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Reply With QuoteDone a couple of sheds, not hard in ability what are you like on ladders and heights? I wouldn't tackle a full house myself.
Terracotta Roof Self-Install Has anyone here ever installed a terracotta roof, that is, a DIY install?
If so, how difficult was it and was there a substantial saving in labour costs?
Thank you.
Done a couple of sheds, not hard in ability what are you like on ladders and heights? I wouldn't tackle a full house myself.
Hello Johnc,
Not too bad on ladders and heights.
I have to tackle a full house as I'm short on funds.
Re: Terracotta Roof Self-Install I've done a shed too and agree with johnc, I wouldn't do a full house. Don't underestimate how quick those monkey-like roof guys are!
Once the battens are on you are just clipping the tiles on in the right order. How complicated is the roofline? You need to consider the cuts and that you'd also need to do the pointing (possibly upside down whilst hanging over the gable).
Oh and be careful ... tiles can be very sharp when cut!
I guess a tin roof is not an option?
Hi,
Despite appearance it is really a bit of a specialist job. Bear in mind you have to get it done fairly quickly or have some big tarps ready, because Murphy will send you 2 or 3 thunderstorms.
Let us know how you go.
Re: Terracotta Roof Self-Install Yes, that's a good point. I remember the first day they just stacked piles of tiles across the roof area ... I had nightmares that evening that they had all slid off and smash around the perimeter of the house. Luckily that want the case.
Hope to start sometime early next year. Will keep the roof as simple as possible.
Thanks for all your input.
I wouldn't dream of trying that on my own. You will have to move tons of material down and up, not to mention pointing, cuts, keeping the cupping straight ... forget it.
Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance
Confucius
Thanks Marc.
I'll take your advice and maybe have a go at self-installing architectural shingles.
Your insurance wont cover you in the event of roof leaks etc.
Give the terracotta a go, and post some pics, I need a good laugh.
Bit harsh with encouragement!
They are easy to lay and laid properly they won't leak....
though
for a big area I'd rather watch someone do it in a tenth time I would take.
It might look that way, but I guarantee you the task can get awfully overwhelming if you attempt it yourselfOriginally Posted by phild01
It's like anything, it's a specialized task to lay them properly and get them looking good, then you have all the pointing, cuts and capping to get right
Not to mention lugging around tons of tiles, and trying not to fall through the rafters when you cant see them because their covered in sarking.
The guys we use are quick, accurate and everything ends up straight.
It's like anything, it always looks easy when you see someone else doing it who knows what their doing.
I have specialist skills and so do they, I am happy to let these guys do their work.
I did say I'd rather watch it being done than doing it. When I built I wanted to do the tiles myself but got it done instead ...was a sensible decision.
Maybe there's an interim solution where you could reduce the cost by helping as a labourer?
That might cost more for upsetting their rhythm.
Probably... oh well, hopefully the OP at least invests in scafold and a harness.
I don't think the OP should be encouraged. It is a dangerous job
Roofing is a dangerous and also a skilled job as has been said. Roofers know their job and get in do it and get out fast. Worth every penny IMO (like brickies!) and I've done a few myself too . . . never again!
Advice from me on this forum is general and for guidance based on information given by the member posing the question. Not to be used in place of professional advice from people appropriately qualified in the relevant field. All structural work must be approved and constructed to the BCA or other relevant standards by suitably licensed persons. The person doing the work and reading my advice accepts responsibility for ensuring the work done accords with the applicable law.
Anything is dangerous to a degree, if someone feels agile and up to it then it is up to them to take the necessary care. Singlehandedly tiling large areas is going to be really hard work and I wouldn't do it. I have done smaller sections with relative ease, just hard work getting the tile stacks up there.
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