Polycarbonate roofing panels are thermoplastic panels typically used for decks, garages, sheds, and patios. They’re lightweight and can withstand extremes of heat and cold, which makes them a good choice for Wisconsin. Polycarbonate has 50 times the impact strength of float glass and 30 times the strength of acrylic. They’re available in clear, white, or colored sheets and can be ordered with UV protection.
A mansard roof (also known as a French roof) is a four-sided gambrel-style roof with two slopes on every side, with the lower slope being much steeper than the upper slope. It’s a style that was popular in the mid-1800s in France and the United States. The Louvre Museum in Paris is probably the most well-known example of a mansard roof. Obviously, it’s a roof style that is no longer being used in modern-day construction.
Kingspan is an insulated metal roofing panel system made by the Kingspan Group. These panels offer easy installation, low maintenance, and superior thermal performance. They’re primarily used for commercial and public buildings, but could also be used in residential construction.
It’s an odd name, but jerkinhead roofs are actually quite common throughout Wisconsin. A jerkinhead roof (AKA half-hip or clipped gable) is a gable roof with the peaks of the gable ends having the appearance of being clipped off at the end. This streamlines the peak of the gable roof, which reduces the risk of wind damage. There’s no consensus on the origin of the word “jerkinhead,” but one possible explanation is that it alludes to the slope of the roof being “jerkily” interrupted.
A GRP (Glass Reinforced Polyester) roof has a single-ply laminate applied on-site to a roofing deck and coated with a pigmented topcoat. Essentially plastic with fine fibers of glass, Glass Reinforced Polyester has been used for over 50 years in the construction of boats, ponds, pools, and other applications where waterproofing is essential. A GRP roof can easily last 20+ years with no maintenance.
Gravel roofs (also known as tar and gravel roofs) are a common sight on commercial buildings throughout southeast Wisconsin (and everywhere else!). Ever wonder why gravel is put on a roof? Two reasons: 1) to weigh down the roofing material of single-ply flat roofs so the wind can’t lift it up, and 2) to protect the underlying layers of a built-up roof. The small gravel pebbles are embedded in a layer of tar to keep them in place.
The use of structural glass as a roofing material may not be widespread in southeast Wisconsin, but it is particularly useful for rooms in a home where the windows are far away or where adjacent properties minimize the ability of windows to bring light into a room. The structural glass used for roofing can be dramatic, but it’s not an easy modification to an existing home. If you’re considering the use of glass as a roofing material, get in touch with Infinity Roofing to learn more about its feasibility for your application.
Sunrooms are often called solariums because the roof part of the structure is made of glass.
Galvalume roofing and siding panels are made of sheet steel coated with a mixture of aluminum and zinc. With its high corrosion resistance and heat reflectivity, it makes an excellent roofing material that lasts much longer than galvanized steel—as evidenced by its 25-year warranty. The matte finish works well with modern, industrial, and even rustic buildings where a more subdued look is preferred over the shiny look of galvanized steel.
A gable roof is the most common roof shape for homes where snow and rain are a factor. Gable roofs have two sloping sides with a gable at each end. The pitch of the two sloping sides allows the roof to shed water and snow. The term “gable” refers to the triangular area of a wall between the edges of the two sides of a gable roof.
Fiberglass isn’t just for boats and insulation. It’s also been adapted for use in roofing—particularly for rooftop decks. A fiberglass roof consists of layers of reinforcing fiber, polyester resin, and a protective gel coat. It forms a lightweight, virtually seamless roof cover that can be walked on without damage, won’t leak from ponding, and can be walked on without damage. Plus, it can be applied in virtually any color.