Roofing and guttering: how to choose the material and buy at a good price
A roof starts with its area and shape
Roofing materials are counted by the area of the slopes, not by the area of the house. A gable roof is simple, while a hip roof with valleys and dormer windows gives more waste and needs more shaped parts. So in your request give the shape, the area, the length of the slopes and the number of bends. For a complex roof, allow a bigger margin for waste.
What to choose from
- Metal roofing tiles — popular and light, in different profiles. Metal thickness (for example 0.45 mm) and coating matter: polyester, matt polyester, PVDF.
- Profiled sheets — simpler and cheaper, good for sheds and farm buildings.
- Bitumen shingles — flexible, quiet in the rain, suited to complex shapes.
- Clay tiles, cement sheets, roll coverings — separate solutions with their own demands on the rafters.
Before choosing a material, find out what load the rafter system can take and the minimum slope the material needs. It is better to ask the seller or a roofer. In regions with heavy rain, a roof with a good slope and proper gutters matters most; in hot regions, light colours and insulation help to keep the heat out.
Don't forget the trim and the gutters
Ridges, flashings, valleys, snow guards in hill areas, screws with washers, membranes and insulation are often bought together. Guttering (gutters, downpipes, outlets, brackets) is counted by the perimeter of the roof and the number of downpipes. It comes in plastic and metal, and the price depends on the material and diameter. It is better to take one system from one maker, so that the parts match.
What to put in your request
- What you need — metal roofing tiles, profiled sheets, bitumen shingles, membranes, gutters.
- Roof area — for example 1,500 sq ft.
- Thickness and coating — 0.45 mm, matt polyester.
- Colour — a RAL code or a description, for example dark brown.
- Roof type — gable, hip, valleys, dormer windows.
- Guttering — material, perimeter, number of downpipes.
- Make — if you have a preference.
- Delivery and address — with unloading.
- Budget.
Example: “I need metal roofing tiles in matt polyester, 0.45 mm, dark brown, for a hip roof of 1,500 sq ft, with a ridge, flashings and screws. Plastic guttering, perimeter 130 ft, 4 downpipes. Delivery to Toronto with unloading. Budget up to $2,500.”
How ordering works through BlaBlaPrice
A roofing set is made of about ten items, and each seller has different stock and a different production time for the sheets. Instead of calling around, you post a request, and sellers answer in the chat: what exactly they offer, what it costs, how soon, and whether delivery is included. Each seller sees where their offer ranks and can improve the terms. BlaBlaPrice shows the best offer first, and the seller's reviews are next to it. Your phone stays hidden until you choose a seller. More in how it works.
What to look at when comparing
Check the metal thickness, the type of coating, the profile height and the maker's warranty. Ask whether the price includes the shaped parts or counts them separately, and who cuts the sheets to length. The sheet length must be exact, so it is better to leave the measuring to a roofer. Pay attention to the production time: in the season the queues can be longer.
For the roof frame you will need timber, for fixing — fasteners, and for insulation and sheathing — finishing materials.
