Types of Roofs installed by Reader Roofing:

Reader roofing is an expert local contractor skilled in installing :

• Sloped Roofs
• Metal Roofs
• Asphalt shingle
• Slate
• Tile
• Wood shake
• Wood shingle
• Bitumen
• Rubber membrane

After almost 100 years of service in Cleveland, Reader Roofing’s technicians are certified and trained to repair and install all types of roofs. For residential there are two general groupings of roofs – sloped and flat.

SLOPED ROOFS

The most common of the types of roofs for a residential home is a sloped roof. They are commonly made of asphalt shingles, tiles, slates or wood shakes.

Asphalt Shingle

Asphalt shingles have the widest variety of color available from white, black, earth tones, and every color in between. Most manufacturers offer anything from a 10 year to a “limited lifetime” warranty for their asphalt shingles. A standard asphalt shingle roof generally requires little maintenance with the exception of fungal and moss control if your home has trees surrounding it.

Asphalt shingle roofs gradually degrade over time from the environmental effects that are damaging here in the Cleveland area especially those close to the lake. The structural and ventilation needs of your home must be taken into consideration as well. A poorly ventilated roof can cause your asphalt shingles to deteriorate more quickly in the heat of the summer. And in the winter you may experience ice back-up which can cause interior leaks due to ventilation issues or if your roof is lacking proper ice and water shield.

In Cleveland many homeowners will have multiple layers of roofs on their home. This is not always a bad thing but there are city codes that must be followed which allow only a certain number of layers and this varies from city to city.

Slate

Slate roofs are not only visually appealing but they can last over 100 years. However, it is important to maintain this type of roof in order to get the full life expectancy. Slates come in a variety of colors and sizes. Most slates in the Cleveland area are from Vermont and Pennsylvania. Maintenance includes replacing cracked or missing slates, removing mold or moss, securing rake edges and ridge caps, and sealing or replacing any metal fixtures such as valleys or flashings on protrusions. Slates can fail if the nails have rusted through the slate tiles or if external factors, such as weather, has cracked the slate. When a slate falls out it can leave exposed nail heads that may cause leaks. Leaks can also be caused by worn-out flashings or valleys. If roof slates are commonly being found in the gutter or on the ground, you may need to plan for a new roof.

Reader Roofing offers slate roof installations as well as the repair of existing slate roofs throughout the Cleveland area. We have a large inventory of slates to match your existing slate roof should you require a repair. Our trained “slaters” on the Reader Roofing crew are experts in slate repair as well as installation.

Tile

Tile roofs or Spanish Tile give a specific look to a home and can outlast an asphalt shingle roof by many years. Ludowici clay tiles are made in New Lexington, Ohio and are often seen in the residential homes in and around Cleveland. The Classic, Spanish and Williamsburg tile styles were also often used in the Cleveland area.

Maintenance is required to improve the longevity of this type of roof. Maintenance is similar to that of slate tiles and includes replacing cracked or missing tiles, removing mold or moss, securing rake edges and ridge caps, and sealing or replacing any metal fixtures such as valleys or flashings on protrusions. External factors such as a storm or a fallen tree branch can cause damage to roof tiles. It is important to replace damaged or missing tiles, however, it can be hard to find a color and style match especially for older roofs that have lost some of their color over time. If you can, store fallen tiles that are not damaged for future use.

Reader Roofing offers tile roofing repairs and installations with expert technicians to service you. Many of the original tile styles can still be obtained or are in our tile inventory. When possible we make repairs with our used tile inventory because they blend in best with the existing tiles.

Wood Shake or Wood Shingle

Wood shake and wood shingles lend a natural or rustic look to a home and are a beautiful type of roofing material. There is a difference between wood shake and wood shingles in that wood shake gives a rough, unpolished look and are inconsistent in size and shape. Wood shingles are manufactured to be the same size and have a more polished look. Most wood shingle and shake roofs are made from western red cedar, redwood, and cypress.

Wood shingles and shakes can provide superior performance to an asphalt roof in areas that experience high winds or damage from hail. However, they do have certain limitations such as susceptibility to rot, mold, splitting, and warping. But with proper maintenance and care you can extend the longevity of this type of roof. Over time it is normal for the color to change in the shingles caused from the UV rays of the sun and fungal growth.

Again proper maintenance will help to extend the life of this type of roof. Removing debris that can accumulate between the shingles and in the valleys before the wet season begins is important. Removing moss and fungi as well as repairing missing or damaged shingles before more permanent issues set in is recommended. Removing any tree branches that shadow or touch your roof so that water that lands on the roof can dry easily preventing rot and wear and tear is also recommended. It is mandatory to periodically treat this type of roof with stains and anti-fungal applications for longevity.

Reader Roofing offers wood shake and wood shingle roofing repairs and installations as well as maintenance. We can carry all types of wood shingles and shake to provide you with the best possible color match when repairing your roof and choices that fit your needs for a roof replacement.

FLAT ROOFS

The design of certain homes can require a flat roof rather than a sloped one. These types of roofs are completely different from sloped roofs and should be installed by teams experienced with flat roof systems.

Modified Bitumen

Modified bitumen is one of the material choices available for residential flat roofs. The cost is variable and depends on factors such as size, the underlying structure, condition of materials under the roof, flashing details, and potential usage of the roof. This type of roofing material is an evolution of asphalt roofing and is made using asphalt with a variety of modifiers and solvents to provide an upgraded product.

There are several products types with varying applications such as heat which melts the material together to create a seal, cold-applied adhesive, and self-adhesive (also known as “peel and stick”). Its light-colored mineral surface reflects heat which can decrease energy bills.

To properly maintain this type of roof keep it free of debris and clean the gutters and drains so water has a way to leave the structure and doesn’t pool. Leaks, cracks, and splits should be repaired asap so that further damage is not incurred. Also a coating of sealant to protect the roof can be applied periodically.

Rubber Membrane

Rubber membrane or EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) is more often seen in commercial roofing. The cost is variable and depends on factors such as size, the underlying structure, condition of materials under the roof, flashing details, and potential usage of the roof. This material is applied to flat roofs and is quite durable, resembling an inner tube. It has been engineered to provide flexibility and resistance during climate and temperature changes which is a great advantage to homeowners in the Cleveland area. It can be installed with mechanically anchored fasteners, ballasted with stone, or glued to a roofing base.

It is important to keep debris off of your roof in order to extend the longevity of the roof. When installing a new rubber roof you should take in to consideration that most manufacturers’ warranties are stipulated by the roof being installed directly to the base of the roof. Meaning that if you have a layer of roofing under the new roof your warranty may be null and void. To properly maintain the roof keep it free of debris and clean the gutters and drains so water has a way to leave the structure and doesn’t pool. Leaks, cracks, and splits should be repaired so that further damage is not incurred. Also a coating of sealant to protect the roof can be applied periodically.

There are other types of roofing materials that are less common so feel free to contact us if you have any questions. We deal with all types of roofing systems and can provide you with information and assistance.