Roofing Styles

A lot of factors need to be considered when you decide to install a new roof for your property. One of your first considerations should be what roof style to incorporate. In this article we discuss some of the major styles that you can choose from for your home roofing:

• Flat roofs- This is historically the most common type of roof, although its use is gradually waning over time. This roofing style also helps in making the construction more stable. A major drawback of a flat roof, however, is that water accumulates on it during rainfall. For this reason, these roofs are generally provided with a drainage system. Flat roofs also need regular maintenance, to keep it free from dirt and dust. You need to diligently sweep the debris to keep the roof tidy. It is, however, the ideal roofing style for tall buildings and warehouses. Another major benefit to keep in mind about the falt roof is that it is easy to install.

• Sloping roofs- These are roofs with a gradient, with a roof pitch between 0 to 90 degrees. In practise, however, roof pitches less than 15 degrees are generally classed as flat roofs. Pitched roofs are extremely popular among users. One of the main advantages, in comparison to a flat roof, is that water and debris will not accumulate, instead being drained away through the guttering system.

• Gable roofs- Gable roofs are also a commonly used roof style. A gable roof is made of two slanting rectangular roofs, which meet at a point. The line where they meet is known as the ‘ridge line’. It is most commonly used in houses.

• Salt box- The salt box roofing style lends a unique look to your house, being unusual. It is made of two sloping roof elements, which coincide at the ridge line. The two roofs are not of equal size, one being larger than the other. The concept of the salt box roof style can be traced back to the earlier part of the 20^th century. Many houses as well as offices have since adopted this roofing style.

• Mansard roof- These roofs were first used in France and are for this reason also known as French roofs. Mansard roofs usually have four slopes, with the lowest two slope being steeper and more vertical-looking than the upper slopes, having almost the appearance of a wall. Although pitched, the upper two sections are generally not visible, having the appearance of a flat roof from the ground.

• Pyramid roof- As the name implies, these roofs resemble pyramid tops. They are generally used in huts, small structures and pool houses. However, nowadays these are increasingly being used in modern houses and sophisticated flats as well. These roofs add a distinct charm, style and chic factor to your house. 

Whatever the style, roofing is an important aspect of every house. Architects, builders and end users around the globe pay a lot of attention to roofing style, with good reason.  It goes a long way in determining the overall appearance of your house. There are a large number of professional Winnipeg roofing contractors, offering their services to the residents there. If you are settled in Winnipeg and are looking forward to a roof construction project, then make sure you select a contractor who meets your objectives and budget. The contractor whom you ultimately select should have a proven track record with multiple years of experience installing different types of roof systems.

Author Nicola is an eminent writer who has written many articles on roof construction. She has done extensive study on different roofing styles, their benefits,drawbacks and uses. She also emphasizes proper roof ventilation, insulation and drainage systems.

Going Deeper Underground

Everyone knows that if you can't afford to move out of a property and you don't have enough space in your current one, you extend. This not only provides the perfect solution to maximise space, but also adds value to your home, and when properly done, will make it a much more attractive prospect to buyers when it comes to selling.

But what happens when you have exhausted all 'extensive' potential? Having extended outwards and upwards, reducing your garden to a size smaller than which you wouldn't dare, only one plausible option remains. The only way to get more house space without procuring a magical annex of land is to extend down, into the hitherto uncontemplated bowels of the property.

But hang on; is this really possible?! Believe it or not, yes -- and it's already happening. Underground extensions,although a relatively extremely rare occurance, are already taking place in this country. I know: I heard about it on Radio 4 (they don't lie on Radio 4).

If you missed it, the BBC website features a written new story, chronicling the underground adventures of a deceptively-mundane-looking suburban home in Ipswich. With an extension under the lawn, as the tale regales, all that signifies the splendour below are two tell-tale reinforced skylights, that poke out between the grass, like shiny, wide eyed, square eyes, unjaded and full of promise. And promise there may be; below lies a 4 x 10 metre room, accessible via a staircase off the regular-floored kitchen.

Coming in at around 120 grand however, the baby of the extension family doesn't come cheap. For innovation, wow factor and sheer ingeniousness though, you'll probably agree that it's worth it.

If you or anyone you know is considering extending and you'd like to look into the subterranean option, www.undergroundliving.co.uk is the place to go. They were responsible for the Ipswich project, and having created underground spaces from offices, gyms, playroom and bedrooms, they are sure to be able to plan to your needs. What's more, as they manage the project from the drawing stage to garden reconstruction, there is only one quote involved, and more importantly, bill to worry about (yay!).

Fancy a gander, or would like some inspiration? Take a look on the Underground Living website for some design ideas and how to get started. Who knows where a bit of browsing might lead.

How To Get an Organic Roof

One of the main pleasures of self-building or project managing the development of a home is autonomy; not least, autonomy over the ethical and aesthetic direction of the whole.

More easily put, if you want to boost the ethical and environmental credentials of a home you are building, one of the key considerations you might want to make is the inclusion of a so-called Organic Roof. Not only does the inclusion of grass or flowers on the roof of a property make up for lack of garden space and go some way to offset the carbon footprint, but it is also not to be underestimated in terms of contemporary appeal and wow factor. Added benefits include excellent levels of natural insulation and sound proofing.

Organic roofs are typically grass or meadow like in structure, and not surprisingly, with the ever increase in environmental awareness and lack of affordable garden space in big cities, are an increasingly attractive prospect for home builders and home-improvers alike. 'Green roofing' is an interesting phenomena, and although still relatively unknown, is undoubtedly gaining credence in the architectural and property development spheres. Far more than just a flash in the pan, high spun idea, organic or green roofs are very much a thing of the present, and surprisingly easily to implement.

If you are seriously interested in trying this out, a little research into the different options is of course required. For a basic self-build, involving a simple sedum grass outlay, this channel 4 guide to grass roofing gives you the insight you need to get started.

For a more ambitious, tailored organic roof, consider employing the expertise of a specialist company such as organicroofs.co.uk. They will provide you with a quote and take you through all the planting options, allowing you to budget and plan, in sympathy with the rest of your project. If you are unsure what you want, take a look at their case studies for inspiration, and don't forget to surf the net to see what else is out there.

To maximize the ecological benefits of an organic roof, opt for seasonal wildflower, utilizing local species of flora.

 

The Importance of Using British Standard Cables for your Building Project

Before you understand the importance of using British standard cables for your construction project, it is important that you first of all understand what British standards are and what British standard cables are.

What are British standards?

These are documents that state the maximum and the minimum requirements for construction. The documents also state the criteria and the specification which should be used which serve as definitions and guidelines.

British Standard Cables

These are electrical cables that are manufactured according to the British standards.

Importance of British standard cables in construction

For any construction project, it is important to buy cables that meet the British standards. The following are some of the reasons as to why you need to buy these cables:

Since the cables meet the criteria for the British standards, you can be guaranteed that they are durable. It is important to remember that if you buy expensive cables for your construction project, and they meet the standard they will last longer. If they do not meet the British standards no matter how expensive you bought them they will not last as long. On the other hand, it is understandable that building contractors are on a mission to save money on their projects and might compromise on the standard of the cables. Cheap is always expensive especially when it comes to electrical cables.

When you purchase British standard cables, you will save a lot of time. This is because you will not spend a lot of time on repairs due to faults caused by poor quality cables.

Since the British standard cables are made of good quality material, the chances of the cables becoming faulty and in need of replacement within a short time are minimal. Thus you won't have to spend money on endless repair projects and replacements. This is because the cables are able to withstand a number of things including frequent fluctuations in the electric current.

Low quality products which do not meet the British standards stand a chance of complete destruction when they are subjected to the extreme of things such as high voltage. On the other hand when the British standard cables are subjected to high voltage, they might get damaged but not completely beyond a repair.

The cables which do not meet the British standards are risky to use in your building project because they can become faulty and cause accidents that could have been prevented in the first place. They can easily cause electrical fires which could be avoided. Cables that meet the British standard on the other hand are safe to use and less likely to expose anyone to injury.

When you purchase the standard cables, you will avoid liability exposure. This is because when an electrical fire occurs and it turns out it was because of the use of substandard cables, you stand a chance of loosing large amounts of money over law suits.

British standard cables meet the legislation standards of the environment. When you purchase these cables, you will also partly meet the environmental standards in your building project.

Constructing a Steel Garage

A steel garage may come in a variety of colours and styles. These buildings may be used in various applications including agricultural, residential and commercial use. Although steel garages may vary as per the manufacturer, generally the basic approach to building them is similar. The structure may be completed in the same manner as wood garages using materials such as shingles for covering the roof or wood siding or aluminium on the walls.

A steel garage may be an excellent addition to one's property. They are fairly inexpensive, sturdy, easy to erect, long lasting and versatile, therefore they may be modified to size in order to include either a workshop or any other feature. They come in kits together with building instructions and require a solid foundation most preferably poured concrete, however the other tools will be already in the work kit of the homeowner.

Many communities have their own regulations about steel buildings, so ensure to check with local zoning and building authorities before you start. It can be helpful to carry along the product specifications you are considering prior to making a purchase as this will allow you to install the garage which meets your personal needs and also satisfy building codes.

Measure and then mark the steel garage perimeter using builder's twine and stakes as per the garage kit specifications. Measure diagonally then compare the distances. If the two diagonals are similar, the construction site is square. Depending on the recommendations of the manufacturer, excavate 8-12 inches for a foundation. Build wooden forms with 2x6 or 2x4 boards for concrete depending on the recommended depth of the foundation and this should be staked safely in place. Check the building square. Using a mechanical or hand tamper, compact the soil. Lay down gravel about 4-6 inches depending on the depth recommended and compact using a tamper.

To the apex of the wooden forms, pour concrete and then level using a long board. Smoothen using a trowel and also concrete finishing tools. Put anchor bolts upright inside the concrete as the instructions recommend. The bolts must be delivered with the kit. Use oil to coat the tops of the bolts to prevent the concrete from getting inside the threads. These should be accurately placed to match the holes in the underside rails of the walls. If you are not sure of the measurements then create a wood pattern in order to line up these holes accurately.

Lay out steel components in their planned spaces for ends, roof and side walls. A number of manufacturers recommend assembling the walls and then erecting them as one unit, fastening them in an upright position using anchor bolts. Others recommend bolting in place bottom nails and then adding top and side frames and finishing with siding. Ensure you follow the directions and erect all the four walls and then fasten together as per the directions on the kit.

Install roofing as per the kit directions. A number of kits have steel rafters which are then covered with panels. Others may be having pre-built roof panels which are lifted then bolted in place. Fix doors as per the directions on the kit.

Buy to Let Properties - Keeping it Neutral

Article written and submitted by Arianna Vaccaro

If you love all things pink and have a real urge to put in a mustard yellow bathroom suite without forgetting your desire for floral carpets please proceed with caution. What you are about to read may well save you some money in the long run. Yes I thought the ‘m’ word would get your attention.

When buying a property that you are planning to let out to tenants, please try to reign in all your personal decorative tastes. That means using white interior doors and light coloured flooring. White doors will keep the property looking fresh and clean which will appeal to many people meaning you will be more likely to get it let out quickly.

Those who like dark features and darker decoration in a property actually do exist. Hard to believe I know. Although it is difficult to please everyone and when it comes to decorating a property which will be put on the letting market, the safest and most economical thing to do is to keep everything neutral and clean.

Neutral does not have to mean boring though. If you really want to make the property stand out you could add some interest such as placing some colourful cushions in the living room or adding a vase of flowers in the kitchen.

If you have a few properties on your portfolio this straight forward neutral approach will save you a lot of time and money. Many property projects run to tight timescales so if you already know you will be decorating in a neutral style, you can use the same cream paint, glazed white doors and light flooring for all your properties. There will be no time wasted looking for paint samples or deciding if that particular carpet goes with the colour of the walls. This also means that even the most clueless of us will know that the end product will look good. Result all round I say!

As the property will be decorated in a neutral style it can be dressed in whatever may you want. So think about where you’ve hidden away those urges for splashes of pink and purple floral carpets. Have you found it? Good. Now use that creativity to dress the property in a classic and homely way. Use cushions, curtains, rugs, tablecloths and bedspreads to add appeal to the property while people view it.

As tenants are usually not able to re-decorate themselves, there would be nothing worse than someone having to stare at a charcoal wall for a year if that is not their personal taste. No matter what they think about it they cannot change it. So by keeping everything neutral even if the tenant things the walls look a bit ‘bare’ they can add wall hangings and pictures to make the property look like home for them. They can also add their cushions and homely touches then too.

When decorating a property which will be let out think of it like a blank canvas. That why when it comes to getting in a prospective tenant or when it comes to selling it on- the property will be more appealable to more people. As the old saying goes ‘you can’t please them all’ but when it comes to property, when you keep it neutral you will come pretty close.

Welcome

Welcome to this DIY, Home Improvement and Self-Build related blog providing a wide range of articles and information to all of you interested in the above areas. First post coming soon!