Roof Installation

These days, most homeowners are looking to undertake home improvement projects that will improve their homes' energy efficiency and at the same time improve their appearance. Although minor repairs are good because they keep the average cost down and hardly affect the home's square footage, they do not always lead to notable transformations.

However, installing a new roof is a major project, since for you to replace your roof you will require roofing experts that will charge fair labor costs, new roofing materials, and all the tools and equipment required for a successful installation day.

Are you living in Colorado and your roof gets exposed to inclement weather? You will need to plan and conduct extensive research to ensure proper roof installation. Do your homework on when, who, how, and what you need to give your home the best roofing installation as part of your home improvement project. This means the appropriate weather, roofing contractor, roofing system and technique, roofing materials, and adherence to proper roofing codes.

Otherwise, in addition to the improper roofing material and roof installation, roofing projects can end up costing you more in the future.

In harsh weather, it is difficult to install a shingle roof properly. During hot, searing temperatures, they become soft and easily scraped by tools and feet. In freezing weather, they do not stick together, making them susceptible to strong winds.

What Goes into Building Your Roof?

Like any other home improvement project, a roofing project is quite a venture. You will need to determine the type of roofing you want. Some of the most common roofs and roofing materials are metal roofing, asphalt shingles, wood shakes, architectural shingles, and more. Do not go for the cheapest option as this could end up being costly. Cheap options cost more in maintenance and eventually in replacement. Here is what happens during your roof installation project.

Removing the Old Roof

Installing a new roof properly is impossible without removing the old one. Cutting corners will shorten the life of your new roof. Ensure that you remove all the old shingles, however tiring the process may be. As you remove the existing shingles, carefully remove the nails to prevent them from tearing into the new shingles.

Installing the Drip Edge

Though it is not required, fasten the drip edge before installing the underlayment. This gives your roof a nice look and prevents the shingles from curling over the edge. It also protects your fascia boards from water damage.

Rolling Out the Roof Underlayment

Roof underlayment is a waterproof barrier that protects against ice, rain, and wind. It is self-sticking, so peel off the backing and carefully unroll it. Ensure it is flat and straight. In hot weather, be careful as the underlayment becomes quite sticky and very hard to work with.

Layering the Roof with Felt Paper

Cover the part on top of the underlayment with felt or tar paper. This helps shield the asphalt shingles from wood resins. It also helps drain water that gets under the asphalt shingle roof and keeps your roof dry during its installation. For the sake of inspection, it increases your roof’s fire rating.

Waterproofing Your Valleys

Lay self-stick underlayment below the metal flushing. Roof valleys need extra protection as they are a conduit for a lot of water. As you finish laying the felt paper, overlap it with the underlayment.

Installing Starter Shingles

Starter shingles are half as wide as full roof shingles. Let them overlap past the drip edge and fasten them with nails. Do this about two to three inches from the eave. This creates a tight seal that reduces damage from wind and water getting in between the seams and onto the underlayment.

Installing Full Roof Shingles

For straight lines when laying roof shingles, run them over the edge of the roof, snap a chalk line, and then cut some off. Remember that improper nailing is the main cause of roof damage during storms. Every shingle brand has its nailing requirement but the standard number used is six nails. Where to put the nails depends on the pitch of your roof and the wind speeds in your area.

Installing the Flashing

This step ensures there is no leakage by applying a tight seal around chimneys and any other structure that touches the roof. The best kind is step flashing. It does not have any leakage and redirects water back onto the shingles.

Covering the Ridge

This involves the installation of shingles at the very peak of the roof. Installation of ridge caps is in overlap so the wind blows over the seams, not into them. To keep the row of ridge cap shingles straight, snap chalk lines. Nail into the face of the last ridge cap shingle with two roofing nails after ripping its top half.

Sealing it up

Sweep debris off the roof, seal all exposed nails on vents, and stack flashing. Remember that these sealed areas require inspection and maintenance every few years.

From Tearing out the old roof to sealing up the new one, we adhere to proper Castle Rock roofing codes. If you need a consult on your roofing project, visit us at Rocky Ridge Exteriors in Castle Rock, Colorado.