Get matched with top roofers in Clifton, NJ

The terms “roof sealant” and “roof coating” are used interchangeably to describe the rubber, silicone, polyurethane, or acrylic product applied to the roof’s surface for waterproofing and UV protection. Products like roof caulk can also be called “roof sealant,” but the term is more commonly used for the protective coating.

The formula for calculating how many squares of roofing you need is pretty easy. Take the total amount of square footage and divide it by 100. With this formula in mind, a 2,000-square-foot roof would require 20 squares of roofing material to adequately cover it.

There are several pros and cons of flat roofs. One disadvantage of flat roofs is that you lose potential attic space because it's flat. Flat roofs tend to pool water and because they lack an angle, any leak in the roof—usually due to a bad seal—has the potential to let in a lot of water. They don’t work well in climates with snow. Flat roofs are also structurally weaker than sloped roofs.

There should be small gaps between your roof and the walls of your home, and other buildings. These small gaps let building materials shift, expand, and contract with weather and other outside forces, and they prevent moisture from wicking down walls from roofing and gutter systems. Without these strategic gaps, your home’s exterior and its finishes can sustain water damage, decay, peel, delaminate, and crack. However, there is a fine line between a smart gap and a problematic gap—all  gaps should be small, intentional, and covered or filled in with foam insulation to prevent pests from using them as access points.