A new roof system is a big investment. We want to help you get a quality roof system at a fair price from a professional roofing contractor.
We hope this information will make you a more knowledgeable consumer and, when the time comes, a smart roof system buyer.


Roof system components

All steep-slope roof systems (i.e., roofs with slopes of 25 percent or more) have five basic components

  • Roof covering: shingles, tile, slate or metal and underlayment that protect the sheathing from weather.
  • Sheathing: boards or sheet material that are fastened to roof rafters to cover a house or building.
  • Roof structure: rafters and trusses constructed to support the sheathing.
  • Flashing: sheet metal or other material installed into a roof system’s various joints and valleys to prevent water seepage.
  • Drainage: a roof system’s design features, such as shape, slope and layout that affect its ability to shed water.

Choosing a roof system

There are a number of things to consider when selecting a new roof system. Of course, cost and durability head the list, but aesthetics and architectural style are important, too. The right roof system for your home or building is one that balances these considerations. The following roofing products  are commonly used for steep-slope structures.

  • Asphalt shingles possess an overwhelming share of the U.S. steep-slope roofing market and can be reinforced with organic or fiberglass materials. Although asphalt shingles reinforced with organic felts have been around much longer, fiberglass-reinforced products now dominate the market.

Asphalt shingles’ fire resistances, like most other roofing materials, are categorized by Class A, B or C. Class A signifies the most fire-resistant; Classes B and C denote less fire resistance.

Regardless of their reinforcing type and appearance, asphalt shingles’ physical characteristics vary significantly. When installing asphalt shingles, NRCA recommends use of shingles that comply with American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. These standards govern the composition and physical properties of asphalt shingles and not all asphalt shingles on the market comply with these standards. If a shingle product does comply with these standards, it is typically noted in the manufacturer’s product literature and on the package wrapper.

  • Wood shingles and shakes are made from cedar, redwood, southern pine and other woods; their natural look is popular in California, the Northwest and parts of the Midwest. Wood shingles are machine made while shakes are handmade and rougher looking. A point to consider is some local building codes limit the use of wood shingles and shakes because of concerns about fire resistance. Many wood shingles and shakes only have Class C fire ratings or no ratings at all. However, Class A fire ratings are available for certain wood shingle products that incorporate a factory-applied, fire-resistant treatment.
  • Tile, clay or concrete—is a durable roofing material. Mission and Spanish-style round-topped tiles are widely used in the Southwest and Florida. Flat styles also are available to create French and English looks. Tile is available in a variety of colors and finishes but is very heavy. If you are replacing another type of roof system with tile, you will need to verify that the structure can support the load.
  • Slate is quarried in the United States in Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. It is available in different colors and grades, depending on its origin. While considered virtually indestructible, it is more expensive than other roofing materials. In addition, its application requires special skill and experience. Many old homes, especially in the Northeast are still protected by this long-lasting roofing material.
  • Metal, primarily thought of as a low-slope roofing material, has been found to be a suitable alternative for home and building owners with steep-slope roofs. There are two types of metal roofing products: panels and shingles. Numerous metal panel shapes and configurations exist. Metal shingles typically are intended to simulate traditional roof coverings, such as wood shakes, shingles and tile. Apart from metal roofing’s longevity, metal shingles are relatively lightweight, have a greater resistance to adverse weather and can be aesthetically pleasing. Some have Class A fire ratings.
  • Synthetic roofing products simulate various traditional roof coverings, such as slate and wood shingles and shakes. However, they do not necessarily have the same properties.

Ventilation and Insulation are Key

One of the most critical factors in roof system durability is proper ventilation. Without it, heat and moisture build up in an attic area and combine to cause rafters and sheathing to rot, shingles to buckle, and insulation to lose its effectiveness.

Therefore, it is important to never to block off sources of roof ventilation, such as louvers, ridge vents or soffit vents, even in winter. Proper attic ventilation will help prevent structural damage caused by moisture, increase roofing material life, reduce energy consumption and enhance the comfort level of the rooms below the attic.

In addition to the free flow of air, insulation plays a key role in proper attic ventilation. An ideal attic has:

  • A gap-free layer of insulation on the attic floor to protect the house below from heat gain or loss
  • A vapor retarder under the insulation and next to the ceiling to stop moisture from rising into the attic
  • Enough open, vented spaces to allow air to pass in and out freely.
  • A minimum of 1 inch between the insulation and roof sheathing.

The requirements for proper attic ventilation may vary greatly, depending on which part of the United States a home or building is located, as well as the structure’s conditions, such as exposure to the sun, shade and atmospheric humidity. Nevertheless, the general ventilation formula is based on the length and width of the attic. NRCA recommends a minimum of 1 square foot of free vent area for each 150 square feet of attic floor—with vents placed proportionately at the eaves (e.g., soffits) and at or near the ridge.