House construction is generally considered to be in the completion stage when roofing is complete. Roofing is one of the basic structural requirements for any structure; and in the 21st century, home builders have a lot of options to choose from. In terms of materials, the most popular roofing options are metal based (usually steel), ceramic tiles or concrete. Colorbond is a steel roofing option that was created by the Australian company, Bluecorp steel. It differs from other steel roofing options due to the unique lightweight and robust material that offers more durability.
The painting process occurs during the entire manufacturing process, and not after it. This means that roofing material will hold its colour much longer than other types of roofing material. This guide will not only focus on the installation process, but also, the steps you need to take to prepare for installation and the preferred maintenance schedule.
What Makes This Type Of Roofing So Popular?
Before discussing the installation process, it is important to briefly understand why Colorbond has become such a popular roofing option for many Australian homeowners. To begin with, it is quite affordable when compared to ceramic tiles or concrete. Apart from the cost, this roofing comes in more than 20 colour options. This adds to the overall aesthetic appeal for your house. Most importantly, however, is that Colorbond roofs, it is quite durable. This is thanks to the manufacturing process which reinforces the steel to create one of the strongest roofing materials in the market.
Preparing Your House For The Installation
If you are handling roofing for a house that is under construction, then there is no much need for prep work. Most of the time, the contractors that have been working on the lower structure have created a safe working environment. During the construction phase, you are also more likely to be working with a professional roofing contractor who will handle most of the prep work with their crew. Most of the preparations involve roofing jobs where you are repairing one part of your roof, or completely replacing your home’s roof. The first thing that you need to do is to ensure that you create an environment that protects your workers and facilitates the roofing process. Ensure that there is sufficient parking for vehicles bringing in roofing supplies and for your contractors to park.
Clean out any surfaces that will be used during the roofing process. This includes removing dirt, debris, and ensuring that there will be no distracting activities on all work areas during roofing. You should also make arrangements for regular cleaning (at least once a day) to ensure that there is no debris build-up during the roofing process.
Since safety is always important, it is recommended that you enlist the services of a qualified roofing professional. However, If you will be handling the roofing yourself, then you need to ensure that you have the right tools, and safety gear, for the job at hand.
Roof Installation
The first step to the roofing process is ensuring that any pre-existing roofing being replaced has been safely, and completely, removed. Be on the lookout for exposed nails and impartially removed roofing. Only start the roofing process when you are working with a clear surface.
Secondly, you need to ensure that the supporting structure for the roofing is safe and secure. Most of the focus should be on the beam and girders which will support most of the weight of the roof. This is important when you are working with a pre-existing structure which might have deteriorated over time.
After the measurements have been done, and Colorbond roofing materials have been procured, the next step is to fasten them to the roof. This is done using the correct type and size of roofing nails to reduce chances of the roof being coming off due to certain weather conditions. Finally, go through the newly installed roof to find – and correct – any mistakes that might have occurred during the installation process. If you carried out the roofing on your own, you can have a professional to carry out the inspection for you.
Taking Care Of Your New Roof
To get the most utility from your Colorbond roof, you have to actively maintain it. Luckily, this type of roofing requires little maintenance since it is made from metal, and as we saw earlier, is very durable. It does not suffer from the wear and tear that comes from constant expansion and contraction, like ceramic tiles. Unlike other metallic roofing options, the colouring of this type of roof happens during the manufacturing process, reducing the need to for repainting.
The only constant maintenance is to wash your roof to remove dirt and grime about 3 times a year. Use non-corrosive soap and water and a soft scrubbing material, preferably a sponge or soft brush, for best results.
