Our process is very different than the average roofing company due to our partnership with GAF as a Master Elite contractor, and our decades of experience. The Guide below will offer you a better insight on how we design and execute a typical roof installation.
The first part of the roofing process is to determine why the roof failed, so we can do everything we can so it does not happen again. Buying a roof to begin with isn’t the most exciting thing on the planet, buying one a second time due to simple oversights is an absolute disaster!
The other portion of this process is to determine the size of your roof, which ultimately is the largest portion of the cost. We use a service called Eagleview on every roof (when available) to determine the exact amount of materials used on your roof to about a 99% accuracy. We are one of the few, if not only, company around to guarantee our estimate pricing. Typically when a company gives you an estimate it lists the amount of material to be used, if it goes over those amounts chances are you will be billed for the extra usage. With us you don’t pay more if we underestimate the job, that is our responsibility. The only extras typically incurred since there is really no way to determine until the roof comes off would be the OSB/plywood and any other extra requested service during install. We know it is hard to save money and and overwhelming majority of our clients have to secure a loan to afford a new roof and we wan’t to make sure you are not getting a large bill at the end!
This may seem a bit odd but we can actually learn more about your roof from underneath than we can from above. From within the attic we can inspect your ventilation system to ensure optimal performance, check for adequate insulation, hidden leaks, and give a better idea of what kind of wood replacement may be required.
The most common item we see is the need for more insulation. In our area of the country it is recommended to have R-38 insulation or better, most attics we come across only have R-13. Blowing in additional insulation is a relatively easy and inexpensive process while the new roof is being installed. Often times you can recoup the additional expense in only a few seasons and as a bonus your furnace and AC unit won’t have to work as hard!
We start by removing your old roof down to the plywood. This is done to reveal any hidden damage and also so the new roofing materials can be installed in the approved manner. We do not go over the existing shingles because manufacturers will not warranty your new roof properly since it is likely the new shingles will suffer the same issues in a matter of no time.
Once the shingles are completely removed we do a full deck inspection. This is done to ensure we are not covering up problems when the new roof is installed. If there are areas of bad wood or an uneven deck, we will replace them with new sheets of plywood or OSB. Installing on an uneven deck will cause premature wear, and the roof will appear lumpy and unattractive. It is far less costly to tackle the problem while your roof is open. It is important to know that we will not go over bad wood, even at clients request since it’s in your best interest, and also part of building codes.
To the left you will see a thin strip of metal referred to as the 1 1/2″ drip edge. We always replace all of the old drip edge, It is a simple way to compliment your trim color and give your home a clean and polished look. We match all drip edge to the color of your existing trim metal to make your trim appear larger and more attractive.
Next is easily the most overlooked portion of the roofing process, The Starter Strip. We Always use GAF Pro Start on the eaves AND Rakes, typically they are used only on the eaves. We use them on the rakes to prevent against wind driven rain, and to create a nice finished and sealed edge. GAF Pro Start has a continuous sealant protecting all roof edges around your home.In addition to using starter strips on the rakes we install all shingles using 6 nails instead of the standard 4 nail process. This upgrades you to the maximum wind warranty protection at 130mph.
Next we install GAF Weather Watch Ice and Water Shield in key locations. Minimum code is 24″ into the “warm walls of the house” or roughly 36″ on all eave edges. However as 36″ barely meets code it is our practice to go a full 72″ on the eave edges.
Although not a code requirement, in addition to the eave edge protection we install 36″ in the valleys, around dormers, chimneys, skylights, roof transitions (where a low slope meets a higher one). We also replace any old pipe boot flashings (typically where a plumbing pipe protrudes through the roof) and install a critter guard cover over top to ensure life long protection against the elements.
One of our top questions since Ice and water shield offers such great protection, can we install it on the entire house? It is an excellent question and we can easily see why people want it! However ice shield offers no breathability and can actually lead to premature wear of the sheeting underneath, this is why a proper underlayment such as GAF Felt Buster is used.
On the remainder of the roof area we install a synthetic underlayment called GAF Felt Buster. This is a unique product that acts as a backup weatherproofing source in case of shingle blow off or damage from debris occurs. Most people do not (or cannot) look at their roof on a daily basis so what’s under your shingles is extremely important if a shingle becomes damaged.
GAF Felt Buster can be exposed up to 6 months and remain virtually waterproof, whereas standard OR fiberglass reinforced felt offers little to no exposure time before it is critically prone to leaking. 15#/30#/fiberglass felt are considered base products and serve only as a minimum code fulfillment item and offer no real protection. Other generic synthetics are available but they are non-breathable and cannot dissipate moisture potentially causing adverse long term affects to your roof deck. We also offer GAF Deck Armor If your home has limited ventilation options, Deck Armor is the only real choice.
We have 3 choices for GAF shingle types: 3 tab, Architectural, and Designer. 3-tab’s are basically obsolete so unless you absolutely can’t live without them they are not advised, not to mention they carry a 25-year warranty.
Architectural is the most popular and are designed to mimic the look of wood shake shingles. They give a nice appearance upgrade over 3 tab shingles and a huge upgrade to durability thanks to it’s 2 part laminated design. All GAF architectural shingles are lifetime warranty.
The designer class shingles are a relatively new breed of Designer shingles and were created to give your home a sophisticated and unique look. They are all lifetime products and no matter what your style may be, there is a design that is sure to give your house the edge it deserves. For full product offerings see our shingle colors and style page.
The last step in the new roof process is the installation of the ridge vent and ridge cap shingles. If your home cannot support a ridge vent system then you will have traditional “can vents” or power vents installed, whichever system is optimal for your situation.
We install GAF Snow Country Ridge Vent System because it is the highest venting ridge vent product on the market. Roll out venting systems are quick and easy to install and cost less but do not offer the same advantage of a rigid vent system
For the ridge cap we use GAF Seal-A-Ridge, not a generic 3 tab. When a 3 tab shingle is used there is no warranty since you are using it in a manner that it is not designed for. Another option is GAF TimberTex which is an inexpensive upgrade and makes a real nice impact on the appearance of your roof.
It is important to note that many times there is only one optimal way to vent your home and that determines how we install the sytem. Unfortunately it may not be your first choice, but it will certainly be your best choice!
The final stage in the roofing process is the cleanup! We’re sure by this time you are very much looking forward to getting this whole thing over with since roofing is a bit of an ugly process, and is nowhere near a white glove procedure. The final stage include cleaning out the gutters, grounds, and any finishing touches that may need to be taken care of. Our people are some of the finest roofers in the country but we are human after all so that is why we always recommend watching your step after the process is complete. You will always find a few handfuls of nails and small debris as there is virtually no way to get it all, If it seems excessive please let us know so we can get it cleaned up right away!
The Crew leader will also have a copy of the invoice readily available, if you choose to pay by check/cash please deliver payment to them. If you are not at home, or paying by credit card your original consultant will arrange payment.
If you chose the Golden Pledge Warranty option like 90% of our clients do, your roof system will now be registered with GAF and you will receive a confirmation in about 4-6 weeks in the mail. For full options please see our warranty page.
Below you will find a diagram of a roof and the typical placement of the products mentioned on the previous tab panel. There is a lot more that goes into putting together a successful roof system than just hammering up some shingles and walking away. Years of experience and business has taught us many things and we can learn more every day and continue to get better as time goes on. If someone talks you into just hammering on some shingles without taking into account a complete system, you are missing out on some really great things that may cost you later. All our roof systems are lifetime warranty so we recommend installing them with all the right products. We know everyone doesn’t have a great understanding of what goes into putting a roof together even with all the information here. We always welcome questions and will be glad to go over any lingering concerns you may have.
