Horizon Roofing - Our Process

When a bid is requested, we will contact the homeowner and arrange a good time to look at the roof and discuss the project. Afterward, a proposal is typed up and sent. This proposal gives a detailed step by step list of the materials used and scope of work performed. Because each roof is different, each bid is different, but most have several things in common. Treat this proposal as more than just a price—shingles may be a commodity, but a roof is not. It shows what the company feels your home needs for the roof to function properly.

Horizon Roofing uses no hard sell tactics—if the time is not right for you, we will be there when it is. Everyone in the company, from the owners/estimators to the work crews, has bottom up knowledge of every step of the process. You will not see the salesman who sold you your refrigerator last month working for us.

The old roofing will be removed first. If the roof was a composition roof, there will be plywood or board decking. This decking is then inspected for any problems. A cedar shake roof will generally have 1x4 slats, called skip sheeting, which will need to have plywood installed before a composition roof can be installed. On a commonly pitched roof, most of the roof material stays on the roof, but a steep roof may need to have the debris ground dropped. Decks and landscaping will be protected first.

Underlayment, generally a heavy ASTM #30 felt ("tar paper") or a synthetic woven polypropylene or other material is installed over the decking with the valleys weaved for a double layer. Trim pieces are installed along the edges of the roof, a 1" x 3"eave starter metal for the gutter edges and 2" x 2" drip metal for the gable ("rake") edges. Valleys have a 24" wide "W" metal flashing installed.

After applying a starter course (single or double depending on the style of shingle) to the edges of the roof, shingles can then be installed.

Venting is installed—usually consisting of ridge venting, box vents, flapper vents for fans and ducts, or eave venting, generally on older homes. Metal vents are used, not plastic which can crack and warp over the years.

Flashings are replaced—chimneys, skylights, step flashing, and lead pipe sleeves on the plumbing breather pipes. These will last the life of any roof—a neoprene rubber flashing lasts about 20 years. In these days of "lifetime" shingles, neoprene will not do.

The debris is then hauled away. We recycle whenever possible—cedar shakes are ground into mulch, old asphalt roofs are turned into roads, and metal roofs and flashings can be turned into new.

When we are finished, the roof is inspected by you and us and only when you are happy are we paid.

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