That is a major job that requires lots of hard work and material. If your copper roof is still in good shape, then it can be worth it to do so. However, it isn’t necessarily worth trying to tackle on your own. Another option is to get quotes from professional paint strippers to have the job done professionally. It is very important that you are certain that you are dealing only with latex paint and no lead paint needs to be removed. Use extreme caution anytime you are working on your roof, particularly if you have limited experience.

You shouldn’t do most work on your own. You should remember that roofing contractors and professionals have training in efficiently and safely repairing or replacing roof systems. You might even damage your roof system if you use improper roofing techniques. In fact, you might fall off your roof or through it and seriously hurt yourself. If you own a home or building, the scope of your maintenance should be limited to roof inspections in the spring and fall where you check for curling or cracked shingles or just cleaning your gutters of dead leaves or other debris. If you need to inspect your roof on your own, make sure that you use a ladder that has rubber safety feet and is tied off or braced firmly. Stay on your ladder instead of your roof whenever possible, and wear shoes with rubber soles.

No roof is designed to fit all applications even if it has the best of materials and structural design. What matters the most is the installation without which the roof will leak and crumble when battered by storms. Proper installation is a matter of exceptional knowledge and craft that accounts for every detail such as drainage and flashing, which are as essential as the materials used for roofing. Moreover, maintenance also plays a vital role in preserving the structural integrity and aesthetics of the roof. Also, remember that most of the manufacturers who make low-slope roofing materials will not offer warranties for their products. As such, the warranty for such roofing will be the one provided by the contractor for service guarantee. As such, it is essential that you hire an experienced and reputable roofing specialist who will evaluate your home to determine the best roofing option. Read the guide on “Buying A New Roof And Getting Your Money’s Worth” for more information and recommendations.

Not much. Any kind of glazed assembly that allows natural light in through a roof may be referred to as a skylight. The term “roof window” is used by some manufacturers to describe a fairly large skylight that is positioned low enough to be able to see outdoors and view a landscape. So if all you see is the sky, then it is a skylight I guess, but if you are able to see both land and sky, you could refer to it as a roof window. In general, roof windows usually are large enough to in the event of a fire to be an egress. With a skylight, that is usually not the case. “Sky window” is a term that isn’t as common as the other ones are. There is one manufacturer t least that uses the term to describe a very large glazed area within a flat roof. A majority of skylights are intended for a roof that has a slope of 15 degrees at least.

Flashing is simply material – which is usually galvanized steel or aluminum – it is used over wall construction and joints in the roof to prevent water from seeping in which can cause significant damage. Depending on your home’s roof style, you probably have it around the pies and chimneys in the valleys, and any skylights or windows. A majority of damage shows up in deteriorating flashing due to oxidizing and weathering, or in loose flashing. Without examining your roof, I can’t know for sure. However, a majority of flashing problems may be fairly easily repaired or patched. Typically professional roofers shape and cut flashing out of sheet metal, however many of the most common pieces of flashing come pre-formed as well and may be applied without a lot of problems using roof cement or caulking. Warning: Since there is danger involved, I don’t ever recommend that homeowners work on their roofs unless they happen to be a professional or are very familiar with being on a roof. So if any significant repairs need to be made to your flashing, you should think about hiring a contractor who can do the work for you.

It seems like a steep hillside erodes faster than a low slope does, so I think that the roof shingles on a steeply sloped roof will wear out faster. A steep roof, on the one hand, isn’t as likely collect debris and leaves that holds moisture on the shingles and promotes the growth of algae and moss. However, the same roof that faces south in an unshaded area will take the sun’s full brunt, which is tough on any roof. Factors except for pitch have a stronger effect on the durability of the shingle. The side that faces the worst weather will typically fare much worse compared to the leeward side. Also, a roof system that is improperly vented will build up the heat under the roof will have a shorter life compared to one that is properly vented.