Your roof has its secrets. Uncovering those quirks tells us how to re-roof your home, business, or apartment building for a new roof that is a trouble-free, weather-tight shield that will last decades.
To borrow a phrase from the movie “Shrek,” your roof is like an onion. We can fully understand its personality only after we’ve peeled away all the layers during tear-off. As the old shingles and nails are pried up, the vapor barrier stripped, the ice and water shields scraped away, and the venting areas exposed, we gradually learn all the quirks and irregularities the previous roofer worked with.
“And so…?” you ask. Great question.
Rarely is a home a perfect geometric structure. Corners are seldom 90 degrees. Floors are often higher on one side of the house than on the other. Walls lean in or out by a few degrees. Likewise, the roof capping the whole affair is anything but symmetrical. Which is why I spend considerable time familiarizing myself with your roof’s intricacies. I want to ensure our reconstruction will future-proof your abode or office against Northern Nevada’s notoriously rough weather while creating an aesthetically pleasing curbside silhouette.
Sticklers for Details
We’re meticulous when working on your roof. Our single-minded focus has proven invaluable over the years. By tapping into your roof’s little secrets, we can create a weathertight seal that maintains decades of resilience. Visually, we compensate for imperfections and create symmetrical lines that look good from every angle.
I am also particular about the products we use. Nearly 30 years of roofing have taught me which materials can withstand Northern Nevada’s weather AND meet our mutual expectations. The products I specify will give you peace of mind and the fullest financial value while presenting a perfect crown for your home.
Your New Roof Is Only As Strong as Its Components
I breathe easier at the end of every job knowing we’ve sweated the details and addressed your roof’s peculiarities. But all the figuring, planning, and compensating won’t amount to much unless we use suitable materials for our region. I know which products work. Whether it’s a re-foof in Reno, a roof repair in Sparks, or a new metal roof in Incline Village, here are the goods that hold the show together.
The Right Roofing Underlayment
The underlayment material covers your roof’s exposed plywood surface. Either felt or plastic, it is both a vapor barrier and a protective element. In fact, shingles or metal roofing panels protect the underlayment.
We use 15 or 30-pound felt because it has an uber-long life span. The pre-marked felt rows guide us in laying straight shingle courses (rows) and provide traction for our shoes. Plastic underlayment has its place in certain circumstances. However, it is difficult to work with and disintegrates when the roof is replaced, which wreaks micro-plastic havoc on the environment.
Composite Shingles and Metal Roofing Panels
I won’t elaborate on the types of shingles or metal panel systems we use. This blog post provides a rundown of our preferred brands.
What’s important to know is this: The Truckee Meadows, surrounding North Valleys, and Lake Tahoe serve up brutal conditions for a roof. Extreme temperature variations, high winds, and heavy snow loads give veteran roofers the shivers.
As a homeowner, be sure to ask your contractor about the type of shingle or metal roofing panel being specified before you commit. Here’s a pro tip: We favor Certainteed, GAF, and Malarkey (while avoiding brands whose names end in “O”). These three manufacturers produce shingles with exceptional seal-down strips and high tar content.
Finally, a note about wood shake roofs: I’ve installed many, and I do fewer and fewer each year. Wood shakes are costly in terms of labor and product. And the permitting and code requirements are stringent. But the biggest concern is fire hazard –especially if you live in an urban/wildlands interface. If you’re considering wood shake, let’s talk. I’d gladly discuss options and the pros and cons of each. Please email me or call 775.354.1130
Ice and Water Shields
Using the hardiest compounds to seal skylights, solar tubes, chimneys, and venting is critical for leak prevention. Caulk will not do. No how, now way (ask your roofer to guarantee that they won’t use caulk in these applications). I swear by bituthene ice and water shields (roofers call it “bitch-a-thane” because it is notoriously hard to handle). If your budget allows, I’ll specify sealants by Grace. Certainteed and GAF offer decent alternatives, and I also stand by their quality and durability.
The Best Roofing Nails
Betchya nobody appreciates a good roofing nail like I do. While generic, where and how a nail is applied makes the difference between a roof that lasts, meets code, and fulfills the shingle manufacturer's warranty requirements versus one that fails prematurely and leaks.
Here are three things to require from your contractor: The building code and shingle manufacturers specify six nails per shingle – your roofer must meet that mandate. Also, ensure your contractor commits to nailing the shingle in the correct location to prevent blow-off. Finally, there's a correct length of nail for the area being covered: a 1" nail for eaves and overhangs; 1¼” in the field and walls; and 1¾” - 2½” on hips and ridge vents.
Sammler Roofing has protected homes, apartments, and businesses in the Reno, Sparks, and Lake Tahoe regions with beautiful, long-lasting roofs for nearly 30 years.
If you’re evaluating roofing contractors and looking for information about re-roofing your home, apartment, or business, email me or call me at 775.354.1130. I’ll gladly take a look, discuss your options, and provide an estimate.
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