How Your New Roof Is Like An Onion

Your home’s roof is like an onion for two reasons: it has layers, and sometimes it can bring you to tears.

Layers

The typical residential roof has several layers, starting in your attic:

1. Roof deck — This layer closest to your interior living space includes the joists (the ceiling beams of the interior below), rafters, ridge beam, strutting beams, purlins, collar ties, and more; each of these wood structural pieces must be strong, free of cracks, and firmly attached
2. Sheathing — Oriented strand board (OSB) or plywood sheets form the support for your Atlas shingles or similar quality product; these sheets support and distribute the weight of shingles and people walking on your roof, so they must be clean and dry; a slight separation between sheets allows for thermal expansion and prevents buckling or cupping
3. Underlayment — Rolled out and adhered either with staples or self-stick glue, underlayment helps prevent water from getting into the sheathing, deck, and attic; a tear or hole in this layer is not good
4. Water and Ice Shield — Usually reserved for the first three feet of the lower roof edge and all the valleys, this thick, self-adhering is added protection in harsh climates such as the Canton area
5. Starter Shingles — This first shingle layer seals your roof’s lower edge, providing a firm foundation for the field shingles going on next
6. Field Shingles — These are the beautiful Atlas shingles such as the Stormmaster Shake or Pinnacle Pristine lines; these form the largest, most visible layer of your home’s roof 
7. Flashing and Sealants — Metal flashing prevents water from entering through gaps between unlike materials, such as field shingles and your chimney; sealants such as caulk and weatherstripping help make your roof energy efficient 
8. Ridge Vents — Proper ventilation is key to keeping your attic, and all the roof layers in good shape; air flows through your attic constantly, keeping humidity down and temperatures equal to the outside air

Adjoining your roof system are rubber boots around roof piercings. These typically dry out and become brittle, so good roofers will replace these when replacing an entire residential shingle roof.

The last parts of the many layers of an integrated roof system are your home’s gutters, which usher water off the roof and away from your foundation. Clogged, damaged or missing gutters lead to water infiltration, roof problems, and foundation weakness. 

All these layers and parts work together to keep your Canton-area home dry, cozy, and comfortable year-round. 

No More Tears

In the hands of professional, highly trained roofers, your home’s shingle roof can last for decades with no tears or worries. Neglected, any roof will lead to problems:

• Water leaks
• Mold
• Mildew
• Increased indoor humidity
• Breakdowns in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment
• Shortened life spans for roof elements
• Decrease in home value
• Falling curb appeal

Some homeowners mistakenly think they are saving money by not enlisting a local, reliable roofer for help with maintenance or installation. They are literally betting the house on such a gamble. 

Avoid the tears, sleepless nights, and constant worry over your roof. Choose professional roof installation, repair and maintenance to keep your home safe and secure. 

Professional Installation

If you have a roofing problem and elect to tackle it yourself, expect a lot of tears. Roofs are dangerous, whether a gently sloping ranch roof or a multi-gabled Victorian. You can get scraped by the granules on shingles, or slip and fall off your roof. 

Maintenance and repair is best done by a professional roofing contractor who has:

• Proper licensing and insurance
• Proper safety and installation equipment
• A highly trained work crew

Suppose you just need roof repair and maintenance. If you are unfamiliar with the many layers of your roof but insist on doing the job yourself, you are likely to miss an important repair.

Imagine your anxiety when you spot the first drip-drip-drip of water from your living room ceiling, all because you opted to try your hand at amateur roof repair. Better to call a professional for inspection, evaluation, and an estimate for repair costs than to think you can tackle the job yourself.  

Suppose the problem is bigger: you need a whole new roof. When you look at what is included in roof replacement (all those layers, all that material, all those details!), you quickly appreciate the value of having the job done by professional roofers. 

Warranties

Most manufacturers’ warranties are void if the installation is not done by a qualified professional. Your local, dependable roofer best knows how to install your Atlas shingles to keep the warranty in force, often for up to 50 years!

You will never shed a tear when you work with the highly trained professionals of Victors Roofing. Contact us at Victors Roofing today to ensure your roof’s many layers get the attention they deserve.