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Roofing Planning

Prepare for your next roofing project by discovering our planning ideas & tips.

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All About Metal Roofs

It’s hard to top the looks and longevity that come with a metal roof. Here's what you need to know before putting one on your own home.
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Fixing Ice Dams on a Roof

Home technology expert Ross Trethewey helps a homeowner solve an ice dam issue with smart insulation practices that also improve the home’s efficiency.
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Is Your Roof Ready for Winter?

If you don’t take care of problems with your roof before the cold weather arrives, those issues can worsen over time, creating an even more expensive roofing headache in the spring. Here’s what you need to know to prepare your roof for winter.
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How To Add a Second Floor To Your Existing House

Adding onto your home can be a great investment. Our guide walks you through how to add a second floor to an existing house the right way.
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How to Build a Low-Maintenance Home

While there’s no such thing as a maintenance-free house, it is important to invest in the right materials that will go the distance for you and your home. Read our guide to the best materials to make your home a low maintenance one.
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Easy-to-Install Roof Shingles

At the 2020 International Roofing Expo, GAF unveiled their Timberline® HDZ™ Shingle—and soon, you’ll see them up on the roof of the TOH TV Cape Ann Project House. Read on to find out how this revolutionary new architectural roofing shingle makes accurate nailing fast and easy.
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GAF HDZ™ Shingles Engineered for Accuracy Installed at the Cape Ann Project House

This Old House’s Cape Ann Project requires more than 6,000 square feet of roofing. Watch as we demonstrate how GAF’s Timberline® HDZ™ roofing shingles provide LayerLock™ technology and a wider strike zone, allowing shingles to be installed 30% faster and more accurately than standard shingles.
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Photoshop Redo: Dressing Up a Cookie-Cutter Ranch

Facade improvements, including a new roof and porch, give a simple one-story house an elegant new look
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12 Fall Fix-Ups That Pay You Back

Save yourself thousands in future repair, maintenance, and energy costs by not leaving these minor problems to get out of hand
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Fire-Resistant Roofing and Siding

Wrap your home's exterior with these naturally non-combustible and fabricated fire-resistant materials
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Gables

The triangle formed by two sloping roof planes is a defining characteristic for a house. Take a look at some striking examples of the form these end walls can take.
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Cupolas

These diminutive structures sit atop a roof ridge and bring light and air into a dark attic space. Check out a few cupolas that also bring style and interest to their top spots.
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Roof Shapes

From gable to shed to barn-shaped, discover the different types of roof designs that give each house its distinct character.
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Roofing Materials

If you're building a new house or re-roofing an existing one, your choice of materials will have an enormous impact on the look of your home as well as on your bank account.
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From the Ground Up: Roofing and Siding

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows how he installs roofing and siding to keep a house buttoned up and dry.
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Building a Flat Roof Right

Here's how the pros construct one so it stays tight and tight.
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3 Types of Flat Roofs: Pros and Cons

Which roof type is best for your property? We break down the three main options to help you make an informed decision.
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Adding an Eyebrow to Your Roof

They might not be the most inexpensive home improvement project you'll ever attempt. But eyebrow windows can dramatically improve the look of your home
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Choosing Roofing Materials

From asphalt shingles to wood shakes to clay tiles, here are the many options available for the topside of your home.
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How to Install a Drip Edge on Your Roof

Learn more about protecting your fascia with a sheet-metal or plastic drip edge from the This Old House experts.