Some people think that a roof is all about shingles.
And they couldn’t be more wrong.
Yes, shingles is important. They add color and structure to the roof.
They are the wear and weather surface that repels water and helps keep the elements out.
But a roof today is really a system that includes ventilation, mechanical edging, underlay, eaves edging and other components that are designed and installed by trained professionals.
The type of nails used and their quantity as well as a specific fastening pattern also play a role.
Sealing strips alone can make a difference. Some manufacturers have developed a weatherstrip so strong that theoretically you could remove the nails after the roof had hardened and not a single piece of material would fly off – even in strong winds.
And what about starter shingles? In the words of Mike Kearns of Kearns Brothers Roofing in Livonia, this is the most important shingle you’ll never see.
The boys hear every week from listeners who have hired roofers who slander the profession.
Companies that only know the shingles and doom the roof to premature failure by neglecting the system. Shingles installed by such practitioners often fail after just eight to ten years due to insufficient ventilation alone.
Each roof differs in orientation, configuration, pitch, area and insulation. Attics require a constant intake of cool, dry air from the lowest edge of the roof and exhaust of warm, moist air near the top of the roof.
This will prevent caking on the underside of the shingle product. Hot air trapped in an attic can not only prematurely age the shingles, it can also result in damage to the deck and the materials installed between the deck and the shingle.
Professional roofing companies like Kearns, Pro Home in Ferndale, Victors Home Solutions in Canton, Kanga in Roseville and Performance Remodeling in Shelby Township know the difference.
They maintain close relationships with product manufacturers who provide ventilation requirements for different roof types and train the personnel who install the material.
These long-term relationships result in systems guaranteed for up to 50 years of labor and materials.
What is special about this type of company is the fact that their guarantees are not pro-rated like many others are. For the consumer, this means the roof will be repaired or replaced throughout the warranty period without affecting coverage. And the guys call it a “first-person guarantee,” where the company that installed your roof system is the only one you call for service.
Professional companies also employ trained staff who will address warranty issues in a timely manner, knowing that a previous customer is a strong recommendation.
Professional firms also know that roofs are most likely to fail not in the shingle area, where most shingles are visible, but around eaves and penetrations such as chimneys, vents and dormer windows.
Large roofing companies take extra care in these areas and their workers are trained in the proper installation of materials that drain water away from these areas and off the roof.
Starter shingles with sealing strips should be installed not only on the eaves, but around the entire perimeter of the roof.
Eaves flashing, a rubber-like layer of material found beneath the shingles at the bottom edge of the roof, helps keep water out when ice dams form.
Good companies will automatically install this further up the roof than regulations require to provide additional protection.
Roofing nails, not staples, are applied in a ‘storm pattern’ and combined with the aforementioned weatherstrip to keep the material on the roof in high winds.
Great companies offer free inspections with honest observations and even offer services to extend the life of flashings and materials around penetrations.
These companies track storms throughout the area that can cause roof damage and can often assist with insurance claims in such cases.
If permits are required, a professional company with a proven track record of operating in multiple jurisdictions will obtain them and ensure the work is compliant.
You can have a shingle roof for a lifetime, adding beauty, protection and security to the living experience.
It’s the roof under the roof that makes sure everything works and the company behind the installed system that gives you peace of mind.
Find your pro today at insideoutsideguys.com.
For more advice, listen to Inside Outside Guys on AM760-WJR every Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 12pm or contact us at insideoutsideguys.com.
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https://www.detroitnews.com/story/life/home-garden/2023/06/15/the-inside-outside-guys-roofing-systems-there-is-a-difference/70314839007/
