the causes of leaks. However, they cost more than most sectional gutters.

Fascia Gutter

This one is fixed to a fascia board under the roof. Fascia gutter is customized and affixed to the end of rafter, serving another purpose as fascia board.

Integral Gutter

A style that was popular during the 1960s, integral gutters can hold more rainwater than other gutter types. Its main problem is the potential for leaks since it is inserted between the ends of the fascia and rafters on sloped roofs. Inspection every few years is highly recommended with repairs on the lining to be made every 5 to 10 years.

Copper Gutter

This is an elegant type of gutter that is preferred more for its looks. It costs more – up to 3 time – but is durable and lasts a long time. To ensure a long lifespan, the fasteners must also be made of copper.

Steel Gutter

Galvanized steel is the most common material used for steel gutters. Compared to other materials, steel gutters are heavy to work with, which may not go well with people who prefer to install the gutters themselves.

Aluminum Gutter

This is the most common type of gutter used today. It does not rust and is available in different colors. You can even paint over it. Aluminum gutter may be bought in different thicknesses.

Vinyl Gutter

One of the cheapest gutter materials available and preferred by budget-conscious homeowners. Its drawback is its lack of durability and susceptibility to ultraviolet rays. It is also prone to discoloration.

Wood Gutter

This is not a common type of gutter. You will not normally see one unless you pass by a house undergoing restoration work. Wood gutters were sourced from old growth cedar trees that are no longer widely available today.

Roofers use different materials for flat roof solutions depending on the specifications of the homeowners and needs of each structure. Among the materials used are BUR (Built-up Roof Membrane), Elastomeric/Plastomeric Roof Membranes (which include EPDM or ethylene propylene diene monomer, Neoprene, PVC or Polyvinyl Chloride, TPO (Flexible Thermo Polyolefin) and Polymer-modified bitumens) and Fluid-applied Roof Membrane.

Each material has its own strengths and weaknesses. Some are improved versions of the others. For instance, modified bitumen incorporates modifiers such as APP (tactic polypropylene) and SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene) to improve the performance of asphalt.

No matter what material is used for flat roof solutions, deterioration eventually sets in and the roof membrane has to be repaired or replaced to keep the roof in optimum condition. The usual factors that lead to deterioration of flat roofs are as follows:

1. Temperature

Fluctuations in temperature with the accompanying contraction and expansion of roof materials create strain on the roof structure. Flashings could break at the seams, roof material could tear and mortar could crack. All these create entryways for water to seep inside.

2. Sunlight

The volatile components of asphalt or tar on the roof evaporate when exposed to the heat of the sun. The heat also oxidizes asphalt and makes it brittle. The roofing material eventually loses its elasticity and the surface could crack or flake, exposing the felt membrane below the surface.

3. Settlement

Strains are sometimes exerted on flashings after the walls settle. In some cases the roof could settle below the drain pipe level. These occurrences cause floodwater to back up the roof or allow water to seep through the leak on the drain.

4. Roof Traffic

Most roof materials are not designed to withstand constant foot traffic or extra accessories. Walking on top or placing objects on the roof could causes serious damage to the materials and roof deck.

5. Water

Once cracks appear on the surface of the roof, water could seep inside and cause damage to the structure if left unattended. Water or moisture left inside can turn into ice under cold or freezing temperature, which could tear new holes.

6. Wind

Strong winds may push water inside cracks or splits on the surface, particularly at defective seams or joints. They may also tear the roof at its weak spots such as at loosed seams. In addition, storms accompanied by strong winds have been noted to move or sway the roof structure itself.

7. Chemicals

Acids, saturated animal fats and pollutants have the potential to damage roof materials. That is one reason why manufacturers recommend the application of coatings and ballast covering to protect the roof membrane from these harmful chemicals.

Engaging the services of Denver roofing contractors for difficult roofing work is not a straightforward undertaking. While most contractors are honest in their dealings, some roofers simply cannot be trusted. Knowing how to spot these dishonest contractors makes a difference between spending the right amount for the work required and losing hard-earned savings to unscrupulous contractors.

Using Shortcuts

Contractors can shorten the completion time of a project by saving on labor time through the use of shortcuts. Houses that are greatly damaged by hurricanes have poorly-secured roofing and substandard framing. The most common cause of shingles getting blown by strong winds is the inadequate use of fasteners. Shingles tend to buckle and eventually lift or separate when subjected to strong winds, which raises the risk of rainwater leakage. By skimping on the basics, roofing contractors manage to complete a project in record time while saving substantial money from the reduced number of materials and labor needed to finish the roof. The result is a poor and substandard work that is prone to all kinds of damage and disaster.

Baiting and Replacing

Dishonest contractors under a package contract with homeowner will intentionally wait until the project is well under way before advising their client that a certain product is no longer available, and offering a more expensive substitute or upgrade for the discontinued product.

Another common dishonest practice for roofing contractors is substituting low-end materials for the high-grade ones that were agreed upon. For instance, they could use galvanized nails instead of stainless steel nails in fastening cedar shingles. Distinguishing the difference between nails just by looking at the nail tops on the roof surface is difficult. Other contractors use sheet metal drip edge in place of aluminum drip edge, which most homeowners cannot easily distinguish.

Overpricing of Materials

Knowing the prices of the different materials that your contractor will be using on your house is advisable. Directly inquire from the suppliers the wholesale and retail prices of each item. If your contractor intends to add a markup on the prices, set a cap or limit in your contract to avoid overpaying for materials that could have been purchased at much-lower prices.

Skipping Preparations

Contractors can increase their profits and save on labor costs by skipping preparations. Roofing, painting jobs and wall/door installations are the more common works where violations of this kind are committed by dishonest contractors. Painters may skip on primer or paint only the newer seams. Roofers could apply substandard tar that dries out in a short time and fails to provide protection against leaks.

Studies have shown positive benefits of natural daylight on human physiology and psychology. Employees are shown to be more productive when exposed to daylight. The penetration of daylight into buildings are facilitated by the installation of skylights on the Seattle roofing.

The natural lighting from the sun also creates an energy-efficient building that ultimately results to lower power bills. Because of these direct benefits from skylights in Seattle roofing, more contractors are placing emphasis on this very-useful feature of a building. With the popularity of skylights come the need for information on the performance of different glazing options for skylights.

The materials used for skylights vary and largely depend on the needs of the owner. Some require a clear view outside through skylights while others prefer the entry of more natural illumination inside. Whatever your needs are, an understanding of the different materials or glazing options for skylights is helpful. Some of the more common types of glazing materials for skylights used today are the following:

Glass

A common material used for skylights. Glass is scratch-resistant, durable and lasts long. Different kinds of glass provide various benefits such as energy efficiency. For instance, tempered glass is used for insulating glass units to provide a sealed and moisture-free glaze. A coated laminated glass is ideal for those who prefer diffuse light.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass is translucent and available as flat, domed, monolithic or other profiles such as two panels with air in-between for insulation. While the material per se is not durable, it can be attached or bonded to I-beams to create translucent structural panels that have high insulation properties and come in a variety of colors. Translucent fiberglass panels are lightweight but impact-resistant and shatterproof. They are strong against ultraviolet radiation and weather-resistant.

Polycarbonate

Some of the interesting qualities of polycarbonate are its durability, impact-resistance and easy-to-cut design. They are produced as multi-wall sheets or monolithic sheets. The latter, filled with aerogel known as “frozen smoke,” can be cut to suit the skylight design and are lightweight. It greatly minimizes noise and diffuses light to reduce if not eliminate glares and hot spots.

Acrylic Plastic

This material is the most formable among skylight materials and is widely-used for standard skylights. Acrylic plastics come in many forms and standards – some are transparent to ultraviolet rays and, therefore, weather well while others are manufactured to be durable and impact resistant. Acrylic sheets are available as transparent or translucent types.

A well-maintained recreational vehicle gives you several years of fruitful and enjoyable service. Regular inspection and maintenance works are the keys to prolonging the life of your RV. Unfortunately, the roof receives only a little attention from owners because they seldom go up to check its condition.

Long miles of travel under different weather conditions could exact a toll on the roof condition of your RV. Even if we constantly observe regular maintenance schedule, time comes when we have to make necessary mobile RV repair.

When you have to make a repair work on your RV roof, avoid committing what we listed below to make your mobile RV repair experience a pleasant and not an expensive one.

Things to Avoid

1. Use of Harsh Chemicals

Never use harsh chemicals on an EPDM rubber roof. They, along with petroleum-based and abrasive products, can damage your rubber roof. A mistake could mean replacing the entire roof.

2. Using Just About Any Roofing Material

Never use any product that is not specifically suited for RV roof use. Sellers of rubber roofs for homes may or may not carry products for RV roofs. Rubber roof membranes for RV are different from those used for homes. They are generally flexible to withstand vibrations and shaking.

3. Not Checking the Sealant Used

Most RV today use rubber roofing membrane, fiberglass and vinyl. Rubber roofs are either Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) or Thermal Poly Olefin (TPO). If you are going to apply sealant on your rubber roof, use the right type of sealant for the rubber surface of your RV. Using the wrong sealant would not only cost you more money but require more work. For instance, a silicon sealant should not be applied to a rubber roof because it will peel off easily.

4. Non-Observance of the Proper Cleaning Procedure

Thoroughly clean the roof before doing any repair. Do not use cleaners that contain abrasive materials, citrus ingredients and petroleum solvent as these cleaners could cause permanent damage to vinyl and rubber surfaces. Cleaning rubber roofs is actually simple—you can use household cleaners and dishwashing liquid for normal cleaning.

5. Breaking the Manufacturer’s Warranty

Before doing any major work or repair on your roof, check with your RV manufacturer to prevent voiding the warranty in case you installed the wrong roofing material.

6. Putting Your Entire Weight on One Portion

Do not walk on your RV rubber roof without first laying plywood or other light wood materials over the seams. This way, your weight is not concentrated on the area that you step on but distributed equally across the roof rafters.