Roofer

A German roofer installing a reed roof (he is wearing the traditional vest and trousers of a crafts person)

Roofers laying a tiled roof in Denver, Colorado

A roofer or roof mechanic is a construction worker who specializes in roof construction. Roofers concentrate on the application of materials that waterproof and/or weatherproof buildings, designed material—as a substrate for the roofing materials to be installed on, the rafters, beams, and trusses are the frame or skeleton for the roof to be built upon. Roofers must be able to work, have good motor skills and possess general carpentry skills.

Throughout the world

In Australia this type of carpenter is called a roof carpenter and the term roofer refers to someone who installs the roof cladding (tiles, tin, etc.)..

In the United States and Canada, they're often referred to as Roofing Contractors.^[1] The most common roofing material in the USA is asphalt shingles.^[2] In the past, 3-tab shingles were used; nowadays, "architectural" or "dimensional" shingles are becoming very popular.^[3]

Depending on the region, other commonly applied roofing materials installed by roofers include concrete tiles, clay tiles, natural or synthetic slate, single-ply (Primarily EPDM or Rubber, PVC, or TPO), rubber shingles (made from recycled tires), glass, metal panels or shingles, wood shakes or shingles, liquid-applied, hot asphalt/rubber, foam, thatch, solar tiles, and specialty roofs like Duro-Last. "Living roof" systems, or rooftop landscapes, have become increasingly common in recent years in both residential and commercial applications.^[4][5]

In the United States, regulation of the roofing trade is left up to individual states. In California, for example, the California Contractors State License Board licenses and monitors roofing contractors.^[6] Unlicensed contracting of projects worth over a set threshold may result in stiff fines or even time in prison.^[7]

The United Kingdom has no legislation in place that requires a roofer to have a license to trade, although some do belong to recognized trade organizations.

Types of roofers

Roofers using fall arrest equipment

There are 4 main types of roofers: shinglers, who primarily install shingles, shakes, tiles, and other nail-on products on roofs with 5:12 pitches or above; metal roofers, who focus on metal panels; single-ply or "flat" roofers, who focus on roofs such as single-ply or foam roofs; and "hot" roofers, who work using tar-based products. It is not uncommon, however, for companies to have their roofers to multiple styles of roofing, and certain manufactures will only allow specifically selected installers, thus making these 4 types limiting.^[8]

According to the type of roofing they install on top of buildings, roofers can be further divided into two large categories: commercial and residential roofers. The individuals comprising both groups are required to have a certain set of unique skills to complete the job. Commercial roofers cover large commercial or industrial buildings, while residential roofers install roofing on top of houses on private properties. Commercial roofers usually work in teams of professionals, and the work often requires the use of heavy equipment, thus exposing them to more workplace hazards, whereas residential roofing are usually completed by several individuals. Also, the area of commercial roofing systems is fairly larger than the residential roofing. Generally speaking, commercial roof repairs require much more time than the repairs on residential roofs, because they tend to be flat or slightly sloped, which requires more careful maintenance^[9]

See also

• Domestic roof construction
• Roof cleaning

References