Cutting Corners On Secondary Materials 

“Ok… So I found a good contractor, I ordered the ‘deluxe-super-heavy-duty’ shingles and set up an installation date… So I’m all set, right?”
Well… not really. What about the other work that needs addressing? Is the roofer also going to fix that deteriorated flashing around your chimney or are you going to have to pay someone a much higher rate to fix it next year when the roof begins to leak? If he is going to fix it, is he going to use quality flashing or something from the ‘clearance bin’?

Cutting corners on secondary materials such as flashing, can also cost you in the long run. Sometimes contractors who offer extremely low bids will cut their costs by scrimping on these items. As the recipient of their services, do not hesitate to ask about these items as well.

The 5 Step Process

“So everything is finally taken care of and I am ready to install my new roof. How many steps are actually involved in the process?”

GAF, a manufacturer of quality shingles, suggests using a five step process in the installation of new roofs. Although the following describes a shingle application, many roofing specialists follow this method for most other types of roofing as well. This assures that home/business owner may avoid potential problems down the road.

Step 1: A quality leak barrier creates a 100% watertight seal that keeps water out at the most vulnerable areas of your roof (at the eaves and rakes, in valleys, around chimneys, etc.). This protects your home by preventing costly repairs due to wall or ceiling staining. It also prevents leaks due to water damming in your gutters or wind-driven rain.

Step 2: Quality roof deck protection, often referred to as tar paper or felt, prevents wind-driven rain from infiltrating under your shingles and causing damage to your roof structure or the inside of your home, by providing an extra layer of protection between your shingles and your roof deck. It also helps reduce shingle blow-off by allowing your shingles to lay flat and uniform.

Step 3: Quality shingles are the key to any good roof. Using a lesser grade product or cutting corners here will often prove to be costly in future repairs.

Step 4: Proper attic ventilation allows a continuous flow of outside air through the attic, protecting the efficiency of the attic insulation and helping to lower temperatures in the summer. It also prevents mildew growth, warping of wood framing, damage to siding, damage to interior / exterior paint and premature aging of your roofing system. For more details on this, we recommend going to GAF’s website, where they explain this in full detail.

Step 5: Ridge cap shingles are the “final touch” that not only beautify, but also protect the most “high stress” areas of your roofing system, the hips and ridges.

When contemplating a renovation, any contractor can come out and give you an estimate for the price. When you call Dwight & Sons, you get more than a price quote. We provide you with a free consultation where we discuss your reasons for the renovation, your budget, your current needs and future goals. Based upon the information provided, we develop a cost effective solution that works for you, while maximizing your property investment. If you would prefer to do this online, check out our Roofing Renovator Estimator.