Home & Garden

Marking up Gauges (in Sets) One of the biggest mistakes that people make when marking up gauges is to do them one at a time. I have seen many trainees and inexperienced roofers scratching their heads and wondering why the top roof batten is running out by 30 or 40mm when they have checked the … Read moreInstalling Roof Battens

Overview This article deals with the different roof types of pitched roof, such as mono-pitch, duo-pitch, lean-to, gables, hips and valleys, and also raises the need to consider weight, pitch, planning and exposure when choosing materials and suitable fixing methods. Roof Types and Terminology Single-Pitched Roofs Mono-Pitched Roof type. The main aspect to consider with single-pitched roofs … Read moreRoof Types and Shapes, Design Considerations

You keep asking yourself – Where to buy roofing materials? Here are the common places to check for. DIY Superstores Increasingly now, well-known DIY superstores are stocking more and more specialist products and can prove to be very handy for last-minute items and general materials. There will be sand, cement, timber battens and some of the more … Read moreWhere to Buy Roofing Materials

Concrete Interlocking Roof Tiles These are the most popular in Britain because they are relatively cheap, quick to lay and come in a range of colours, finishes (that is, smooth or granular) and profiles (shapes). The profiles shown here are among the most commonly found in Britain although it is important to note that each … Read moreRoof Slates & Tiles – Roofing

Underlay Felt For many years the most common type of underlay used under slates and tiles was the bituminous felt Type 1F. This is still widely used in the domestic sector, but it has all but totally been replaced on new sites by a range of high-tech, plastic underlays. 1F felt typically comes in 1m … Read moreRoof Repair Materials – Roofing

Roofing Tools Overview The tools in a roofer, slater and tiler’s bag or tool box will vary from firm to firm and from region to region, and so will the terminology describing them. The tools below are most common roofing tools. from my own tools and those which are most commonly used throughout the industry. Much, of course, depends … Read moreRoofing Tools Explained

Working at Height Safety Measures Working at heights requires special precautions for obvious reasons. Roofing safety is really important. Falls from height still account for one-fifth of the deaths in the construction industry; they are the biggest killer in the industry, yet still people chance their arm, especially in the domestic market. Having seen one … Read moreRoofing Safety Measures & Equipment

Measuring Tools and Marking Tools The difference between a professional- and amateur-looking job can be in the measuring. For pieces to fit perfectly, accurate measurements are essential. An eighth of an inch can throw off the whole balance of a job. No matter what tool you use to measure, take your time and follow the … Read moreWoodworking Measuring Tools

Working with Concrete Knowing how to handle concrete will ensure a long life for your concrete driveway, sidewalk or patio. Concrete is a mixture of Portland cement, sand, gravel and water, mixed in measured proportions to form a durable and fairly inexpensive building material. Portland cement is a fine powder which, when mixed with water, … Read moreHow to Lay Concrete

Building a Patio Garden seating areas can be formal with mortared joints, or informal with the bricks or stones resting on sand. Patios are individual. They are designed to suit the needs of the user. They can be built close to the house for dining and entertaining. They can be built in the middle of … Read moreHow to Install a Patio