ROOFING 101
GUIDE

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The Ultimate Roofing Buying Guide

Our roofing buying guide is the perfect place to start when researching a new roof or
roof repair for your home or commercial building.
ROOF oVERVIEW

ROOF oVERVIEW

Roofing terminology

Roofing terminology

choose metal roofing

choose metal roofing

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COLORBOND® & ZINCALUME®

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COLORBOND® & ZINCALUME®

COLORBOND® colour visualiser

COLORBOND® colour visualiser

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

roof OVERVIEW

We want to give you a better understanding of the sections that your roof is made up of, to ensure you understand the scope of works your quotation includes (if you have received one of course…)

ROOFING TERMINOLOGY

Browse through the roofing definitions below for the most commonly used terms within the roofing industry
ANTICON BLANKET

Installed above the battens directly underneath the roof sheeting. It is a lightweight insulation specifically designed for use in residential and commercial buildings, consisting of a glasswool blanket adhered to a water-resistant reflective foil facing, bonded together using a thermosetting resin.

APEX

The points where the two slopes of the roof meet at the ridge. The tallest point of the roof.

APRON FLASHING

A one piece flashing, such as is used at the lower side of a chimney that penetrates a sloping roof.

BARGE CAPPING

A flashing that is used to fix the gable end of the roof where the sheets start and finish.

BATTEN

A batten is a piece of timber or metal channel installed horizontally on top of the rafters to allow sheet metal to be laid and fastened.

BMT

Base Metal Thickness is a term to describe the thickness of the metal used.

BAY WINDOW

A window of varying shapes, projecting outward from the wall of a building, forming a recess in a room.

CLADDING

Any material used to face a building or structure, otherwise known as wall cladding.

COLORBOND®

COLORBOND® steel is produced with a ZINCALUME® base to provide corrosion resistance and then covered with a chemically applied conversion layer to enhance coating adhesion. On top of this goes a baked on epoxy primer and finally a baked on exterior grade top-coat.

CONTRACTOR

One who agrees by written agreement or contract to supply materials and perform certain types of work for a specified sum of money.

DORMER WINDOW

A vertical window or opening, coming through a sloping roof and usually provided with its own pitched roof. Often used in attics to add light and a pleasing design to the house.

DOWNPIPE

A pipe for draining water from the rainwater gutters to the ground or storm water runoff system.

EAVES

The lower part of a roof that overhangs the walls (external ceiling).

FALL

The slope or pitch of a roof or gutter.

FASCIA

A board fixed horizontally to the lower ends of the rafters, to which guttering is fixed.

FASTENERS

Any of a wide variety of mechanical securement devices and assemblies, including nails, screws, clips and bolts, which may be used to secure various components of a roof assembly.

FINIAL

Usually a pointed ornament at the top of a gable, hip junctions and dutch gables.

FIRE RATING or R. VALUE

A value given for the resistance to heat transfer of a roof and/or wall system.

FLASHING

Components used to weatherproof or seal the roof system edges at the perimeters, penetrations, walls and other places, such as vent-pipes, chimneys, valleys and joints at vertical walls.

GABLE

The triangular end of a housed formed at the end of a pitched roof, from eaves level to apex – this is a traditional roof style.

GUTTER

A shallow trough that is fixed under the edge of the roof, installed to assist in directly water to the downpipes.

GUTTER GUARD

Purpose made perforated system installed over the gutter to prevent gutters clogging from leaves and other debris.

HIP

The inclined external angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof. The hip runs from the ridge to the eaves.

HIPPED ROOF

A roof with four roof sections, coming together at a peak – roughly pyramidal in shape.

PARAPET WALL

A perimeter wall which extends above the roof line.

PENETRATION

Any object that passing through the roof (i.e a vent pipe penetrates the roof)

PONDING

The accumulation of water at low lying areas on a roof.

PROFILE

The shape and design of the materials.

PURLINS

These run horizontally and parallel to the ridge beam and perpendicular to the roof slope. They are fixed on top of the rafters and help prevent roof sag.

RAFTER

A rafter is a parallel beam that supports the roof and is part of the truss. It is the principal support for roofing materials.

RAINWATER HEAD

Rainwater heads are an essential design element for buildings where internal box gutters are used. A rainwater head or sump is a container located between the gutter and downpipe that aids the flow of water away from the roof. It acts as an external overflow point to minimise water surges into the storm water system and aid the flow of water down the downpipe.

RIDGE

The highest point on the roof, represented by a horizontal line where two roof areas intersect, running the length of the area.

ROOF PITCH

The angle formed between a sloping roof surface and a horizontal line, usually expressed in degrees.

ROOF TRUSS

A frame designed to carry the loads of a roof and it’s covering over the full span without intermediate support.

SAFETY RAIL or EDGE PROTECTION

A rail type structure that gets fixed to the roof perimeter to assist in the fall protection of the workers or contractors. This is a Workplace, Health and Safety requirement and is required to be installed to areas where you can fall from one height to another.

SARKING

A strong, moisture proof, reflective, foil paper like material which is placed over the roof battens or purlins and installed beneath the external roof covering.

SCAFFOLDING

A temporary structure specifically erected to support access platforms or working platforms.

SCRIBING

Cutting a piece of sheet metal to fit the profile of another to which it is to be fitted.

SKILLION

A roof shape consisting of a single sloping surface.

SKYLIGHT

A glazed window or translucent roof section fitted parallel to the roof slope to admit light.

SOFFIT

The lining installed under the eaves between the fascia board and external wall.

SUMP

A sump is usually attached between a box gutter and the downpipe. They collect storm-water before it is carried away by the downpipe and they also serve to catch any debris before it enters the downpipe.

VALLEY

The internal angle formed by two inclined slopes of a roof. A metal ‘V’ shaped gutter is fixed in this area to direct water to the gutter.

VENT

An opening or device used to permit air or vapor to exit an enclosed structure.

WINDOW HOOD

A decorative awning that covers the top of the window to protect from the weather. Fixed to a timber frame on the outside of the building.

WHIRLY BIRD

Whirly birds are a type of semi-mechanical vent that can be installed on the roof to help remove heat from the ceiling cavity.

ZINCALUME®

ZINCALUME® is steel that is dipped in a zinc based product to give it a protective coating.

Why Choose Metal Roofing?

Tired of your tile roof leaking? Want to make your home look like new again? Upgrade to a metal roof today

TILE
ROOFING

  • UV ABSORBING
  • HEAVY ON SUPPORT BEAMS
  • DIFFICULT TO LOCATE ROOF LEAKS
  • REQUIRES FREQUENT MAINTENANCE
  • KNOWN TO CRACK & EASILY DETERIORATE

METAL
ROOFING

  • UV REFLECTIVE
  • LOW MAINTENANCE
  • IMPROVES RESALE VALUE
  • LIGHTWEIGHT AND DURABLE
  • MANUFACTURER’S WARRANTY
  • AESTHETICALLY PLEASING
  • PREFERRED BY INSURANCE COMPANIES

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COLORBOND® AND ZINCALUME®

Two of the most popular types of steel technologies used in today’s construction industry

COLORBOND® is a premium bonded colour coated steel product, that comes in a range of colour options to suit the external appearance of any property. It has very high thermal efficiency, since it absorbs less heat and cools more quickly and is very light and quite flexible – this makes it very popular for roofing and other construction jobs. This along with the fact that it is also resistant to cracking, peeling and chipping makes it a very popular type of steel.

ZINCALUME® steel is a premium metallic-coated steel product, that has a silver, base metal finish, to suit all building types. It is slightly cheaper in comparison to COLORBOND® however, this is not reflective of the standard of material.

CONCLUSION

So…that brings us to the question, ‘what is the difference between COLORBOND® and ZINCALUME®?’ These two types of steel are very popular in the construction industry and there are several differences and similarities between them. The most obvious difference is that COLORBOND® is painted while ZINCALUME® is not.

What’s your preference?

The colours of Australia since 1966

COLORBOND®
COLOUR VISUALISER

Choosing the colour of your new metal roof can be tricky… Do you want to stay with the same colour scheme or do you want to dramatically change the external appearance of your home and potentially add value in doing so?

COLORBOND® have thought ahead and created a colour visualiser that can help even the most indecisive person with their colour choice, by allowing you to use an interactive colour selection tool. This tool allows you to choose the right colours for your style of home taking into consideration what style it is, where you are located in Australia – are you coastal, suburban, country; how close you are to the ocean and whether or your home is a traditional style or has a modern finish.

VIEW COLOUR RANGEVIEW COLOUR VISUALISER
IMPORTANT NOTE

The colours shown in the colour charts online are not a true reflection of the real-life products as the contrast settings on the computer may alter the colour shades slightly. We do not take responsibility for any colour selections made using the online colour charts provided. An actual colour sample can be provided upon request.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

Can’t find the answer you are looking for? Call us on 1300 12 ROOF or use our online enquiry form here
When can I expect to receive my quote?

Usually within 3 – 4 business days.

We want to be as precise as possible but also provide you with the quality customer service that A.M.J focuses on. A residential roofing quote will be emailed to your nominated email address within 3 – 4 business days from the initial site inspection. In saying that, if there is a slight delay on our quote turn around, we will advise you at the time we book the quotation so you know what to expect.

How long does a roof replacement take?

An average re-roof takes 2 – 3 working days.

Every job that we complete is different and the schedule of works depends on a number of factors; the size of the roof, the pitch of the roof, how easy the roof is to access and unforeseen weather conditions. Subject to fine, sunny weather, an average roof replacement takes 2 – 3 days. ‘Unforeseen weather conditions’ is something that unfortunately we can’t predict (as much as we would like too!), however sometimes the weather is not on our side…

What happens if it rains while my roof is being repaired/replaced?

We won’t let it!

The last thing we want is for a storm to happen in your living room! To avoid this we only remove sections of the roof at a time which makes it easier to quickly cover up should we experience unforeseen weather conditions! We watch the weather radar very closely to minimize these interruptions and to ensure your roof is water tight before we leave. Just in case we do get caught off guard, our workers are equipped with industrial strength tarps because there would be nothing worse than it raining inside your bedroom!

Does A.M.J ensure that all safety measures are in place and comply with WH&S regulations?

We sure do!

We have a full-time Safety Officer on board who ensures all regulations are being followed to the utmost standard. We take the safety of our workers and customers very seriously.

Do I need to be home when my roof is being replaced?

No, not at all

If you are planning on not being home while the works are being completed to your roof, that is completely fine! During the works, please ensure that you have everything out of your driveway and relocated so that there are no access issues and your family vehicles don’t get blocked in! If you have locked gates present or any dogs that don’t like strangers, please ensure that the gates are unlocked and that the dogs are relocated so that our workers can safely access your property. If you do decide to stay inside your home while your roof is being replaced, we must warn you that it will be noisy and quite disruptive (watching the midday movie or Ellen may prove to be difficult…). In light of all this, before the works commence, we will give you a run down of any disruptions and/or access requirements specific to the works being completed to your home. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

I need roofing work completed to my investment property - do you deal directly with the real estate and tenants?

We sure do!

Owning an investment property can be hard work! To take the stress off you when organising roofing works for your tenanted property, we can arrange everything through your property management directly! Throughout the whole process we will ensure that your tenants are happy and well informed, as well as keeping you, the home owner, in the loop at all times!

Does A.M.J price match?

No.

We understand that this is a very competitive market and we try to reflect this in our pricing as much as possible, keeping it fair to our customers. Our pricing is exceptional value for money and A.M.J guarantees to never be beaten on quality and service. After all, quality workmanship and amazing service is priceless!

Does A.M.J provide a warranty?

Yes!

Our company stands by our work by offering up to 25 years manufacturer’s warranty on BlueScope materials; such as COLORBOND® Steel, and a 10 year workmanship warranty for full roof replacements.

I'm not sure if my roof sustained damage from the recent storm, can A.M.J help me out?

Of course – that’s what we are here for!

Brisbane can experience unpredictable weather conditions that catch us off guard. We don’t know about you but we don’t want the next storm to happen in our lounge room! A.M.J offer a roof inspection and report service*. Our roofing professionals will look extensively over your roof, record any findings and provide recommended works and supporting photos, all in which will help determine if your roof is water tight and storm safe, ready for the next #seqstorm. Depending on your insurance company, if your roof has sustained storm or hail damaged, this roof report can assist in an insurance claim (please check this with your insurance company prior).

Does A.M.J Metal Roofing only use premium quality products?

Yes, only the best!

We only use Bluescope Steel products (Colorbond® and Zincalume®) for our roof replacements as they are the strongest performing roofing products on the market in the world. Bluescope Steel materials also come with a warranty of up to 25 years which covers you from corrosion to perforation by natural weathering, as well as paint flake and peel (depending on eligibility and product application) – what’s not to love?!

Is A.M.J Insured?

Yes!

A.M.J is covered by comprehensive Public Liability Insurance and Work Cover insures all of our workers.

Is A.M.J Licensed?

Of course!

We are licensed with the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) and hold full roof plumbing and asbestos removal licenses and certificates. We affiliate with various trade organisations such as The Master Builders Association and Housing Industry Australia (HIA).

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept payment via cash, bank cheque, personal cheque and direct deposit.

We also have a credit/debit card facility in our office if you would prefer to pay via VISA or Mastercard however, all card payments incur a 1% surcharge (sorry!)

REQUEST A QUOTE

Call us on 1300 12 ROOF or fill out the form below to get a free quote for your roofing project.

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Our roofing buying guide is the perfect place to start when researching about buying or replacing a roof.