You roof is one of the most important elements protecting your home, and when roofing problems arise you need to hire a professional that will resolve them in the most efficient and cost-effective way. Roofing systems are not all the same, and depending on the type of roof you have, you need to be working with someone who has experience installing and repairing your particular kind of roof. As a rule of thumb you definitely want to avoid contractors that advertise themselves as “repairing all types of roofs”, these are unprofessional roofers who are praying on customers who are not knowledgeable about roofing. Roofing repairs and especially installations cost a lot of money, so to safeguard yourself and your roof, you need to ask roofing contractors the right questions when you are interviewing them. Their answers will quickly weed out experienced, honest roofers from low quality contractors and scammers, so that you actually end up paying for high quality work.

BBB advise on what to ask a roofer – after watching, check out top 10 question to ask when hiring a roofing contractor

Here is a list of 10 crucial questions for roofing contractors:

1 ) What is the company’s name and physical location?

This simple question is actually an important one to ask, especially if you are considering hiring a roofing company that sends its representatives door to door. It is always safer to deal with an established local business in your area that can provide you with an address that you can check out. Do not trust companies that solicit work out of trucks and pressure you with such notices as “the special price is only good if you sing the contract today”. Read the rest of 10 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Roofing Contractor

In most regions, a roof will not be able to adequately protect the house from exposure to the elements without a layer of underlayment installed right under the external roofing material. As a homeowner, you need to make sure that your roof underlayment is made from high quality durable material and is installed properly, so that it will be able to deter water from getting inside the house. If you are planning to do a re-roof or install a brand new roof on your home, you need to make sure you understand the different underlayment options available on the market. It is important for you to choose the best quality underlayment that will provide long lasting protection for your home, suitable for the specific type of climate you live in.

How do I choose the best underlayment for my home?

In choosing underlayment, you goal is to get one that will provide you with the most protection against leaks at a price that you can afford. For example, a high quality synthetic underlayment (such as GAF Deck Armor) can extend the life of your roof by an average of 5 to 10 years, at an additional expense of only a few hundred dollars over felt underlayment. If you live in any of the states that get a lot of snow, ice, and rain, it is wise to invest more money and install an ice shield in combination with synthetic underlayment. Synthetic underlayment or an ice shield or a combination of both should always be used for metal roofing, clay tile, slate, and other premium (expensive) roofing materials to provide adequately long lasting secondary layer of roof protection.

Initially spending more money on premium underlayment material will actually help you save a lot of money down the road. You will not need to spend extra to fix your leaking roof, or buy a whole new roof if your will end up being in a condition beyond repair. If you live in a mild climate with minimal rainfall, your roof should be adequately protected with felt underlayment.

Roofing Underlayment video – overview of underlayment types and installation guidelines:

What exactly is Roofing Underlayment?

Roofing underlayment is a special barrier that is installed between the roof substrate and the surface roofing material (shingles, tile, membrane, etc). It provides added protection to the roof structure and the interior of the home against water leaks caused by rain and ice dams.

What is the proper way to install roofing underlayment?

Underlayment is installed in an overlapping sequence from the bottom of the roof going up. Roofing underlayment typically comes in rolls and can be self adhered or nailed down to the roof substrate. If you are installing ice and water underlayment, it needs to be installed first. Second, you install the first course of either synthetic or felt underlayment, overlapping the ice and water underlayment by at least 6 inches. If you are installing felt, consecutive courses should overlap by 50%. If you are installing synthetic underlayment, 6 inch overlap is sufficient. It is advisable to use plastic cap nails to fasten down the underlayment with 12 inches on center spacing at the top and bottom of each course. The vertical overlap should be at least 2 feet or 24 inches. Roofing underlayment should cover the entire roof deck. When transitioning into the valley, roofing underlayment should overlap the ice and water shield(previously installed along the valley) by 6-8 inches. All nails should be placed at least 12 inches away from the center of the valley.

What are the different types of roofing underlayment?

There are three types of underlayment that can be installed on a roof: felt underlayment, ice shield underlayment, and synthetic underlayment.

1. Felt is tar or asphalt saturated paper made with some fiberglass. It is the most widely used and the cheapest roofing underlayment. While felt offers a general level of protection against leaks, it may not be enough if you live in an area that gets heavy snow and/or rain fall. Felt underlayment is not as high quality material as synthetic underlayment, does not last as long, does not offer the same level of protection and is less tear proof. Felt or tar paper underlayment is typically installed with asphalt roof shingles. For premium roofing products, contractors and manufacturers usually recommend using synthetic underlayment (read below for more details).

2. Ice Shield (also known as ice and water shield, or I&W) is a thick asphalt or bitumen based reinforced membrane. This membrane has a sticky surface, that glues to the roof deck, and does not tear after installation. In Northern states and Canada, building codes require the usage of ice shields, because it protects the roofing structure from water penetration caused by wind-driven rain and ice dams. It is essential to use an ice shield in critical areas such as eaves, rakes, ridges, valleys, dormers and skylights. It is best to install the ice shield when air, roof deck and membrane temperatures are at or above 40°F (4.4°C). For best protection, an ice shield should be installed at the bottom 3 ft of the roof. The rest of the roof can be covered by regular underlayment (felt or synthetic)

The down side of an ice shield is that when it is installed over the entire roof deck, it also acts as a vapor barrier, which means that it traps water under the roof. Trapped water can cause the substrate to rot and will also lead to the formation of allergenic mold and mildew. As a result, it is generally recommended to avoid covering the entire roof with an ice shield.

3. Synthetic underlayment is an expensive substitute for felt and has a number of advantages. Synthetic underlayment lasts longer, is more tear proof, and usually does not deteriorate. This underlayment can be breathable or non-breathable. Non-breathable underlayment acts as a vapor barrier, trapping moisture under the roof. Consequently, it is best to avoid it and not have to deal with the problems of rotting roof substrate and mold that invariably occur when there is too much water trapped under the roof.

A roof is one of the most essential parts of your home, that keeps it safe and protected from adverse natural elements.If you are building a new home or are thinking of replacing your old home, it is important for you to have a general sense of roof construction. This information will help you be a more discerning consumer, and will assist you in dealing with roofing contractors, so that you can get the best roofing products that suite your budget and needs.

A roofing system consists of several parts that are constructed in a step by step process. Each component of a roofing system is described below from the roofing rafters that come first to the skylights and chimneys that sit on top of the complete roofing system.

Roof Construction Video

1. Rafters

A rafter is one member in a series of sloped beams that are designed to support the roof deck and its associated loads. Rafters are typically made of wood and exposed rafters can be a feature of traditional roof styles. In modern construction, there is a preference for trussed rafters, which are made of one or more triangular units constructed with straight members, whose ends are connected at joints. Trussed rafters are manufactured off-site, use less materials, are easier to construct and therefore cost less than traditional rafters.

2. Roof Deck / Substrate

A roof deck is a roofing material layer installed on top of the rafters and right under the insulating layers of underlayment. the primary function of a roof deck is to act as a unifying structural diaphragm by tying all the structural components of a roof together. In construction, a roof deck is also known as sheathing or substrate. All three terms refer to the same thing. A roof deck can be made from plywood, OSB/boards. A high quality roof deck must be rigid, should eliminate excessive positive or negative deflection under load, and needs to have a smooth surface free of any large cracks or gaps. It is critical for the roof deck to be evenly and securely anchored to the building structure. A roof deck must have proper water drainage system, without which a roof membrane’s performance will be compromised if it is exposed to prolonged periods of ponding water.

3. Underlayment

Roofing underlayment is a special barrier that is installed between the roof substrate and the surface roofing material such as roofing shingles, tile, etc. Underlayment is installed in an overlapping sequence from the bottom of the roof going up. Roofing underlayment provides added protection to the roof structure and the interior of the home against water leaks caused by rain and ice dams. There are three types of underlayment: felt, ice shield and synthetic underlayment. Felt underlayment is tar or asphalt saturated paper made with some fiberglass. Its the cheapest underlayment available, but it does not perform as well or last as long as other types of underlayment.

Ice shield underlayment is also known as Ice and Water Shield or I&W. It is a thick asphalt or bitumen based reinforced membrane that has a sticky surface, that adheres to the substrate. This membrane does not tear.In Northern states and Canada, building codes require the usage of I&W. This shield protects the roof from ice dams. For the best performance it should installed at the bottom 3 ft of the roof. The rest of the roof can be covered by regular underlayment (felt or synthetic).

Synthetic underlayment is an expensive substitute for felt. It lasts longer, is more tear proof, usually does not deteriorate, can be breathable or non-breathable. Non-breathable underlayment acts as a vapor barrier, meaning it traps moisture under the roof. This is bad because it makes the substrate rot and also causes the formation of allergenic mold and mildew.

4. Roofing Material

Roofing material is nailed over the underlayment to the substrate. There are a wide variety of roofing materials available to homeowners that range in durability, longevity, level of protection, aesthetic look and design, as well as price. Roofing materials include asphalt roofing shingles, metal roofing shingles, synthetic slate roofing shingles, cedar roofing shingles, clay and concrete tile, PVC membrane, copper roofing materials, etc.

Asphalt roofing shingles are a cheap roofing material that is widely used in residential roofing, while metal and tile roofs are premium roofing materials that are very costly, but offer superior lifetime protection and energy savings for your home.

5. Dormers

A dormer is a structural element of a building that protrudes from the plane of a sloping roof surface. Dormers can be used in original construction or be added on later. They create extra usable space in the roof of a home by adding headroom as well as allowing the addition of windows. If a dormer is not properly constructed it can lead to leaks and very expensive repairs.
There are different types of dormers: shed dormer, gabled, hipped, eyebrow, segmental. The most common dormer types are gabled and hipped. A Gable dormer has a gabled roof, with two sloping planes that meet at a central ridge. A Hipped dormer has a hipped roof with three sloping planes that meet at the top.

6. Valleys

A valley is formed when two portions of a roof meet at an inside angle. These valleys are common to many roofs. Many times, a valley is created where the roof on the main part of the house meets the garage roof, or when an addition is put on the original roof. A valley is a vulnerable area on the roof, as it can collect leaves, and other debris. In the winter, ice collects in the valley, and as the ice freezes and thaws, the shingles get worn down and often require repair or replacement.

7. Skylights, chimneys and other protrusions

Skylights, chimneys and other protrusions are the top elements of the roof structure. A skylight is a structure that allows light on the roof to travel to the interior of a home. Skylights are useful in spaces that do not receive a lot natural daylight. Skylights offer an environmentally friendly solution to brightening a home. Using natural light rather than electricity as a light source can save energy and can reduce electricity bills.

A chimney is a vertical structure for venting combustion gases or smoke from a boiler, stove, furnace or fireplace to the outside atmosphere through the roof.

8. Roof Construction Costs

On most roof installations, you will not be dealing with framing or substrate, as those are usually associated with new homes. On existing homes, you may encounter framing and roof deck repairs / replacement only if your roof suffered severe damages, due to prolonged roof leaks.

If you are faced with roof replacement, you can use our roof calculator to estimate roof replacement cost for most items listed above: new roof, underlayment, plywood replacement, chimney and skylight flashing, etc.

Is it time to replace your old roof, and you are looking for the right roofing materials? Figuring out which roofing material to install is an important matter, and you need to consider what would be the best choice for you given your budget, geographic location and style needs. Roofing shingles are a viable choice for homeowners who want a roof that is economical, but sill offers such desirable features as safety, quality, low maintenance, and ease of repair and installation. This combination of great quality and price makes asphalt shingle roofs the most popular and competitive roofing material on the market, favored by homeowners and roofing contractors alike.

Within the class of asphalt roofing shingles materials there are different options you can choose from, ranging from the most basic 3-tab roofing shingles to upgraded, superior quality laminated shingles. Some of these roofing shingle options are more expensive than others, and you will have to decide whether their extra benefits are worth the extra cost.

Estimate the prices of new asphalt shingles roof with our Roofing Calculator.

Different types of asphalt roofing shingles

Classic 3 Tab Roofing Shingles

If you are on a budget and are looking for the most basic yet quality asphalt shingle material for your roof, the classic 3 tab roofing shingle is a great option. For decades, this has been and still continues to be the most commonly used roofing shingles on most residential homes in the US. The 3 tab shingle is about 1-ft. tall x 3-ft. wide, and it has the same thickness throughout. From the bottom end, narrow slots are cut about half-way up the shingle to create three tabs. Each one is about 5-in. tall x 12-in. wide. This construction results in a clean, flat look throughout your roof.

The 3 tab roofing shingle offers the following benefits and safety features for your roof. It typically carries a 25-40 year prorated warranty (for details read our section on asphalt shingles roof longevity and roof repair, below). It is wind resistant up to 60 miles per hour and carries a 5 year warranty, which should be just fine if your house is located in a region that is not prone to strong winds.

Laminated / Architectural Roofing Shingles

It is easy to get confused when shopping around for an upgraded version of an asphalt roofing shingle, since this shingle has a number of different names. Laminated shingles, architectural shingles and three-dimensional shingles all refer to one type of asphalt roofing shingle. The main difference and advantage of these shingles is that they have at least two layers of fiberglass matting that are individually coated in asphalt, and then laminated together. This construction creates extra thickness. Laminated shingles have a warranty that is correlated with their thickness; the thicker the shingle the longer the warranty. For example, triple laminate shingles carry a lifetime warranty. This feature enables laminated shingles to have better tear off resistance; some are rated to resist winds of 120 miles per hour. If you live in a hurricane prone region of the US, investing more money for the added security of your home is a smart financial decision. Another important safety feature of laminated shingles is strong fire resistance. This is especially true of laminated roofing shingles that have a heavy granulated top coat. A heavy layer of top coat granules provides the highest fire rating of Class A.

Premium Asphalt Roofing Shingles

If you would like your roof to have great curb appeal, laminated shingles are the right choice for creating a variety of custom looks that will suite many home styles and different aesthetic tastes. Unlike other asphalt roofing shingles, laminated roofing shingles create visual depth on a roof, which is why they are also called three-dimensional roofing shingles.

Depth is created by a special process of installing thick and thin shingles side-by-side. This is done by taking a flat shingle and trimming it to have tabs that are separated by large gaps. Next, an extra shingle layer is bonded below the tabs.

This added shingle is a large, solid rectangle whose surface is hidden by the overlying tabs, and is therefore visible in the spaces between the tabs. The result is a roof that looks like it is made with thin and thick shingles placed in a natural and random, yet orderly way.

Roof shingles designs and texture:

In addition to offering a great look, the majority of asphalt shingle products have a special design feature that helps prevent a common aesthetic problem: black streaks caused by algae. This problem is very common on roofing shingles in regions with high humidity and frequent rainfall. Laminated shingles are more algae-resistant because they are coated with copper or zinc granules, which leach over time, inhibiting algae growth. Consequently, laminated shingles continue to be a favorite roofing material among architects, roofing contractors and home owners.

Asphalt Shingles Roof longevity, roof repair, and environmental concerns:

How long asphalt shingles last:

Typical 3-tab or “30-year” architectural shingles will last 15-25 years, and ONLY when properly installed, and with adequate roof ventilation. If your attic is not ventilated, shingles will “cook” from excessive heat, dry up, become brittle, and the roof will begin to loose granules (which protect shingles from UV radiation) and leaks will start to occur, requiring occasional roof repair or a complete replacement.

See a special report video by CBC, on how long asphalt shingles REALLY last, and what your warranty covers (or not):

Alternatives to asphalt roofing shingles:

One of the best alternatives to asphalt roof, is a metal roof. Metal roofs typically outlast asphalt, by 3-4 times (35-50 years) and often last much longer. Metal roofs are cool – they reflect solar heat instead of storing it and heating your attic. Metal roofs are not prone to ice dams, which are the leading cause of roof leaks in the northern states and Canada.

Metal roofs come in a variety of styles and colors – you can get a traditional vertical panels (standing seam metal roof) look, metal shingles that resemble real slate, cedar shingles or tile, and many other profiles. Check out our metal roofing guide for more info.

Environmental Considerations of asphalt shingles

If you are giving purchasing asphalt shingles serious thought, you should also be aware that this is not the most environmentally friendly roofing material on the market. Since asphalt shingles are made with petroleum, their manufacture contributes to the negative environmental impacts of recovering ad processing petroleum. These include water pollution and emission of toxic gases that cause global warming.

Another issue is that at the end of their service life, asphalt shingles end up in our landfills, which are already overflowing. While asphalt shingles can be recycled, the logistics of roof shingles recycling and costs ar too high. Roofing contractors must go out of their way, to recycle old shingles, which includes separating them from other roof debris during roof tear-off, and coordinating with recycling company for storage and pickup of old shingles. Since most roofers do a roof / day, most contractors will not bother with recycling of old asphalt shingles. Additionally there are very few companies that engage in asphalt shingles recycling, and are not present in most states (in part due to tough regulations and costs).

Asphalt shingles are also NOT a “cool roof”. The attract solar heat ad store it all day long, transferring the heat into attic space, which drive up cooling costs. While some asphalt shingles come with “cool roof” coating, they ar only marginally cooler than regular asphalt shingles.

As consumers we know that it is wise to do regular maintenance for our cars, but many of us do not apply the same logic to our most valuable possession: our homes. This is especially true for roofs, which often get neglected until a real problem arises and the only solution is major repair or even roof replacement. Even if you have a fairly new roof, issues such as scraping tree branches or clogged gutters can affect your roof’s integrity. The fact is that all roofs need maintenance to ensure their durability and long service life. One easy and affordable way to do this, is to have a roofing inspection once a year. Ultimately, a roofing inspection will allow you to take small preventative measures at a reasonable cost, and enjoy the hassle-free comfort and safety of your home.

Why would my roof need an inspection?

Your roof is exposed to the forces of nature every day throughout the year. Things like fluctuations in temperature, sun, snow, wind, rain, hail, heat, and cold, all cause wear and tear to the roofing material and affect the roof’s ability to protect the home. For example, exposure to strong wind can uplift roofing shingles. Rain can penetrate the roof through weakened or eroded sealing materials used around the chimney, skylights, and plumbing vents. Extreme temperature fluctuations can cause cracks allowing water to seep in. Moreover, roofing materials can wear significantly faster in warmer climates, when exposed to constant sun and heat. Clearly, your roof will be even more susceptible to potential damages if you live in regions prone to severe weather conditions as hurricanes, tornadoes, snow and hail storms, droughts, etc. As a homeowner, you cannot determine how any of the above conditions affect your roof, and you cannot accurately assess the scope of damages that could have been done. A professional roof inspection takes care of these questions for you with a detailed examination of your roof, and specific suggestions for what needs to be fixed to keep the roof in solid shape. Read the rest of Why you Should do a Roof Inspection

Roofing shingles prices drop over the weekend from over $100 / square, to less than $70 per square – prices not seen since 2007, when world oil prices were below $70 / barrel.

This significant price drop was caused by a major fall of oil prices, after president Obama issued an executive order on Friday, telling big oil companies to drop gas prices by at least a dollar per gallon (effective $25-30 reduction in cost of barrel of oil), until the presidential election, to ensure Obama’s reelection for a second term as US President.

Although big oil companies were not happy with this move by president’s administration, the unofficial threat by Obama’s people of increasing taxes on oil companies, and opening offshore drilling options for smaller oil producers in the US, convinced them to go along with proposed Obama’s plan to “reduce gas prices of ordinary Americans”… until the election anyway.

Oil price drop causes drop in roofing shingles prices, as oil by-product - asphalt is the main and most expensive ingredient in the roof shingles manufacturing.

Connection between oil prices and cost of roofing shingles

As you may know, oil prices have major impact of cost of roofing shingles, since roof shingles are made with asphalt – a crude oil byproduct, which is also used in road construction, and manufacturing of certain flat roofing materials such as modified bitumen roofing. In general, when oil prices increase, cost of roof shingles, as well as other asphalt-based roofing materials goes up. However if oil prices drop, roofing materials usually do not decrease in price. See our previous report on major increase in roofing shingles prices.

We will keep you updated on current drop in oil and roofing prices.

H A P P Y – A P R I L – F O O L S – D A Y ! ! !

Sincerely – Roofing Calculator

The Importance of Maintenance on Asphalt Shingles Roof (Guest Roofing Article):

Most people that have a roof replaced are usually relieved to have the job completed so the first thing they do is breath a sigh of relief in knowing that they’ve just put a big investment behind them and that their Roof will be in good shape for a number of years to come. While this may be true they usually fail at the important task of Roof maintenance, which just like your vehicle needs a tune up from normal wear an tear.

Don’t let your roof turn into this:

If you think about it, a roof takes a real beating from the elements and still looks nice for many years, matches your home’s color scheme and protects everything you hold valuable inside your home. The same way you rely on your car to perform and take you from point A to point B day in and day out, you rely on your Roof to take you from Summer to Winter, year after year. Don’t neglect your roof – give it a good tune up every two to three years and at least have it inspected yearly to make sure everything is still fine up there. Read the rest of Roofing Shingles Maintenance – How to Extend the Life of Your Roof

This second part of our Standing Seam Installation Guide will demonstrate how to finish installation of a standing seam metal roof by installing hip and ridge caps, with Z-bar flashing, and neoprene inserts, or vented Z-bar flashing of ridge / soffit ventilation system.

• See first part of this guide, in which we cover roof preparation, installing roof underlayment and eave / gable trim – Standing Seam Installation.
• See also second part of this guide, which walks you through installation of field panels to the roof, using special clips and fasteners, transitioning the panels into the valley, and terminating panels on the gable ends of the roof – Standing Seam Roof Installation – Part 2 – installing roof panels.

Read the rest of Standing Seam Roof Installation – Part 3

Have you ever thought that a particular room in the home looks a bit dark or dingy? Or are you looking to make the most of some unused loft space by converting it into a spare room or new bedroom? If so, roof windows and skylights will prove to be a great investment, instantly adding light and air to a room that would have otherwise remained unused.

What are roof windows and skylights?
Read the rest of Add Some Light to a Room with a Roof Windows or Skylights (Guest roofing article)

This second part of our Standing Seam Installation Guide will demonstrate how to install field panels to the roof, using special clips and fasteners, how to transition panels into the valley, and how to terminate panels on the gable ends of the roof.

See first part of this guide, in which we cover roof preparation, installing roof underlayment and eave / gable trim – Standing Seam Installation.

Installing first panel, field panels, and valley:

Before we proceed, please watch the video below, which walks you through this process step-by-step, demonstrating the metal roof installation techniques used in this guide. Read the rest of Standing Seam Installation – Part 2