Here's
a little insider knowledge, courtesy of professional roofing
contractors: Roof materials are measured by the
"square," with one square equal to 100 square feet. Roofing squares
are further broken down into 3 bundles each. When you order a new roof, your
contractor will estimate how many squares are needed, allowing 10 to 15 percent
extra to account for waste, cutting to fit your roof's individual quirks, like hips and valleys,
chimneys, and other features. Often there will be shingles left
over. Depending on your agreement with the contractor, you may end up with a
spare bundle or two on your hands. What to do with them? Here's help.
1. Save at least one bundle of shingles for
repairs. Even the best roofing job might be damaged someday by ice dams or
severe storms. This way, you'll be sure to have matching shingles -- even
if the supplier no longer
carries your style or colour in 5 or 10 years. Just be sure to
store them under the correct conditions. Like the perfect bowl of porridge,
their temperature should be neither too hot (they can soften) nor too cold
(which can also damage them, as well as making their adhesive strip less
effective), and the shingles must be protected against extremes of moisture.
2. Use leftover shingles as a sturdy
roofing material for
smaller projects such as covering a shed, gazebo, doghouse, birdhouse, or fairy
cottage. You may not care about matching the color or design of
the shingles if your outbuilding is in some hidden corner of your property, but
should it be visible from the street, coordinating its roofing to the roof of
your home is a cute look that will attract attention and add curb appeal.
3. Set a row of asphalt roofing shingles on
your front walkway when it ices up in wintertime. The rough surface of the
shingles will give traction and eliminate the risk of dangerous slips and
skids. At the same time, by not sprinkling briny dicing
compounds, you will avoid salt damage to your concrete ... and to your pricy
new boots.
4. Prepare the ground by setting down an under
layer of asphalt shingles before you construct stonework like a backyard
terrace or garden path. This will keep your stones or pavers from shifting out of
place and stop weeds from sprouting up between them.
5. Natural slate or wooden roofing shingles
such as cedar look as cool indoors as they do atop your home. Depending on
how many you have on hand, try assembling them as a stylish accent wall, an
eye-catching mural, or a unique piece of wall art. Painting or staining is
optional.
6. Substitute wood shingles for canvas when
you oil paint, to give an attractively rustic air to your pictures. Before
you unleash your inner artist, coat the shingles on both sides with matt
acrylic to preserve the natural colour of
the shingles and prevent them warping.
7. Create one of the most fascinating cooking
utensils that we've ever heard of. (CAUTION: This project is safe to do
only with cedar roofing which has not been chemically treated.) Check your
shingles for splinters and sand lightly if necessary. Wet the shingles
prior to using them as a base for planked salmon, other fish, or vegetables on
your grill. You and your guests will enjoy a meltingly moist, delicately
smoke-flavoured gourmet dinner.
No comments:
Post a Comment