What To Know When Putting A New Roof On Your Home

What to know when putting a new roof on your home. Let’s take a look at the most important things that should be on your checklist.

We recently went through some very rough weather in our area; a undetermined tornado, which has been called a micro burst by the local weather service.  Don’t even get me started on that topic, as I have been through enough tornadoes to tell you that it was a tornado. Not to mention there is enough online footage of the actual funnel clouds to prove it was indeed a tornado. Unfortunately this weather resulted in some damage to our home, in particular our roof; so today on Ask The Designer I am covering, what to know when putting a new roof on your home. One of the biggest decisions after you select the company you are going to use to install your roof is going to be shingle color. For me going with a company that offered a high quality shingle, like Owens Corning was key. Since they offer amazing warranties and have a list of preferred Platinum Contractors in your area as well. They also offer a total protection system with ice shields, high end synthetic underlayment, add on attic ventilation and Platinum Protection Warranties that you can pass on to the next home owner when you sell.

When it comes to selecting roof shingle colors, several factors should be taken into consideration for your home.

• Architectural Style: Be sure to consider the architectural style of your home. Traditional homes tend to look best with a neutral or earth-tone roof shingle colors, while modern homes can handle bolder colors.
• Climate and Location: Always take into account the climate you live. Lighter colors will be suited for warmer climates, as they reflect sunlight and help to keep your home cooler. While darker colors are better for colder climates, since they absorb heat and help to provide more insulation.
• Neighborhood HOA Guidelines: If you live in a neighborhood with HOA guidelines, check if there are any regulations or restrictions on roof shingle colors. Some neighborhoods have a specific color palette or set of guidelines to maintain a cohesive look throughout the community.
• Personal Preferences: Your personal preference is ultimately going to play a significant role in selecting the roof shingle color. You should choose a color that you love, and one that reflects your style and taste. After all, you will be the one living with it for many years to come. However, keep in mind to pick something that will not impact the resell of your home negatively, since these roofs last a long time and future buyers will take notice when they look at your home.

For our home we decided to go with a new color for 2023 Peppercorn, which is actually a remake of an old favorite, Pepper mill; a previous best seller in years past. The minute I saw the live selection boards it was a no brainier choice, I feel in love. However, I did look at two other top sellers, Onyx Black and Williamsburg Gray, which both rank in the top 10 colors for Owens Corning shingles from last year. In fact my neighbor ended up picking the Onyx Black for her home and it is beautiful and looks great for her home.

• #1 Williamsburg Gray
• #2 Onyx Black
• #3 Driftwood
• #4 Estate Gray
• #5 Desert Tan
• #6 Terra Cotta
• #7 Harbor Blue
• #8 Black Sable
• #9 Brownwood
• #10 Pacific Wave

Things you should know as you get ready to have your roof installed. They start early, and it is very loud during the removal process, so if you have pets or children that hate loud noises have them head to your basement or maybe spend the day away from your home. It is also a very messy process as well, our roofing company Live Oak Roofing & Exteriors, did a great job tarping and covering areas where the old shingles would be dropping off the slants of our roof.

They covered all of the surrounding bushes and even our A/C units during this process to prevent any rouge nails or debris from falling into the units. That being said, you will want to make sure your units are off during this time. Running while covered is not a good thing at all, and stress them during the summer months and could potentially burn them up, especially if they older.

The next part of the process, once your old roof is removed, is where they will access any damage to the decking of the actual roof. During the tornado we had about a month ago, we had some shingle loss and damage, so we had some decking that needed to be removed and replaced; which you can see in this drone picture above with the board discoloration. The other thing you will notice is the large rectangular holes across the top edge of the roof line, which are also being covered since we will now have a full ridge vent installed, instead of the cheap box vents installed by the builder. You will want to make sure that your roofer, fills these holes in with decking and does not just cover it with underlayment, which I hear is commonly done.

The ridge vent we are having installed will help save on energy costs by maintaining a balanced temperature in the attic; reducing the strain on heating and cooling systems. Proper ventilation allows hot air to escape in the summer, which prevents heat buildup in the attic. This will reduce the need for constant air conditioning, making our home more energy efficient. Yay for a lower power bill, those $300 ones get old, fast! Previously, we only had a single ridge vent installed over the roof on our garage area, which was a standard on building for homes in our neighborhood by the builder. Now our entire house will have large open ridge vents on all portions of the roof. The next step was placing the underlayment, essentially after this part is down your roof is considered sealed back up. So if it rains, which was my concern, you are covered. We went with the Rhino U20, which was required for our warranty. RhinoRoof Synthetic Roofing by InterWrap is considered the ideal choice as your roofs secondary layer of protection and is the leading manufacturer of synthetic underlayments.

Most roofs have synthetic underlayment these days and they are all different based upon the type of warranty you wish to purchase for your roof. The specific benefits of the RhinoRoof U20 underlayment verses a basic felt underlayments are:

• RhinoRoof U20 provides a lasting secondary layer of protection against, wind driven rain, shingle blow-offs, hail storms and other violent weather
• Covered by a leading manufacturer 20 year warranty
• Proven performance – RhinoRoof is becoming the synthetic underlayment of choice of professional roofing contractors
• Reduce your liability – workers on your roof have a safer walking surface
• Wider and longer rolls offer fewer horizontal and vertical seams on your roof which reduces the number of potential leaks
• Up to 12 times stronger than #30 felt
• RhinoRoof can be left exposed to dry-in your home for up to 60 days
• Used in extremely low temperatures, does not dry out, crack, or leach oils in the heat like felt.
• 100% synthetic and will not absorb water and wrinkle like felt. It lays flat and will remain 100% impervious to mold.
• Class A Fire – ASTM E108, LEED certified

Finally it was time to install the pretty Peppercorn shingles we selected. Choosing the Owens Corning shingles not only gives you access to a wide range of beautiful colors; but also provides you with a roof that is built to last in any weather conditions. There are several benefits to choosing Owens Corning shingles for your roof. Here are some key advantages:

• Durability: Owens Corning shingles are known for their exceptional durability. They are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, including strong winds up to 130 mph, heavy rain, and hail.
• Fade Resistance: Owens Corning shingles are engineered to maintain their vibrant color over time to withstand UV exposure without fading or discoloration. This fade resistance ensures that your roof will continue to look great for years to come.
• Algae Resistance Protection: Owens Corning blends copper-lined granules, which help resist algae growth, into our colorful granules in a way that is proprietary to us and is scientifically developed to meet the needs of specific regional climates. Owens Corning Streak Guard helps inhibit the growth of that blue-green algae to provide protection against those ugly black streaks.
• Energy Efficiency: including lighter shades that reflect sunlight and darker shades that absorb heat. By choosing the right color for your climate, you can improve the energy efficiency of your home and reduce cooling and heating costs.
• Warranty: Owens Corning offers several industry-leading warranties for their shingles, providing peace of mind. These warranties cover manufacturing defects, ensuring that you are protected in case of any issues for years to come.

Once the work is completed and you have  your new roof installed, remember it is important to take proper care of it to ensure the longevity and performance. Here are some great maintenance and care tips for your roof shingles:

• Regular Inspections: Periodically inspect your roof for any signs of damage or wear. You can use a drone to look for loose or missing shingles, cracks, or any other issues that may require repair. In fact the a majority of these photos were provided by Live Oak Exteriors for us via a drone, during the install process. Schedule regular professional inspections to identify any potential issues early on. A professional roofer can detect problems that may not be visible to the untrained eye.
• Clean Gutters: Clean out your gutters regularly to prevent clogging or water back up. Clogged gutters usually lead to water backing up, which can damage your shingles and roof.
• Trim Overhanging Trees: Trim any overhanging tree branches that may come into contact with your roof. Falling branches or rubbing against shingles can cause damage. Plus it keeps pest like squirrels off your roof too, and they can reek havoc on a roof.
• Clear Debris: Remove any debris, such as leaves, branches, or moss, from your roof regularly. Accumulated debris can trap moisture and cause damage to your shingles.

By following these simple maintenance tips, you can ensure that your roof and Owens Corning shingles remain in excellent condition and provide reliable protection for your home for years to come. After all your roof is the umbrella for your home, and protects you, your family and everything inside, to me it is worth every penny to make sure we have the best over our heads. If you would like to contact the roofing company we used here in Georgia, you can reach out to Seth Pickens with Live Oak Roofing & Exteriors he has a great team waiting to put you under a brand new umbrella.