There are many roofing products in the markets. Finding the right one for your roof may not always be easy. One of our goals is to help guide our customers through the endless choices, and help find materials that meet your needs.

1. Decking

Is your Decking right for your new roof? Many roofs have been constructed with Ship Lap boards. Board Decks can some times create movements that negatively impact the performance of your roof. Twisting boards can create deflections that can result in leakage. Movement in the deck between boards can create deflections in the shingles, resulting in leakage. It is highly recommended that if you have a board deck you recover it with 3/8 plywood.

 

 

2. Roof Underlayment

The first component to be installed on the roof is underlayment. Underlayment’s are manufactured and designed with different properties for the home, climate, and roof covering materials needs.
One of the main functions of underlayment is to act as a moisture barrier. Most roof covering materials are not waterproof, but water-resistant, and are designed to be installed over a waterproof or water-resistant underlay. Some underlay’s are designed with superior strength to act as a secondary protection should there be damage to the roof i.e. wind blow off. While others help to achieve a class A fire Rating for the product being installed.

 

3. Flashings

Flashing details are critical aspect of any roof project. Many roofs fail prematurely because of poor flashing detail that is a direct result of poor training. Almost all roofs have areas that require custom flashing work. Some main trouble spots are Chimneys, Skylights, and Wall Corners.

 

 

 

4. Venting

In British Colombia, our venting code requires that attic vent sizing is nominally 1:300 (or one square foot of vent size for every 300 square feet of attic floor area). Soffit Venting will account for a maximum of 50% of this. I.e. Roof Top Venting is required to be 1:600 regardless of the amount of soffit venting in the building. In Addition to this, a review of the attic cavities should be conducted to ensure air flow in all areas.

 

 

5. Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt Shingles start out with an asphalt-coated fibreglass mat to which the other raw materials are applied. During shingle manufacturing, the reinforcement is coated with asphalt to provide the water-resistant layer that protects your home from the elements. A layer of granules is pressed into the surface of the asphalt to protect the asphalt from ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
There are many different styles, ranging from products that give the look of shakes to some that appear as a slate roof. Warranties typically start at 30 years, and some are as long as 50 years.

 

 

6. Cedar Shake and Shingles

Cedar shakes and shingles manufactured by members of the Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau (“CSSB”) and labeled with the “Certi” brand name are the only wood products we recommend. They are renewable, can resist winds up to 245 MPH, have high insulation value, and can have warranties up to 25 Years.