Need a roof replacement?
Most people don’t really think about the roof over their heads…until it springs a leak and you find yourself needing a roof replacement!
When we think about home repairs, installing a new roof is arguably the most important home remodeling project. Why? Because a roof protects your home and all of its other interior and exterior investments. Although a new roof isn’t all that glamorous, you’ll understand its importance in a big way should an old roof fail, allowing water to destroy the inside of your home, from the attic insulation, down through your beautiful remodeled kitchen, right on through to the basement family room with big-screen TV. Fewer home problems can be more disastrous than a failed roof. That’s why we advocate that homeowners take the time to do the research, understand the process, and understand roofing systems. Notice how we said “systems”? Let’s talk more about this below.
What does a roof replacement consist of?
The Roof Decking
We start by ensuring that roof decking is solid and that any wood or plywood is inspected and validated. We replace any plywood that needs to be replaced due to rot.
Ventilation
Ventilation is the most essential component to the life and longevity of your roof. When a roof is not properly ventilated, it can result in rot and mold and premature shingle aging.
Step 1: Asphalt Roofing System Installation
Step 1: Drip Edge Drain
The first step of this process is to ensure that an 8-inch aluminum drip edge is installed on all roof perimeters, this means all roof edges. The purpose of installing a drip edge is to ensure that no wind driven rain enters the roof through its edges. It’s an essential part of the roofing system defense mechanism.
Step 2: Ice + Water Shield
The next step in the roofing system is the ice and water shield membrane called leak barrier. There are a few product options you can pick from when it comes to leak barriers, depending on the manufacturer you choose for your project. The ice and water shield membrane leak barrier is installed on all roof eaves, rakes, valleys, transitions, chimneys, skylights, pipe boots and vents. You can choose from the product lines of Certainteed or GAF:
GAF LEAK BARRIER OPTIONS
Weatherwatch
Stormguard
CERTAINTEED LEAK BARRIER OPTION
Winterguard
Winterguard HT
Step 3: Synthetic Felt Paper
Next step is the synthetic felt paper. The synthetic felt will be installed on the remaining exposed roof wood decking after the leak barrier has been installed. The synthetic felt is premium, breathable, UV-stabilized polypropylene underlayment that helps protect your home against wind-driven rain infiltration.
GAF SYNTHETIC FELT OPTIONS
Tigerpaw – BETTER
DECKARMOUR – BEST
Certainteed Synthetic felt Options
ROOFrunner – BETTER
Diamonddeck- BEST
Step 4: Starter Strip Shingles
The starter course shingle is installed on all the roof edges of the roof, same place as the drip edge. Pre-cut eave/rake starter strips are one of the most overlooked parts of a roofing system! That’s because some roofing contractors try to use a cut-up 3-tab strip shingle as the “starter” course on your roof. Today, we know that using asphalt shingles for a starter course is not recommended. We use Eave/Rake Starter Strips that are made with a high-quality, properly positioned adhesive applied at the factory to help prevent shingle blow-off.
Explore the starter strip products we use:
Step 5: Asphalt Shingles
Next up is the installation of asphalt shingles. This is our favorite part. You have so many options to choose from. From architectural shingles to designer shingles as well as a variety of color options. Architectural shingles are shingles of high-quality, and a reliable choice for beautifying and protecting the home. With a dual-layered design that emulates the dimensionality of true wood shake, asphalt shingles offer the heaviest weight and widest array of color options in their class, allowing you to create or re-create the ideal look for your home with confidence. Backed by a 100+ year legacy of trusted manufacturing performance, all shingles include lifetime-limited warranty.
- GAF Shingles
- CERTAINTEED Shingles
- Certified as meeting the industry’s toughest third-party (UL) manufacturing quality standards
- Dual-layered construction provides extra protection from the elements
- Ten year StreakFighter® algae-resistance warranty
- Class A fire-resistance rating
Explore our Roof Replacement Materials
Step 2: Ventilation is Added
- Intake vents, located at the lowest part of the roof under the eaves, allow cool air to enter the attic.
- Hot air exhaust vents, located at the peak of the roof, allow hot air to escape.
Step 1: Attic Intake Vents
Intake vents are most commonly installed directly in the soffit, either as individual vents spaced every few feet or as one continuous perforated soffit running the entire length of the eave.
Step 2: Outtake by Ridge Vents
The most common outtake of air happens with the ridge vent application. A ridge vent exhausts air by releasing all of the heat that rises and gets trapped in the attic.
Step 3: Solar Powered Exhaust Vents
For homes that have difficulty having the installation of air intake or outtake we often recommend solar powered exhaust vents to create an effect similar to that of a turbine) A standard powered exhaust vent turns on when the temperature inside the attic reaches a pre-set limit and runs until the temperature drops.
Step 4: Ridge Caps
After the air intake and outtake have been addressed, the roofing system will be completed with the ridge caps. Ridge caps are installed on top of the ridge vent. The ridge cap help protect against leaks at the hips and ridges, and complements the look of your GAF shingles.
We offer the following trusted roof ventilation products below:
Pictures speak more than words, and our craftsmanship shines through.
