How to Install Dimensional Roofing Shingles on Your Fort Lauderdale Commercial Building

Not surprisingly, Ft. Lauderdale commercial roofing is big business. Just like the rest of Florida, Ft. Lauderdale commercial roofs face climatic challenges that most of the rest of the country doesn’t. Sure the Southwest has heat but they don’t have the rot inducing humidity, torrential rains and tropical storms and hurricane force winds. Life is not easy for a Ft. Lauderdale roof.

As a result, property owners, particularly commercial property owners, pay close attention to the roofing material on their roofs. If you are at the point of a reroof and you are considering one of the most popular roofing materials in North America, the dimensional or architectural shingle, here are a few items you should know.

Because the business is so big in Florida there are a ton of roofing companies to choose from. Your first step in reroofing your property is to find a licensed, insured roofing contractor with commercial roofing experience. If you latch onto a professional company, and the weather holds, your reroofing project should go without a hitch.
Here’s what your roofer will do when installing dimensional shingles:

  • The first step is to remove existing shingles, underlying material (usually tar paper) and replace defective sheathing and flashing. The roof should be clean and dry before installing the underlying material.
  • The next step is laying down the underlying material which could be tar paper, felt, stick and peel or any other of a variety of materials. Have the contractor explain what he is using and why. Once the material is installed drip guards are placed on the eves and edges of the roof to give a nice trim and prevent water from sneaking in under the shingles.
  • Dimensional shingles give a great “designer” look to a roof. They add depth and interesting patterns. The most important row of the project will be the first and second which should be applied aligned with the edge and the eave at the bottom of the roof. The second layer goes on top of the first.
  • Because of the design created by dimensional shingles alignment is important. Every three or four rows your contractor should snap a line to ensure the design is not disrupted.
  • Ridges and hips are covered with capping shingles. Architectural shingles are relatively expensive but they are long lasting. Make certain your contractor has a plan for installation that does not waste roofing shingles.

 

Reroofing in dimensional shingles will give your property a great look plus give you the security and peace of mind knowing that you property’s roof is going to hold up to most anything thrown at it for the next 30 to 40 years.


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