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Ten Terms to Know About Wholesale Roofing Materials
Are you in the market for roofing materials? Whether you plan on selling them at retail prices or putting them on a building, there is some prose to the trade of wholesale materials you should familiarize yourself with before leaping ahead. Take a step closer in becoming an expert on the subject with the following must-know terms.
Contractor – A professional who agrees to complete manual labor or provide materials. All should be knowledgeable, skilled, and licensed in their specific trade of construction.
Distributor – A wholesale seller of materials to contractors and retailers. They sell large amounts of products such as gutters and siding at lower rates than brick-and-mortar retail stores.
Ventilation – Roofs require a structure that allows for proper air flow. It is achieved by using waterproof products that prevent trapped heat, air, and moisture from building up and rotting the structure.
Insulation – Using products like spray foam, layers of air, and metal shingles, a roof can keep the inside of the house insulated from cold air while keeping the heat inside during the winter months.
Corrugated roofing materials – Large steel sheets that can be joined together to become a roof. These are usually used for utility and storage buildings.
Shingles – The tile-like strips of material that cover and protect a roofing structure. These pieces are typically made of asphalt or steel and are held together by special, sturdy nails.
Membranes – A type of material used for commercial building roofs. They are usually made from synthetic rubber or PVC and are an alternative to asphalt and metal.
Slate – An alternative to asphalt shingles, these tiles are heavy, expensive, but very sturdy pieces of slate rock.
Hot mop – A hot, sticky solution, this material can be applied to flat roofs as well as flat-topped buildings cheaply.
Clay tile – A highly aesthetic roofing tile used for Spanish and Italian-style homes. It’s heavy, pricey, but tends to last a long time.
Roofs are a critical part of every residential and commercial building. They help insulate buildings from weather, noise and many other elements. In addition, they help transfer rain water from the tops of buildings into gutters and storm drains. A wide variety of roof materials exist to help satisfy a large range of buildings and structures. For instance, metal materials such as steel regularly make up commercial roofs. In addition, substances such as slate and asphalt are often used to create shingles. These substances are also commonly used in flat tile construction.
Modern tiles and shingles are commonly treated with chemical waterproofing substances to ensure they keep out rain and other elements. Before the advent of synthetic materials, tar was a common substance used to shield shingles. It may still be found in buildings with older systems. Metal and steel roofs are also often treated with special coatings to prevent rust and increase their durability. In addition, contractors often use the same materials to treat siding and other related parts of buildings. Along with these preventive measures, workers commonly modify shingles and tiles to increase air ventilation. Like waterproofing and rust proofing, repairing and maintaining a roof’s ventilation system often helps increase its longevity.
Most contractors rely on wholesalers and distributors for their supplies. These wholesalers provide a wide range of important products from roof manufacturers. More information about a wholesaler’s selection of products can usually be found online. Roof installation companies regularly use a distributor’s website to check prices and product availability. Some may even allow contracting companies to buy products directly from them online. Overall, wholesalers play a crucial role in ensuring that companies receive the components they need to fix and install roofing systems.