Roof Replacement & Re-Roofing in Connecticut

Roof Replacement & Re-Roofing: what to know

A quote that lists a shingle brand and a total price is not a specification, and it makes comparing two Connecticut contractors impossible. The differences that matter are underneath.

What a real re-roof specification includes

• Tear-off versus layover. Tear-off lets the deck be inspected. A second layer over an existing roof hides everything and shortens the life of the new shingles.
• Deck repair. Ask what happens if the sheathing turns out to be soft, and at what price per sheet, agreed before the roof is open, not negotiated on the day.
• Ice and water membrane. Standard practice in Connecticut at the eaves and in valleys. This is the backstop for when an ice dam forms anyway. Ask how far up the slope it runs.
• Ventilation. Balanced intake at the soffit and exhaust at the ridge keeps the deck cold, which reduces ice dams and stops shingles cooking from below. Adding a ridge vent without opening the soffit intake does very little.
• Flashing. New step and counter-flashing at chimneys, walls and dormers, and new vent boots, not the old ones re-tarred.
• Drip edge, starter course, ridge cap, disposal and clean-up.

Do the attic at the same time

If the house has a history of ice dams, the re-roof is the moment to fix the cause: air sealing the ceiling plane, correcting insulation depth and coverage, and making sure bathroom fans vent outdoors rather than into the attic. Doing it later means paying twice for access.

Chimneys and re-roofs

If the chimney needs repointing or a new crown, do it before or with the re-roof. Scaffolding, roof access and flashing all overlap, and doing masonry afterwards means disturbing brand-new roofing.