A roof replacement isn't necessarily one of those 'sexy' exterior projects like installing a deck or replacing siding but often times it's a necessary project. Your roof – just like a water heater or furnace – has a definitive life span whether that be 15, 25, or 30+ years. Eventually, a replacement is going to be needed.

Unfortunately, our climate here in the Midwest isn't exactly conducive to a long roof life span. The old joke is that we experience all four seasons and that's just in one day November 2022 was a perfect example as it was 70 degrees on a Thursday and snowing by the weekend.

The good news is that there are precautions we take to get the most out of your roof based on the elements we deal with. In this Buffalo Grove roof replacement for example an ice and water barrier was installed directly overtop the sheathing at the base of the roof and in the valleys where snow most often builds up.

Protection in All Climates

The ice and water barrier is like the synthetic felt underlayment, but is made of a polymer-modified bitumen that is multiple times more durable than the felt. Ice and water barrier also has an adhesive backing which bonds to the plywood sheathing – and causes a lot of curse words when trying to be installed on hot days because this stuff sticks instantly.

Speaking of heat, we don't just have cold in the Midwest, there are a fair share of 90+ degree days in the Summer which is why we used cobra vent. A roof not only gets pelted by sun, wind, and rain on the exterior surface, it can have a lot of heat building up on the underside and needs to be able to breathe. Cobra vents are also installed as an exit point for exhaust fans.