Get Help from Bob Vila
- Give-Aways & Offers
- Monthly Must Do's
- DIY Project Ideas
- Step-by-Step Guides
- Inspirational Photo Galleries
ROOFING
Browse By Tag
For many of us, our attitude toward the roof is pretty much "out of sight, out of mind. " It's only when something bi...
If you’ve been thinking about tackling some home improvement projects this summer, don’t delay! The dog days of summe...
Icicles: They're a natural part of winter's beauty. But if you're a homeowner, it's crucial to recognize that for all...
Those new to homeownership and home maintenance may question whether gutters are an absolutely vital component of the...
Your home’s roof is its first line of defense against storms and extreme weather, be it a foot or more of snow droppi...
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...
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...
It's hard to overstate the importance of a sound roof. Besides keeping out the weather, the roof also contributes to ...
Q: Help! I woke up after last night’s storm to find a discoloration on the kitchen ceiling and a puddle underneath. W...
Worried your roof won't make it through another season? If you spot sagging, raised shingles, and ceiling leaks, you ...
At first glance, it can seem counter-intuitive: You insulate your home to reduce temperature fluctuations and save on...
Do you dread the prospect of replacing your roof? You're not alone. It's an intimidating project for almost any homeo...
Of all the hazards that strike fear into the heart of the average homeowner, surely ice dams must rank near the top o...
You probably don’t think much about the durability of your roof until you absolutely need to. But waiting until a lea...
When the snow started to pile up on handyman Bill Bachand's roof, he did what any responsible homeowner would do: run...
You might like the look of moss on your roof, thinking the soft, green fuzz adds a bit of rustic charm to your curb a...
Replacing the roof: Many people do it only once, if at all, in their tenure as the owner of a home. For that reason a...
A green, moss-covered roof may make you think you’ve wandered into a fairy tale, complete with a quaint little woodcu...
Look at any flat roof and, along the edges, you're likely to see a special type of flashing—the drip edge. Though not...
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...
"Start drinking now if you plan to make this," writes Instructables user robbtoberfest, the genius behind this wonder...
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 ...
If you live in an area of the country with cold winters, you are likely familiar with ice dams. These are the ridges ...
The toughest part of fixing a roof leak is often to figure out where the water is getting in. It's not uncommon for w...
Late last year, Buffalo, New York, recorded a record amount of snow—and winter hadn't even begun yet. More than a few...
When it comes to snow on the roof, how much is too much? That depends a lot on the way your roof was constructed. mp3...
If you've got a broken shingle or two on your roof, it's easy to repair the problem yourself. Most home centers sell ...
The hardest part of fixing a roof leak? A lot of times, it's simply locating the problem. Sure, it's easy enough to s...
Ever wonder exactly what the difference is between conventional asphalt shingles and architectural shingles? Here's t...
Whereas other home upgrades are purely elective, roof repairs aren't a choice; they're essential. Besides being crit...
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 ...
Every homeowner knows that a sound roof is an absolute must to protect your investment. That's why routine roof maint...
Re-roofing your home is not the most glamorous of home improvements. You'll note that HGTV shows rarely even mention ...
Rubber slate can be a good choice when re-roofing a Victorian. Made from the same material as car bumpers, rubber sla...
Loss of the roofing causes the greatest amount of damage from hurricanes. Construction techniques have been developed...
Here is a tip you can use to shingle your own roof. Make a starter course at the edge of the eave, laying the shingle...
Metal roofs have long been associated with agricultural and industrial use, but these days, new metal roofing systems...
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 ...
Flashing is a good way of preventing water from entering a dwelling at the point where the roof meets the walls. To b...
Thinking about putting a new roof over your head? Maybe a metal roof is right for you. Today’s metal roofing—whether ...
When you think about solar power, do you picture bulky panels protruding from rooftops? If so, think again. With the ...
Solar electric systems are appearing on more and more rooftops across America, but their pace of adoption has not bee...
When roofing your house, consider using a metal roof. Available in a variety of colors and styles, metal roofing is m...
Hot mop tar is a good way to waterproof projects like an indoor planter. Here's how it's applied. After it's heated i...
Whether you are building a new house or renovating your current home, the roof will be one of the most important choi...
Making good decisions is the key to minimizing near- and long-term costs related to any home improvement. This is esp...
The metal roofing industry has taken a page from vinyl flooring manufacturers. They’ve started with a 'plain Jane' ma...
Most houses contain a weak link in the connection of the roof sheathing to the rafters or roof trusses, making them v...
There is no material more capable of protecting a structure from wind, rain, hail, fire, or rot than a durable and en...
After hurricanes ravaged Florida in recent years, building codes were strengthened to keep future damage to a minimum...
Whether you are building from scratch or choosing a new roof for your existing home, a wide range of materials are re...
Whether you are replacing an old roof—or building a new home from the ground up—you'll want to check out these seven popular roofing choices.
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...
Thinking of re-roofing your home? So-called green roofs proffer many benefits for the environment and your community—...
Tile roofs come in many styles, and each has its own preferred applications and intrinsic beauty. An exotic sense of ...
There are two types of wood roofing—shingles and shakes. Neither boasts the practicality of a modern roofing material...
Durable composite roof shingles arguably improve upon the traditional slate and wood shake shingles they are engineered to mimic.
Coming up with alternatives for traditional shingle materials has proved a steep and slippery slope for a surprising ...
Learn the truth about five common misconceptions that involve metal roofing.
Not just for barns or cabins any longer, today's metal roofs are enjoying renewed popularity. Here are ten stylish reasons why.
Backyard accessorizing meets functionality in the classic, versatile weather vane.
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. ...
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...
Florida might be the hurricane capital of the U. S. , but every region has its perils: storms, wildfires, floods and ...
Green roof systems and roof gardens look great in an urban landscape, but they’re not just for cities anymore. They’r...
When it comes to keeping your home cool this summer, your roof—not your air conditioning system—IS YOUR first line of...
What Are Ice Dams?Many homeowners in the northern United States are all too familiar with ice dams. These are thick a...
The cost of re-roofing is something no one wants to think about, but every roof—at some point—will need to be repaire...
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...
Economical to produce, relatively easy to install and widely available, asphalt shingles are today’s most popular roo...
It’s not mold. It’s probably not soot. The black spots discoloring your asphalt roof are more than likely the pervasi...
[bobsays_inset]Asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing material for homes today, accounting for nearly 70% of d...
Asphalt shingles are one of the best values you can buy with regard to roofing materials for your home. They are simple to install, and their prices are reasonabl...
Bob introduces homeowner Howard Brickman. Steve Ivas, an environmental engineer, describes the area wetlands, which must be accommodated. Innovative building tech...
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...
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.
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.
A slab is poured in the basement and work is underway to add two new dormers to the roof.
Bob meets with architect Gregory Rochlin to discuss the third-floor structural redesign.
Bob travels to British Columbia and tours the Waldun Forest Products Company shingle manufacturing plant.
Bob reviews how keeping water out of the basement is a central concern in any basement remodeling project.
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 ...
Bob works with Jesse Gonzalez to create Styrofoam columns for the decorative columns on the front of the house.
Bob meets with Leslie Chapman-Henderson from the Federal Alliance for Safe Housing (FLASH) and Randy Shackelford to discuss an assortment of storm-resistant roof ...
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.
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...
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).
Bob watches the ongoing installation of the roof deck, which is being built woth a sustainable tropical hardwood decking called Ipe.
The first day of assembling the modular home ends on a high note-- the addition of a roof.
Jeff Smith from Al Smith Gutters demonstrates the installation of a modern metal roof panel.
Bob reviews the construction of the pitched roof, from the framing to the shingling.
Bob talks with lead framing carpenter Dan Enright as he and his crew work on the shed roof over the kitchen/family room area.
Bob and general contractor Ted Riley watch the framing crew construct the garage roof using trusses.
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.
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...
Bob Fulmer (from Harraseeket Restoration, Inc.) joins Bob on the roof of the breezeway to install a double-lock standing seam copper roof.
Workers set the glulam for the roof ridge and, assisted by a crane, put down the roof panel system.
Carpenter Bob Ryley demonstrates the installation of architectural-grade dimensional asphalt shingles.
Bob talks with Deane Evans (from the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing) and Ren Anderson (from the National Renewable Engergy Laboratory) about phot...
Bob discusses the advantages of hazard-resistant building techniques, specifically sheathing the roof, with Bryan Readling (from the APA).
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...
Bob helps lay rafters and the ridge pole for the vaulted roof of the Lifespan House.
Bob meets with Brian Redding (from the APA) to learn more about roof framing techniques for resisting hurricanes and high winds.
Bob meets with the president of the Metal Roofing Alliance, who demonstrates the process of installing metal roofing panels.
Bob explains the engineering and construction of the truss system supporting the roof of the accessible home.
Roofing contractor Jack Viera demonstrates installing three-tab asphalt roof shingles.
Carpenter Bob Ryley helps install the new railing on the hot tub deck.
The mahogany roof deck is complete, with the hot tub sturdily supported. Bob takes a final tour of the residence, the third Elmwood project house.
The seventh Elmwood neighborhood project house has rotting sidewall and old asphalt roof shingles in need of replacement.
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
The air conditioning system for the third floor exercise area, with its unique features and ductwork, is installed.
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...
Bob helps demonstrate the installation of man-made slate roof shingles.
Bob confers with carpenter Cortney Lofton and cabinetmaker Brian Comeaux on the milling and construction of an interior soffit for the bungalow.
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.
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...
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.
Australian-born architect and homeowner, Gavin Langley, shows Bob how attics are insulated in his home country.
Bob and roofer Paul Morris demonstrate gutter installation techniques, including the on-site assembly of special features, such as corners and trim.
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...
Bob joins Jack O'Leary to review the rough-in plumbing and electrical work, and, together, they install a roof vent.
Bob meets with restoration contractor Richard Marks and roofer Joe Wells to go over the proper techniques for installing slate roofing.
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.
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...
Bob checks on the progress of the greenhouse construction and examines the framing of the pergola roof.
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 ...
The framing of an authentic California-Spanish hip roof begins over the master bedroom of the beach house in Malibu.
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...
Bob and Paul Pacella (of Maine Post and Beam) discuss the cutting and placement of the engineered wood glulam ridge beam for the garage.
Bob oversees the installation of a Velux skylight in a standing-seam metal-shingled roof.
Bob looks on as the roofing crew installs a standing-seam metal-shingled roof.
Bob confers with contractor Bob Ryley, who is beginning demolition work on the roof dormer in order to make way for the planned turret.
Demolition continues on the roof, as the crew removes the sheathing, rafters, and some of the ceiling joists.
Bob and contractor Bob Ryley raise an exterior wall on the second floor and Ryley goes on to how to use a framing square.
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...
Contractor Larry Landers demonstrates how to install roofing shingles around skylights.
Insulation contractors Jim and John Case show Bob how to insulate the cathedral ceiling. To ensure airflow and prevent condensation buildup, channels are install ...
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...
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.
Bob takes us on a tour of the IKO roofing shingle plant in Wilmington, DE.
Bob reviews the new second floor and watches the gable end raised, the ridge pole set in place, and the rafters' installation.
Bob and carpentry contractor Bob Ryley complete the raftering job on the roof of the Cape Cod house.
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.
Roofing contractor Kevin Benjer demonstrates the correct way to apply asphalt roofing shingles and a ridge vent.
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.
Bob visits the IKO roofing shingle plant in Wilmington, DE, where he becomes familiar with different types of shingles.
The new shed roof is added to the second floor, complete with a gypsum drywall exterior to prevent the spread of fire.
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...
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...
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...