Alternative roofing materials
Making a roof over your head is not so easy as you might think. Construction engineers work hard to find lightweight, durable and efficient materials to cover our roofs and last a lifetime. Keep reading to find out about some of the new ideas engineers have.
Asphalt shingles
These are very popular because they are cheap and very easy to set up, you do not need skilled workers. They come in many colors and work very well with different types of buildings, from single-family homes to business premises.
Built-up roofing
Excellent for roofs with low slopes, the built-up technology relies on applying a top coat of several layers of bitumen. This gives you excellent hydro insulation. The most common way of constructing these roofs is a layer of tar covered with a layer of aggregate (gravel). Builders also use asphalt instead of tar.
Solar shingles
This is a new idea which attracts more and more people every year. It combines the best of two worlds: the durability of shingles with the energy efficiency of solar panels. You will not only have a durable roof over your head, but it will also generate electricity, basically for free.
Single-ply roofing
Another great answer for your roofing needs are single-ply roofs, and they come in two forms: Thermoplastics and Thermosets. These roofs are very durable, flexible and resistant to UV radiation. The technology behind these roofs is cheap, but effective because it involves plastic materials.
Standing seam roofs
Designer love these roofs because they can let their imagination run wild. These metal roofs are made up of vertical panels with vertically positioned seams. They are quick to install and practical to maintain, but also offer excellent durability. Another good thing about this technology is that it is reasonably cheap.
Reasons to use steel in construction
14/12/2017 by Jenson Forbes • Construction, Materials, Tips • Tags: Construction, Steel, Tips •
Steel has revolutionized the construction industry and brought about a new era. Steel allowed us to build higher than ever before and created the time of the skyscraper. Today, architects have so much freedom to create unbound, liberated structures thanks to the properties of steel. Keep reading to see what the main reasons to use steel in constructions are.
Strength and malleability
Steel is exceptionally strong, but also easy to work with at the same time. Engineers can create wonderful shapes from steel, keeping its tensile and ductile strength and the ability to bear a load. Architectural freedom has reached new heights with the introduction of steel, and this amazing material keeps thrilling us.
Quickness and resourcefulness
Steel is very easy and fast to assemble and work with, in all seasons. You can manufacture it before assembly, so you do not have to worry about the weather conditions. Also, the time to assemble steel-framed buildings is much shorter than the time to build traditional brick and mortar buildings. Steel also makes it easier to set up foundations, because it demands much fewer points of contact with the ground.
Easy to access, recyclable and very adaptable
Steel-framed buildings are very easy to adapt and alter. They have much less load-bearing columns and offer much more open space. So, if the tenant wants to create new rooms, he has only to divide the space using drywall. Steel frames also accommodate wiring, computer networking cables and other utilities much easier. Finally, steel is endlessly recyclable. No matter how many times you recycle steel, you can always expect the same properties. This makes it perfect to preserve natural raw resources and keep the planet cleaner. Nothing is wasted with steel.