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Imagine, you're standing on the sidewalk, looking at an average house. You see the siding, the windows, the front door, and way up above, you see the roof. Does the roof have asphalt shingles? Wood shakes perhaps? Maybe it's made of metal or rubber tiles? What you see is where the focus goes, but it's what you don't see that really matters. There's more to roofing than meets the eye. So let's talk about what goes on, under the shingles.

The Roof Deck

We learn to crawl before we walk, so when talking about roofing let's start with square one, the surface area of your roof which is made of wood. Your wood roof deck is comparable to an automobiles metal body. It is installed on top of the basic house frame to give a surface area on which to install Shingles. Without a roof deck installed on your house, there would be nowhere to install your Shingles. And of course without the shingles, your roof deck would rot away due to exposure to the sun, rain, snow and ice and etc...not a comfortable home at all!

On Newer Houses, sheets of plywood or OSB boards are fastened on top of wooden trusses in your attic to form the roof deck. Plywood or OSB boards are installed in a staggered formation with small spaces between them to allow wood to expand and contract as the wood heats in the summer and cools in the winter. Older homes often have lengths of 2" x 6" installed instead of plywood or OSB board. When the time comes for you to replace your Roof System, remember to have your Calgary Roofing Contractor replace any and all damaged wood.

Remember, if your roof deck is rotting or damaged in any way, people walking on your roof could potentially crack or break through the wood, causing further damage to the roof system, such as to the shingles...and to the person who walked on it! However, most roof decks can withstand a little bit of exposure to water or ice before it needs to be replaced.

Metal: Drip Edge and Rake Edge

Drip edge and Rake edge is the first part of the Roof System to be installed. It is a long and narrow piece of metal which is installed along each end of your Roof Deck, ie: along the eaves trough and along the gable ends.

Some area local building codes require the installation of Drip Edge and Rake Edge and other building codes do not. Check with your local city building offices to find out. In Alberta for example, the Building Code does not require the installation of Drip edge or Rake edge. Therefore many new homes and/or low budget roof systems do not have drip edge installed in order to allow for more affordable roof prices. We recommend however that Drip edge and Rake edge be installed on every Roof System, no exceptions.

Drip and Rake edge is available in a variety of different colors and sizes and can be custom built for the needs of your roof system. Installing an appropriate drip edge often saves hundreds and sometimes even thousands of dollars when your roof system needs replaced.

If your Roof System does not currently have drip or rake edge installed, do not panic, you'll survive well enough. Just be aware that when your roof needs to be replaced, the Roofing Contractor you may need to replace some of your wood Roof Deck on an as needed basis.

Metal: Chimneys and Skylights

Arguably the most important part of every complete roof system. The metal installed in the valleys, chimneys and skylights take the brunt of water flow on every roof. Poorly installed, a brand new roof system can make a waterfall out of your living room.

Every chimney and skylight needs what is referred to as "a back pan", which consists of sheet metal folded at around a 90 degree angle (depending on the slope of your roof) and tucks under the shingles and up under the siding, stucco or counter flashing on the chimney or skylight. Every back pan needs a small 2" section of metal sticking out 1" or more from either side of the chimney or skylight to divert water away from the corners. Water should hit the metal back pan and be directed away on either side where it can continue its run into the eaves trough.

Metal: Valleys

In the same way water runs along the valleys between two mountains, water runs along the valleys on your roof peaks. Valleys generally receive the highest concentration of water flowing through them, therefore installing them correctly is extremely important!

As mentioned in the Leak Barrier section, valleys have leak barriers installed underneath them. Even though some Building Codes do not require such a leak barrier to be installed, we recommend installing one always in every valley.

A word of caution: Many roofing contractors install valleys in a style referred to as 'closed'. A closed valley consists of Shingles woven inside the valley, as opposed to an 'open' valley which has sheet metal running from top to bottom. Both the 'open' and the 'closed' style of installation are acceptable by the most Building Codes and by most manufacturers, however, the 'open' style installation has consistently out performed the 'closed' style...and costs exactly the same price to install. Ask your Roofing Contractor to use the 'open' style of installation for your roofs valleys, this could save you from having to replace your roof system prematurely and also can avoid headaches in the long run. Typically, an 'open' valley is installed with a 30 gauge sheet metal, 4' wide, coming in 10' sheets. This metal can be ordered in any color to match the shingles on your roof system.

Leak Barrier

Think of a leak barrier as a "second layer" of protection for your Roof Deck. A backup plan, if you will, and also a protection against moisture build up. Leak barriers are nearly always installed on top of the Drip Edge and Rake Edge metal along eaves trough areas, gable areas and valleys because of the risk these areas pose for leaks, ice build up, shingle deterioration and water back flow.

If you've ever looked at your roof during winter, you'll notice how ice and snow builds up along the length of your eaves troughs and inside the roof valleys. As with Rake Edge and Drip Edge, some Building codes require Leak Barriers to be installed and some Building Codes do not. In Alberta, the Building Code requires a leak Barrier to be installed on all eaves trough and valley areas of a Roof Systems because of issues related to such snow and ice build up. As an optional upgrade, some high end roof systems even have leak barriers installed on top of the entire Roof Deck (as opposed to only along the special areas we just mentioned) where normally a standard Roof Deck Protection would normally have been installed.

Virtually all roofs in Calgary, Alberta have leak barriers installed, and many different types of leak barriers are available in today's market, each offering a different level of reliability, functionality and warrantee and produced by many different manufacturers.

Choosing an appropriate Leak Barrier and installing it properly is an important step in every Roof System. Speak with your Roofing Contractor to learn more about leak barriers, how to choose the right one and how to choose a Professional Roofing Contractor to install it.

Roof Deck Protection

Roof Deck Protection is very similar to a Leak Barrier. The difference is that Roof Deck Protection is installed on the entire Roof Deck area instead of only on "special areas" as we mention in the Leak Barrier section.

Typically, Roof Deck Protection is a step lower in quality than a Leak Barrier. As with Leak Barriers however, there are many different types of Roof Deck Protection available to choose from ranging from basic felt/tar paper to advanced plastic woven sheets of rip and wrinkle proof material. Choosing a reliable Roof Deck Protection is an important part of a quality Roof System.

A word of caution; most roofing companies use felt paper as Roof Deck Protection. Although using felt paper is a standard and acceptable practice, some issues can arise if the felt paper becomes wet during or after the installation. Ever notice how paper tends to curl when it dries after it was wet? In a similar way, felt paper can curl if water or excess moisture touches it. For this reason, and because the cost is quite small, we recommend installing a higher quality Roof Deck Protection such as a GAF/ELK Deck Armour. For a relatively small additional cost, you'll be rewarded with a much more reliable Roof Deck Protection.

Ask your local trusted Roofing Contractor about which under-layer would be best for your Roof System any why.

Conclusion

So there it is, life beneath the shingles. See how much goes on behind the scenes? Professional roofing contractors know this stuff inside and out and can help immensely in ensuring a roof system is reliable for many years. Product suppliers such as GAF/Elk and IKO can help answer specific questions about products as well.

All the best with your roofing project, and remember, be proactive, make educated decisions.

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Many commercial establishments have a rubber roof on the tops of the buildings. These are popular choices due to the slope generally found on these structures. Most of the roofs used for commercial construction are flat. The challenge with this choice is how to protect the building from water damage.

Unlike sloping surfaces, a flat roof does not have the assistance of gravity to direct the water away from the surface. This is the main motivation for choosing rubber as a surface coating. Over time you will likely need to do some rubber roof repair to protect and extend the life of the surface.

All roofs will eventually leak. It is an unfortunate, yet indisputable fact. All roofing materials expand and contract on a daily basis in response to heat and humidity. This requires materials that are flexible, yet durable. If you are in need of a rubber roof repair, you will find that the technological advances of the last few years offer many viable options.

Previous to these improvements, this type of roof was mopped with compounds to fill cracks and defects. The products and procedures were very costly and only offered temporary solutions. It was sort of a hit-and-miss technique, only used when there was a problem.

In today's market of rubber roof repair, you have the option of totally resurfacing the roof with state of the art materials and procedures. Unlike the products of the past, today's products create the solid bond with the existing materials that will not cause future problems.

It will no longer take a labor-intensive effort to prepare the surface. Most of the current products do not require the time and effort of applying a primer before the actual application. All these improvements have increased the quality and reduced the long term costs of protecting your commercial establishment.

If you have a rubber roof repair in your future you should choose an EPDM product. This is termed as an elastomeric product that will provide the flexibility and protection you need. This particular coating choice will also provide strength to the roof's surface.

It has excellent insulating properties that will assist with lowering your heating and cooling expenses. It is completely weatherproof, and when applied correctly with last for many years without the need for repairs. There are professional companies who will tackle the large jobs. It is also available in smaller quantities for the do-it-yourself set . . .

One choice of many homeowners these days is the application of a tile or masonry roof for their house. These materials come in all manner of colors and styles to add an elegant flare to even the simplest construction. There are flat tiles and tiles with three-dimensional design. There are smooth and textured tiles.

You can also choose among a rainbow of colors to coordinate with your exterior design and scheme. They are quite durable, but like all roofing materials, they are exposed to the elements. This will lead, inevitably, to the need for tile roof repair.

Compared to shingles, which are the most common roofing materials by volume, tiles are heavier. This will often require extra reinforcement under the actual tiles. This can be damaged if there have been leaks, which can increase the labor, materials and expense for tile roof repair. The most common occurrence for this type of roofing material is cracking.

If a tile is cracked, it can most likely be repaired or replaced with a minimal amount of effort or expenditure. Be aware that the replaced tile will not be the same color due to the length of exposure of the surrounding tiles to the weather. If, however, you delay the repair it can lead to further problems such as damage to the supporting structures.

There are options on the market for tile roof repair that do not involve replacing the cracked tiles. There are fillers that will seal the crack effectively if they are used correctly according the manufacturer's instructions.

If you choose to pursue this option on your own, you should be aware that in order to reach the cracked tile you might have to walk on other tiles. When you do this, you pose a huge risk of cracking previously undamaged tiles with your weight. Also, the surface of these particular roofs is slippery and can be very dangerous for the inexperienced.

Despite the tricky nature of completing a tile roof repair, this particular material provides long lasting and durable protection for your home. It carries a much higher value for insulating your living spaces than shingle or metal materials.

This will result in lower heating and cooling bills. The life of a tile or masonry roof will far exceed that of a shingle composition if you have it professionally installed and maintained. It is an attractive and environmentally friendly option for your roofing material choices...

The granddaddy of all roofing materials is slate! These are considered to be 100-year roofs and will definitely live up to their reputation. If you properly install and maintain slate as your roofing material you can expect a life of somewhere between 75 and 200 years.

These amazing roofs are not, however, completely immune to damage and deterioration through the years. It is vital that you have your roof professionally inspected once per year to see if you need any slate roof repairs. Only use a contractor who has experience and knowledge about this type of material.

If you notice a leak in your home and think you may need some slate roof repairs, the first step is to have a look at the actual surface. Without the need to climb on a ladder you can survey the roof surfaces for any irregularities. If there are missing or broken slates then these will need replacing.

If the leak seems to originate around a pipe, vent, chimney or other penetrating element, you will need someone to inspect the area more closely. You are best advised not to try this yourself. The surface of slate is by its very nature unstable for walking. And if repairs are necessary, you will not want to attempt this by yourself either.

One trick of the trade for determining if you need any slate roof repairs is to check the attic for dust. Yes, attics are covered with all manner of tiny particles. For this test you need to determine if what you are seeing is slate (rock) dust.

This is a definite sign of deterioration as is the presence of flaking on the outer surfaces, which can end up on the ground around the edges of the house or in the gutters.

The weakest parts that will most likely be the causes for you to have slate roof repairs are the surrounding elements. The flashing that is used around all penetrating parts as well as in valleys and at the edges is probably going to be the first thing that needs repair. These components are made of metal and will not last as long as the slate.

Flashing can be seen above the slate application, but it is also found underneath the stone. This may have damage or corrosion and you will not know it until you see a leak. This is not a job for the amateurs among us. There are many skills and techniques to safely and correctly fixing these problems. Leave this one to the pros.

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When it comes to finding ways to keep your heating and cooling costs down, there is nothing better than installing attic insulation. This is especially true for those who have problems with their heating bills climbing through the roof.

While attic ventilation is an extremely important issue to address, you want to make sure that the insulation in the attic is up to par or else you will continue to see your heating bills climb at a crazy rate. With the cost of everything else on the rise and the economy looking a little shaky, it is important to make sure that you are doing everything you can to make sure that you are saving money.

Installing an attic ventilation system will be easy and take you only about a day. The attic insulation could be a different story depending on the current set up of your attic. If you have a finished attic with drywall or plaster up then you can pick one of two ways to get the insulation in.

You can rip out all of the drywall or plaster, install the insulation, and then put the walls back up. Or you can cut small holes throughout, fill the walls with insulation that is blown in and then simply repair the holes in the wall.

If you are trying to figure out which way is best for you, simply think about the money and the time involved. If your walls in the attic are pretty beat up but it is a big enough space that you could transform it into an active room then you might as well tear out the old walls and install new ones once the attic insulation is properly installed.

But if your attic is nothing more than a crawl space that no one is every really going to see then you may want to cut holes in the walls to blow insulation in, even if the walls are not that pretty to look at. This is the time to think about pricing though.

If you are able to rent the machine to blow the attic insulation in yourself then that is great. But if you are looking at having to hire someone to come out to do it then you will be looking at a project that just doubled in cost.

For those who have a limited budget and know how to drywall on their own, going the route of ripping out and replacing walls may be the option that makes more financial sense, even if it does mean you are going to be spending a little more time on this particular project.

You need to make sure though, that no matter what you do, that the attic insulation is not left exposed. Too many times, people have done this thinking that they will get back up there later and complete the project but find that they never do. Even with an attic ventilation system in place, tiny pieces of that insulation can get into the air.

This is not something that you or your family needs to be breathing in as major health problems can occur. If you have to take a break between installing the insulation and the drywall make sure that you are at least covering the walls with thick and heavy plastic.

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What should the homeowner expect to get for his or her money in the way of a ridge vent for their new lifetime metal roof? Over the years I have seen scores of metal roofs installed. Today many homeowners have opted for the more traditional look of the shingle type of metal roofing. Is the typical ridge vent material used for asphalt shingle roofing the correct choice for metal shingles? Most of the ridge vents used with asphalt shingle installations are made of some type of polymer.

One of the most common is the mesh type that resembles a bird nest. The contractor will install this over the opening at the ridge, and then nail the shingles right over it; the bulk of the mesh is what provides the gap and opening for the air flow. The biggest problem with this type of vent is that it is way too restrictive. It does not allow for enough air flow to come through its woven mesh. The warranty on these products is very limited as well, certainly not as long as the lifetime of an aluminum lifetime roof.

There are other plastic vents out there that are being routinely used with these metal roofs. There is a low profile honey combed vent that lies on either side of the ridge with a built in baffle system. These are fairly common in the marketplace and again have a very limited warranty. When you consider the cost of a metal roof be sure that the vent you are getting is equal to the lifetime quality of the roof itself.

What do you want your home to look like? This is often the first thing that homeowners ask themselves when it comes to selecting a roof. While looks are certainly important, there are other things that you might want to think about before selecting a roof.

Surprisingly, the overall cost of the roof shouldn't be high on your list of things to think about. Does cost matter? Well, only slightly. Sure, you have to choose a material that will fit within your budget, but this isn't the number one thing that you should be thinking about. Perhaps this time you might consider residential metal roofing for a multitude of reasons.

Instead, think about the overall life of the material that you choose. For example, residential metal roofing will last up to 30 years, and some metal roofing shingles will last longer than that. Sure, the initial cost of metal might be higher than a composite shingle, but this really shouldn't matter in the grand scheme of things.

While a composite material will only last for a few years, metal will last much longer. So, you see, the actual cost of the roof that you install will be greater if you choose a composite (or cheaper) material.

Residential metal roofing also happens to be extremely light weight, which is ideal when it comes to installation. In addition, it is easy to install making it a favorite for many home roofers. Many people also happily discover the metal is a great conductor of heat, which means that your monthly heating bill will be lower than it would be otherwise.

Another positive aspect of metal is that it is extremely durable. So, you won't have to replace metal every year, and it doesn't require a large amount of upkeep. Clearly, a metal roof is a great idea for anyone that wants a long lasting roofing job.

Should you consider residential metal roofing? You absolutely should. Still, it never hurts to research all the materials available, find out as much as you can, compare prices and durability, and then choose the roofing material that really works with your budget and your style preferences.

Keep in mind that the initial cost of a material really doesn't reflect the overall cost, and you are sure to find the perfect roofing material for home. Metal is used frequently on industrial buildings, but it is also a great residential material as well . . .

To learn more about metal roofing be sure to visit the authors website at residential metal roofing.

When comparing the price of an asphalt roof to the price of a metal roof, what really is the best deal for the average homeowner?

Why would you care? "When my roof needs to be replaced, I'll just call my local roofing contractor to come in and replace it. Asphalt shingles are okay. The last ones lasted about 15 years. They were cheap enough."

Were they cheap enough? Why would you want to put a roof on your house that you or someone else has to replace every 15-20 years? "But the shingles I'm getting are 40 year shingles." WOW!! How is it that the asphalt shingle companies say they are selling you a roof that will last for 40 years when the insurance companies that insure our homes say they will last only 17 years? Many of the asphalt shingle manufacturers have gone out of business due to class action law suits.

How do metal roofing costs compare to the cost of replacing an asphalt roof every 15 - 20 years? Take into account that the cost of installing an asphalt roof doubles every 15 years. So what cost $7,000 this year will cost $14,000 in fifteen years. So the cost of the roof after only 15 years would end up being $21,000. Now compare that to the cost of a metal roof that will last a lifetime. A metal roof would cost about two and a half times the cost of asphalt, or $17,500. It's a one time investment for the life of the house.

Additionally, you must consider the environmental impact. When an asphalt roof goes on, it begins to break down immediately. And when you have one installed, the old one should be taken off and disposed of. Where are they disposed? Landfills, mostly, where

they take hundreds of years to break down. With metal roofing, especially aluminum roofing, they are made from recycled aluminum and they are fully recyclable at the end of their life, which is 100 years plus. Additionally, many insurance companies offer discounts to homeowners with metal roofs.

There are many more factors to consider, such as curb appeal, wind ratings, energy savings, and tax incentives. Talk with a metal roofing professional to get the whole story. Do your research and you will make the right choice for your home.

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There are so many different types of roofing materials out there, how do you choose just one? If you are thinking about the type of roof that you might like to have, then this article might just help you narrow down the selection a bit. Before you decide upon any kind of roofing, it is important to consider the overall life of the material that you will choose.

While some types of roofing might be inexpensive, these materials usually don't last very long. On the flip side, while some materials might be expensive, they will last for many years to come without a lot of maintenance - just some things to think about while looking over the options listed below.

Let's start with one of the most popular types of roofing material: composition. Composition roofing is inexpensive, it comes in various colors and types, and it is relatively easy to repair.

However, a composite roof usually only lasts for 15 to 30 years, it tends to scar when heated, it can collect lots of mildew, and it is not environmentally friendly. If this doesn't sound like a good idea to you, don't worry - there are many different types of roofing materials that haven't been covered yet.

Wood shingles are popular throughout some areas of the world, though these shingles are not fire-friendly. In addition, they tend to be very high maintenance, since they rot, split, and mold frequently. However, they do give off a natural look, they tend to blend in nicely with any surrounding, and they will last for a long time if they are properly taken care of.

One great option is metal roofing. Metal roofs tend to come in various colors, they last a long time, and they are low maintenance. However, metal roofs are more expensive that most other kinds. Out of all the different types of roofing materials, metal roofs are often a favorite choice for many homeowners.

Clearly, there are lots of different types of roofing materials, and some of those sorts have not even been discussed in this article. Thus, the best thing for you to do is to contact a contractor, ask about the different types of materials that you might want to consider, and decide upon the right one for your home or business.

Keep in mind that the cheapest option might not always be the best choice. Instead, look for a roofing material that will last for many years.

All right, you just figured out you have zero ventilation in your roof. One way to tell that you have no ventilation is if you live in a snow belt and you had ice dams this year or any other year. Another sign of no roof ventilation is the asphalt shingle roof you have just does not last. It curls and gets brittle and cracks within a few years of having it installed. These are sure signs that either your ventilation is not working or that maybe you have no ventilation at all.

What can you do about it?

There are options. One of the options is to attempt to create an air passage by adding a combination of sofit and ridge or gable end vents. The idea is to get some convection going. Sometimes we see that there is no opportunity to make an airway, so this option might not work.

Another option might be to remove all of the insulation in the roof and replace it with one of the new, more efficient spray in place foam insulations that do not require roof ventilation. This can be a fairly costly fix. It depends on the access that you have to the insulation. Do you have to remove interior walls and ceilings to get to it? Sometimes, if you have an older house with boards for roof sheathing instead of plywood, this task can be completed from the outside of the house with less interruption for the home owner.

Depending on the elevations on the roof, a cold roof could be the best answer. If you have dormers and roof to sidewall areas, a cold roof may not work depending on the elevations. A cold roof is basically a roof that is built elevated above the existing roof. Depending on the situation, one can add additional insulation and ventilation very easily, or just ventilation, if that is all that is needed. It can be an economical solution to fixing a big problem.

One of the most dreaded home improvement projects that any homeowner faces is re-shingling a roof. This is not only a huge project but it is one that will affect the overall appearance of your home. If you choose the wrong material for your roof, then your roof will look rather strange.

If you choose the right material, then your roof will look good, last a long time, and withstand any kind of weather. The problem is that there are so many appealing types of roofing shingles to choose from, it's nearly impossible to know about all of them.

Let's begin with one of the most popular shingle material options: composite. Composite shingles are made from various materials that are put together. This type of shingle is popular, since it also happens to be inexpensive. However, composite shingles don't last that long as compared to metal materials.

Speaking of metal, what about copper shingles and metal roof shingles? There are all durable materials that should be considered, though metals (especially copper) tend to be very expensive. Another option is ceramic - good for warm weather climates, but not such a hot option for cold weather climates. As you can see, there are many different types of roofing shingles and it may be hard to choose the best roofing shingles.

In order to narrow down the types of roofing shingles available, it helps to have a system in place. It is never a good idea to search for this material with price in mind. Sure, you have to respect your budget, but hunting for shingles based solely upon price is not a good idea.

Why? You want shingles that will last for a very long time, and cheaper shingles tend to only last for a couple of years. In the end, you will just wind up paying more to replace those cheaper shingles than you would if you purchase a top-notch material in the first place.

So, out of all the types of roofing shingles, which one is the best? Well, this depends upon your roof, your climate, your style, and even your budget. Just remember to consider all of the things listed above before you decide upon any one kind of material.

As with anything else, it pays to shop around for the best possible option. Otherwise, you might end up with a roof that you don't enjoy, or that you paid too much for. When it comes to roofing, there are lots of things to think about. . .

To learn more about roofing shingles, be sure to visit the authors website at his shingles guide.

Most homeowners don't like to think about the roof above their head. Why? Roofs are expensive to replace, they are hard to decide upon, and the many types of shingles out there make this process even harder. So, how do you decide what kind of material to use for your roof?

Well, if you are concerned with design then you have a few options. If you simply want to cover your home with something, then you can look at nearly every material available. The problem is that there are so many types of shingles to select from that it's hard to know about all of them.

Since composite shingles are popular, let's start with this type. Out of all the types of singles, composite tends to be the least expensive. However, composite shingles aren't as durable as other materials. In this case, the least expensive sort might not be the best choice. Instead, consider metal.

Steel, iron, and copper are all great options. These are all durable types of shingles, and they are all rather easy to install. Of course, they are more expensive than composite types, but this really shouldn't be a deciding factor. If you want something different, think about ceramic tiles. Ceramic might work well depending upon your location, though they do require a bit of upkeep.

If you want to narrow down the types of shingles available, try to have a system for selecting the right material. Don't judge each type according to price alone. Instead, look into durability and installation ease.

Your shingles should last for many years, so make sure that you are choosing the best possible option for your home and for the climate that you live in. When it comes down to it, you will just wind up paying more to replace inexpensive shingles if you have to change them more than once.

Learn all that you can about the various types of shingles available to you. Find out which ones will fit your lifestyle and budget. Ask your contractor about the best style for your home. Compare prices, photos, and other factors.

Then decide upon the roof that you want to cover your home with. You will have to live with your roof for many years to come, so make sure that you select the one that you will be happy with many years from now. It never hurts to shop around for the best options out there...

To learn more about roofing shingles, be sure to visit the authors website at Roofing Shingles .

Consumers need to feel that the roofing contractor they pick can be trusted to perform the work that needs to be done in a timely manner and with safety concerns taken into account. By following a few simple tips, consumers can be assured that they are hiring the best roofing contractor to do their work.

All contractors in Southern California are required to be state licensed and insured; this includes the roofing contractor that the consumer picks to do their work. The roofing contractor should not only be state licensed and insured, he is also required to provide Worker's Compensation Insurance for all of his employees. Consumers need to check the status of the contractor's licenses and insurances, as well as retain a copy of said paperwork for their files. Doing so will ensure that the consumer is protected in case any accidents occur on the job.

When choosing a potential roofing contractor, homeowners should obtain a minimum of three bids with clear details of the proposed work. It is also a good idea to get some references from each contractor as well. A roofing contractor might be the nicest and most congenial individual the consumer has ever meet, but his previous work and past customers can give a homeowner much needed insight into what to expect for the duration of the job.

After the homeowner has settled on his choice of roofing contractor, a meeting is required to sign all of the formal contracts. This is the perfect opportunity to make sure that everybody involved has a clear understanding of all of the work to be done and eliminates the potential for surprises or cost overruns. No matter how good the contractor is, there can sometimes be things that the roofing contractor will be unable to anticipate, like unseen damage to substructures or the need for repairs from unseen water damage.

During the formal signing of any contracts, the roofing contractor will ask for a deposit before starting the job. This is typical, but the homeowner should never feel pressured to pay more than ten percent up front and should never pay for work that hasn't been done yet.

Roofing jobs are usually messy projects and the homeowner needs to be aware of this. Homeowners should feel comfortable addressing any concerns they might have throughout the duration of the project. Trees and shrubberies might end up damaged during the job and homeowners need to feel comfortable that the contactor will take the necessary steps to minimize any problems or damage that might happen. It's as simple as feeling comfortable with discussing any potential issues and building trust in the chosen roofing contractor.

By following these simple tips and by establishing good communication with the roofing contractor, many potential problems can be avoided. Consumers need to keep in mind that the roofing contractor they choose will be coming and going during the course of the job and therefore, they need to feel comfortable that their roofing contractor is someone they can trust.