What You Need to Know Before Installing a New Roof in New England

Being a homeowner in New England comes with a fair amount of seasonal preparation and awareness. There is truth to the stereotype that New Englanders are hearty people. They adapt and change to the variant climate that each season brings and their roofs should too. As you can imagine, installing a roof in New England requires quality materials and a team that understands how to properly install a quality, durable roof.



Before you install a new roof on your New England home, here are some things to consider. 

Have a Proper Ice and Water Barrier 

Be sure you have a proper ice and water barrier installed to prevent ice dams, especially in critical areas such as valleys, roof eaves, concealed flashings around roof penetrations, chimneys and pipes. Our standard policy is to install 6 feet of ice and water barrier at the roof eaves to protect your home and the new roof you are installing. We use WinterGuard from CertainTeed to prevent ice and water damage. It is a waterproof layer installed beneath the shingles to create a watertight barrier. 

Understand Your Insulation and Ventilation

Homes in New England need proper ventilation and insulation to prevent condensation. Our temperatures change drastically from season to season, but even from day to night. With this in mind, it is important to understand your insulation and ventilation system. We often recommend installing ridge vents, which are installed on the peak of your roof, allowing exhaust and ventilation along the roofline. At Roofing Doctor, we use CertainTeed Ridge Vents. Click here to get in contact with our team if you have any questions about installing ridge vents on your recently installed roof. 

Consider the Location

New England weather can vary dramatically by location and can play an important role in deciding what kind of materials to use. Is your home being battered by high winds on the coast or heavy snow loads in the mountains? Shingles are considered to be very weather resistant in general with proper installation, but selecting the right kind for your location can help protect your home in the long run. All of our roofing shingles are a minimum of 130 mph wind resistant and the shingles in each category (Silver, Silver Plus, and Gold) are different weights. We recommend the gold category for homes by the water that experience high winds and need heavier more durable shingles that are less likely to be blown off or damaged. As they say in real estate, “location, location, location” is a critical factor in deciding the right material for the job! 

Familiarize Yourself with the Warranty

Every contractor offers a warranty. Be sure you understand the warranty extended to you when you sign on with a roofing contractor. You will want to know who you can call should something go wrong within the first year or two of your roof installation. When you work with the Roofing Doctor, we guarantee extended warranty coverage to ensure high-quality customer service and workmanship. We stand by our work and have a minimum 10 year warranty for our workmanship and installation. We follow all the best practices and materials (like the ice and water barriers, ridge caps, etc.) and pass all manufacturer tests so they will be covered under warranty. Not all roofers offer this warranty and it is important to have a roofer stand by their work. 

Find a Contractor who Specializes in New England Roof Installation

If you want a roof over your head for years to come, you want to work with someone who is experienced in New England; someone who uses quality materials that protect your home as the seasons change. The Roofing Doctor team has serviced Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut for over 30 years with positive reviews from all of our clients. Click here to view our project map and see samples of our work. 

If you are interested in repairing your roof or installing a new roof, click here to get in touch with our team and learn more about how we can best serve you.