Guide
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General contractors
What Is a General Contractor—and When Do You Need One?
Residential Construction Coordination A general contractor is usually the company or individual with primary contractual responsibility for managing a construction…
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Handyman
What Jobs Can a Handyman Do? A Homeowner Guide
Small Home Repairs and Installations A handyman is usually a good fit for small repair, maintenance, assembly and installation jobs…
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Handyman
How to Use a Digital Tape Measure for Roof Area
Digital Roof Measurement A digital tape measure or laser distance meter can make it easier to collect roof dimensions, but…
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Roofing Guides & Resources
The Difference Between Roofing Nails and Roofing Staples
Roofing Fastener Comparison Roofing nails and staples are different fasteners with different geometry, bearing area and approved applications. For a…
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Roofing Guides & Resources
Roofing Nail Gun Depth: How to Diagnose and Adjust Nail Drive
Pneumatic Roofing Nailer Setup Roofing nail depth should be judged at the shingle—not from the position of an adjustment dial…
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Roofing Guides & Resources
Roofing Tin Snips: Choose the Right Snips for Each Metal Cut
Roofing Sheet-Metal Cutting The best roofing snips are the ones whose blade geometry matches the cut and whose rated capacity…
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Roofing Guides & Resources
Roof Jacks and Roof Brackets: How They Support Work on Sloped Roofs
Sloped-Roof Work Platforms Roof jacks—more precisely called roof brackets in OSHA scaffold terminology—are supports used with planks to create a…
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Roofing Guides & Resources
Roofing Shoes: How to Choose Traction for Different Roof Surfaces
Roof-Surface Traction Footwear Roofing shoes are most useful when they improve controlled contact with the roof surface without making the…
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Roofing Guides & Resources
Roofing Boots and Shoes: How to Choose Footwear for Roof Work
Roofing Footwear Roofing footwear should be chosen for the surface underfoot, not from a generic “best work boot” list. A…
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Roofing Guides & Resources
Roofing Pry Bars: Choose the Right Bar for Removal and Repair
Roofing Removal & Repair Tools A roofing pry bar should be chosen by what needs to move and what needs…
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Roofing Guides & Resources
Galvanized Roofing Nail Sizes: How to Choose the Right Length and Gauge
Roofing Nail Sizing The correct galvanized roofing nail is not chosen from roof pitch alone. Nail length has to pass…
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Roofing Guides & Resources
Roofing Tool Belt Setup: What to Carry and What to Leave Off
Roofing Tool Organization A roofing tool belt should carry the tools needed repeatedly during the current task—not every tool owned…
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Roofing Guides & Resources
Are Aluminum Roofing Nails More Corrosion-Resistant?
Roofing Nail Corrosion Aluminum roofing nails resist corrosion well because aluminum develops a thin protective oxide layer instead of rusting…
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Handyman
Reciprocating Saws in Roofing: Match the Blade to the Cut
Roofing Demolition & Deck Repair A reciprocating saw is most useful in roofing when the job involves demolition, damaged roof…
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Handyman
Roofing Safety Glasses: Choose Eye Protection for the Hazard
Roofing Eye Protection The best eye protection for roofing is not the pair with the highest product rating. It is…
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Roofing Guides & Resources
Metal Roofing Cutting Tools: Match the Tool to the Cut
Metal Roofing Field Fabrication Metal roofing should not be cut with one universal tool. Aviation snips, electric shears, nibblers and…
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Roofing Guides & Resources
Roofing Ladder Hoists: Capacity, Setup & Material-Loading Safety
Roofing Material Handling A roofing ladder hoist—also called a shingle lift or ladder material lift—moves roofing materials from ground level…
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Roofing Guides & Resources
Roofing Air Compressor Features That Actually Matter
Roofing Compressor Selection Once a compressor can supply the airflow your roofing nailers require, the next decision is not simply…
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Roofing Guides & Resources
Roof Safety Harness Fit: How a Full-Body Harness Should Sit
Roofing Fall Protection A full-body roofing harness should fit snugly enough to stay correctly positioned without loose, hanging or twisted…
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Roofing Guides & Resources
How to Choose Roofing Felt for a Shingle Roof
Roofing Underlayment Decision Traditional asphalt-saturated roofing felt can still be a legitimate underlayment for some asphalt-shingle roofs, but “install felt”…
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