As a roofer you solve one of building's most fundamental tasks: keeping water out. A tight roof is the prerequisite for a building to be used and the trade has developed as materials and building style have changed.
§The roof's task is always the same
Regardless of time and place, a roof has always had the same purpose: to protect against rain, snow and weather. What has changed is the materials and techniques. Today the roofer mainly works with roofing felt, membranes and similar materials that create a waterproof surface.
§Flat roofs and new materials
As flat roofs and low-pitched roofs have become more common, the need for tight membranes has grown. On these roofs, water cannot just run off; the entire surface must be waterproof without joints where water can penetrate.
| Development. | What it meant |
|---|---|
| Sloped roofs with natural materials | Water is drained away by slope and overlap |
| Roofing felt (bitumen) | Tight membrane, suitable for flat and low-pitched roofs |
| Foils and plastics | Flexible tight membranes as alternative to cardboard |
| Modern flat roofing | Increasing demand for professionally executed, waterproof roofing |
§Roofing felt and membranes
The roofer primarily works with bitumen-based roofing felt and membranes. These materials are ideal for flat roofs or roofs with very low slope because they can form a continuous, watertight surface.
§What the roofer makes today
A roofer lays roofing felt, foil, plastic or other synthetic materials on all kinds of buildings and works with both flat and sloped roofs. The trade includes both new roofs, repairs and maintenance.
“A tight roof is something everyone takes for granted until it stops being tight. It's the roofer's job to make sure that day never comes.”