What You Should Expect to See
Replacing your roof is a big commitment. It is important that you understand the re-roofing process from beginning to end. After all, your roof is your first line of defense against severe weather for your home - your biggest asset.
Familiarizing yourself with the steps needed to get the job done properly will ensure a successful roof replacement with no major construction or financial surprises during this process.
Before starting the re-roofing process, homeowners need to take some time and effort to evaluate the roofing contractor. Here are some tips to finding the best contractor for your roof replacement, according to allroofingsolutionsde.com.:

1. Your contractor should be licensed by your state.
2. Make sure they carry adequate roofing insurance, both indemnity (liability) and worker's insurance. Note the coverage end dates.
3. Check the warranties they provide because both materials and workmanship warranties can vary. Some roofers may offer comprehensive systems warranties, also. The minimum warranty for one year is standard for the labor, but some roofers offer longer warranties.
4. Ask for personal references and check online reviews.
5. Find out if their own people will do the work or will they subcontract. If so, ask for the subcontractor contact information and use this list to ask the same questions.
6. Asking for a comprehensive written estimate with the start and completion dates, materials to be used, labor cost, permits, workmanship guarantees, materials guarantees, and cleanup expectations will allow you to compare this estimate with other roofing contractors.
7. Check the certification and training of the contractor in the installation of their products. They should have proven experience in installing this roofing material. Check for trade organizations memberships and the contractor's standing with the Better Business Bureau.

After choosing a reputable roofing contractor, check to make sure they follow the terms of their estimate. Try to plan for clear weather and as much as possible, have the job completed as quickly as possible. The following are seven suggested steps to roof replacement listed below:

1. PROPERTY PROTECTION - Your entire property should be fully protected while roofing replacement is underway. This means protecting siding, walls, plants, bushes, etc. using tarps and protection plywood. Remove any yard ornaments, grills, potted plants, etc. away from the home.
2. REMOVAL OF OLD ROOFING MATERIAL - Toe Boards should be set and install any necessary safety precautions for roof traffic. In order to inspect the wood decking, all old shingles have to be removed. A trash container will need to be nearby if an asphalt or other disposable roof materials are be removed. For an asphalt roof, a shingle fork is pushed underneath the shingles and pried upward to curl the roofing off. Work should start at the top going down. The ridge cap shingles should be removed first then sliding the fork underneath each row of shingles prying them up until they are loose.
   If a metal roof is being removed, a storage place will be needed until it can be sold as scrap or repurposed. Drop cloths around the bottom of the roof will protect against any accidental drops.
   
3. ROOFING INSPECTION - A thorough inspection of the wood decking will reveal any soft, wet or rotted wood which will need to be replaced. This is an important step. Another important step is to make sure the wood sheeting is attached to the roof rafters correctly. If new shingles are installed without re-nailing the old wood decking, after the new shingles are installed you will see many bumps on your roof. Also inspect the flashing on the roof.

Flashing is usually aluminum or galvanized steel installed over joints on the roof to prevent water seepage. This should include the drip edge and any of the flashing at the roof's valleys, vents and chimney. Vent boots should be in good shape and valley flashing should be without cracks or rust. Usually, the valley flashing should always been replaced because it takes the most abuse from the weather.

1. PREPARING THE ROOF SURFACE FOR SHINGLES - Drip edge installation involves installing a piece of metal bent at 90 degrees to prevent rain from getting underneath roofing material on all edges. Ice and water shield installation is the next step. This is a special type of roofing underlayment which sticks to the wood decking and prevents any water leaks. It is installed at the bottom of the roof and at all roof penetrations (chimneys, pipe flanges, roof connections, etc.).
2. NEW ROOFING MATERIAL INSTALLATION - The contractor will follow all the manufacturer's installation instructions. The roofer will use starter shingles at the bottom and the sides and stagger each row to keep shingles from leaking water. Nails holding the shingles in place should be just under the tar strip on the shingles and no heads are showing. Valley flashing goes underneath the shingles if you have any valleys on your roof. This flashing will divert water down your roof and into the gutter system. With the flashing, it is important to put a strong bead of roofing cement over top of the edges of flashing down your roof. This will protect against water blowing up the side of the flashing and underneath the roofing.

If you are installing a metal roof, everything should be square before starting. The vertical edge should be screwed up, screwing into each of the ridges rather than the flats. Each vertical row should be screwed before moving to the next which will make the roof go on flatter. Use quality screws which have wide rubber washers for maximum coverage and protection. Screwing into the ridges instead of the flats will protect the screws from pooling water.

1. SITE CLEANUP - Debris should be cleaned up all throughout the roof replacement. All shingles, felt and nails should be deposited in a dumpster or dump trailer. All plastic, paper, or plastic bottles or aluminum cans should be bagged. Roofing magnets should be rolled all throughout your yard to pick up all nails. Your contractor should leave your home and the area around it as clean as they found it.
2. FINAL INSPECTION - Your contractor should perform a post-installation inspection to make sure the job was done correctly.
   We hope that this article has been informative and helpful. Joye Roofing is here to help you with your roof replacement. We will work with you to answer all your questions and have financing options to fit your budget. Check out our A rating with the Better Business Bureau and rave reviews from past customers.

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How to Ensure Your Roofer Uses Quality Materials

Using the right roofing material for your home can improve its curb appeal as well as protect your home's first line of defense in severe weather. Your choice of roofing shingles can help your home stand out or blend in with your surroundings.
When getting quotes from roofing companies, you will find that the prices from each will vary. Part of this variation in price is based on the supplier from which the roofing company gets their materials. The higher quality the roofing material, the higher the quote will be. Sometimes paying a little more can go a long way. The design, ability to protect, and quality of engineering of your roofing shingle will be factors in your choice.
According to hgtv.com, when choosing roofing materials, consider the following questions:

• How heavy is this material and will it require special framing?
• Is the material available in a variety of colors and styles that complement your home?
• Does the material meet the fire codes in your local area? 
• Are there special installation and maintenance issues to consider?
• Does this material offer good performance in extreme weather conditions that are common in your area? 
• What is the cost, life span and warranty for this product?

When doing a full replacement of your roof, it is always better to strip it down
to the sheathing so the roofer can check for mold, rot, water damage, and insect damage. This also prevents the roofer from double-layering the shingles and causing it to overstress the rafters or supports of your home from the weight. Checking the manufacturer's warranty of the roofing materials to make sure it covers the overstress of rafters and other structural parts of the home is a good way to check the quality of the material.
Most full coverage warranties cover defective materials and most material warranties offer prorated coverage. However, most to all warranties do not cover wind damage over 85 mph or faulty installation. To protect yourself from faulty installation, ask for a labor warranty and save all receipts and invoices.
Checking the fire rating of the material being used is another way to verify the quality of the material being used. You want to get material that has a Class A fire rating. This is the highest rated material in fire safety.

Here are some of the most popular choices for roofing materials along with the pros and cons for their use and the estimated cost and life span of that product:

ASPHALT SHINGLES: Asphalt is the most popular shingle used. It is light-weight, easy to install and the most budget friendly. these shingles can be reinforced with fiberglass or organic materials (cellulose). There are two types of asphalt shingles. Laminated asphalt shingles look like slate or wood shakes. Three tab asphalt shingles are single layer, flatter/thinner, but perform poorly in past tests.
Pros: Asphalt comes in a variety of colors, is widely available is one of the least expensive materials.
Cons: Asphalt has a shorter life span, doesn't provide as much insulation as other materials available and the quality can vary.
Cost and life span: Homeowners will pay from $70 to $120 a square and if maintained, will last 20 to 25 years.
CLAY AND CONCRETE TILES: These tiles add texture and style to a roof. Flat, ribbed or scalloped clay tiles are durable but also very heavy and must be professionally installed. concrete tiles are less expensive but also have heavy weight.
Pros: Concrete and clay ties are long lasting, non-combustible, and concrete tiles are energy efficient.
Cons: Clay and concrete tires are expensive, heavy and most often require additional framing.
Cost and Life Span: Prices start around $300 to $500 a square and, if maintained will last 40 to 50 years.
METAL ROOFING: Metal roofs are resistant to severe weather and are available in two types, panels and shingles. They come in aluminum, copper, stainless steel and zinc.
Pros: Metal roofing is durable, longer-lasting and has high solar reflectance.
This allows your home to stay cooler in the summer.
Cons: Metal roofing can be expensive. this type of roofing can be noisy during rainstorms and can dent easily.
Cost and Life Span: Prices start around $100 to $300 a square and can last 40 to 75 years.
SLATE: Beautiful and with a distinctive appearance, slate colors include black, green, grey, red and purple. Fake slate is produced in plastic/polymer, clay and rubber, or asphalt. This material is much more slippery than real slate and may crack upon impact.
Pros: Slate is durable, fire-resistant and can be recycled.
Cons: Slate is heavy, usually requires extra framing and needs to be professionally installed. Imported slate quality can vary.
Cost and Life Span: Prices start at $600 a square and up. It can last from 50 to 100 years or more.
WOOD SHINGLES AND SHAKE: This is an extremely popular choice because homeowners love the look and the shingles weather to a pretty shade of gray.
Wood shakes are handmade and a bit rougher- looking than wood shingles which are machine-made.
Pros: these shingles offer a rustic look and are usually made from cedar, redwood and southern pine.
Cons: In some areas fire codes prohibit use. These can mold, split or rot in wet climates.
Cost and Life Span: Prices start at $100 to $150 a square and last around 25 to 30 years.
SYNTHETIC ROOFING PRODUCTS: These include rubber, plastic, and polymer roofing which can give you the color, look and texture of natural materials like slate and wood.
Pros: Synthetic roofing products are designed to be strong and easy to maintain and are fire-resistant. They are often not as fragile, heavy, or expensive as natural products.
Cons: Some of theses products can absorb water, the quality varies and are not as time-tested as other materials.
Cost and Life Span: Prices start about $300 a square and are warrantied for up to 50 years: The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) suggests you look at full-size samples of the synthetic product and the manufacturers' brochures.

​Also, look for installations that have been in place at least 10 years to see the wear characteristics for your area.

Finding the type of shingle that your budget will allow is step one. Researching the supplier's warranties for that product would be step Two. The cheapest quotes may not always be the best quote, because they are partially based on material cost and quality.

Joye Roofing offers a variety of materials and prices to fit any homeowners's needs. They offer a free roof inspection and are 5-star rated on Facebook and Google My Business.

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