Roofing installation is a complex task that involves laying out shingles and nailing them in place. The process can take several days for an average sized home.
Investing in the right roof can improve your home’s appearance and boost its value when it comes time to sell. It also addresses mismatched patches and leaks that can reduce your home’s efficiency. Visit https://www.northportflroofing.com to learn more.
The quality of roofing materials is an essential factor in a home’s protection and beauty. Premium roofing materials can increase a property’s market value, while protecting it from moisture damage and pest infestations.
Roofing materials include a roof deck or sheathing, underlayment, leak barriers, shingles and other finishes, and flashing. The roof deck is the structural surface of the roof and is usually made of plywood or oriented strand board (OSB). The underlayment is a moisture barrier that prevents water penetration into the sheathing and underlying shingles. Leak barriers, such as GAF’s WeatherWatch mineral-surfaced leak barrier, are installed in vulnerable areas of the roof such as eaves, valleys, and around protrusions to protect against leaks caused by ice dams or wind-driven rain. Flashing is a metal piece that is installed in roof transitions and protrusions such as chimneys, vents, skylights, and dormers to prevent leaks. A shingle is the main component of any roof and comes in a variety of colors, shapes, and styles. Asphalt shingles are the most common type of shingle and provide excellent durability, weather resistance, and value for your money.
Other types of shingles include cedar shakes and wood shingles. Both are a great choice for a classic, rustic look and can be used to create a unique design for your home. They are not as durable as other roofing materials, however, and can be prone to moisture damage and fires.
Metal roofing is another option that offers superior durability. It can withstand high-speed winds, earthquakes, and extreme weather conditions. It is also resistant to insect infestations and can last for more than 50 years.
Energy efficient roofing materials are available to help reduce your energy consumption and save you money in the long run. These materials use reflective properties to regulate your home’s temperature, reducing the need for excessive heating or cooling.
When choosing roofing materials, be sure to consider your budget and the regional climate. The cost of premium roofing materials and professional installation can add up, but the long-term benefits will pay off in terms of energy savings and increased home value.
Installation
The installation of a new roof is a multi-step process that demands attention to detail and experience. Whether you choose to do your own roofing or hire a professional, it’s important to understand what goes into the process to ensure that it’s done correctly.
To begin, the contractor will prepare the work area and remove the existing roof. This can include covering anything in the yard or garden that might get damaged by a tear-off, having a dumpster delivered, and placing wooden boards around things like air conditioning units to protect them from debris.
Next, the underlayment is installed, starting with a starter strip that adheres to the roof surface and acts as a barrier against water penetration. The shingle row will then be laid over the starter strip and nail down, using a pattern that has nails close together along the edge and spread out further towards the middle. After this, the next shingle row will be laid over the first and fastened in place, overlapping it by six inches. This will create a watertight seal. Finally, ridge vents will be installed to allow for airflow and prevent heat buildup in the attic, while a ridge cap will complete the look.
This is a labor-intensive project and requires proper safety equipment. Workers should always wear hard hats, use ladders that can support their weight, and be careful not to walk on the top of the roof. Workers should also have a harness and rope that they can use to secure themselves to the roof in case they need to go back down, as well as a tool belt that includes a small pry bar and hammer for removing old shingles or installing new ones.
Repairs
During roofing installation, your roofers may find that parts of your roof need repair. This is normal, especially after a major storm. Your roofing contractor will work with you to decide if the damaged area can be repaired or if it would be better to replace that part of the roof altogether.
A new roof will allow you to choose from many different roofing materials. Your friendly contractor will explain the strengths and limitations of each choice so you can make a informed decision. You can select dimensional shingles for an architectural look, three-tabs for a budget option, wood shakes for a natural aesthetic, and metal roofing for energy efficiency.
If your home has a chimney, wood stove pipes, or vents, your roofer will install pipe boot flashing to protect these penetrations. They will also cover the eaves with drip edge flashing to prevent water seepage. If your roof has valleys, they will seal these with ice and water sheathing and roofing cement. Your roofer will also cap the ridge with special shingles that fit tightly over the peak.
The fascia is a long piece of wooden board that protects the lower edges of your roof from water damage, pest infestation, and mold growth. Your roofer will inspect the fascia for any damage and replace it if necessary.
Most homeowners will need to have their gutters replaced during a roof replacement. These are heavy, and your roofing contractor will use a crane to lift the gutters and place them on the roof. Your roofer will need to have a permit to do this work in most neighborhoods, and they can help you obtain this.
Re-roofing can be a good solution if the existing roof is in moderate condition and only needs minor repairs to extend its life. However, if you have significant damage or deterioration, it is usually more cost-effective to get a new roof rather than continuing to pay for costly repairs. Even if you choose to re-roof, it’s always a good idea to have any problems addressed immediately to avoid further damage and costlier repairs down the road.
Maintenance
Most roofing materials come with a warranty, which is important for peace of mind and to ensure that any problems are fixed. However, in order to keep your roof’s warranty valid and to prevent leaks from occurring, you need to perform maintenance. Some of the maintenance that can be performed on a regular basis is cleaning gutters, clearing debris, and trimming trees so they don’t hang over the roof. In addition, you can also apply protective coatings and treatments to prolong the life of your roof.
A maintenance program typically starts with a thorough inspection. A trained roofing professional will look for signs of wear, leaks and water penetration. A good inspection will include examining the field of the roof as well as flashing and details such as equipment curbs, chimneys, walls, skylights, and vents. Inspecting the flashing is also essential because most leaks occur in this area.
The roofers will remove the old shingles and any existing underlayment. They will then prepare the surface for new shingles by removing any soft, wet or rotted wood and applying a waterproofing underlayment. A corrosion-protected drip edge will then be installed, followed by the starter shingle strip and then a layer of high-quality roofing shingles. In addition, a waterproof WeatherMaster shield will be installed on all valleys, transitions, walls, vents and penetrations to defend against leaks.
If needed, a ridge cap will be added to the peak of the roof. This step is vital because it creates a seal and stops moisture from entering the home through the roof.
Finally, a top-quality caulk is applied to all raw edges to make sure that the new roof is waterproof and airtight. This is important because if the edges of the new roof are not sealed properly, rainwater may enter through the joints. In addition, the caulk acts as a barrier against wind-driven rain, snow and ice that can cause damage to the roofing system over time. A final inspection will be done by the roofing crew to make sure that the work is up to code and looks great.