A new roof offers a variety of benefits, including adding value to your home and reducing energy loss. However, a successful installation requires careful planning and attention to detail.

Start by applying the underlayment. This material prevents water from seeping into the house. Flashing should be installed around all areas where leaks might occur, such as chimneys and skylights.

Installation Process

Depending on the style and shape of your roof, the installation process can vary. But, most roofing projects follow a similar pattern: framing, sheathing, and installing the tiles.

Start by constructing and installing the roof frame using premade trusses. This step may require ladders or scaffolding. Make sure the trusses are level and square, then sheathe them. Use a sheathing calculator to ensure you’re using the correct materials and spacing.

Once the sheathing is in place, install a layer of underlayment to protect against moisture and insects. The underlayment is usually a felt paper that’s rolled out in short sections and stapled in place. It’s important to overlap each section so that water can flow away from the sheathing without penetrating the house.

Once the shingle underlayment is in place, it’s time to lay the shingles. This can be tricky, and you’ll need to have a lot of help maneuvering the panels into place. Make sure the shingles are arranged in the correct pattern and that they’re nailed down securely. It’s also a good idea to add vents at this point. This helps with air circulation in the attic space and prevents ice dams during winter. Also, it’s important to install a ridge cap on the roof peak. This seals the ridge of the roof, which allows water and snow to slide down either side instead of accumulating in between the two peaks.

Materials

There are a wide range of materials from which to choose for a roof. The material that is best for a particular home will depend on several factors, including the budget, climate and design.

Asphalt shingles are a common choice because they are inexpensive and easy to install. They are also durable and can withstand harsh weather conditions. Some homeowners opt for a more natural-looking wood shingle made from cedar, redwood or southern pine. They are crafted from hand-split logs and can last for several decades with regular maintenance, including treatments and inspections. However, they are susceptible to rot and may not be appropriate for areas where wildfires are a threat.

A metal roof offers a sleek, timeless look that is highly durable and resistant to fire. It can also be designed to mimic other roofing materials such as shingles, shakes or tile. However, the installation process is more complicated and requires professional expertise.

Steel and galvanized aluminum are durable metals that are able to resist rust and corrosion. They are also lightweight and energy efficient, which reduces air conditioning costs. These roofing materials can be curved to accommodate the curves of certain architectural styles, such as a gable, gambrel or flat roof. Galvalume is a versatile metal roofing material that doesn’t have as many strict ventilation or air gap requirements as other metals, making it easier to work with on the jobsite. It is, however, more prone to denting than other metals and needs extra care from contractors when handling and installing it.

Tools

A roofer needs to have a variety of tools in order to get the job done. Whether they are working as an independent contractor or for a roofing company, the basic tools that every roofer needs include:

A ladder – either a sturdy set of wooden ladders or rigid fiberglass ladders that can be mounted on a work vehicle ladder rack. This allows the roofer to work on any part of a rooftop with ease.

An air blower – this is a backpack style motorized air compressor that can be strapped to the worker and used via a flexible hose to blow loose debris off of the roof surface. This is especially useful for removing old roofing material or other types of trash from the roof.

Reciprocating saw – this is a powerful tool that can cut through wood, metal, and other materials very easily. A roofer can use a corded or cordless version depending on the location of the project and how easy it will be to access electrical power.

Metal shears – these are a great way for roofers to cut through metal roof panels. They come in different sizes and can be very effective for any roofing job that involves cutting through metal.

Utility knife or roofing hook blades – these are needed to cut various materials on the roof, such as 3-tab shingles and other shingle types. They are very similar to standard utility knives but have specialized blades that help make cutting through shingle layers much easier.

Safety

Safety measures are a key component of any roof installation project. They include everything from ensuring ladders are sturdy and stable to keeping tools and materials in secure places and securing them. Workers should also wear appropriate PPE, including footwear with traction to avoid slips, hard hats, wet weather gear, gloves and fall protection harnesses. It is also important for them to be aware of the edge of the roof and maintain constant caution to avoid falling off.

Elimination of risks is always preferred, but when elimination controls are not feasible, minimisation control methods should be implemented. These include establishing guardrails around skylights and roof openings, using toe boards that can be fixed to temporary edge protection, ensuring there are no loose objects on the roof and demarcating work areas with clearly visible signage to indicate a hazardous space.

To improve working conditions, a safe site must be established by ensuring that access is unobstructed, electrical hazards are identified and avoided, workers wear non-conductive PPE, and all ladders are in good condition. It is also a good idea to provide tool tethers and lanyards so that they are not easily dropped, and to store all equipment in a safe place when not in use. SafetyCulture Marketplace can be used to provide workers with training on the relevant safety protocols that they must follow while on the roof.