Do Top Roofing Products Really Matter?

Do the type roofing materials you use really matter to give your home protection? The quick answer, most defiantly they do. There are a solid handful of reasons the roofing materials you use matter, but we will focus in on a couple that could make a huge impact if you get high winds. 

In an Owens Corning training session last week in Baton Rouge Louisiana, the engineers at Owens Corning were going over reasons the warranty you get with your new roof may not be honored by Owens Corning. Just the thought of this is scary. So, why would a great manufacturer like Owens Corning not honor a warranty on their own roofing materials? 

The first and most obvious reason is improper installation but we will blow right by this one quickly. We will just assume the roofing company you chose will at the very least install the roofing shingles correctly. Nail placement in the nail line is a big reason a roofing material manufacturer would deny a roofing warranty claim. Always make sure you know how your roofer is going to install your shingles. 

But this is not where this article is headed. The type of roofing hip & ridge shingle is what we are drilling in on. Why? Because Owens Corning and most likely all the other major roofing material manufacturers will probably be following suit in denying a roof warranty claim if you have a 3-tab shingle on your hips & ridges. This is in relation to wind warranty and the velocity of the wind. 

Why Does A True Hip & Ridge Shingle Matter?

Once you have a clean roof deck and you have your ice & water shields on the deck, it is time to install the roofing shingles. Did you know there are two types of shingles on your roof? When roofing a home, you first install the filed shingles, you will either get a laminate or what is called a lifetime roofing shingle or a 3-tab shingle. Most people are well aware you need shingles on your roof but are not aware the hips & ridges of the home need a different type of shingle.

Most roofing companies will not mention anything about a true hip & ridge shingle like the RizeRidge or DuraRidge shingle by Owens Corning. The reason for this is the cost. Most roofers are going to just try and bid you into accepting their estimate. And if the homeowner does not do any research, they will be stuck with a 3-tab shingle as their hip & ridge. 

If you just go with the cheapest bid, you are in most cases going to get the cheapest job as well. The old saying is so true, you get what you pay for. If a roofer comes in with a cheap roof bid or is significantly lower, check out why. If you don’t care enough to check the roofing company out before you use them then you deserve what you get. 

Make sure the roofing company you use has a written roof installation procedure. The really good ones will also have a video of exactly how they will install your new roof. Don’t be blinded by the money, even if you are selling the home, why not be able to talk about a great warranty the new homeowner will be getting.