How to Roof a House the Right Way

If you have ever wondered how to roof a house, you’re not alone. The average homeowner can get in over their head quickly trying to figure out how to put a new roof on their home. Roof work is difficult and requires many steps and backbreaking work. A well-constructed roof should last many years and protect your family from weather events. Here are some tips to get started:

First, prepare the underlayment. Felt paper is available at home improvement stores and is covered with a waterproof mix. While the felt paper is waterproof, it should be overlapped 2 inches to achieve the best waterproofing results. Ensure the overlaps are even and secure. Then, cover the underlayment with shingles, if needed. Afterward, you can apply tar paper. If you’re not confident with your skills, hire a professional to help you.

The roof must be prepared. Start by laying the starter courses. Remember to cut three sides of the shingles and save the tar sections for installation. Next, prepare the shingles by cutting them in half and leaving the top tar section intact. After that, the shingles can be installed. Once the underlayment is complete, the roof should be secured. A plan is essential to get the job done right. It is also essential to purchase starter shingles for maximum wind coverage.

Take accurate measurements. Measure the roof’s squares. Make sure to include all additions and dormers. Multiply these measurements by 100. This will give you the square footage of the entire roof. If you need to buy extra shingles, be sure to purchase extra squares. That way, you can avoid paying extra money. You can even save up to $300 by doing the roofing yourself. If you’re afraid of heights, you can avoid the expensive roofing company.

Choose your material carefully. The most common roofing material is asphalt. It accounts for over 80% of the residential roofing market. Other materials are composed of organic fiber mats that are impregnated with asphalt and covered with mineral granules. The roof protects your house from weather and is one of its most attractive features. It is also the main source of insulation and temperature control. If you have a new roof, make sure to check it carefully for signs of wear and tear.

Next, install the underlayment. This layer should be laid at the base of the roof. The underlayment should be overlapping on the previous row by at least two inches. After this, you can apply roofing adhesive to the exposed nails. Finally, if your house has tar strips, make sure that the underlayment does not touch these. After the underlayment is applied, you should carefully nail the final row of shingles.

To dispose of old shingles, you can either rent a trailer to take it to a dump or hire a roll-off dumpster. If you choose the latter option, you’ll also have to remove broken tiles and the ridge cap before reinstalling the new roof. If you do this yourself, you can save thousands of dollars by removing the old roof and saving yourself a lot of money in the process.