4 Reasons Homeowners Choose Tile Roofs
An exotic sense of romance is associated with tile roofs, which commonly appear on Southwest-style and Mediterranean-...
Solved! What to Do About Ice Dams
Q: After a recent snowstorm, a large band of ice formed above the edge of my roof and created some heavy icicles as w...
4 Ways Your Roof Can Save You Energy
For many of us, our attitude toward the roof is pretty much "out of sight, out of mind. " It's only when something bi...
Bob Vila Radio: The Issue of Icicles
Icicles: They're a natural part of winter's beauty. But if you're a homeowner, it's crucial to recognize that for all...
Are Gutters Actually Necessary?
Those new to homeownership and home maintenance may question whether gutters are an absolutely vital component of the...
6 Ways to Make Your Home (Almost) Maintenance-Free
We used to frequent brick-and-mortar shops and keep hard copies of every document; today, we buy our groceries online, stream our favorite videos, and store every...
3 Reasons to Build with Metal Roofing
A homeowner doesn't usually give much thought to the roof on his or her home until the worst happens and it's time fo...
14 Mistakes Homeowners Make Every Fall
As the days grow shorter and your thoughts turn to tailgating and football games, it’s easy to forget that your home needs a little TLC before Old Man Winter come...
Solved! What to Do About a Leaky Roof
Q: Help! I woke up after last night’s storm to find a discoloration on the kitchen ceiling and a puddle underneath. W...
3 Hidden Benefits of Installing a New Roof
Do you dread the prospect of replacing your roof? You're not alone. It's an intimidating project for almost any homeo...
How To: Remove Moss from the Roof
A green, moss-covered roof may make you think you’ve wandered into a fairy tale, complete with a quaint little woodcu...
7 Signs You Need a New Roof
Most people don’t really think about the roof over their heads…until it springs a leak! Don’t wait until water is pouring through the ceiling and you have to brea...
Genius! Shingles Made of Beer Cans
"Start drinking now if you plan to make this," writes Instructables user robbtoberfest, the genius behind this wonder...
8 Dangerous Secrets Your Home May Be Hiding
Perhaps you have just moved into a new home. Or maybe you’ve lived in your house for a while and have started to uncover certain, shall we say, disturbing things ...
Bob Vila Radio: Fix Ice Dams—Fast!
If you live in an area of the country with cold winters, you are likely familiar with ice dams. These are the ridges ...
How Much Snow Can a Roof Hold?
Late last year, Buffalo, New York, recorded a record amount of snow—and winter hadn't even begun yet. More than a few...
5 Steps to Hiring the Right Roofer
Whereas other home upgrades are purely elective, roof repairs aren't a choice; they're essential. Besides being crit...
10 Rooftop Gardens That Bring Gardening to New Heights
Gardening is a way to connect with the earth, and this connection becomes even more striking in a rooftop garden, where the earth sits closer to the sky. Rooftop ...
Quick Tip: Rubber Slate Roofing
Rubber slate can be a good choice when re-roofing a Victorian. Made from the same material as car bumpers, rubber sl...
Quick Tip: Stormproofing Your Roof
Loss of the roofing causes the greatest amount of damage from hurricanes. Construction techniques have been develope...
Quick Tip: Shingling a Roof
Here is a tip you can use to shingle your own roof. Make a starter course at the edge of the eave, laying the shingl...
Quick Tip: Metal Roofing Shingles
Metal roofs have long been associated with agricultural and industrial use, but these days, new metal roofing system...
The Suburban Skyline: Roof Styles of America
Your mother was right when she told you that “you’re lucky to have a roof over your head”—and not just to keep the rain out! A lovely or striking roof design can ...
How To: Install Roof Flashing
Flashing is a good way of preventing water from entering a dwelling at the point where the roof meets the walls. To ...
Bob Vila Radio: Metal Roofs
Thinking about putting a new roof over your head? Maybe a metal roof is right for you. Today’s metal roofing—whether ...
Bob Vila Radio: Solar Shingles
When you think about solar power, do you picture bulky panels protruding from rooftops? If so, think again. With the ...
Quick Tip: Metal Roofing
When roofing your house, consider using a metal roof. Available in a variety of colors and styles, metal roofing is ...
How To: Apply Hot Mop Tar
Hot mop tar is a good way to waterproof projects like an indoor planter. Here's how it's applied. After it's heated ...
Bob Vila's Guide to Roofing
Whether you are building a new house or renovating your current home, the roof will be one of the most important choi...
Should You Replace or Repair Your Roof?
Making good decisions is the key to minimizing near- and long-term costs related to any home improvement. This is esp...
Metal Roofs 101
The metal roofing industry has taken a page from vinyl flooring manufacturers. They’ve started with a 'plain Jane' ma...
Strengthen Roof Sheathing
Most houses contain a weak link in the connection of the roof sheathing to the rafters or roof trusses, making them v...
Metal Roofs on the Rise
There is no material more capable of protecting a structure from wind, rain, hail, fire, or rot than a durable and en...
Strengthen Your Roof with Trusses
After hurricanes ravaged Florida in recent years, building codes were strengthened to keep future damage to a minimum...
How To: Choose a New Roof for Your House
Whether you are building from scratch or choosing a new roof for your existing home, a wide range of materials are re...
Trending Now: Green Roofs
As you plan landscaping for your yard, consider the potential of bringing it to the roof. The benefits of reduced runoff, improved insulation and longevity may b...
The Benefits of Growing a Green Roof
Thinking of re-roofing your home? So-called green roofs proffer many benefits for the environment and your community—...
The Basics: Wood Shingles and Shakes
There are two types of wood roofing—shingles and shakes. Neither boasts the practicality of a modern roofing material...
The Basics: Composite Roof Shingles
Coming up with alternatives for traditional shingle materials has proved a steep and slippery slope for a surprising ...
Trending Now: Metal Roofs
Not just for barns or cabins any longer, today's metal roofs are enjoying renewed popularity. Here are ten stylish reasons why.
The Word on Weather Vanes
Each morning after I get up, I pour myself a cup of tea and turn on The Weather Channel to get prepared for the day. ...
Bob Vila Radio: Roofing Options
Whether you like the classic look of slate or the long life of metal, when it’s time for a new roof, there’s somethin...
Bob Vila Radio: Storm-Ready Roofs
Florida might be the hurricane capital of the U. S. , but every region has its perils: storms, wildfires, floods and ...
Bob Vila Radio: Green Roofs
Green roof systems and roof gardens look great in an urban landscape, but they’re not just for cities anymore. They’r...
Bob Vila Radio: Cool Roofs
When it comes to keeping your home cool this summer, your roof—not your air conditioning system—IS YOUR first line of...
How To: Avoid Ice Dams and Water Damage
What Are Ice Dams?Many homeowners in the northern United States are all too familiar with ice dams. These are thick a...
Quick Tip: Roof Repair or Replacement
The cost of re-roofing is something no one wants to think about, but every roof—at some point—will need to be repaire...
Broken Roof Tiles: An Easy Fix?
It's a complete mystery to me how this could have happened to my roof in Florida. There are no palm trees around to d...
Asphalt Shingles 101
Economical to produce, relatively easy to install and widely available, asphalt shingles are today’s most popular roo...
Fall Home Maintenance Checklist
Fall is just around the corner: time to get your house in shape for the cooler months ahead. Although autumn can be o...
Black Roof Stains? Check for Algae
It’s not mold. It’s probably not soot. The black spots discoloring your asphalt roof are more than likely the pervasi...
Leaky Roof? Some Repair Tips
[bobsays_inset]Asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing material for homes today, accounting for nearly 70% of d...
10 Fall Home Maintenance Musts
Use these ten easy fall maintenance projects to keep your house in peak condition through the winter.
Planning for Soil Conditions and Setting the Footings
Bob introduces homeowner Howard Brickman. Steve Ivas, an environmental engineer, describes the area wetlands, which must be accommodated. Innovative building tech...
Installing Galvalume Metal Roof and Solar Panels
Work is being done on the roof—laying Deck-Armor and installing metal roofing and photovoltaic panels. Bob talks with Jeff Wolf from GroSolar about the photovolta...
Installing the New Garage Doors
Bob talks with Robert Rainey of PJ Overhead Door as the new and improved garage door panels and tracks are installed on the Norwell home.
Adding a Third-Floor Dormer to the Roof
Bob meets up with carpenter Bob Ryley, who is adding two third-floor dormers to the roof in keeping with the house's original one.
Fixing the Home's Gutter System
Bob reviews how keeping water out of the basement is a central concern in any basement remodeling project.
Storm-Ready Vinyl Roof Soffits
Leslie Chapman-Henderson from the Federal Alliance for Safe Housing (FLASH) discusses storm-resistant soffit details with Bob. Todd Davison from FEMA is with Bob ...
Creating Decorative Styrofoam Columns
Bob works with Jesse Gonzalez to create Styrofoam columns for the decorative columns on the front of the house.
Roof Deck Construction
Bob and Chris Vila meet with David and Jed Walentas of Two Trees Development on the top of a nearby building to get some ideas for the project building's roof deck.
Safety Railing Installation
An ironworker secures the rooftop deck's safety railing to its footings. Then, Bob meets with the window installer who is putting frosted thermal glass walls on t...
Privacy Glass Installation
Bob looks on as the window installer puts in the glass walls for the head house (the structure surrounding the stares that lead up from the penthouse).
Building the Roof Deck With Ipe
Bob watches the ongoing installation of the roof deck, which is being built woth a sustainable tropical hardwood decking called Ipe.
Building a Pitched Roof
Bob reviews the construction of the pitched roof, from the framing to the shingling.
Building a Hip Roof
Bob talks with lead framing carpenter Dan Enright as he and his crew work on the shed roof over the kitchen/family room area.
Garage Truss Construction
Bob and general contractor Ted Riley watch the framing crew construct the garage roof using trusses.
Reviewing Attic Conversion Plans
Bob meets structural engineer Steve Siegel on the attic floor of the Medford, MA home to discuss the owner's desire for an office with cathedral ceilings.
Installing Architectural Shingles and Skylight
A representative from Owens Corning tells Bob about the architectural shingles that have been selected to replace the old roofing material. And Velux VSE skylight...
Installing Standing-Seam Copper Roofing
Bob Fulmer (from Harraseeket Restoration, Inc.) joins Bob on the roof of the breezeway to install a double-lock standing seam copper roof.
Photovoltaic Roofing Shingles Installed
Bob talks with Deane Evans (from the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing) and Ren Anderson (from the National Renewable Engergy Laboratory) about phot...
Roof Sheathing
Bob discusses the advantages of hazard-resistant building techniques, specifically sheathing the roof, with Bryan Readling (from the APA).
Tour of I'On Architecture
The neighborhood of I'On is built around myriad architectural styles and designs. Bob takes a look at, and remarks upon, some of these variations throughout the n...
Metal Roofing Installation
Bob meets with the president of the Metal Roofing Alliance, who demonstrates the process of installing metal roofing panels.
House Seven: Shingle-Style Renovation
The seventh Elmwood neighborhood project house has rotting sidewall and old asphalt roof shingles in need of replacement.
Restoring the Front Porch
The front porch is undergoing full restoration, due to excessive water and pest damage to the columns and other structural elements. Demolition begins and repair ...
House Ten: Attic Conversion
Owners of the tenth Elmwood neighborhood project house, Peter Haraty and Brent Bachelder, want to create one large space on the attic level, a change requiring wa...
House Eleven: Renovating Attic Space
Homeowner Don DeSantis is transforming the attic level into an exercise space. The floor structure is being shored up in order to hold the wieght of excercise equ...
TPO Rubber Slate Roof Installed on Victorian-Style Roof
A new kind of rubber slate is applied to the roof, and the crew brings the spa down on a special plywood ramp, then carefully places it in the turret for installa...
Roof Flashing
Bob meets with contractor Ed Weller to looks at details of the roof flashing. Various elements are involved in flashing, including the drip strip, fascia, felt, a...
Building an Interior Soffit
Bob confers with carpenter Cortney Lofton and cabinetmaker Brian Comeaux on the milling and construction of an interior soffit for the bungalow.
Installing the Roof on the Back Porch
Bob confers with two carpenters, as they begin to install the Dutch gable roof system on the back porch. Once the ridge beam is secured, rafters are added.
Installing Clapboard Siding on the Front Porch
Bob and carpenter Cortney Lofton install clapboard siding on the front porch of the bungalow. In addition, they reinforce the gable to correct an existing sag, th...
Sheathing the Back Porch Roof
Bob confers with carpenter Cortney Lofton, who explains the framing technique used to replicate the front porch, before he sheaths the new back porch roof.
Attic Insulation
Australian-born architect and homeowner, Gavin Langley, shows Bob how attics are insulated in his home country.
Installing Rain Gutters
Bob and roofer Paul Morris demonstrate gutter installation techniques, including the on-site assembly of special features, such as corners and trim.
Mounting a Skylight and Laying Asphalt Shingles
Bob and roofer Paul Morris begin mounting the skylight, by cutting a rough opening in the roof and laying a weather shield. Once the skylight is mounted and the f...
Slate Roofing
Bob meets with restoration contractor Richard Marks and roofer Joe Wells to go over the proper techniques for installing slate roofing.
Demolition of the Front Porch
Bob and contractor Bob Ryley discuss the demolition of the existing farmer's porch, and, once the electricity has been turned off, they begin to remove the roof.
Installing the Rafters
The architect pays a visit to check on progress, while Bob and contractor Bob Ryley begin installing the Paralam rafters. Ryley goes into depth discussing these m...
Reviewing the Pergola Design
Bob checks on the progress of the greenhouse construction and examines the framing of the pergola roof.
Malibu Beach House Demolition
The roof types of surrounding homes are discussed, together with the possibilities that exist for the project house. As roof demolition begins, Bob addresses the ...
Hip Roof Framing
The framing of an authentic California-Spanish hip roof begins over the master bedroom of the beach house in Malibu.
Installing the Barrel Tile Roof
Contractor Joe Fitzgerald explains the installation process for the authentic barrel tile roof. Bob then gives comedian Tim Allen some expert help pouring a new g...
Roof Framing and Constructing a Turret
Bob confers with contractor Bob Ryley, who is beginning demolition work on the roof dormer in order to make way for the planned turret.
Roof Removal
Demolition continues on the roof, as the crew removes the sheathing, rafters, and some of the ceiling joists.
Raising Gable Ends and Cutting Rafters
Bob and contractor Bob Ryley raise an exterior wall on the second floor and Ryley goes on to how to use a framing square.
Installing Roof Shingles
Bob reviews the varous elements of the roof, including the fascia, soffits and sheathing. The shingles are applied in layers, each row adhering to the row beneath...
Roofing Around Skylights
Contractor Larry Landers demonstrates how to install roofing shingles around skylights.
Insulating the Home
Insulation contractors Jim and John Case show Bob how to insulate the cathedral ceiling. To ensure airflow and prevent condensation buildup, channels are install ...
Progress Update Tour
Bob tours the ongoing remodeling project, remarking on some of a large project's difficulties. Next, Bob tours the upstairs where he talks about out the new windo...
Termite Damage and Dry Rot
Bob confers with contractor Al Stouse about the termite and dry rot damage on the roof overhangs. Next, Bob helps build and install new roof brackets, or outriggers.
Roof Construction
Bob reviews the new second floor and watches the gable end raised, the ridge pole set in place, and the rafters' installation.
Completing the Raftering
Bob and carpentry contractor Bob Ryley complete the raftering job on the roof of the Cape Cod house.
Bulkhead Entrance and Trim
Bob helps carpentry contractor Bob Ryley install a bulkhead from a kit and put trim (a soffit, fascia, and drip edge) on the front façade.
Applying Asphalt Roofing Shingles
Roofing contractor Kevin Benjer demonstrates the correct way to apply asphalt roofing shingles and a ridge vent.
Removing the Roof
The roofing crew strips several ancient layers of old roofing off the project house, leaving a section open for the installation of the new dormer.
Tour of the IKO Roofing Shingle Plant
Bob visits the IKO roofing shingle plant in Wilmington, DE, where he becomes familiar with different types of shingles.
Shed Roof Installation
The new shed roof is added to the second floor, complete with a gypsum drywall exterior to prevent the spread of fire.
Securing the Roof Truss System
Bob talks with Bill York and Rob Davis of FLASH (Federal Alliance for Safe Homes) about the storm-resistant roof truss system. Bob explains how the roof is constr...
Building a Hurricane-Resistant Home
Bob talks with Leslie Chapman-Henderson from the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) about the technologies involved in securing a roof. Chapman-Henderson exp...
Installing a Standing-Seam Copper Roof
Rich Melo of Newton Roofing Company joins Bob for the installation of the copper roof on the Rowley addition. The Dutch cleat system has a crimped edge and a rece...