Thomas Rosenberger details the process for installing a quality roof system on a custom home in Costa Rica. This includes assembling a sturdy steel structure, installing cementitious sheathing, applying waterproofing membrane underlayment, installing vertical and horizontal metal counter battens, laying clay roof tiles, and fitting galvanized metal gutters. The proper installation of all components is vital to prevent water infiltration and ensure the roof's durability.

1. Thomas Rosenberger
www.CostaRicaHomeBuilder.com
Quality Roof Installation in Costa Rica
structure, sheathing, underlayment, flashing, waterproofing, battens, tiles
& gutters
www.CostaRicaHomeBuilder.com
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2. The roof of a dwelling protects all building materials installed
below as well as personal possessions
It’s wise to invest as much as is necessary to install a quality
and maintenance free roof system
Finished roofing products, such as decorative tiles do not
prevent water infiltration. The proper installation of the
sheathing, underlayment and flashing materials are vital for
the durability of a roof
In order to complete a quality roof installation, compatible
components must be specified, purchased and installed
according to the manufacturers proprietary specifications
This presentation illustrates how I installed a quality roof
system on an 800m2 custom home in Santa Ana, Costa Rica

3. A sturdy structure is required to support the weight of quality roofing components
I use 4x4 and 4x6x2.38mm gauge square steel tubes to assemble the trusses

4. A sturdy steel structure needs to be welded together to provide strength
I use 2x6x2.38 gauge rectangular tubes for the long spans & 2x6x1.50mm perlin for short spans

5. We clean and then spray paint all steel tubes with two coats of anti-corrosive paint
I use red zinc oxide for the primer coat & white fast dry for the finish coat in order to see any
areas where the coverage is thin

6. Fascias are welded to the ends of the rafters and trusses to support sturdy gutters
I use 2x4 and 2x6x1.50mm gauge perlin to make the metal fascias

7. Wide metal flashing insures that no water infiltration will occur in the valley’s
I install 24 gauge galvanized metal in the valley’s where a lot of water and debris from trees
needs to pass freely

8. Cementious laminates are ideal for sheathing
I use 4x8x14mm thick Plycem laminates and attach them into the rafters with 2 ½” screws

9. the sheathing is installed with a 1” overhang to allow surface water to drain into gutters
gutters will be attached to fascias under the overhangs, preventing water from entering behind
gutters

10. Cementious laminates provide a smooth sheathing surface to apply membrane
underlayment
cementious laminates do not warp when exposed to moisture like plywood does

11. Metal flashing seals the gaps between the sheathing laminates
I fabricate wide flashing from 24 gauge galvanized metal and install on all ridges

12. Water diverter in front of chimney prevents accumulating water from causing damage
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13. Chimney diverter requires flashing installation to prevent water infiltration
only experienced tradesmen understand this type of custom flashing installation

14. Flashing is installed on top of the deck and into the vertical walls that meet the roof
a groove is cut with a cement cutting blade into the vertical walls in order to recess the metal
flashing

15. The same type of flashing is installed into the vertical walls of the chimney
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16. Stucco plaster and roof tiles will cover the flashing
the metal flashing provides a barrier to prevent water infiltration where walls meet the roof

17. polyurethane waterproofing sealer is applied on the sheathing to prep the surface
for underlayment

18. SBS waterproofing membrane is applied to the sealed sheathing
this 4mm thick underlayment membrane is applied with propane torches to seamlessly cover
the roof surface

19. The membrane underlayment completely seals the roof surface to prevent water
infiltration 19

20. vertical metal counter battens allow water to flow under the battens & roof tiles and
into gutters
1x2x1.50mm gauge counter battens are screwed through the underlayment & sheathing into the
roof rafters with 2 ½” screws

21. Additional waterproofing membrane is installed on top of the counter battens
SBS membrane strips are applied on the metal tubes to prevent water from entering under the
screw holes

22. Horizontal metal battens are attached to the counter battens
we install another layer of 1”x 2”x1.50mm tubes horizontally on top of the vertical tubes with 2”
screws

23. The horizontal metal battens on top of the vertical counter battens will support the
roof tiles
additional tubes are attached to the ridges and roof plane so the roof tiles can be screwed into
this 2nd layer of metal tubes

24. SBS membrane is attached to the fascias below the sheathing overhang
When gutters are screwed into fascias, the membrane acts as a vapor barrier, preventing
moisture and debris from entering above or behind the gutters and into the soffits

25. Clay tiles are delivered and placed on roof for installation
The Riviera roof and ridge tiles arrived from the El Aguila factory in Mexico and are now ready to
be screwed into the metal battens

26. Recessed gutters in valleys
I had 26 gauge gutters fabricated in the color to match the roof tiles. These additional gutters in
the valleys under the roof tiles are screwed into the metal battens, above the waterproofing
membrane underlayment to provide a metal surface for rainwater as well as debris from the
trees to pass between & under the tiles and into the gutters below

27. Clay tiles installed over valley gutters
The clay tiles are cut to fit into the valleys , where surface water as well as debris from the trees
can drain between & under the tiles and into the metal valley gutters below
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28. Tiles installed on ridges with cement
The installation of the ridge tiles with cement seals the gaps on the ridges with a traditional appearance

29. Galvanized metal gutters are installed on all fascias
Large 15” deep x 10” high baked on enamel 26 gauge metal gutters are installed on 2mm thick
steel brackets with upper metal supports screwed into the 1x2 metal battens
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30. 15” x 10” gutters and 5” downspouts complete
Custom fabricated in Costa Rica from 26 gauge galvanized metal
laminates

31. Thomas Rosenberger
www.CostaRicaHomeBuilder.com
Quality Roof Installation in Costa Rica
structure, sheathing, underlayment, flashing, waterproofing, battens, tiles & gutters
www.CostaRicaHomeBuilder.com
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