Shingle roof replacement in Oxford County

What a roof replacement includes

• Tear-off. All old shingles and underlayment removed down to the roof deck, with a bin and magnetic sweep for nails.
• Deck repairs. Rotten or soft sheathing replaced. This is often priced per sheet, because nobody knows how much until the old roof is off.
• Ice-and-water shield along the eaves, in valleys and around chimneys and skylights, where ice dams and leaks start.
• Synthetic underlayment over the rest of the deck.
• Drip edge, flashing and valleys, replaced rather than reused.
• Ventilation. Ridge vents or roof vents, balanced with soffit intake, so the attic doesn't trap heat and moisture.
• Shingles, usually architectural laminated shingles with a manufacturer's warranty.

Tear off or overlay?

Putting a new layer over old shingles is cheaper, but it hides rot underneath, adds weight, often shortens the new roof's life and can affect the shingle warranty. Almost every reputable roofer in Oxford County recommends a full tear-off. If your house already has two layers, a tear-off is the only option.

Ventilation and ice dams

Oxford County winters bring ice dams: snow melts over a warm attic, runs down and freezes at the cold eaves, then backs up under the shingles. Good attic insulation, balanced ventilation and ice-and-water shield at the eaves are the cure. Ask each roofer how they'll handle all three.

Permits

Replacing shingles with similar shingles usually doesn't need a building permit in Ontario. Structural changes, like new rafters, a new roof line or a much heavier roofing material, usually do. Check with your municipality, or ask the roofer.