A new roof can dramatically increase your home’s value, and protect it from rain and wind for decades. However, reroofing is a big project that requires many tools and a good deal of manual labor. For professional help, contact Helena Roofing Company.
Before the process begins, make sure your contractor has all necessary permits and clears a space to work. It’s also a good idea to lay down tarps around bushes and sculptures, and relocate movable items.
The roofing materials used on a home can add character, communicate its style and even increase its value. The more expensive metal options can provide a distinct aesthetic to the exterior of a home, while wood shingles and shakes offer a classic look for traditional and historic houses. Other materials like clay and concrete tiles provide texture and elegance to flat roofs.
Rolls of material topped with mineral granules are the mainstay for low-slope residential roofs and other utilitarian buildings such as sheds and shops. Rolled roofing is inexpensive and doesn’t offer much visual appeal, but it is effective in preventing leaks.
The sheathing that supports shingles, tile or other roofing materials is made from plywood or OSB and provides a solid foundation for the rest of the roofing system. It is important that sheathing be well-constructed, strong and durable to prevent water damage, rot and insect infestations.
Flat roofs are more prone to leaking than sloped roofs, and it is vital that the sheathing be constructed of a high-quality material that will hold up to the weather and other elements. Sheathing must also be properly supported and anchored, which may require the use of extra framing such as joists or planks to avoid warping and bending.
There are a number of different roof treatments that can be applied to flat roofs including single-membrane systems, EPDM rubber, TPO (thermoplastic olefin) and PVC roofing. Each has its pros and cons, and some are more durable than others.
Slate, a natural stone, is an attractive and timeless roofing option with a useful life expectancy of up to 100 years. Authentic slate is very expensive and can be difficult to work with, but new methods of processing have reduced costs making this option more accessible to homeowners.
Other more affordable and long-lasting roof materials include wood shingle and shake. Wood shingle are sawmilled for consistency, while shakes are split into wedges to create a more rustic look. Both types are long-lasting and require regular maintenance to keep them looking good, but they can be a cost-effective alternative to more expensive materials such as slate and tile.
Underlayment
Underlayment, sometimes referred to as roof sheathing paper, building paper or tar paper, is an added layer of protection between your roof deck and the primary roofing material (shingles). It works as a barrier from moisture, protecting the underlying materials from damage caused by water and snow. It also helps to prevent rain and other precipitation from seeping under the shingles, where it can cause mold, rot, or structural damage to the home.
Before installing underlayment, you should always clean the area to be covered with a broom. This includes sweeping away dust and dirt from the plywood sheathing as well as removing any stray nails or roof fasteners. If you are re-shingling an existing roof, this step is even more important as the old shingles will have collected debris that could compromise the integrity of the underlayment.
Felt underlayment has been around for years and is one of the most common types. It consists of organic paper or mat that has been saturated with asphalt to offer a layer of waterproofing. Typically, it comes in two different weights of 15- and 30-pound felt per hundred square feet. This type of underlayment is easy to cut with a utility knife and can be secured using either roofing nails or staples.
In some cases, a roofing contractor may prefer to use synthetic or self-adhering underlayment products. These products have gained popularity because they are easy to install, present a stronger air barrier and offer improved moisture resistance than traditional felt underlayment. They can be used in all low-slope applications and risky areas down to a 4:12 roof pitch and can be fastened with either staples or plastic caps (also known as button cap fasteners).
It’s important to remember that not every underlayment product is suitable for every job. Your choice will depend on the roof-covering material manufacturer’s installation instructions, jurisdictional requirements and other factors such as the length of time the underlayment will be exposed to sunlight. When a roof is being installed, it’s best to extend the underlayment at headlaps and sidelaps, as well as apply drip edges. This is a best practice that can help to protect the roof deck and wall cladding from wind-driven rain, as well as decrease the possibility of leaks and other damage.
Shingles
The final product of a roof is the shingles, and they are what gives a roof its appearance. When purchasing shingles, it is important to take careful measurements and calculate the area of your roof so you know how many shingle bundles to purchase. To calculate the area of your roof, simply measure its length and width and multiply them to get the square footage. Then divide this number by 100 to determine how many shingle bundles you need to purchase. It is also recommended to round up your estimate to make sure you have enough shingles to complete the job.
To install a new shingle, begin by removing the old one. Then clean the roof to prepare for a fresh layer of roofing. This step is very important to prevent any snags during the shingle installation process.
Next, lay the underlayment across the roof, securing it with roofing nails in the appropriate places. Some roofers recommend using as few as four nails per shingle, while others believe more is better, especially if you live in an area with high winds.
Once the underlayment is installed, it’s time to start installing the shingles. For the first course of shingles, each should be offset by 1/2 a tab from the one below. This will help to ensure that the shingles are properly laid and that there is enough exposure.
As you progress through the course, be sure to use a chalk line to keep the shingles straight and even. In the case of open valleys, this will also help in ensuring that the proper flashing is used.
When you reach the ridge, it’s important to install vented cap shingles or continuous ridge venting to allow for air flow through the ridge of your roof. Then, the last shingle should be bent over the ridge and nailed in place so that all of the nails are covered.
Some experts advise working in a pyramid formation for the first few courses of shingles to give your roof the best possible look. Regardless of how you work, it’s always important to follow proper safety precautions when working on a roof to prevent injuries from falling materials and tools.
Flashing
Flashing is a critical component of any roofing system. It seals and protects vulnerable areas such as where the roof meets walls, chimneys, skylights, and vent pipes. Without flashing, rainwater and snow could leak into these areas, causing water damage and rot. Flashing prevents this by creating a barrier against moisture intrusion and protecting the underlayment and shingles.
Flashing can be made of a number of materials, including aluminum, copper, galvanized steel, and bituminous membranes like rubber or EPDM. The type of flashing used will depend on the nature of the project, its location and other factors. Metal flashing tends to be the most popular, due to its durability, weather resistance and ability to be shaped to fit a specific area. It’s often fabricated by hand or with the help of a tool called a brake, which clamps a sheet of aluminum into place and bends it into a desired shape.
Different types of flashing include step flashing, which is installed at the point where a roof meets vertical surfaces such as walls or dormers; valley flashing, which seals the gap between two differently sloped sections of a roof; and drip edge flashing, which directs rainwater away from the edges of a roof. Counter flashing, which sits over base flashing and is typically paired with chimney flashing, is also common.
Installing flashing requires careful attention to detail and a high level of craftsmanship. It’s important for homeowners to hire a qualified roofer to ensure the job is done correctly and that all flashing is properly sealed to the surrounding shingles. It’s also a good idea to have roof flashing inspected periodically for signs of wear and tear, such as corrosion or loose sections. If these are noticed, the flashing should be resealed to prevent water from seeping into vulnerable areas.
Once all the underlayment and flashing is in place, the installation of the roofing shingles can begin. The shingles are usually applied in rows, starting from the bottom and working up to the peak. The first row of shingles should be positioned over the end of the flashing, and each subsequent shingle course should be placed so that it covers the end of the previous shingle course completely.
