Whether you're installing an entirely new roof or re-roofing, acclaimed how-to-do-it author William Spence shows how to do the job right. Focusing particularly on the materials and techniques used for residential housing, he covers everything from aesthetic considerations to fire resistance, from safety procedures to proper sheathing, underlayment, insulation, and ventilation. Learn how to make repairs, prepare the roof for the construction process, and choose the best materials for your home. In detail, find out how to apply asphalt shingles; wood shingles and shakes; slate, clay and concrete tile; and metal roofing, as well as built-up bitumen, roll roofing, and various available single-ply roofing. You want the security of a roof over your head; with this guide, you'll know how to keep it in tip-top shape.