An important element of the roof of any structure made of different materials is the roof ridge. In addition, the ridge is also the main part of the drainage system of the house. Not a single roof can do without this element. The functionality of the entire roof depends on how the ridge is installed correctly. In our article, we will talk about what types of skates are best installed on roofs covered with different roofing materials.
If you were able to build a house on your own and build a truss structure, covered it with roofing material, then installing a skate is also quite realistic and on your own. You just need to listen to the advice of experienced craftsmen, then the work will go well, and the result will be excellent.
Gone are the days when galvanized sheet or asbestos-cement materials were used as a ridge.
Today it is already difficult to imagine a beautiful euroslate roof, the ridge part of which is made of galvanized iron. No attraction or aesthetics.
Variety of modern roofing roofing materials involves the use of all structural elements of the roof (and this is the ridge) from the same material as the roof. Only then will the overall appearance of the roof be aesthetically beautiful and attractive.
How to calculate the required skate parameters
In order to correctly calculate the necessary parameters of the ridge, it is necessary to take into account all the cracks that formed at the joints of the roof during the installation of the roofing roof material.
It is impossible to answer this question unequivocally, it is necessary to take into account the design features of the roof and what material was used for the roof.
So, in order to calculate the required height of the ridge, for example, for a roof with roofing made of slate, corrugated board, metal tiles or roofing felt, it must be taken into account that the ridge part will be let on the roofing material.
We do not recommend neglecting this feature, since in the case when the skate is equipped in accordance with all the rules in windy weather, rain and snow will not fall under the blades of the skate.
Accordingly, the roof will have a reliable design and will protect your house from getting wet and moisture leaks.
Currently, modern manufacturers produce ready-made skates from different materials. They have a standard length of 2 meters and shelves with a width of 130 to 250 centimeters.
Important: In the event that you decide to purchase a skate with a polymer color coating, pay your attention to compliance with the RAL color standard. That is, you need to focus on one value of the color standard of the roofing material and the ridge. . Then the color of the roof will look uniform.
How to install a skate?
The ridge is fastened after the entire roofing is fully attached.
Important to know: you need to use a stainless mount. To do this, purchase a screwdriver and special screws for the roof (preferably stainless steel or galvanized). Such screws have a wide hat.
When installing a ridge on a slate roof, you can use a ceramic tile drill to make holes.
If the roofing ridge has a more complex shape, then before installing the ridge, glue all the joints with a special ventilation tape.
You will find such a tape in stores that sell roofing materials. It is corrugated aluminum, on both sides of which glue is applied.
The gluing of such a tape helps to ensure good ventilation under the roof and protection against the formation of condensate and heat escape.
Despite the fact that the main purpose of the ridge is to tie the slopes on the roof, closing the upper edges of the roofing sheets, their design can be very diverse. The aesthetic side is also very important.
So, roof skates, which, without a rim, not only do not have sufficient rigidity, but also spoil the appearance of the roof, when viewed from below.
Skate Mounting Instructions
Mounting the skate must be done step by step according to the instructions, then do not make any mistakes.Call a friend to help, as it will not be very convenient for you to constantly move from one side of the roof to the other.
Make sure the ridge axle is level. In this place, all the upper edges of the roof are closed, so it is so important that this line is more or less even. Otherwise, you will have to redo everything later.
Important: do not forget to lay a small layer of glass wool in the ridge groove. This is necessary in order to protect the roof from possible snow marks. But do not overdo it and do not make it too tight, otherwise you will just break the ventilation.
You can use ventilation tape (we talked about it above) or the so-called filler (foam rubber tape with an adhesive backing).
They are attached under the edge of the ridge shelf. But such materials do not cost a lot of money, and even when installing them, you will have to sweat. And the result is the same as when using glass wool. You decide.
After the outer edge of the ridge is laid flush with the upper extreme sheets of the roofing material, secure it with self-tapping screws.
Important: try not to allow a vertical gap.
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