A Deeper Dive: What's Under Your Roof?

The number one reason roofs don’t make it through their warranty is because of poor ventilation and insulation, which will lead to premature roof aging and rot. At Bartlett Brainard, we offer free inspections as part of our estimation process, so if you’re unsure about how your roof is holding up, please get in touch.

Is Your Roof Ventilated?

One of the most common problems in the roofing industry is homes with moisture, mold, and mildew problems. A house that doesn’t have proper airflow is one that harbors bacteria, so not only are people living less comfortably than they should, but they are also subjecting themselves to long-term health problems like asthma, allergies, and lung function.

No homeowner actually wants to believe their home is allowing moisture to thrive and many are intimidated by taking the proper steps to fix the problem.

What’s worse is that many insurance companies won’t cover the cost of attic ventilation, which means that homeowners are skipping a crucial step in the re-roofing process.

So let’s make this simple to understand. Here are five reasons why attic ventilation is absolutely necessary.

Why Proper Attic Ventilation Is Critical To Your Home:

It’s the only way a roof will meet its life expectancy.
A shingle warranty will be void without it.
It keeps a building up to code.
It ensures that the roof vents themselves are sufficient.
It helps to guarantee that a replacement roof will be worth the thousands you’ll spend on it.

In addition to the financial and structural benefits, there are comfort reasons too. Proper attic ventilation helps to prevent heat build-up during the summer and reduces the risk of ice dams and moisture in the winter. In colder months, it helps to keep a house warm and in hotter months, it helps to keep it cool, resulting in lower energy bills and less strain on heating and air conditioning systems.

Do You Have Enough Insulation?

According to a poll conducted by Roofing Contractor Magazine, more than 75% of North American homes today have improper attic insulation, including not enough or incorrect ventilation. These keep a roof healthy and stable, which means it’s much less likely to be damaged during the 30-plus years of abuse Mother Nature will throw at it.

At Bartlett Brainard, we offer comprehensive explanations to our clients about the measures we take to safeguard their investment. If you are contemplating replacing your roof, please get in touch with us to arrange a free consultation.

What’s Under The Roof?

While many homeowners might think that asphalt shingles are the most important part of a roof, it’s what’s underneath that really counts.

People generally have an idea of the aesthetic they want and some even know a little about durability and ventilation. But almost no one pays attention to what holds the roof together and what keeps it watertight and leak-free for years to come.

What Is Roof Sheathing?

Roof sheathing is the first layer of the roof and it provides the surface area for the additional layers of material to adhere to.

Sheathing is usually made up of either plywood or oriented-strand board (OSB) and sometimes even tongue and groove board in older homes. The sheathing is installed on top of a home’s rafters in order to keep them properly spaced and to create a cohesive unit for the roof. This is all to ensure that the home is both structurally sound and built to withstand the elements.

The Wrong Way to Install a Connecticut Roof

At Bartlett Brainard, we consult with homeowners who often question the importance of sheathing. We also see other contractors in the area who don’t talk to homeowners about the condition of their plywood.

It’s all too often that when we begin to rip off an old roof, we find a rotted-out base layer because of long-withstanding water damage. Shingling over a rotted base layer instead of replacing it will both void the roof’s warranty and leave it susceptible to leaks, so it’s important for any homeowner to understand the importance of this crucial component.

Regardless of how you choose to replace your roof, a contractor should always do a thorough inspection and give you an estimate that includes a recommendation on the sheathing as well as the shingles.

Any roof is only as good as the foundation that the rest of the materials rely on. At Bartlett Brainard, we always do an eight-point roof inspection during the initial phase to ensure that our customers will be satisfied with a roof that will last for decades.

Choose Bartlett Brainard
For Your New Roof

Bartlett Brainard Products is a reputable and well-established roofing company that has been transforming homes in Connecticut for over 80 years.

At Bartlett Brainard, we always do an eight-point roof inspection during the initial phase to ensure that our customers will be satisfied with a roof that will last for decades.