flooringstory: March 2010

Installing roof shingles on your home is not as complex as you may think. With the right tools and a little help you can take installing roof shingles from a pure contractor job to a do it yourself project.

Before you start installing roof shingles on your home you should take some safety precautions and follow these guidelines:

You should only install shingles when the weather permits and temperatures are between 30 and 80 degrees.
Never work on a roof when you are along
Beware of power or cable lines nearby

The first decision you need to make is should you re-roof (if this is not a new home). There may be some restrictions in some areas but it's an option to consider compared to starting from scratch as in some cases it could save you money on your roofing.

Tools For Installing Asphalt Roof Shingles

Ladder
Staging (or platforms) for working on eaves and edges
Utility Knife
Measuring Tape
Tin Snips or Shears
Tool belt
Hammer-Tacker and staples
Roof hammer or pneumatic nailer

If you do not have these tools and do not want to buy them you may be able to rent them at your local hardware store.

Roof Preparation
The first thing your roof needs is some 15lb weight roofing felt underlayment. You start by stapling the rolls of felt from the outside edges up the roof and overlap each row at least 3 inches. Use lots of staples and try to prevent tearing.

Once that is done you will need to add metal trim to all edges. Use "drip-edge" throughout, or add rake-edge for the sides. Square off corner and point overlaps downhill. Tack with roofing nails.

Asphalt Roof Shingle Installation
Your now finally ready to lay down some asphalt roofing shingles. Follow the picture on the packaging of your shingles to start installation (each manufacturer varies their procedure). Your starter row has tabs cut off. Begin laying full shingles from an outside corner of the roof.

Each row will step back a half-tab and for architectural shingles you'll measure and cut each series of starters.

If your roof meets a wall you will use step-flashing beneath each tab row and the wall siding.

To learn more about Asphalt Roof Shingles including free installation guides, ratings, and reviews of shingles just visit our free help site at http://www.roofshingleshelp.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=George_Edmondson

Remodeling can be expensive. Few cheap alternatives are available when it comes to a remodel, especially if you are conscious about beauty, style and durability. However, the last thing you want to do is to put up with cheap flooring that will not hold up under traffic. On the other hand, it will be heavy on your budget to include hardwood flooring or carpeting. Fortunately for homeowners out there, there is now a cost-effective resource to put beautiful floors into your homes without breaking you bank accounts through cork flooring. The following article will provide you with the information on how cork flooring will help you in remodeling your homes.

It sounds unbelievable, but a cork type flooring of a good grade can be purchased for as low as $3.00 per square foot. Compare that with the normal price of wood flooring for $ 12 per square foot and carpets of at least $12 - $15 dollars s/f, exclusive of old carpet removal, new padding and installation. Better quality of cork flooring will cost you more, but premium flooring will only cost you $5.00 s/f and up. However, you should not just base you choice on cost, or you'll be disappointed.

Cork flooring is simple to install, which can save you a lot on labor costs. Originally, cork was available only in tile form. Now corks can now be bought it planks that have click joints that only needs to be snapped together to install. Furthermore, most of the materials were already pre-finished from factories that will also save you money and time finishing it yourself. With cork flooring, you will be able to install new floors less the total expense from installing hardwoods and carpets professionally installed.

Corks have been used for hundreds of years and it offers sturdy flooring option that sustains heavy foot traffic and absorbs sounds. Some of the excellent features of cork flooring, as attested by experts are the following:

Easy to install
Hypo-Allergenic
Slip Resistant
Moisture and Decay Resistant
Fire Resistant
Simple to Clean and Maintain
Acoustic and Thermal Insulation
Sustainable

Most of you might think that cork only has one color- the one in bulletin boards and wine corks. Cork actually comes in many colors. However, it is recommended that you use a neutral color if you redecorate your home every few years, or use a vibrant color if you plan to have the same color scheme for years. Whatever color you use, it will surely add beauty and value to your property.

Today, our natural resources are fast-reducing. We have to be more conscious about the environment and make sure that we are not harming and misusing our natural resources. The process of making cork flooring is guaranteed environment friendly. Cork is harvested at the bark of the oak tree and it grows back again and again after each harvest. Also, many reviews are available online regarding varieties, specification and options regarding cork type flooring.

Jim F Roberts has been writing articles for 5 years on a variety of topics of interest. Visit his latest endeavor and find the best methods regarding the latest Cork Flooring technology.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_F_Roberts