Roofing Materials

With so many options now available it can be difficult to know what materials are the best for your project and budget. The roof experts at Tymey Roofing can help advise and provide recommendations based on your needs and preferences. The most common choices for residential roofing include: 

• Asphalt composition shingles:  These are affordable and easily available, but are less attractive than other materials due to their flat appearance. They are the most popular type of roofing material.
  
  
• Wood shakes or shingles: These attractive shingles are more expensive than asphalt but are very durable. Wood shingles are not recommended in regions with high fire risk nor are they suitable for flatter, low-pitched roofs.
  
  
• Metal Roofing: Roofs made of steel or aluminum have become popular in recent years due to their durability and fire-resistance. These are expensive roofs that require specialty contractors for installation, however the cost investment pays off in the long run due to the longevity of this material. Several types of metal roofing systems are available, including raised-seam panels and products that mimic the look of composite shingles.
  
  
• Slate roofing: This is a highly attractive, high-end roofing option. Slate roofs are expensive and very heavy. These roofs are extremely slippery to walk on and difficult to repair when damaged.
  
  
• Composition slate: These synthetic tiles made from 95 percent recycled materials, including rubber, are gaining in popularity. They closely resemble slate and other stone tile but are much lighter and less susceptible to damage. 
  
  
• Clay or ceramic tile: The fire retardant ability of these tiles have made them very popular in warm climates. However, these tiles are heavy and new roofing materials are now available which offer similar fire protection with less weight. 

Tear off or Second Layer?

An alternative to a full roof replacement is to lay a new shingle roof over the preexisting layer. Some things to consider when determining whether this is a viable option: 

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  Weight: Laying the weight of additional layers of asphalt shingles may impact the underlying roof framing, especially for older structures. A triple layer of asphalt shingles is equal to a single layer of slate shingles and this excessive weight can cause damage to your property.
  
  
• Telegraphing: Surface irregularities that may already be present, such as bubbles, bumps, and waves are not remedied with adding a new layer of shingles. In fact, an additional layer over these defects will result in an unattractive new roof. With full roof replacement, these irregularities are corrected during the new roof installation.
  
  
• Work and waste reduction: Layering may seem like a faster, more efficient way to a new roof. However, roofing professionals can strip most roofs in a few hours and layering is not always the best solution for your situation.
  
  
• Manufacturer's warranties: Some types of roofs and manufacturers require that roofs under warranty be completely stripped in order to comply with the rules and restrictions of the warranty. If the roof is currently under warranty, check what the warranty requires.
  
  

Cost Considerations

Several factors can influence the cost of replacing your roof. 

• • The roofing materials used for your project will impact the price you pay. As with many commodities, the market price of materials will fluctuate. 


• • The size and pitch (steepness) of your roof will determine how long your project will take and the number of installers required.


• • Location of your property may impact the cost if there are challenges with access or travel to move materials, labour, or waste disposal.


• • Reputable, licensed contractors carry adequate insurance, pay living wages and invest in training for their staff to ensure your completed project meets or exceeds industry standards.


• • Many companies that offer lower price quotes do so by cutting corners or using inferior materials. The up-front savings from these companies can often result in expensive damages, repairs or the need for a full roof replacement sooner than expected.

Understand Our Roofing Process

A moderately-sized, professionally-installed roofing job may take anywhere from 1 to 4 days depending on roof size and how complicated the pitches are. The overall roofing process includes: 

• • Remove all existing shingles, damaged valley flashing and drip edging into a roll-off dumpster. Tarps are used to protect foundation plantings and shrubs during tear-down and magnetic tools are used to pick up nails and metal objects from the lawn.
  
  
• • Make minor repairs on the roof if it is in good condition: If not, replace damaged wood with new plywood sheathing or 1 x 6 sheathing boards, whichever is applicable to your type of roof.
  
  
• • Install ice dam protection in regions that require it. The ice guard membrane is a synthetic waterproof barrier material designed to prevent melting ice from backing up under the shingles and penetrating through the sheathing, where the moisture can cause severe damage.
  
  
• • Lay down asphalt roofing paper over the roof sheathing. The layer of roofing paper creates an inner barrier against water penetrating into the house. Rows of roofing paper are overlapped as they progress upward toward the peak, and are normally tacked or stapled in place.
  
  
• • Apply metal drip edging around the edge of the roof, both the eave sides and gable sides. The metal drip edge is nailed in place over the roofing paper or ice guard.
  
  
• • Where necessary, apply a new valley flashing along with areas where two roof planes meet. The valley flashing is typically nailed to the roofing deck and sealed with roofing caulk.
  
  
• • Apply the tab shingles, starting at the eaves and working upward toward the peak. Where roof vents are being installed, these are installed as the progress of the shingles toward the peak.
  
  
• • Apply the flashing around all areas where leaks might come into the house—against the chimney, around skylights and stack vents, etc. Flashing installation may happen as part of the roofing installation, occurring as the rows of shingles progress upward on the roof deck.
  
  
• • Install the ridge vent. This continuous vent along the peak of the roof will help the air circulation in the attic space and can be integral in exhausting hot air and preventing winter ice dams. Ridge vents may not be included on older roofs, but installing them is a good idea whenever a house is re-roofed. If ridge vents are not practical, there should be other types of roof or gable vents installed to provide air circulation in the attic space.
  
  
• • Complete the final cleanup and haul the debris away

Replacement Process

Your home and roof replacement needs are unique. We build the roof system that is right for you, customized with exclusive features to fit your home for enhanced performance.