Professional Architects in Berwyn, IL

The effectiveness and durability of most roofs, however, depend largely upon proper installation of the underlayment, flashing and ventilation, as well as the finished roofing material. Roofing underlayment acts as a safety net between roofing material and the bare roof deck. It also protects the roof sheathing during construction. Underlayment comes in several thickness and weights, with 15-pound asphalt impregnated felt the most common choice. Generally, the steeper the roof, the lower the acceptable grade of underlayment. On some more trouble some shallow sloped roofs, underlayment often takes a beating. Your contractor must glue both the overlapping paper edges to gather and the paper to the roof deck using roofing cement, a thick, semi liquid, petroleum-based product. Relatively the new residential construction, rubberized asphalt membranes offer a no mess alternative to roof cement. They are extremely effective at preventing water damage from ice dams, and these self-adhesive membranes work even on low slope roofs.