The roof is one of the most important parts of any house because it protects the home from water and other elements. When a roof starts to leak or has started to deteriorate, it should be replaced as soon as possible before damage occurs. This roof installation guide will walk you through all the steps necessary for installing a new roof in Manhattan.
New Roof Installations
Whether you hire a professional for your roofing project or plan to install a roof system yourself, understanding the process and steps involved will help you ensure your new roof is installed correctly. Here’s a rundown of the roof installation steps for metal roofing and asphalt roof shingles or ridge cap shingles.
To get the best price, it’s always a good idea to get roofing price quotes from at least four pre-screened and licensed roof repair and installation professionals before beginning your project. In addition, you can use our roof replacement costs calculator to get an idea of how much your new roof installation will cost and then talk to local contractors. You will better understand the process if you know what to expect with your roof installation. Here’s a rundown of what to expect when your roofing contractor comes to install or replace your existing roof.
Remove the Old Roofing
The old roofing will almost certainly have to be removed before installing the new roofing material. To save time, many people will install multiple layers of roofing over one another; however, adding too many layers (i.e., asphalt shingles) can lead to premature roof failure. Instead, the old roof should be demolished and rebuilt down to the sheathing.
Evaluate the Roof
Examine the sheathing after removing the old roof. Roof sheathing is made up of flat panels that provide structural support and a foundation for roofing materials such as shingles. Look for any moist or troublesome areas that will need to be replaced.
Protect Against Ice
If you live in an area prone to the ice for even a portion of the year, installing an ice and water barrier around your roof is critical. This product is applied to the roof’s edges, especially the bottom edge prone to ice buildup. This sticky underlayment adheres to the roof sheathing and is then nailed down with roofing nails for added strength and stability.
Put on the Drip Edge
The drip edge for the roofing goes down in two different parts of the roof installation. The lower part of the roof goes on before the underlayment; for the sides of the roof, it goes on after. So, first, install the metal drip edge along the bottom edge of your home over the top of the ice and water barrier. Then, nail it into place flat against the roof.
After you get the roof underlayment installed on your home, you have to go over that with drip edge on the sides the same way you did at the bottom. This prevents water from running over the edge of the siding and then back underneath it.
Roofing Underlayment Installation
Whether felt paper or synthetic, roof installation of underlayment is saturated in water-resistant materials and comes in two thicknesses, 15# and 30#. The 30# underlayment is twice as durable as the 15#, but the synthetic products are far more durable than either felt paper option. If you want to protect your roof in addition to the roofing itself, invest in the more expensive synthetic underlayment; it’s the most convenient and long-lasting option.
Roll the underlayment along the roof’s edge and secure it with cap roof nails every four inches along the outside edges and every eight inches in the center. These cap nails should not go through the drip edge but just above it.
Roll out one row of roofing underlayment after another, securing it all with roofing cap nails and making sure to overlap the lower row by at least six inches with the next row. Next, overlap the underlayment sections up to the roof’s peak, then install a row straddling the ridge so that the underlayment caps off both sides of the top simultaneously.
How to Install Metal Roofing
Begin your metal roofing installation project by deciding on the type of metal roof you want to be installed. Then, you or your contractor will begin by establishing a string line at the base of the roof peak at the desired level of overhang. You use a string line to keep your overhangs even around the edge of the roof. Because most houses aren’t perfectly square, you’ll have to make minor adjustments to the roofing as you go to keep the overhang even. Finally, with the string line in place, determine how to adjust the piece.
Take care to get your first piece on the roof square so that either the side or the bottom edge runs enclosure with the roof. You may not square both sections of the top, so focus on the most important one to you and take your time getting it just right. Next, lay the roofing down so that the side with the taller ridge is facing to the right; this is the side you want to lap over with the next piece. Screw the panel to your roof using screws with rubber washers to keep water out. Screw up one ridge at a time, spacing them out in two-foot rows vertically.
After you’ve finished screwing one ridge, move on to the next and add the same number of screws in the duplicate rows. Repeat this process down the panel until you reach the last ridge. Slip the next meeting over the first, covering the previous peak. Line up the next board with the roof, so it’s square, then screw it into the overlapped ridge using the same screw pattern. Continue doing this along the entire top until it is completely covered with metal roofing.
How to Install Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are well-known for being one of the most accessible roofing materials to install. They are also the most popular roofing types due to their low cost and attractive appearance. In addition, the process of installing asphalt shingles is more straightforward than that of other roof types, which gives homeowners confidence in undertaking asphalt shingle installation as a home project.
Conclusion
When installing on metal roofing, use roofing cement to seal under the flashing and then use rubber washer roofing screws to fasten the flashing right over the top of the metal roofing, just like you did with the roofing itself.
Now that you understand what goes into the roof installation process for a basic asphalt shingle or metal roof, you can decide whether you want to do it yourself or hire a roofing contractor to do it for you. Using the form at the top of the page, you can find local roofing contractors and get free roofing quotes.
