Buying a new roof can be a tricky process and it is important that you are mindful of certain items to ensure that you are getting a roof that will last and is worth your money. When it comes to buying a new roof, the first thing that needs to be kept in mind is what the system components of the roof are. There are a range of different components in roofs but the six major components are listed below.

The Six Major Roofing Components:

Roof Covering:  This includes shingles, tiles, slates, metals and other specialized materials.

Decking: These include the boards and sheet material that provides a cover for the building or house.

Roof structure: These are the trusses and rafters that support the roof.

Flashing: These are the sheet metal and other materials that are installed on the roof around protrusions such as chimneys and vent pipes.

Drainage:  Roof system design features such as shape, slope, drains, and others.

Ventilation:  Without proper ventilation and airflow through the space below the roof, the roofing material may degrade more quickly. In addition, manufacturers’ warranties on roofing materials require proper venting to comply with warranty terms. Unless these terms are addressed correctly it can void any warranty on the products used.

Choosing A Roofing System:

There are many things that you have to take into account when it comes to choosing a new roofing system. These include the aesthetics, durability, cost and structure limitations.

Roof Covering selections include:

Asphalt shingles, wood shingles, tiles, slate, metal, and other synthetic roofing products are selections to make for the roof covering. But the covering of your roof, the portion we can see, is not the system in its entirety as stated in the components section above. 

Other Important Items:

There are other important terms you should know as well when it comes to roofing that may be listed on an estimate including sheathing or sheeting (other terms for decking), felt, dormer, drip edge, eave and valley. A quick search on the internet will educate you as to each term and where it is on your roof. Ice and water shield (also called ice guard) which is a necessity for Cleveland weather not to mention needed to meet code standards, is also a very important piece of the roofing system. This material should be applied at all roof edges, in valleys, and around roof protrusions such as chimneys and soil stacks. In addition, every decent roofing system should also have good insulation for the longevity of your roof. So be sure to have the insulation inspected as well. Most labor and workmanship warranties from contractors will only be in effect for one to three years on average. Some roofing materials come with a “lifetime” warranty without being clear as to what “lifetime” actually refers to. “Lifetime” refers to the manufacturer’s expectations of how long a given product will last providing all specifications by the product manufacturer are adhered to. This is the responsibility of the contractor to ensure; first, that the customer is duly informed of the requirements to meet warranty second, the job is bid, priced and completed to cover all aspects for warranty terms and third, the customer is given the option to comply with the manufacturer recommendations for warranty or to complete the job in the best workmanlike manner fully understanding that life expectancy of products may be reduced and warranties may be void should they chose not to follow manufacturer specifications.

Selecting A Contractor:

When it comes to buying a new roofing system, it is also important to select a professional roofing contractor. There are many different guidelines that have to be kept in mind when it comes to selecting a roofing professional. These include:

Is the contractor is stable? (i.e. How long they have been in business? Do they have good Better Business Bureau ratings and reviews? Are they are properly licensed? Is there a permanent place of business?)

Can they provide proof of insurance and are they registered with your city or can they register if you sign a contract with them?

Does the company has a proven track record that provides client references for a complete set of projects?

Lastly, if you are the home or business owner, you should receive a free roofing inspection and estimate from the roofing contractor of your choice. Obtaining several estimates is always advised if you do not have a contractor that you have a history with.

We hope this article has helped to shed more light on any upcoming roofing projects you may need. If you have any further questions you can always call our office at (216) 451-1355.