Preparing To Replace Your Roof And Buying The Supplies For The Job

Replacing the roof on your home, garage or building is a big undertaking. The materials available are not hard to find but depending on the type of roof you are replacing, the lists of must haves can change. Before starting a project like this, you might want to make a list of materials you will need so that when you are ready to purchase the roofing supplies and materials, you don't miss something important that you will need for the job.

Asphalt Shingle Roofs

One of the most common roofing materials used on homes today, asphalt shingles are durable and come in many colors and styles. Before you get started replacing these singles, you should consider what you want to put back on the roof. If you will be using asphalt shingles again, pick the color and style you want so you can be sure that the supplier has enough on hand to complete the job. Getting the old shingles stripped off is a big job and if you don't have enough of the new ones to cover the roof, you run the risk of damage to the home if the weather turns bad.

Wood Shingle Roofs

An alternative to asphalt shingles, wooden shakes or shingles make a beautiful and extremely durable roofing material. They are often made of cedar, though there are other options, and can be used to replace many other materials on your home's roof. The roof will need to be stripped back to the substrate material, covered in black roofing paper to create a vapor barrier, then the shingles can be placed on the roof. Wood shingles are a little harder to work with because they have to be cut as they are being placed on the roof. The gaps between the singles have to vary and getting them on the roof properly can take a little trial and error. If you are considering using wood shingles, it is a good idea to talk to a roofing contractor about installing them. You can go and pick the color and type ahead of time and the contractor will be able to tell you what other supplies will be needed for the job if they don't supply them.

Other Supplies Required

In most cases, you will need roofing nails to secure the singles but the type will be different depending on the material you use on the roof. The vapor barrier, or black roofing paper, is the same for both roof types and you will need enough to cover the entire roof if you are stripping it. You may also need new aluminum flashing for the edges of the roof and transition areas where two angles come together, and this is a good time to look at the gutters as well. Replacing the roof on your home is a big job but if you get all the supplies and materials you need before you get started, the job will be much easier to complete.

Contact a contractor, like Harrington & Company, for more help.