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Roof Remodeling 101 

For most of us the roof is an afterthought — at least until it starts to leak. In addition to keeping the house dry, the roof contributes greatly to the look of the house, so when building a new house, adding on, or re-roofing, it may pay to consider the options. When it comes to roof remodeling, there are a number of areas homeowners need to be aware of—from selecting a contractor to the actual start of work of the roof remodeling.

How do I find a professional roofing contractor for my roof remodeling?
Not surprisingly, there are a number of pitfalls to which homeowners can fall victim, including evaluating and hiring a contractor without a personal interview, judging estimates on low price only, selecting products without comparison shopping, and not understanding reroofing basics. We suggest reading our brochure Choosing a Professional Roofer which outlines what questions to ask in evaluating a roofing contractor. You’ll find that being prepared and knowing what to expect when reroofing work begins will help ensure your ultimate satisfaction with your new roof.

Selecting a product
There are several areas to look at when choosing a roofing shingle. To begin, you need to measure your roof. Shingles are priced per square; a square is defined as 100 square feet. Asphalt shingles, which consumers use the most, can cost from $50 to $150 per square. Keep in mind that these costs don't always include the expense of removing the old roof or the labor involved in a professional installation.

The manufacturer’s warranty can range from 20 years to lifetime. The length of the warranty is an indicator of performance and value. The contractors’ guarantee is usually for one to five years on the average. It is also important to determine the contractor’s intent to stand behind his workmanship and to service a valid complaint in a reasonable time period.

Some roof slopes can limit the choice of shingles that can be used. The slope of the roof is measured by the rise versus the run, or the number of inches vertically by the number of feet horizontally. Your roofing contractor will determine your roof slope and guide you to what type of shingle will be best for your roof.

Other factors to consider in roof remodeling
Although you will be hiring a professional roofing contractor to reroof your home, you should familiarize yourself with certain aspects of the reroofing process. There are various conditions about your roof that may limit your product choices or affect the cost of your roofing job. Here’s a list of questions and answers that are relevant to the reroofing process.

1.) Do I need to obtain a permit to install a new roof on my home?
Some local ordinances require permits be obtained prior to the start of roofing work in both new and some reroofing jobs, depending on the locale. If a permit is required, discuss with your contractor who will obtain it and how it will be obtained.

2.) Is it always necessary to tear off existing shingles before reroofing? If they are torn off, who is responsible for the disposal of the old shingles?
There are two options available for reroofing installations. One would be to tear off the old roof before applying the new one (tear off). The second would be to lay new shingles over the existing roof (lay over). While the second choice is the less expensive of the two options, it is not necessarily always the best choice.

There are advantages to tearing off the old roof before installing a new one. For example:

• If there are any defects in the roof deck, they will be revealed when the roof is torn off. These defects should be repaired before applying the new roof.
• If condensation problems exist in the attic, they too will be revealed when the roof is torn off. Properly designed attic ventilation can then be installed in order to help eliminate such problems.
• When the old roof is torn off, waterproofing shingle underlayment can be installed before applying the new roof. This will help protect against leaks created by cyclical ice damage and wind-driven rain.
• Tearing off the old roof and starting with a clean deck before reroofing may result in a smoother finished roof system.

Although there is added cost to these advantages, each lessens the likelihood that the validity of the manufacturer’s shingle warranty will be impaired. If the old roof is torn off, your contractor should be responsible for the cleanup and disposal of the old shingles, but make sure your contract states this clearly.

3.) Why is it said that a roof should breathe? How can you determine if the roof is properly ventilated?
When contractors say a roof should breathe, they are usually referring to the ventilation system beneath the roof deck. Most shingle warranties require ventilation. An effective ventilation system will help:

• Reduce attic heat buildup
• Reduce attic moisture and condensation
• Prevent weather infiltration, i.e., drifting snow, wind-driven rain
• Prevent ice dam build-up

4.) What function does shingle underlayment serve?
 Some local building codes and UL standards require that a shingle underlayment (also known as roofing felt) be installed. Also, some manufacturers offer a special water proofing underlayment product (such as CertainTeed’s WinterGuard) which prevents leaks caused by water backup from ice dams—a common condition in many winter snow areas. Protection against ice dams can be obtained by using a waterproofing shingle underlayment at the eaves or lower edges of the roof, in addition to installing adequate ventilation and proper insulation in the attic floor. View our Protecting Your Home From Ice Dams brochure.

Need to Know More about roof remodeling? View our entire Reroofing brochure which gives detail of what to look for when Roof Remodeling. In addition, if you would like more information on finding a roofing contractor view our Choosing a Professional Roofer brochure.

Does my roof qualify for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Tax Credit?
With the recent signing of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), the tax credits for energy-efficient home improvements that were originally part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 have been reinstated, extended and increased.

Tax Credit: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2/17/2009 enables homeowners to receive up to a $1,500 tax credit if they install specific energy efficient products (asphalt roofing products) which carry an Energy Star rating.

Energy Star®: Energy Star guidelines for residential roofing products require that products have a minimum solar reflectivity (SR value) of .25.

Additional Details:

• Tax credit for 30% of the cost of energy-efficient products up to a lifetime cap of $1,500.
• The tax credit applies to the cost of materials only (not installation costs).
• At the present time, this credit is available for 2009 and 2010.
• Homeowner must save receipts and provide a Manufacturer's Certification Statement.
• IRS Tax Form 5695 (2009 version) is the form the homeowner will use to apply for the tax credit.

How do I know if the roof I choose promotes a green environment?
Nature had a great idea. We just made it better.
When it comes to environmental impact, CertainTeed believes in leading by example. To learn more on how CertainTeed Roofing puts ideas into action and GREEN as our goal, click on the link under Helpful Resources.

How do I know if it is time to replace my roof?
Research indicates that the aging process for a roof begins soon after the shingles are installed and progresses rapidly during the initial curing phase of its life cycle. During this stage, granule loss may occur, small blisters may develop, or the shingles may curl slightly at their edges. You may even notice that this curling is more pronounced during cold weather and the shingles may life flat as temperatures rise. The good news, however, is that after this curing stage the shingles enter a long period of slow aging, which lasts for the major portion of the shingle's natural life.

What is the difference between the Manufacturer warranty and the Contractor workmanship warranty?
Product (Manufacturer) Warranty vs. Services (Contractor) Warranty The purchase of a new roof for a home is a significant expense. It involves purchasing a combination of products and services. It is very important that the homeowner understands the role of the roofing contractor and the role of the manufacturer.

For more information:
Visit our Roofing Ask The Experts page
Get a free estimate
Contact us online
Or Call 888-957-7800