Roofing Installation Articles

Condensation: It’s Raining in My Attic!

December 10, 2018

As someone who helps thousands of homeowners each year with their roofing questions and concerns, I can depend on one thing like clockwork. Every spring and fall, I will field many calls and emails from desperate, scared, and frustrated homeowners who are exclaiming “I had a metal roof installed, and now it’s raining in my… ( read more )

Partial Roof Damage: Can a New Roof Be Installed in Stages or Sections?

September 15, 2017

From a homeowner in Texas who experienced only partial roof damage: Q. I read your post on metal over shingle and just had Hurricane Harvey further degrade my 2000 Comp roof on the west side of the house. Can I roof the West 1500 square foot with metal?  What would the top crown of a straight front composition… ( read more )

Exposed Fasteners: Leaking or Condensation?

May 20, 2017

I am not a huge fan of exposed fasteners for roofs on residential applications. Probably 80% of the questions I receive about problems with metal roofs pertain to these types of panels. That said, I am happy to help when I can. I recently received the following question from Jane: Q. I noticed my inside… ( read more )

Is Ice and Watershield on the Entire Roof a Good Idea?

May 7, 2017

Q. I’m going to take off my old roof and put on a metal roof. Would it be overkill or problematic for me to apply ice and water barrier that is self adhesive to my entire roof as my underlayment? I ask because I live on a bluff in the middle of Missouri. It goes… ( read more )

#40 – Roof Flashing: Lineal vs. Step Flashing Explained

May 3, 2017

I recently had an interesting conversation with a contractor who has installed traditional roofing for many years. He was familiar with a concept called step flashing that is used with many types of roofing. Step flashing may be used alongside a chimney or wall where the roof intersects it. Step flashing is a series of… ( read more )

#39 – Metal Roof Installation: Should Shingles be Removed?

Should Shingles be Removed Before Installing a Metal Roof? If your home is presently roofed with asphalt shingles, you may be able to avoid the expense of tear-off and protect the environment by reducing landfill. Metal roofs are much lower weight than most other roofing materials. Aluminum roofing weighs around 50 pounds per 100 square… ( read more )