Roofing 101:

Hello everybody! In this blog, we’re going to go over some of the basic necessities you should know before considering a roof replacement. We’ll talk about different types of roofing, ventilation, cost, and more! If you have any questions that are unanswered, give us a call, and we’d be more than happy to help.

Types of Roofing

Depending on where you live, what style home you have, and what your goals are will determine what roof replacement solution makes the most sense for you.

Asphalt Shingles: By far the most common roof you’ll see in the USA; especially the northeast. Shingle roofing is what the vast majority of homes and local roofers prefer. As a Brookhaven roofer, we commonly prefer and recommend shingle roofing. Shingle roofing is typically going to be one of the most cost effective solutions. We exclusive use Owens Corning’s Total Protection Roofing System for all the roof installations we complete. Our Owens Corning roofs are wind resistant, come with a 50 year warranty, and typically run for about half the cost of some other alternatives. 

Metal Roofing: Rising in popularity, metal roofing can be a great solution no matter where you live. Metal roofing is durable, aesthetically pleasing, and hassle-free. The biggest downside to metal roofing is cost. Metal roofing on average can be 2-3x more expensive than its shingle counterpart. With metal roofing becoming more popular, we prefer AB-Martin Standing Seam Metal Roofing at S&S Remodeling Contractors.

Slate Roofing: While slate roofing can be a great long term solution for a roof replacement, it’s not very commonly used. Real slate is incredibly heavy, and takes expertise to install which most contractors can’t offer. Also, some houses are not able to maintain the added weight of slate roofing, which is a major drawback to this product. At S&S Remodeling Contractors, we don’t personally install slate roofing, but we would refer you to someone who does if that’s what you really wanted for your home.

Cedar Roofing: Cedar Shake typically only makes sense from an aesthetic standpoint. If you’re absolutely in love with how it looks, then it may make sense. Besides that, the benefits you get for the additional price isn’t optimal. We would typically recommend against cedar roofing due to the cost vs value of the product.

Ventilation

Ventilation is often severely overlooked by homeowners and local roofers, but its importance is unprecedented. Every single roof must have the ability to breathe in and out; almost like a living organism. The law of thermodynamics states that heat will always rise. If your roof and attic don’t have proper ventilation, heat and humidity will build up. This can cause serious problems from energy inefficiency to rotting wood. 

At S&S Remodeling Contractors we recommend both intake and exhaust ventilation. We believe that the best method to accomplish this is by using DCI Smart Vent as an intake vent on the eaves of the roof, while using Owens Corning Rigid Ridge vent at the ridge. In order to create the perfect circuit, any other vents like gable vents, power fans, attic vents, etc must be sealed up. 

Components

There’s a lot more that goes into a roof besides shingles. A proper roof is going to include all necessary components. 

• Ice & Water Shield
• Starter Strip
• Drip Edge
• Plywood
• Synthetic Underlayment
• Ridge Vent
• Shingles
• Hip & Ridge Shingles

Roof Installation

Now that we understand the basics, let’s dive into how the actual installation goes. 

1. Remove all existing layers of shingles; haul away debris
2. Remove & replace any damaged plywood as necessary.
3. Install Ice & Water shield at all eaves, perimeters, and penetrations
4. Install Synthetic Underlayment to entire deck of roof
5. Install all new aluminum drip edge around perimeter of roof
6. Install starter strip to eaves
7. Install shingles
8. Install all new pipe collars
9. Cut in & counter flash chimney
10. Replace all existing step flashing against house walls
11. Install ridge vent at ridge
12. Install hip & ridge shingles
13. Seal all into place
14. Inspect & detail job

Conclusion

In conclusion, as a homeowner it’s important to be as educated as possible before making any home improvement. When it comes to roofing, there’s several variables that need to be considered before choosing a product and a roofer to do the job. With this basic guide, you should be better equipped to navigate this situation.

If you’d like to receive an estimate on your roof, call us at 610-876-0440