Amongst all major repairs included in the home improvement process, installing a new roof is certainly one of the most important aspects. When an old roof falls and ruins the inside of your home, no amount of repair can guarantee a sturdy roof other than opting for a roof replacement.

Moreover, replacing the roof should never be delayed as this could not only ruin your property, but also be fatal for you and your family. Therefore, when you opt for a major home renovation or improvement, inspect the structure of your roof and get it replaced. Read on to know more about how you should go around the entire roof replacement process.

1. Commonly used materials for roofing

There is a whole range of roofing materials available in the market. The type of material that you pick for your home depends primarily on your taste and the kind of sturdiness you are looking for. There are certain regions, where metal roofing is highly preferred because it is fire-proof. On the other hand, some regions opt for a Spanish-influenced tile roof. In addition to your locality and personality, the angle of the roof is also a detrimental factor in your choice of roofing material. For example, the wooden shake shingles work well only for roofs that have a steeper pitch. You cannot use them for a low-pitched or a flatter roof.

1. Types of residential roofing

Here, is a list of some of the most commonly used residential roofing available options:

• Slate roofing

This is certainly one of the most attractive alternatives for those seeking high-end roofing. So, yes, it is heavy and slightly pricey. However, there is a downside to it. Such roofs are slippery to walk, and that makes it even harder to repair it in case of damage.

• Wood shingles

The wooden shingles, though a bit expensive, are extremely attractive. One factor, which adds to its high popularity, is that it is very durable. So, those regions, where the fire damage is a common danger, this one is an ideal pick.

• Asphalt shingles

For price-sensitive buyers, roofs with asphalt composition are a hit. They are not only affordable but also very easily attainable. However, because of their flat appearance, they do not look as appealing as the others on the list. Nonetheless, they are still one of the most popular types of material used in roofing.

• Composition slat

It is a type of synthetic tile, which is composed of approximately 95% recycled material. This is today a popular choice and has rubber in it. Though they look similar to the stone or slate tiles, they are much lighter in weight and are consequently less prone to damage.

• Metal roofing

In recent years, roofs made of metals like aluminum or steel are gaining huge popularity. It is so because they are both fireproof and highly durable. Again, a bit expensive, these roofs can be installed by specialty contractors only. However, due to their long life, they seem more cost-effective than other options. You can find a huge array of metal roofing options in the market.

• Ceramic or clay tile

It is a Spanish-style roof, which is even referred to as the half-barrel, given its half-cut cylindrical shape.

1. The second layer or a Tear-Off – Which is better?

Back in the day, it was extremely common for homeowners to decide to lay one new shingle roof over the already existing layer. However, it is no longer legally allowed in a few states. In these jurisdictions, every homeowner must get the previous roof completely removed before the installation of a new roof. On the other hand, in places where layering is allowed, due consideration to the pros and cons must be given before picking this option.

• Weight

The first and certainly the biggest argument, which goes against the addition of a new layer over an existing layer, especially in the case of asphalt shingles is that it makes the roofing material really heavy for the framing beneath it. This could pose to be a huge structural problem, particularly for old houses. Roofing contractors say that a solo slate shingle layer is equivalent to 3 different layers of asphalt shingles, making it an incredibly heavy material.

• Telegraphing

One massive problem with adding a roof over an existing roof is that you tend to repeat a few mistakes that were present in the previous roof just to match up to the irregularities of the roof beneath. The reason you are planning to add a new roof could primarily be because of the waves, bubbles, or the bumps in the existing roof. Now, when you add another fresh layer to this irregular surface, you do not end up with an attractive roof. However, there’s one workable solution to it, before de-roofing, you can check the old roof and try to rectify as many problems as possible. It wouldn’t take more than a few shingles, a bunch of roofing nails, and a hammer to rectify the protruding nails, gaps, and bumps in your old roof.

• Reduced work

One big advantage of layering is that it certainly brings down the amount of work needed. Naturally, if you have to strip down an existing roof and then perform a roof replacement, it is arduous and tedious work. For roofing professionals, this isn’t a big deal, however, if you are doing it all by yourself, layering could be your preferred choice.

1. Know the process

You’ll certainly be able to make a better judgment of things when you understand and know the process yourself. For a professional, to undertake a roof replacement job of a moderately sized home shouldn’t take more than 3 to 4 days.

Here is the complete roofing process that you should all know.

• Firstly, get rid of complete shingles on your roof. You do not need it so you can throw them in a roll-off dumpster. In this process, you’ll also get rid of the old or damaged valley flashing. Furthermore, you need to remove the drip edging. If you hire a roof replacement company or contractor, they will protect your shrubs and plants with a poly tarp during the entire tear-off process.
• In case the roof is in a moderate condition, you only need to perform a few repairs. However, if the roof is in worse shape, you can replace the bad wood with a new sheathing of plywood.
• Put up a membrane of ice guard, which involves the use of the waterproof synthetic barrier material that prevents the ice from melting.
• Next, there should be an insertion of asphalt roofing paper. Adding an inner barrier of asphalt roofing paper adds on an additional layer of protection and prevents water from penetrating the house. For better results, rows of this paper are used and overlapped over each other towards the peak. To ensure that they stay in place, they are stapled and tacked together.
• Further, around the edge of the roof, you need to use a metal drip. It should be done on the gable side as well as the eave side. It is carefully affixed with nails above the ice guard or the roofing paper.

• Wherever needed, at the adjoining surface of the two roofing planes, you can add a valley flashing. It provides an added layer of protection and seals the roof together.
• Starting towards the eaves, you should work your way up towards the peak and apply the tab shingles.
• In areas like stack vents, skylights, or against the chimney, or anywhere else where there’s a possibility of leakage, apply flash.
• The ridge vent is a continuous vent that is installed along the peak. It is needed as it facilitates proper air circulation in the attic space. Additionally, it also helps in preventing ice dams in winter and helps get rid of hot air. Though ridge vents might not be present in your older roofs, when you choose roof replacement, installing them is a good idea.
• Get rid of all the debris and get the new roof installation inspected and further approved by an authorized building inspector.

1. Things to know before replacing your roof

Now that you have understood the process of roof replacement and know the types of roofing options available, you are ready to start the replacement process. However, before you go about it, there are a few things that you should know.

• Look for the best

The problem that you’ll most likely face with a roofing contractor is that they aren’t bothered about customer satisfaction. One big reason behind this is that they know that roof replacement is not something that you’ll need every year. It is a once a decade thing, so they barely expect a repeat business out of you. Further, a lot of homeowners usually pick a roofing contractor based on who charges them less money. Now, fewer prices might also translate to cheap services. Sometimes, the price is less, because contractors hire low-wage workers. So, before you hire, be particularly careful and verify referrals. You can ask your friends or neighbor’s whom you trust. It is also helpful to scan through a few prominent roofing manufacturing sites. Therein, you can find a bunch of certified installers. Before hiring anyone, it is always good to ask them for references from clients that they have served in the past. You can also check the reputation of the contractor on websites like Angie’s List.

• Know what’s more desirable

Though you are allowed to have 2 asphalt shingles layers on your roof, if you have just one in the present, you can get a newer one installed on top of it. It certainly will assure a huge cost saving, and avoid you all the mess. However, if the contractor isn’t able to repair or inspect the flashing and the decking beneath the new layer, it could be a problem. Moreover, for people living in colder regions, installing water and the ice shield can be a good idea to prevent leaks in case of an ice build-up. For homeowners who have anything other than asphalt roofing, the stripping process is complicated. For instance, in the case of wood shingle, you’ll not only have to tear everything apart but also install a new plywood decking, which can be expensive.

• Use top quality products

To ensure that you do not need roof replacement anytime soon, always opt for superior quality products. Pick durable materials for both roofing and sealing so that the roof stays in place for a long time.

• Be careful with the paperwork

Roof replacement goes on for anywhere between 2 to 5 days, depending on the style and the size of the roof. However, there’s still a lot of money and liability involved in this short-term job. Primarily, you need three documents:

• Building permit – This is necessary to ensure that all the building codes are followed by the contractor. Moreover, the warranty of the roofing is void without a permit.
• Written contract – There should be a written contract specifying all the terms agreed upon in terms of costs, products, and other details related to the project.
• Letter – Finally, you should get a letter addressed by the insurance carrier of the contractor, ensuring that the project is under the liability plan and there’ll be compensation in case of an accident.