Roofing

Stack—a plastic or metal vent pipe from a sewer line, furnace or water heater that penetrates the roof.

We install flashing at EVERY roof penetration.

Ridge—the very top or peak of the roof.

We offer a ridge ventilation system that provides the best way to provide added comfort to your home, reduce energy consumption, and protect your home from damage by weather.

Flashing—a flat sheet of metal or plastic that is nailed or glued over the cracks between
• a chimney and the roof
• a wall and the roof
• or in the valley between two roofs

We replace ALL of the old flashing. Our foreman inspects every foot of flashing before the work crew lays the new shingles. Metal counter flashing will be replaced when necessary.

Valley—the Vee-shaped joint between two sections of the roof

We install flashing AND underlayment in all of the valleys on your roof. Not just one or the other.

Underlayment—a special waterproofing material installed over the wood roof decking and under the shingles. It is the last line of defense against leaks—stops the water if an ice dam occurs.

We install underlayment under all metal flashing and counter flashing at EVERY roof penetration. We install it anywhere the roof pitch changes, in valleys, and at joints with building additions. We install underlayment along the eaves and at short cornice projections.

Dormers—special rooms or windows that have their own small roofs. They take more time and materials to roof, thus are add to the cost of the job.

Before we begin, we carefully inspect the dormer roof. Each dormer is completely checked after our work for quality workmanship and attention to detail.

Fascia—facing board, the vertical edge or face, located at the bottom of the roof.

We inspect every inch of your fascia boards for signs of physical damage. We re-nail or replace loose boards and inspect them for signs of ice dam damage.

Soffit—the underside of the eave or cornice. It provides ventilation holes for air flow to keep the underside of the roof dry and cool.

We inspect the soffit's for physical damage and to make sure that the vents are clean and clear. We ensure that air flow is adequate to provide proper levels of ventilation.

Gutter—carries away rain water.

We inspect old gutters for signs of prior ice dams. We make sure they are sound, properly aligned, clean and clear of debris. We repair or replace gutters and fit them with screens to keep out leaves or other debris.

Eaves—the lower part of the roof that extends beyond the side of the house.

We carefully inspect the eaves and repair any physical damage caused by leaking shingles or ice dams, and to ensure proper ventilation.

OLDE WORLD BUILDERS INC.

A Mid-Michigan Contractor

(517) 337-7663

"Combining New World Looks With Old World Quality"

What Goes Into A New Roof?

Important Considerations

When Purchasing A New

Roof

Since you do not have a new roof put on your property very often, you may not be aware of some of the key decisions that you will need to make. Here are the most important ones.

What style of roof do I want?
What roofing material do I want?
When does it need to be done?
What color roof do I want?
How much will it cost?

**Know the answers to these questions before the project begins.

Construction, Ventilation, and Removal

Your existing roof structure was designed to handle a specific type of roofing. If it cannot withstand the weight of tile or slate, we will need to strengthen the structure. This can be a major upgrade with increased costs.

Ventilation

Consider attic ventilation as well. Humidity and heat from the attic are enemies of your roof. You may want us to improve ventilation before new roofing is applied. Your roof must be able to allow humidity and heat to escape. Proper ventilation will add years to your roof’s life and even help your house cool itself in summer. Continuous ridge ventilation, coupled with continuous soffit (at the eave) ventilation is the best system.

Old roof removal

If you are replacing an existing roof, you need to decide whether to put the new roof over your existing roof or start new. The roof structure and local building codes determine how much weight your roof can stand. A second roof over the first may save the cost and time of removing an old roof. Of course, the old roof must be compatible with the new roofing system.

Climate and weather

Consider our climate. We have wide temperature ranges. We sometimes have strong storms that require extra wind blow-off protection. Sun is always a factor and is the main cause of roof deterioration. The south side of your home with exposure to more direct sunlight is a factor for aging.

Granule Loss
New roofs begin aging immediately. The shingles are still “curing.” They lose a noticeable amount of granules after a short exposure to sun and weather.

Curling, Blistering
Temperature changes cause shingles to curl—especially in cold weather. Heat can cause blistering.

Cracking, Staining, Failure
Algae causes dark brown or black streaks. As shingles become more brittle they can crack. Wind, hail and heavy rain can cause failure.

Bald Shingles
It is time to replace the shingles when black asphalt shows because most of the granules have been washed away.

Ice Dams
Snow and ice become trapped on the roof. Improper ventilation in the attic causes the heat from the house to melt the snow and ice next to the shingles and water backs up under the ice dam and soaks through the roof to cause damage.

Major Roof Material Types

There are numerous roofing materials you can use regardless of whether you are considering repairing the roof, or putting on a new roof. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Fire Ratings

The higher the fire rating, the more fire resistant your roof will be. A Class A rated roof will resist catching fire far longer than a Class C rated roof. Oddly, a metal roof is poor fire protection because it transfers heat directly to the wood below, which may cause the wood to ignite. Even the best wood shakes or shingle roofs offer only a Class B fire rating. You may want to discuss wood roofs with your insurance company before you make a decision.

Composite

Composites shingles are man-made materials (like fiber cement or plastic) configured to look like shakes or other shingle styles but with different properties. The materials offer unlimited shape and color options, and vary widely in weatherproofing and fire rating.

Asphalt shingle/shake

Asphalt shingles are the most common and therefore the most easily installed and guaranteed type of roofing material. They are relatively light in weight. Higher quality shingle and shake designs offer superior weatherproofing for a relatively low cost and offer a great variety of styles and colors. Laminates are dual thickness asphalt shingles that offer increased protection from the elements and enhanced appearance. Some come with algae/fungus resistant copper granules. Fire ratings of Class A, the highest and best, are common.

Asphalt Roofing Shingles

Shingles are purchased in “bundles” and are calculated for quantity needed in “squares”. A square is 10 ft. by 10 ft., or 100 square feet of roof space. Extra shingles must be ordered to accommodate the shape of the roof and the roof’s characteristics (chimney, stacks, valleys, etc.), which all require special cutting and shaping.

Underlayment

Underlayment is asphalt-saturated felt sheet that comes in rolls and is placed over the roof deck and under the roofing material. This waterproofing step enhances the value of any roofing material choice. The right underlayment will be very important over the life of the roof. Underlayment validates most roof fire ratings.

Flashing

Flashing is the metal stripping, or other material, that when carefully and professionally installed, will prevent leaking at joints where roofing materials meet roof protrusions (valleys, chimneys, stacks, etc.).

Call Olde World Builders today for an estimate at:

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(517) 337-7663