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

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

One of the most important roofing supplies is, of course, the top 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. Location is a prime concern when selecting roofing material, so that the roof will withstand the local elements and issues that interact with a roof.

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

Pipes and vents stick up from the roof. They assist in the house breathing, 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, including 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 remove shingles, and a hip runner to install the ridge cap, the portion of the roof on top of seams.

Roofing nails must be long enough to extend through the shingles and go further to 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 pop out, 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 should be able to drive most roofing nails with one hit within a few minutes of work.

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