The term “roofing supplies” covers a wide range of materials

and items needed for roof construction and maintenance. This means not only shingles but molding, lumber, pipes and vents, roofing cements, ladders and all the required tools , even roofing nails.

Starting at the top, let's consider the roofing material. This is generally the roof as people see it and includes wood shingles, ceramic tiles, asbestos shingles, metal roofing sheets and tiles, rubber roofing sheets and shingles, and more. The roofing material should be chosen based on location, so that the roof will stand up to the local elements and issues that impact a roof.

Lumber is used in a roof primarily as the support structure or frame. This generally consists of a triangular truss and a lattice of beams. The frame serves as the base for the roof which is laid over the top. Lumber is used for other elements including the cornice, part of the frame that overhangs the wall, the fascia, which is the underside of the cornice, the eave, which allows water to drip away from the roof, and the soffit, which is the underside of the eave.

Pipes and vents stick up from the roof. They help the house breathe, and are also the escape routes for smoke from a fireplace or cooking hood, as well as for hot air from the attic. The bottoms of pipes and vents are commonly sealed with a boot, or metal strip, that includes a lead based or plastic sealant. These pipes and vents have one way rubber sealed shields so that the air or smoke can escape, but water doesn't get into the pipe or vent.

Roofing tools include the ladder to get to the roof, as well as other items necessary for both installation and removal, as well as for regular maintenance. These include simple items such as a broom and bucket to hold waste shingles, a slater's hammer that includes a hammer as well as an ax and blade, a slate cutter to cut through shingles, seaming pliers to hold shingles, and a hip runner to install the ridge cap, the portion of the roof on top of seams.

When it comes to roofing nails they must be long enough to go through the shingles and make it about 3/8 inch below the bottom of the shingle. Anything that interferes with the nails biting into the wood can cause the nail to spring out of the shingle, and eventually the loss of shingles. This includes shingles with ridges, some under shingle materials, and of course nails that are too short. A skilled roofer can drive a roofing nail with one solid hit. A homeowner doing it themselves will find that they can drive the nails with one hit after only a few minutes.

Like a well roofing supplies are a deep subject, but satisfying when you get to the bottom of it.