Why Do They Use Lead On Roofs

Lead is not the lightest of roof flashing materials.

Why do they use lead on roofs.

A roof is the top covering of a building including all materials and constructions necessary to support it on the walls of the building or on uprights providing protection against rain snow sunlight extremes of temperature and wind. However if you walk into a store to buy your own flashing be careful. If the lead flashing is not installed perfectly it can widen cracks in the foundations of a home because of its density and weight. A green roof also known as a rooftop garden or a living roof is a vegetative layer grown on a rooftop.

Unlike traditional black tar roofs green roofs reduce energy costs by absorbing heat instead of attracting it and. Fitting a roof flashing. Churches throughout history have used lead for their roofs and lead has served these ancient buildings extremely well. Now due to cost and because of concern about lead contamination materials such as zinc sheet rubber plastic and even waterproofed impregnated paper are also used.

Where a warm roof is used a ventilation void should be provided between the insulation and the timber decking supporting the lead if there is sufficient height available. The main disadvantage to lead boots is that they are more expensive. Metal roofs are a common choice both in new construction and when an aging roof needs to be replaced. The popularity of green roofs has increased in the united states due to their many benefits while pretty green roofs serve a much greater purpose than simple beautification.

They ll use tinning snips to cut the sheets and bend them to the exact size they need while on the roof. There are other types of premade flashing that are not made to be used on roofs and may break if you try to install them on a roof. Although there is a good argument to use it l ead flashing places extra stress on the gutters and roofline of any house. Lead boots have been in use for decades and most have stood the test of time.

The material that is used for flashing needs to be malleable so that it can be formed around the different contours of the roof. Firstly the importance of a properly fitted roof flashing cannot be overstated. Where lead is used it is generally painted with a waterproof paint. Indeed we would have lost many of the beautiful ancient buildings were they not protected by lead.

A roof is part of the building envelope. The normans were also known to have used lead in their buildings in the form of both pipes guttering and roof coverings. Metal roofing products can be made from a variety of metals including galvanized steel copper aluminum or tin and they can use several different installation systems. The characteristics of a roof are dependent upon the purpose of the building that it covers the available roofing.