Roof installation
A new roof is a layered assembly. The shingles or panels you see are one layer; the deck, underlayment, flashing, and ventilation underneath do most of the work. Knowing what each layer does helps you ask the right questions before scope is set.
Pitch and material
Roof pitch changes which materials are suitable. A steep roof sheds water quickly; a low-slope section holds water longer and needs a material built for that. Architectural shingles are thicker and layered, while three-tab shingles are thinner. Metal roofs come in standing-seam and exposed-fastener profiles, and low-slope sections may use membrane instead. Impact ratings describe how a shingle handles hail, but a higher rating is a product spec, not an insurance discount promise. Ask which product suits your pitch and what the rating does and does not mean for your policy.
Existing layers and tear-off versus re-cover
A roof can sometimes be re-covered over an existing layer, or it may need a full tear-off down to the deck. The choice depends on how many layers are already there, the condition underneath, and what the new material requires. A tear-off is the only way to see the concealed deck, so its condition is often unknown until access exists. Ask what will be found once the surface is opened, not just what was planned before.
The layers beneath the surface
Deck and underlayment
Sound decking anchors the fasteners. Underlayment is a secondary protective layer above the deck. Both are concealed until the existing layer comes off.
Starter, drip edge, hip and ridge
Starter strip seals the bottom edge. Drip edge directs water off the edge. Hip and ridge caps protect the peaks. Each protects a place water would otherwise find.
Fasteners
Fastener placement and count follow the manufacturer system for the specific product, not a single universal rule. Ask which product is being installed and what its fastener schedule requires.
Flashing and penetrations
Valleys, step and counter flashing, kick-out diverters at wall junctions, and pipe boots around plumbing penetrations. These transitions guide water, not just cover it.
Your attic is part of your roof
Soffit intake at the eaves and ridge exhaust at the peak work together. Balanced ventilation needs both intake and exhaust, and baffles keep intake paths open. A new roof over a poorly vented attic can age faster than it should. Ask how intake and exhaust are coordinated, not just whether vents exist.
Access, solar, and HOA
How the roof is reached, whether solar is present or planned, and whether a homeowners association has rules all shape what is practical at your property. These are worth raising before scope is set, not after.
Questions to ask before you agree to scope
- What does the written scope include, and what is excluded?
- Which product is being installed, and what does its manufacturer system require?
- How are concealed condition changes, disposal, and property protection handled?
- What is the product warranty versus the workmanship warranty?
These are questions for you to ask, not a claim that any contractor performs a fixed method. The answers belong in a written scope you can compare.
Who you are working with
Str8Forward Roofing is a family-owned roofing contractor based in Farmersville at 202 Maple St, Farmersville, TX 75442. Per our published team biography, owner Froy Santibanez is a roofing professional and a leak repair specialist. Read the full background on our about page or view our independent listing on our profile.
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