A Roof is a roof is a roof, right? Well, not exactly. Roofing systems are actually more complex than they seem on the surface. Understanding what makes up a quality roofing system will help you make a better roofing decision when the time comes to replace your roof.

Let’s take a look at the 5 key elements of a quality roofing system in Park City. We will look at each element in the order that it is installed, from the base to the finishing surface.

Roof Decking & Insulation

A couple of the most overlooked elements of a roof are insulation and roof decking.

The roof decking simply refers to the plywood that is nailed to the rafters. This is the base of your roof. All of the surface materials are attached to the roof deck.

Roofs decks can deteriorate because of moisture and age. You always want to have a sturdy roof deck because it’s what gives your roof a lot of its structural integrity.

The insulation below your roof decking is one of then the most overlooked aspect of a roofing system.

Having a properly insulated ceiling can prevent roofing issues like ice dams.

Underlayment

Before a new roof is installed on a home, there is underlayment placed below a roof's shingles or metal. Roofing underlayment is a water-resistant or waterproof barrier material that is installed directly onto your roof deck.

There are many different types and brands of underlayment, and as you can imagine, some are better than others.

The underlayment material is incredibly vital in Park City because winter demands so much from roofing systems. Having high-quality underlayment installed below your roof can prevent leaks from happening even if some water manages to penetrate the top material.

Budget roofing contractors will often reduce the quality of underlayment used and will use less ice and water shield to reduce costs.

A good underlayment is essential in Park City.

Surface Materials

The type of material and brand of material that you use on a roof will have one of the most significant impacts on the long term reliability of your roof. Choosing a high-quality material is essential if you want to be properly protected in Park City.

The biggest choice homeowners will typically make is whether to get a shingle or metal roof.

In terms of quality and durability, metal roofs are the best type of roof; metal roofs last longer, are more energy-efficient, and require little to no maintenance. Not all metal roof are made equally, but a high quality standing seam metal roof will typically last homeowners a lifetime.

If you are going to go with shingles instead of metal choosing a quality laminated or architectural shingle is the best option in Park City.

Choosing a cheap shingle always ends in problems for homeowners in Park City.

Installation Practices

Having good underlayment and roofing materials are essential to a quality roof, but you need a high-quality roofing contractor to put it all together.

Roofing contractors will vary in their installation practices. For example, some companies install metal roofs with exposed fasteners, while others do standing seam installations with no exposed fasteners. 

There are different practices used by various roofing companies.

Some companies install less ice and water shield than others, and some use fewer nails or simply aren't highly skilled.

Choosing the best roofing company available is going to ensure that your roof is installed correctly and made to withstand harsh weather.

Heat Cable, Snow Retention, & Gutters

The last elements of a quality roof system are heat cable, snow retention, & gutters. These elements work in conjunction to form one system that prevents ice dams, icicles, and rooftop avalanches.

Snow retention prevents large quantities of snow from sliding off your roof.

Below snow retention, you want heat cable if you have ice dam issues. Heat cable will melt any ice on the eave of your roof and prevent large ice dams from forming.

Once the heat cable melts the snow off the edge of your roof, you want a gutter system to direct the water away from your roof and to the ground, preventing icicles.

Conclusion

A roofing system in Park City needs to meet the demands of the harsh winter months. Having a quality roofing system installed is essential for our mountain lifestyle.

A Quality roofing system is made up of 5 key elements: roof decking & insulation, underlayment, surface materials, installation practices, and heat cable, gutter, & snow retention.

Every part of the roofing system works together to deliver exceptional results.