A new roof on your Atlanta home needs to manage the wild weather swings. It has to manage everything from scorching summers and sticky humidity to intense thunderstorms. You should pick the right materials. Get them installed the right way to keep your house protected and improve its market value.
The City of Atlanta has put strict building codes in place to protect homeowners - and with good reason. When you read up on these rules and follow them, your roof will hold up better. It'll last way longer than cutting corners would. You can find a few proven roofing materials to choose from. Take a look at budget-friendly asphalt shingles or metal roofing. These materials can stand tough against Atlanta's unpredictable climate.
A new roof means you'll be dealing with permits and finding the right contractor. You'll also need to learn how to keep your investment once installed. Your contractor should know the local regulations inside and out. They can help you through each step of the process. They'll help you from picking materials to maintaining your roof for years ahead.
The sooner you start planning your roof replacement, the better prepared you'll be. Let's talk about your options!
You should first look at your home's basic structure before starting any roofing work. Take a close look at the walls and ceiling frame. You'll spot potential installation problems right away. Your new roof won't work the right way if the base isn't straight and level. So you need to fix these problems first.
Rafters or trusses are your main options when designing your roof frame. You can find out which one works best once you have your measurements and pitch numbers. After these facts are worked out, you can start making and putting together all your frame pieces. The ridge board sitting at the peak needs some extra protection since it holds everything in place.
Remember to check your roof deck closely. You'll want to catch any locations with water damage or rot before they cause bigger problems. Even small problems can turn into serious problems if you don't manage them right away. Make sure you remove old nails, fallen branches, and other debris while you're up there.
Good ventilation will keep your roof lasting longer. You should install vents along the ridge and spots that count to keep the air moving the right way. Poor airflow can trap moisture inside your roof space. It'll cause rot or frost damage over time.
Building codes are out there to keep you and your family safe, so follow them. You might need a structural engineer to review your roof design. They'll tell you exactly how much weight your roof can safely manage.
Sheathing and protective layers are the final prep steps. You should start laying the plywood sheets from the bottom edge and work your way up. Next, add a metal drip edge around the edges. Then, cover the whole surface with underlayment. Now you have a good waterproof base ready for your roofing materials!
Your roof installation permit in Atlanta takes just a few easy steps. You'll need to find some basic paperwork before you can make your way to the city offices. You can get your hands on your completed application and proof that you own the property.
You'll need to bring some complete drawings of your roof project and information about who you're working with. Make sure you pick a contractor with an Atlanta license. You'll need to put their license numbers on your application. Living in a historic district means you'll need to get some extra documents from the city, too.
Atlanta can give you two ways to submit all your permit documents. You can walk right into the Atlanta Department of City Planning Office on Trinity Avenue. You can take care of everything from your computer through their website. Expect to pay around $100 for a basic permit. You might need to shell out more money for bigger projects.
Most permits take about two weeks to get approved since the city needs time to look over your plans. Sometimes, you'll get lucky. Easy roof replacements might qualify for quick permits that you can get in just an hour.
Here's what you should know about permits - you need them. When you skip this part, it'll only cause you problems down the road. The city might slap you with fines and even make you tear down work you've already completed.
Once your project kicks off, you'll need regular inspections from the city. These checkups happen at different stages while your roof is being installed. Your contractor should manage scheduling these visits since they know exactly when to bring in the city officials.
Atlanta's building codes set the requirements for your new roof. These permits make sure you're following the standards that help keep everyone safe. The city looks at everything about your project, from how sturdy your roof will be to whether your materials meet their requirements.
Before your roofing crew can start any work, you need to make sure your framing team has completed the walls. They need to install the roof trusses correctly. You'll need a strong and reliable frame because it forms the foundation for your entire roofing system.
Start with installing the roof deck - plywood or oriented strand board will work well. You'll want to get these boards extra tight with lots of nails. This helps avoid annoying squeaks or warping that could damage your roof later.
Your next step should start with protecting your home from water damage. Install the drip edge first along the roof edges. This directs water away from your house instead of letting it seep inside. Then lay down your underlayment, which protects between the roof deck and shingles.
The shingle installation changes your roof's appearance and functionality. Start with starter shingles at the bottom edge. Then, gradually work upward with regular shingles in neat rows. Remember to overlap each new row over the one below it so water runs off.
Those sensitive places where water loves to sneak in need attention, too. Install metal flashing around your chimney vents and areas where different roof sections meet. This extra protection stops those sneaky leaks before they become a problem.
Your roof's peak deserves a proper finish with ridge cap shingles. These shingles cover the area where the sides of your roof meet at the top. You'll want to nail these down extra securely because they face the most wind and rain.
When you add ventilation in your roof system airflow helps keep the right attic temperature. It also keeps moisture under control. You should know that skipping this part can give you mold problems or high energy bills.
Once everything is in place take a final walk-around inspection. Look for any misaligned or loose shingles. Take a look at the flashing points. Even small gaps can let water sneak in and cause problems later.
A new roof in Atlanta comes with some challenges that you might not expect! You'll have intense summer heat that makes roofing materials expand and become brittle during installation. The city's high humidity loves to trap moisture under your fresh shingles. This causes all sorts of complications down the road.
Local crews recommend booking your installation during the fall months. The months of September and October give you more predictable weather patterns and fewer surprise thunderstorms. Your roofing crew can work more safely and efficiently in cooler temperatures. Their adhesives will bond much better, too.
Your choice of roofing materials affects how well your new roof works with Atlanta's tough climate. Standard asphalt shingles might feel budget-friendly at first. But they struggle in our conditions. That's why you can see more and more of your neighbors switching to metal roofs. They stand up way better to our brutal heat and wild storms.
Georgia's intense sunshine can quickly destroy inferior roofing materials. You'll need better materials with UV-resistant coatings to avoid premature aging and cracking. When you add in some ventilation, it keeps your attic from becoming a sauna. This extends your roof's life.
Summer storms throw another challenge your way during roof installations. Rain delays and strong winds can disrupt your timeline and damage newly installed materials. You should think about adding extra hail protection when picking your roofing system. You'll thank yourself later!
Atlanta's muggy climate creates perfect conditions for troublesome algae and mold growth on your roof. Look for algae-resistant shingles to avoid those unsightly black streaks from taking over. Remember to factor in roof slope and drainage, too. These features help keep moisture-related problems away from your home.
Fall can give you ideal conditions with mild and pleasant temperatures. Storm dangers drop during this season which means less project delays. Roofers can give you better deals during this slower period. They're not swamped with emergency repairs.
When you spread out installations, they usually work out okay, even with sudden rain delays. Winter jobs remain possible but harder since cold temperatures make materials less flexible. Summer installations sound promising in theory. But non-stop afternoon thunderstorms create frustrating delays.
Finding the right roofing contractor in Atlanta doesn't have to stress you out. First of all, you've already found them. We're Colony Roofers, and we're the highest-rated roofers in Atlanta!
If you're still shopping around, though, you just need to get a clear picture of what makes a skilled contractor look great. Ask potential contractors to show you their valid Georgia state license and latest insurance documents. Reliable contractors will gladly walk you through their paperwork. They'll probably share even more proof of their expertise.
You want someone who knows Atlanta roofing inside and out. Pick some local contractors with at least five years of local experience. These experts will also know the building codes specific to your area. Atlanta's weather patterns can do some damage to your roof. Experienced contractors will know exactly what to watch out for. Ask them to drive you by some of their completed projects in your neighborhood.
Take the time to read through Google and Yelp reviews for any contractor you're thinking about. Even better - walk next door and talk with your neighbors about their own roofing projects. Your neighbors' real-life experiences can point you toward reliable contractors or warn you about ones to stay away from.
Don't jump at the first price you hear. Get complete quotes from at least three different contractors for your project. Make sure each quote breaks down materials and labor costs. Remember - an unusually low quote should make you concerned about the quality you'll get.
Face-to-face meetings with contractors show quite a bit about their work style. You can tell who actually listens to your problems and explains the facts. Quality contractors will spend lots of time walking you through their process step by step.
DIY might feel cheaper at first glance. Professional installation pays off in the long run though. Professional roofers bring tools you won't find in your garage. They know exactly how to manage unexpected challenges that pop up during the job.
Professional teams will finish your roof much faster than you could on your own too. Their supplier connections mean better prices on quality materials. You can receive good warranties on materials and workmanship that protect your investment.
When you hire a licensed contractor, you can get real peace and security! Their insurance protects you from accidents or damage during the project. They'll manage the permits and make sure your roof meets every Atlanta building code requirement!
Taking care of your new roof right from the start will save you tons of money in the long run. You'll need to pay some regular attention to it, too, just like any other serious investment in your life! A well-maintained roof can last years longer than one you neglect. So, you should start planning some basic maintenance tasks right away.
Looking after your roof is easy - you just need to stay on top of a few simple tasks. Make sure you look at your roof twice a year and keep those gutters clear of leaves and debris. You'll also want to cut back any tree branches hanging over your shingles. Small problems can snowball into expensive problems if you don't catch them early. You might feel comfortable handling some of this maintenance yourself! But leave the tricky work to pros who know what they're doing.
Colony Roofers knows the facts of commercial and residential roofs. We have main offices located across Georgia, Florida, and Texas. You can receive the strongest protection for your investment when you let our experts manage your roof repairs. Give us a call and we'll check out your roof at no cost to you. We'll make sure you get the professional care your roof needs.
You can trust our proven experience for quality repairs and installations. Reach out, and let's talk about your roof!