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• During a certain period of the year we experience a higher humidity. An old roof or its open parts is exposed to this humidity and the wooden planks absorb moisture. As the wood increases in moisture content it can cause movement of the decking.
• When a new roof is installed, moisture is trapped in the system, and the roofing underlayment can absorb moisture and wrinkle.
• After an interior remodeling of the attic, too much moisture can also occur. With the lack of ventilation, wet processes with drywall and plastering might cause the wrinkling of shingles.
• Because homes are built tighter and have higher insulation levels, they may not be properly ventilated. See individual manufacturer’s recommendations for additional ventilation requirements and always check your local build codes regulations.
• Roof sheathing that is not spaced with a minimum of 3 mm can cause buckling due to expansion and contraction.
• Improper installation: failure to apply shingles as directed by the shingle manufacturer’s recommendations.

   Pictured: Shingle roof without ventilation

• Use only wood decking materials approved by the roofing manufacturer. These materials must be properly conditioned to be at moisture equilibrium with the job site environment.
• Do not expose decking materials to water before or after application.
• Cover wood deck materials with an approved IKO Armourbase underlayment and then apply shingles.
• Ensure adequate attic ventilation. See individual manufacturer’s recommendations for additional ventilation requirements.
• Apply shingles in accordance with IKO shingle manufacturers’ recommendations.

Wood will expand when it gets wet. Even increases in the moisture conditions around the decking lumber can cause expansion. The tendency of this expansion will cause buckling of shingles on the roof. If possible, always allow the decking material to acclimatize to the conditions where they are being installed.

>>> BLOG TIP: Learn more on how to ensure a stable roof deck.

To install a concrete roof bitumen shingles, a crew first builds a framework for the intended roof. These frames can either be removable concrete forms or stay-in-place insulating concrete forms, which simply become a part of the finished roof. Then a concrete mixture is poured, spread through the framework and reinforced with steel bars, which serve as a kind of skeleton for the cured concrete. While flat roofs are the easiest to create out of concrete, more complex sloped roofs are also possible. These options allow concrete roofs to match virtually any desired housing style, though sloped roofs require engineering and design.

Roofers can cover the roof with any type of roofing material to help give it the desired look. Of course a concrete roof requires more support than a typical wooden roof. It weighs a lot more than wood, so the outside walls have to be capable of supporting the giant concrete slab. Interior support beams can help, but the construction works best when the concrete walls, floor and roof form a solid shell. If a concrete roof isn't properly supported, it can collapse, especially if it is subjected to additional stresses such as earthquakes.