8 Best-Selling Home Roofing Books Millions Love

Barry D. Mussell's decades of framing experience shine through in this detailed guide that demystifies complex roof structures. The book equips you with precise measurements and cutting techniques for all roof types, including tricky irregular "bastard" hip roofs that often puzzle even seasoned framers. You’ll find clear tables and illustrations that replace the need for complicated calculations, making it easier to work confidently on-site. Whether you’re tackling gable, hip, shed, or polygonal roofs, this book provides the exact rafter lengths, bevels, and fascia cuts you need. It’s tailored for carpenters looking to refine their craft and for builders seeking a reliable pocket reference during roofing projects.

A.F.J. Reichers draws on decades of carpentry experience to craft Full Length Roof Framer, a precise guide built around detailed tables for rafter lengths across 48 roof pitches. You get clear-cut measurements and bevel instructions for common roof elements like hip, valley, and jack rafters, plus gable and cornice mouldings, enhanced by helpful illustrations. This edition expands its practical reach by including metric tables for popular slopes, making it a solid reference whether you’re working in imperial or metric units. If you’re hands-on with roof framing or studying its technicalities, this book offers a straightforward, numeric approach that’s hard to find elsewhere.

This tailored book explores detailed techniques for mastering roof framing and waterproofing essential to successful home roofing projects. It covers foundational principles of roof structure design, precise rafter cutting, and advanced waterproofing methods to prevent leaks and extend roof durability. By focusing on your interests, background, and specific goals, the book offers a personalized learning experience that combines widely respected knowledge with your unique needs. It examines how to integrate framing accuracy with effective waterproofing, revealing practical insights that help you build robust, weather-resistant roofs. This approach ensures you gain targeted expertise that matches your skill level and roofing objectives.

Drawing from decades of expertise at Fine Homebuilding, the Editors of Fine Woodworking crafted this book to tackle one of the trickiest challenges in home construction: keeping water out. You get a detailed look at how to apply flashing and waterproofing techniques that really stand up to the elements, with practical insights on preventing leaks that cause costly damage. Chapters break down roof design, material selection, and installation nuances that protect your home’s structure. This book is tailored for serious remodelers and contractors who want reliable, field-tested methods rather than theory.

David J. Deschaine distills his 25 years in home improvement into a practical guide that walks you through launching a roofing contractor business. You’ll learn how to set up your office, hire and manage crews, handle client data with the right computer systems, and master marketing and sales strategies tailored to roofing. The inclusion of ready-to-use forms and photo-guidelines for roof installation makes this more than theory—it’s a hands-on toolkit for avoiding costly startup mistakes. If you’re aiming to build a roofing business from the ground up, this book lays out clear steps and insider tips that few others offer.

When Barry Mussell drew on decades of hands-on roofing expertise and a family legacy in carpentry, he crafted a guide that demystifies complex roof framing challenges. You’ll find precise rafter lengths for standard and unusual "bastard" hip roofs alongside clear illustrations and layout tips that turn intimidating calculations into manageable tasks. Chapters on octagon and polygon rafter tables expand your capabilities beyond typical designs, while detailed bevel and fascia cut instructions deepen your framing know-how. This book suits anyone who builds, supervises, or renovates roofs, especially those tackling irregular pitches — it’s a practical companion that sharpens your framing skills with real-world precision.

This tailored roofing guide explores a step-by-step plan for rapidly building practical roofing skills and completing home roofing improvements. It focuses on your interests and matches your background to deliver content that advances your hands-on abilities efficiently. The book covers foundational roofing concepts as well as detailed techniques for framing, installation, waterproofing, and repairs, providing a clear progression from beginner to confident practitioner. By combining reader-validated knowledge with a personalized selection of topics, this book reveals how to tackle common roofing challenges with confidence. The tailored approach ensures that you engage deeply with areas you value most, accelerating your skill development and enabling you to manage roofing projects with greater assurance and precision.

What started as William P. Spence's deep dive into residential construction techniques became a definitive manual for anyone tackling roofing projects. You’ll learn the practical details behind choosing and installing various roofing materials, from asphalt shingles to metal roofing, and how to address critical elements like ventilation and fire resistance. The book breaks down essential skills such as preparing roofs for construction and making effective repairs, grounding your work in safety and durability. Whether you're a homeowner or a contractor, it equips you with the know-how to maintain and install roofing that stands up to the elements without getting lost in jargon or unnecessary complexity.

Fine Homebuilding’s expertise shines through in this focused guide on protecting homes from water damage, a chronic issue that causes costly repairs. The book delivers specific knowledge on roofing, flashing, and waterproofing techniques, emphasizing practical principles that help you safeguard your remodeling work against leaks. Chapters detail how to install and maintain proper flashing systems and roofing materials, making it ideal if you want to deepen your technical skills in water management for residential structures. This is best suited for experienced remodelers and builders who need reliable, field-tested guidance rather than beginners seeking basic home improvement tips.

The Essential Guide To Roofing comes from the editors of JLC the Journal of Light Construction, bringing expert knowledge directly to homeowners interested in roofing. This book teaches you practical roofing techniques and maintenance tips, making complex construction topics accessible without jargon. With clear explanations on materials, installation, and inspections, it benefits anyone aiming to understand or manage roofing projects confidently. The concise 97-page format ensures you get focused insights without overwhelming detail, ideal for DIY enthusiasts or those overseeing repairs.