A residential roof replacement involves much more than simply installing new shingles on top of your home. When Central Ohio homeowners invest in a new roof, they’re actually getting a complete roofing system replacement that includes multiple pieces working together to protect their property. In order to feel better prepared, understanding exactly what gets replaced during this process helps homeowners ensure they’re receiving a complete, quality installation.
During a standard roof replacement, roofing contractors typically remove and replace several key elements. These components include the outer layer of shingles or other roofing materials, underlayment, flashing around chimneys and vents, and often the drip edge and ridge capping. In many cases, a damaged roof deck may also require replacement, especially if water damage has compromised its durability.
Knowing which roof system components will be replaced allows homeowners to budget accurately, ask informed questions of their roofing contractor, and verify that all necessary elements are included in quotes and proposals. This knowledge also helps identify potential issues that might increase project scope or cost, such as hidden deck damage that only becomes apparent once the old roofing materials are removed.
The Roofing Materials: Beyond Just Shingles
When replacing a residential roof in Central Ohio, homeowners have several material options beyond basic shingles. While asphalt shingles still remain one of the most popular choices, there are numerous other variations and options to choose from. For instance, architectural shingles provide dimensional texture and typically last 25 to 30 years, making them ideal for our Midwest climate.
Metal has gained popularity among Central Ohio homeowners seeking longevity, with standing seam and metal shingle systems offering exceptional durability against our harsh winters and summer storms. Some homeowners even choose to go with premium options like concrete or clay tiles that provide a unique look, but may require the roof to be reinforced.
Ohio’s climate will impact your choice in materials for your new replacement. Our freeze-thaw cycles, heavy snow loads, and occasional high winds mean materials need the ability to withstand temperature extremes and moisture challenges. During replacement, contractors evaluate not just the surface materials, but also how they’ll perform with our specific weather patterns.
When determining what can be salvaged versus replaced, professionals assess several factors: the existing material condition, the presence of moisture damage, and its compatibility with new materials. In most full replacements, all roof materials on the surface are removed to allow for proper inspection of the underlying structure and ensure optimal performance of the new roof.
Underlayment and Water Barriers: Your Roof’s Critical Layer of Defense
Beneath your roof’s visible surface lies a crucial component that often goes unnoticed but provides essential protection: the underlayment. This water-resistant or waterproof barrier is always replaced during a roof replacement since it acts as your home’s second line of defense against moisture intrusion. Traditional felt paper (also called tar paper) has been used for decades and remains a cost-effective option. However, many Central Ohio homes now benefit from synthetic underlayments, which offer superior tear resistance, longer exposure ratings, and better performance during installation.
Equally important is the installation of ice and water shields. These self-adhering membranes are strategically installed in vulnerable areas like roof valleys, eaves, and around penetrations. Central Ohio’s freeze/thaw cycles create perfect conditions for ice dams, which can force water under shingles. These specialized barriers provide a watertight seal that prevents moisture infiltration even when water backs up during winter’s harshest conditions.
Professional roofing contractors understand that proper underlayment selection and installation are especially critical in our region. The valleys that channel water from multiple roof planes require extra protection, as do the lower edges where ice dams typically form. By replacing these water barriers during your roof replacement, contractors ensure your home remains protected from water damage regardless of what Mother Nature delivers throughout Ohio’s diverse seasons.
Assessing When Rafters and Decking Need Attention
While shingles and underlayment are routinely replaced during a roof installation, structural components like decking and rafters sometimes require attention too. Roof decking serves as the foundation for your entire roofing system. This layer of plywood or oriented strand board (OSB) provides the solid surface for all other roofing materials to be installed.
Damaged decking typically reveals itself through soft spots, visible sagging, water stains on your attic ceiling, or daylight shining through. When compromised sections are discovered, they must be replaced to ensure the new roof has a solid foundation. Ignoring decking issues can lead to premature roof failure and interior damage, making this inspection a critical part of the replacement process.
The structural framework supporting your roof, which is made up of the rafters or trusses, occasionally requires repair during a roof replacement. Signs of structural concerns include visible sagging along the roofline, cracked or rotted wood members, or previous modifications that do not follow building codes. Professional roofers can identify these issues during the tear-off phase when the decking is exposed. Addressing structural problems during your roof replacement ensures the entire system functions properly and provides the expected lifespan, protecting your Central Ohio home from our varied weather conditions for decades to come.
Flashing and Roof Penetrations: Securing Vulnerable Areas
Proper flashing installation is one of the most critical aspects of a complete roof replacement. These thin pieces of metal or waterproof material protect the most vulnerable junction points on your roof where water is most likely to enter. During a roof replacement, all existing flashing should be evaluated and typically replaced, including chimney flashing, step flashing along walls, valley flashing where roof planes meet, and counter flashing that provides additional protection at vertical surfaces.
Roof penetrations present another set of challenges during replacement. These include plumbing vent pipes, exhaust vents, skylights, and HVAC equipment that must pass through your roofing system. Each penetration interrupts the continuous surface of your roof and requires special attention. Professional Central Ohio roofers install new pipe boots (rubber or metal shields) around plumbing vents, properly flash and seal skylights, and ensure exhaust vents are correctly integrated with the new roofing materials.
The importance of properly addressing flashing and penetrations cannot be overstated. Statistics show that approximately 90% of roof leaks occur at these transition points rather than in the field of the roof itself. Our Central Ohio weather, with its heavy rains and winter freeze-thaw cycles, makes proper flashing installation particularly important. When these elements are correctly replaced, they create watertight barriers that protect your home from moisture damage for the entire lifespan of your new roof.
Ventilation System: Ensuring Your Roof Can Breathe
A properly functioning ventilation system is a critical component that’s often replaced during a roof installation. This system allows air to circulate through your attic space, preventing heat and moisture from building up that would otherwise damage the roofing structure and reduce energy efficiency. During a complete roof replacement, Ohio roofing contractors typically install new ridge vents along the peak of the roof, which work with soffit vents at the eaves to create natural airflow through the attic.
For homes with different architectural styles, other types of ventilation systems may be replaced or added, including gable vents, power vents, or specialized intake vents. These components work together as a system, with cool air entering through lower intake vents and exiting through exhaust vents at higher points on the roof. This continuous airflow prevents condensation that can damage the roof deck and insulation while also regulating temperature extremes.
During winter, proper ventilation also helps prevent ice dams by keeping a roof’s surface temperature consistent. In summer, effective venting reduces attic temperatures, simultaneously decreasing cooling costs and extending shingle life. When replacing a roof, many homeowners take the opportunity to upgrade or correct ventilation issues, as the process is much easier when the surface of a roof is already exposed. These improvements offer long-term benefits in energy savings, roof longevity, and reduced moisture problems throughout Ohio’s seasonal weather.
Gutters and Drainage: Completing Your Roof System
The gutters and drainage components of your roof play a crucial role in directing water away from your home’s foundation. During a complete roof replacement, these elements are often replaced alongside new shingles and underlayment. Aged or damaged gutters can compromise even the highest quality roof installation by allowing water to pool near your home’s structure, potentially causing expensive foundation issues or basement flooding.
New gutters are typically recommended when the existing system shows signs of rust, separation from the roofline, improper slope, or visible damage. Modern gutter systems installed by Central Ohio roofing contractors often include improved features like leaf guards and larger downspouts that handle the region’s heavy spring and fall rains more effectively. Professional installation ensures proper slope for water flow and strategic downspout placement to direct water away from your foundation.
Beyond basic gutters, several additional components should be considered during roof replacement. Drip edge installation along roof edges provides crucial protection by directing water into gutters rather than behind them. Fascia boards (which gutters attach to) and soffits (the underside of roof overhangs) may require replacement if they show signs of rot or damage. These components not only contribute to proper drainage, but they also significantly impact your home’s curb appeal and ventilation. When properly installed as part of your complete residential roof replacement, these drainage elements ensure your entire roofing system functions as designed for decades to come.
Ensure Your Home’s Safety with AM Roofing & Siding
When considering a complete roof replacement, it’s crucial to trust professionals who understand the intricacies of every component that needs attention. AM Roofing & Siding specializes in comprehensive residential roof replacement, ensuring every part of your roofing system is expertly handled, from shingles to the critical underlayment layers that protect your home from Central Ohio’s harsh weather conditions.
Don’t wait for a leak to tell you it’s time for a new roof. Call AM Roofing & Siding today at (740) 974-8268 and schedule your consultation to secure your home for years to come.