Roof system types

Roof systems and materials generally are divided into generic classifications: low slope and steep slope.
Low slope roofing includes water impermeable, or weatherproof, types of roof membranes installed on
slopes less than or equal to 3:12 (14 degrees). Steep slope roofing includes watershedding types of roof
coverings installed on slopes exceeding 3:12 (14 degrees).

Low-slope roofing

There are five generic classifications of low slope roof membranes or systems.

 Built-up roof (BUR) membranes

 Metal panel roof systems for low-slope applications
 Polymer-modified bitumen sheet membranes
 Single-ply membranes
o Thermoplastic membranes (e.g., PVC, TPO)
o Thermoset membranes (e.g., EPDM)
 Spray polyurethane foam-based (SPF) roof systems

Most low-slope roof membranes have three principal components:

 Weatherproofing layer or layers — the weatherproofing component is the most important element
because it keeps water from entering a roof assembly.
 Reinforcement — reinforcement adds strength, puncture resistance and dimensional stability to a
membrane.
 Surfacing — surfacing is the component that protects the weatherproofing and reinforcement
from sunlight and weather. Some surfacings provide other benefits such as increased fire
resistance, improved traffic and hail resistance, and increased solar reflectivity.

With some roof membranes, a component may perform more than one function.

Steep-slope roofing

There are six generic classifications of steep slope roof coverings.

 Asphalt shingles
 Clay tile and concrete tile
 Metal roof systems for steep-slope applications
 Slate
 Wood shakes and wood shingles
 Synthetic

Steep-slope roof systems typically are composed of individual pieces or components installed in shingle
fashion. Steep-slope roof assemblies typically consist of three primary parts:

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  Roof deck — a roof deck is the structural substrate and usually is a wood-based material such as
plywood or oriented strand board (OSB).
 Underlayment — underlayment provides temporary protection until a roof covering is installed
and provides a secondary weatherproofing barrier. Sometimes underlayment is referred to as
"felt" or "paper."
 Roof covering — the roof covering is the external watershedding material.

1.Low-slope roofing

1.1 Built-up roof (BUR) membranes

 Material and system description

 Material standards
 Warranties

Material and system description

Built up roof membranes, referred to by the acronym BUR, have been in use in the U.S. for more
than 100 years. These roof systems are commonly referred to as "tar and gravel" roofs. BUR
systems generally are composed of alternating layers of bitumen and reinforcing fabrics that
create a finished membrane. The number of plies in a cross section is the number of plies on a
roof: The term "four plies" denotes a four ply roof membrane construction. Sometimes, a base
sheet, used as the bottommost ply, is mechanically fastened. Built up roofs generally are
considered to be fully adhered if applied directly to roof decks or insulation.

The reinforcing fabrics also are called roofing felts or ply sheets. Roofing felts are reinforced
with either glass-fiber mats or organic mats. Felts are produced in a standard width of 36 inches
and metric width of about one meter.

The bitumen typically used in BUR roof systems is asphalt, coal tar or cold-applied adhesive.
The asphalt or coal tar is heated in a kettle or tanker and then applied by mop or mechanical
spreader. Asphalt is a petroleum product refined from crude oil; coal tar is derived from the
distillation of coal. Cold-applied adhesives typically are solvent-based asphalts that don't have to
be heated in a kettle or tanker.

Surfacings for built up roof systems include aggregate (such as gravel, slag or mineral granules),
glass-fiber or mineral surfaced cap sheets, hot asphalt mopped over the entire surface, aluminum
coatings or elastomeric coatings.

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Photo of an aggregate-surfaced BUR

A roof system composed of a built up roof membrane with two or three plies and a polymer-
modified bitumen membrane cap sheet is commonly referred to as "hybrid" system. NRCA
considers this type to be a polymer modified bitumen membrane system.

Material standards

NRCA does not make any recommendations about which product or manufacturer to use;
however, NRCA does recommend that bitumens, felts and mats used for BUR systems meet
standards established by ASTM International.

The following commonly referenced ASTM International standards apply to materials used in
the construction of BUR systems:

 ASTM D312, "Standard Specification for Asphalt Used in Roofing"

 ASTM D450, "Standard Specification for Coal Tar Pitch Used in Roofing, Dampproofing
and Waterproofing"
 ASTM D1863, "Standard Specification for Mineral Aggregate Used on Built Up Roofs"
 ASTM D2178, "Standard Specification for Asphalt Glass Felt Used in Roofing and
Waterproofing"
 ASTM D2824, "Standard Specification for Aluminum Pigmented Asphalt Roof Coatings,
Nonfibered, Asbestos Fibered, and Fibered without Asbestos"
 ASTM D3909, "Standard Specification for Asphalt Roll Roofing (Glass Felt) Surfaced
With Mineral Granules"
 ASTM D4601, "Standard Specification for Asphalt Coated Glass Fiber Base Sheet Used
in Roofing"
 ASTM D4990, "Standard Specification for Coal Tar Glass Felt Used in Roofing and
Waterproofing"

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Warranties

When purchasing a new roof system, there will be two warranties to consider. First, there will be
the manufacturer's warranty. In general, these warranties cover defects in the manufacture of the
roof membrane. Please read NRCA's consumer advisory bulletin addressing roofing warranties
for more information. Once the project is complete, be sure the contractor provides you with a
certificate for your records.

Second, the roofing contractor will provide you with a warranty covering his workmanship.
Typically, this will cover installation and related issues. The warranty should contain what items
are covered and what will void them. Many contractors offer one year or two years of coverage;
however, there is no industry standard.

1.2 Metal panel roof systems for low-slope applications

 Metal panel roof system description

 Roof deck
 Underlayment
 Vapor retarders, insulation and ventilation
 Material standards
 Warranties

Metal panel roof system description

There is only one category of metal roof systems used in low-slope applications — structural
metal panel. Structural metal panel roof systems can be used for low slope roofs because of their
hydrostatic, or water barrier, characteristics. It is important to note structural metal panel roof
systems can be used for steep slope roof assemblies, too.

Most structural metal panel roof systems are designed to resist the passage of water at laps and
other joints, as sealant or anti capillary designs can be used in the seams. Structural metal panel
roof systems possess strength characteristics that allow them to span supporting members.

Example of a structural metal panel roof system

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Roof deck

Structural metal panel roof systems are installed over a large variety of substrates. There are two
general categories of substrates: one is continuous or closely spaced decking that provides solid
support for the metal roof panel, and the other is composed of spaced structural supports (such as
purlins) where the metal panels must span between supports. Most structural metal panels are
used over spaced structural supports without being supported by a solid roof deck.

Underlayment

Underlayment (or "felt paper" as it is frequently called) is installed over the roof deck before the
application of a metal panel roof system. An underlayment performs two primary functions: it
provides temporary weather protection until the metal panel roof is installed, and it provides a
secondary weatherproofing barrier if moisture infiltrates the metal roof panels.

Underlayments typically are not used with structural metal panel roof systems when intermittent
supports are used to carry the roof systems. However, if there is a continuous or closely spaced
roof deck, NRCA recommends an underlayment be installed.

Asphalt saturated, nonperforated organic felts are among the most common underlayments used
for metal roof systems; they commonly are designated as Type 15 and Type 30 or referred to as
No. 15 and No. 30, which are reflective of a once used pound per square weight designation. The
terms Type I and Type II now are used within the industry in lieu of No. 15 or No. 30,
respectively.

If an underlayment is to be installed, NRCA recommends a minimum of one layer of No. 30

asphalt-saturated felt applied horizontally in shingle fashion on roof decks having a slope of 4:12
(18 degrees) or more. For roof decks having slopes of 3:12 (14 degrees) up to 4:12 (18 degrees),
a minimum of two layers of No. 30 asphalt-saturated underlayment should be applied
horizontally in shingle fashion.

In locations where the average temperature for January is 30º F or less, NRCA suggests
installation of an ice-dam protection membrane. An ice-dam protection membrane generally is a
self-adhering polymer-modified bitumen membrane.

An ice dam protection membrane should be applied starting at a roof's eaves and extending
upslope a minimum of 24 inches from the exterior wall line of a building. For slopes less than
4:12 (18 degrees), a minimum of 36 inches is recommended. See Figure 1.

5
Figure 1—Example of ice damming

NRCA also recommends a slip sheet be installed over the underlayment for metal panel roof
systems. A slip sheet is a layer of smooth building paper, such as rosin-sized or unsaturated
building paper. Its purpose is to protect the underlayment from damage, as the panels can adhere
to and tear the underlayment.

Vapor retarders, insulation and ventilation

Condensation should be expected to develop on the undersides of metal roof panels. Careful
consideration should be paid to vapor retarder, insulation and ventilation issues. Because every
building is in some way unique, building owners and designers may need to consult moisture-
control specialists.

Material standards

NRCA does not make any recommendations about which product or manufacturer to use;
however, NRCA does recommend that metal roof systems meet standards established by ASTM
International.

 ASTM E1514, "Standard Specification for Structural Standing Seam Steel Roof Panel
Systems"
 ASTM E1637, "Standard Specification for Structural Standing Seam Aluminum Roof
Panel Systems"

Warranties
When purchasing a new roof system, there will be two warranties to consider. First, there will be
the manufacturer's warranty. In general, these warranties cover defects in the manufacture of the
roof covering. In the case of metal panel roofs, manufacturers tend to cover only the metal
finishes or coatings. Please read NRCA's consumer advisory bulletin addressing roofing
warranties for more information. Once the project is complete, be sure the contractor provides
you with a certificate for your records.

6
Second, the roofing contractor will provide you with a warranty covering his workmanship.
Typically, this will cover installation and related issues. The warranty should contain what items
are covered and what will void them. Many contractors offer one year or two years of coverage;
however, there is no industry standard.

1.3 Polymer-modified bitumen sheet membranes

 Material and system description

 Material standards
 Warranties

Material and system description

Polymer-modified bitumen or modified bitumen (MB) sheet membranes were developed in

Europe in the early 1960s and have been in use in the U.S. since the mid 1970s. Polymer-
modified roof membranes are composed of reinforcing fabrics that serve as carriers for the hot
polymer-modified bitumen as it is manufactured into a roll material. MB roof system membranes
are composed of multiple layers, much like BUR membranes. MB roof systems typically are
installed as a two-ply system and almost always are fully adhered.

There are two types of MB roofing membranes:

 SBS polymer-modified bitumen membranes commonly are installed in hot moppings of

asphalt (similar to BUR systems) or cold adhesive. Some SBS modified membranes are
self adhering; that is, they contain an adhesive backing.
 APP polymer-modified bitumen membranes typically are heat-welded or torch-applied.
Consumers should be cautioned that NRCA does not recommend torch-applying a
modified bitumen membrane sheet directly to a wood deck.

Generally, APP modifiers impart a "plasticized" quality to asphalt, and SBS modifiers impart a
"rubberized" quality to asphalt. MB membranes and EPDM, a thermoset membrane, often are
confused by consumers because of colloquialisms used by roofing contractors. MB and EPDM
membranes are sometimes called "rubber roofs."

Surfacings for MB membranes include aggregate surfacing, mineral surfacing, metal foil-
laminate surfacing and smooth liquid-applied surfacing.

7
Photo of a mineral-surfaced MB roof system

A roof system composed of a built up roof membrane with 2 plies or 3 plies and a polymer-
modified bitumen membrane cap sheet is commonly referred to as "hybrid" system. NRCA
considers this type to be a polymer modified bitumen membrane system.

Material standards

NRCA does not make any recommendations about which MB products or manufacturer to use;
however, NRCA does recommend that MB meet standards established by ASTM International.

APP polymer modified bitumen products:

 ASTM D6222, "Standard Specification for Atactic Polypropylene (APP) Modified

Bituminous Sheet Materials Using Polyester Reinforcements"
 ASTM D6223, "Standard Specification for Atactic Polypropylene (APP) Modified
Bituminous Sheet Materials Using a Combination of Polyester and Glass Fiber
Reinforcements"

SBS polymer modified bitumen products:

 ASTM D6162, "Standard Specification for Styrene Butadiene Styrene (SBS) Modified
Bituminous Sheet Materials Using a Combination of Polyester and Glass Fiber
Reinforcements"
 ASTM D6163, "Standard Specification for Styrene Butadiene Styrene (SBS) Modified
Bituminous Sheet Materials Using Glass Fiber Reinforcements"
 ASTM D6164, "Standard Specification for Styrene Butadiene Styrene (SBS) Modified
Bituminous Sheet Materials Using Polyester Reinforcements"
 ASTM D6298, "Standard Specification for Fiberglass Reinforced Styrene Butadiene
Styrene (SBS) Modified Bitumen Sheets with a Factory Applied Metal Surface"

8
Warranties

When purchasing a new roof system, there will be two warranties to consider. First, there will be
the manufacturer's warranty. In general, these warranties cover defects in the manufacture of the
roof membrane. Please read NRCA's consumer advisory bulletin addressing roofing warranties
for more information. Once the project is complete, be sure the contractor provides you with a
certificate for your records.

Second, the roofing contractor will provide you with a warranty covering his workmanship.
Typically, this will cover installation and related issues. The warranty should contain what items
are covered and what will void them. Many contractors offer one year or two years of coverage;
however, there is no industry standard.

1.4 Single-ply membranes

Single-ply membranes are factory-manufactured sheet membranes. They generally are categorized as
either thermoplastic or thermoset. Thermoplastic materials can be repeatedly softened when heated and
hardened when cooled. Thermoset materials solidify, or "set," irreversibly after heating. Single ply
membranes commonly are referred to by their chemical acronyms, such as ethylene propylene diene
terpolymer (EPDM).

Single-ply sheet membranes are produced using one of three manufacturing processes: calendering,
extruding or spread coating. The membranes may contain reinforcement layers. Common reinforcements
for single ply membranes include polyester fabrics or scrims, glass fiber, or a felt or fleece backing.

A finished sheet's thickness typically is referred to as mil thickness; 1 mil equals 0.001 inch. Common mil
thicknesses for these sheet membranes range from 30 mils to 60 mils.

Single-ply membranes can be installed fully adhered, mechanically attached or held down with ballast.
Most single-ply roof systems do not receive surfacings.

In many instances, a combination of attachment methods are used to secure a roof system. For instance,
an insulation may be mechanically attached to the substrate with the roof membrane fully adhered to the
insulation.

1.4.1 Thermoplastic membranes

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  Material and system description
 Material standards
 Warranties

Material and system description

Thermoplastic materials are distinguished from thermoset materials in that there is no chemical
crosslinking. These membranes can be repeatedly softened by heating or hardened when cooled.
Because of the materials' chemical nature, thermoplastic membranes typically are seamed by
heat welding with hot air or solvent welding.

There are five common subcategories of thermoplastic roof membranes.

 Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

 PVC Alloys or Compounded Thermoplastics

o Copolymer Alloy (CPA)
o Ethylene Interpolymer (EIP)
o Nitrile Alloys (NBP)
o Tripolymer Alloy (TPA)
 Thermoplastic Olefin (TPO)
 Chlorinated Polyethylene (CPE)

The most common thermoplastic roof membranes are PVC and TPO. The following provides
general descriptions of these two systems.

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

PVC sheets are produced by calendaring, spread coating or extruding, and typically are
reinforced with polyester or glass-fiber mats or scrim. PVC sheets contain plasticizers and
stabilizers, as well as other additives to impart flexibility and achieve other desired physical
properties. Some membranes are available with nonwoven fleece backing adhered to the
underside of a sheet.

 Sheet widths range from 6 feet to 12 feet wide.

 Sheets are typically 45 mils to 90 mils thick.
 Seams are sealed by heat or chemical welding.
 PVC membranes are produced in numerous colors, though gray and white are the most
common.

Thermoplastic Olefin (TPO)

TPO membranes are produced by calendering with lamination, extrusion with lamination, or
extrusion-coating techniques. TPO sheets are a blend of polypropylene and ethylene propylene
polymers and usually are reinforced with polyester. TPO sheets contain colorant, flame
retardants, UV absorbers and other proprietary substances to achieve desired physical properties.

10
  Sheet widths range from 6 feet to 12 feet wide
 Sheets are typically 40 mils to 100 mils thick
 Seams are sealed by heat welded with hot air
 TPO membranes commonly are white

Example of a TPO roof system

PVC and TPO roof membranes can be installed fully adhered, mechanically attached or
ballasted. Most PVC and TPO membranes do not receive surfacings.

Material standards

NRCA does not make any recommendations about which TP product or manufacturer to use;
however, NRCA does recommend that TP products meet standards established by ASTM
International.

 ASTM D4434, "Standard Specification for Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Sheet Roofing"

 ASTM D6878, "Standard Specification for Thermoplastic Polyolefin Based Sheet
Roofing"

Warranties

When purchasing a new roof system, there will be two warranties to consider. First, there will be
the manufacturer's warranty. In general, these warranties cover defects in the manufacture of the
roof membrane. Please read NRCA's consumer advisory bulletin addressing roofing warranties
for more information. Once the project is complete, be sure the contractor provides you with a
certificate for your records.

Second, the roofing contractor will provide you with a warranty covering his workmanship.
Typically, this will cover installation and related issues. The warranty should contain what items

11
are covered and what will void them. Many contractors offer one year or two years of coverage;
however, there is no industry standard.

1.4.2 Thermoset membranes

 Material and system description

 Material standards
 Warranties

Material and system description

Thermoset membranes incorporate principal polymers that are chemically cross linked or
vulcanized. Membranes that are vulcanized also may be referred to as "cured." One characteristic
of true thermoset polymers is once they are cured, they only can be bonded to simliar materials
with adhesives.

There are five common subcategories of thermoset roof membranes:

 Ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM)

 Chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE)
 Epichlorohydrin (ECH)
 Neoprene (CR)
 Polyisobutylene (PIB)

The most common thermoset roof membrane is EPDM. EPDM principally is composed of two
compounds, ethylene and propylene, that are derived from oil and natural gas. The following are
some characteristics of EPDM roof membranes:

 Sheet widths range from 7.5 feet to 50 feet wide.

 Sheets are typically 45 mils and 60 mils thick.
 Seams are sealed using liquid adhesives or special formulated tape.
 The membranes commonly are black, but white is available.

EPDM roof membranes can be installed fully adhered, mechanically attached (using batten bars)
or ballasted. Most EPDM membranes do not receive surfacings.

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Example of a fully adhered EPDM roof system

Example of a ballasted EPDM roof system

EPDM and polymer-modified bitumen membranes often are confused by consumers because of
colloquialisms used by roofing contractors. Contractors commonly call both of these membranes
"rubber" roofs. However, in most cases, when contractors specify rubber roofs, they are referring
to EPDM.

Material standards

NRCA does not make any recommendations about which TS product or manufacturer to use;
however, NRCA does recommend that TS products meet standards established by ASTM
International.

 ASTM D4637, "Standard Specification for EPDM Sheet Used in Single Ply Roof
Membrane"
 ASTM D4811, "Standard Specification for Nonvulcanized (Uncured) Rubber Sheet Used
as Roof Flashing"

13
  ASTM D7067, "Standard Specification for Reinforced White PIB Sheet Used in Roofing
Membrane"

Warranties

When purchasing a new roof system, there will be two warranties to consider. First, there will be
the manufacturer's warranty. In general, these warranties cover defects in the manufacture of the
roof membrane. Please read NRCA's consumer advisory bulletin addressing roofing warranties
for more information. Once the project is complete, be sure the contractor provides you with a
certificate for your records.

Second, the roofing contractor will provide you with a warranty covering his workmanship.
Typically, this will cover installation and related issues. The warranty should contain what items
are covered and what will void them. Many contractors offer one year or two years of coverage;
however, there is no industry standard.

1.5 Spray polyurethane foam-based (SPF) roof systems

 Material and system description

 Material standards
 Warranties

Material and system description

SPF-based roof systems are constructed by mixing and spraying a two-component liquid that
forms the base of an adhered roof system. SPF can be installed in various thicknesses to provide
slope to drain or meet a specified thermal resistance (R-value). A protective surfacing is then
applied to the foam to provide protection from the elements.

The first component of an SPF-based roof system is rigid, closed cell, spray polyurethane foam
insulation. The foam is composed of two components: isocyanate and polyol. Transfer pumps are
used to get the components to a proportioning unit that properly meters the two at a one to one
ratio and heats and pumps them through dual hoses. The components are mixed at the spray gun,
which is used to apply them to a substrate.

The second component, the protective surfacing, typically is a spray applied elastomeric coating,
though hand and power rollers can be used. The protective surfacing also can be a membrane,
such as a fleece backed thermoset single ply membrane. The purpose of the surfacing is to
provide weatherproofing, protect the foam from UV exposure, provide protection from
mechanical damage and assist with the fire-resistant characteristic of the roof system.

14
The generic types of coatings used on SPF-based roof systems include:

 Acrylic
 Butyl Rubber
 Hypalon™
 Silicone
 Aromatic Polyurethane Elastomer
 Aliphatic Polyurethane Elastomer
 Modified Polyurethane Elastomer

Mineral granules or sand may be broadcast into a coating to provide increased surface durability
and aesthetic value.

The chemicals used to produce polyurethane foam compounds are manufactured or blended to
perform in various temperature ranges. Manufacturers of spray polyurethane foam based roof
systems offer materials in different reaction profiles. Profile change is created by altering the
chemical ingredients, usually with a catalyst, to compensate for ambient temperature changes.
Conditions such as wind speed, sunlight, surface moisture, humidity and temperature of the
substrate can affect the reaction of the polyurethane foam.

Example of an SPF-based roof system

Material standards

NRCA does not make any recommendations about which SPF products or manufacturer to use;
however, NRCA does recommend that SPF products meet standards established by ASTM
International.

15
  ASTM C1029, "Specification for Spray Applied Rigid Cellular Polyurethane Thermal
Insulation"
 ASTM D6083, "Specification for Liquid Applied Acrylic Coating Used in Roofing"
 ASTM D6694, "Standard Specification for Liquid Applied Silicone Coating Used in
Spray Polyurethane Foam Roofing Systems"
 ASTM D6947, "Standard Specification for Liquid Applied Moisture Cured Polyurethane
Coating Used in Spray Polyurethane Foam Roofing System"
 ASTM D7425, "Standard Specification for Spray Polyurethane Foam Used for Roofing
Applications"

Warranties

When purchasing a new roof system, there will be two warranties to consider. First, there will be
the manufacturer's warranty. In general, these warranties cover defects in the manufacture of the
roof membrane. Please read NRCA's consumer advisory bulletin addressing roofing warranties
for more information. Once the project is complete, be sure the contractor provides you with a
certificate for your records.

Second, the roofing contractor will provide you with a warranty covering his workmanship.
Typically, this will cover installation and related issues. The warranty should contain what items
are covered and what will void them. Many contractors offer one year or two years of coverage;
however, there is no industry standard.

16
2. Steep-slope roofing

2.1 Asphalt shingles

 Material description
 Roof deck
 Underlayment
 Fasteners
 Flashings
 Material standards
 Warranties

Material description

Asphalt shingles are composed of: a base material, either organic felt or glass-fiber mat, that
provides support for the weather-resistant components and gives a shingle strength; asphalt and
fillers; and surfacing material, generally in the form of mineral granules, that provides protection
from impact and UV degradation and improves fire resistance.

The most common form of asphalt shingles are strip shingles. They are rectangular, the most
prevalent size being 12 inches wide by 36 inches long. Metric shingles are 13 1/4 inches by 39
3/8 inches. Strip shingles most frequently have three tabs that are exposed along the length of the
shingle for visual effect and are called 3 tab strip shingles.

Shingles may be produced in a single layer or two or more layers. The latter generally are known
as laminated strip shingles, or architectural shingles, and they have a three dimensional
appearance.

Both 3-tab asphalt shingles and laminated asphalt shingles contain a strip of factory applied
adhesive that is activated by the sun's heat after installation and seals each shingle to the next
course. The seal strip also provides much of a shingle's resistance to wind uplift. Shingles with
factory-applied adhesive have a strip of clear polyester film applied to each shingle to prevent
the sealing strips from bonding the shingles together when packaged. When the shingles are
installed, the self-sealing strips will not align with the plastic film strips and will bond to
adjacent shingles. For this reason, the plastic film strips do not have to be removed.

Roof deck

NRCA recommends that asphalt shingles be applied over continuous or closely spaced wood
plank decking or wood decking. The most common materials used for roof decks are plywood or
oriented strand board (OSB). When plywood is used, NRCA recommends the use of a minimum
15/32 thick or 1/2 inch nominal exterior-grade plywood for 16-inch rafter spacings and 5/8 inch
nominal thickness for 24-inch rafter spacings. For OSB, NRCA recommends using a minimum
15/32 inch thick or 1/2 inch nominal exterior-grade OSB for 16-inch rafter spacings.

17
Caution should be exercised when roof decks are constructed out of the following materials:

 Oriented strand board (OSB): NRCA is concerned with potential fastener-holding

problems and dimensional stability because of the effects of moisture where OSB and
other nonveneer products are used as roof decking.
 Preservative-treated wood: Many roofing material manufacturers recommend wood roof
decks be constructed with wood that has been treated with a nonoil preservative pressure
treatment or with nontreated air- or kiln-dried lumber.
 Fire-retardant-treated wood: Because of the deterioration of some fire-retardant-treated
wood panels caused by premature fire retardant activation caused by heat history in
service, the use of fire-retardant-treated wood panel decks should be carefully considered.

Underlayment
Underlayment (or "felt paper" as it is frequently called) is installed over the roof deck before the
application of asphalt shingles. An underlayment performs two primary functions: it provides
temporary weather protection until the asphalt shingles are installed, and it provides a secondary
weatherproofing barrier if moisture infiltrates the asphalt shingles.

It is not uncommon for it to rain after the contractor installs underlayment but before he installs
the asphalt shingles. The underlayment gets wet and becomes wrinkled. If the wrinkling isn't
severe enough to affect the shingle installation (i.e. the wrinkling won't telegraph through the
shingles and they won't appear buckled or wavy once installed), the underlayment probably can
remain in place. The effects of wrinkling also will be minimized by using heavier weight
shingles.

Asphalt saturated, nonperforated organic felts are among the most common underlayments used
for shingles; they commonly are designated as Type 15 and Type 30 or referred to as No. 15 and
No. 30, which are reflective of a once used pound per square weight designation. The terms Type
I and Type II now are used within the industry in lieu of No. 15 or No. 30, respectively.

Another type of underlayment is a synthetic underlayment. It is characterized as being

lightweight, water-resistant and less likely to wrinkle; having high tear strength; and being easy
to walk on—even when wet. Theoretically, the product may be left exposed to the elements for
extended periods of time. Although synthetic underlayments and their purported attributes seem
appealing, there are significant issues to consider before using them. To date, there are no
applicable ASTM standards for these products. Many synthetic underlayments do not meet
current building code requirements, so manufacturers need to obtain a code evaluation report for
code compliance. And use of these underlayments may void some manufacturers' material
warranties for certain roof coverings (such as with asphalt shingles).

NRCA recommends a minimum of one layer of No. 15 asphalt-saturated felt applied horizontally
in shingle fashion on roof decks having a slope of 4:12 (18 degrees) or more. For roof decks
having slopes of 3:12 (14 degrees) up to 4:12 (18 degrees), a minimum of two layers of No. 15
asphalt-saturated underlayment should be applied horizontally in shingle fashion. It should be
noted that one layer of No. 30 asphalt-saturated underlayment is not the same as two layers of
No. 15.

18
In locations where the average temperature for January is 30° F or less, NRCA suggests
installation of an ice-dam protection membrane. An ice-dam protection membrane generally is a
self-adhering polymer-modified bitumen membrane.

An ice dam protection membrane should be applied starting at a roof's eaves and extending
upslope a minimum of 24 inches from the exterior wall line of a building. For slopes less than
4:12 (18 degrees), NRCA recommends a minimum of 36 inches. See Figure 1.

Figure 1—Example of ice damming

Fasteners

NRCA recommends roofing nails be 11-gauge or 12-gauge galvanized steel or the equivalent
corrosion-resistant roofing nails. Nail heads should be low-profile, smooth and flat. Shanks
should be barbed or otherwise deformed for added pull-out strength. Nails should be long
enough to penetrate through all layers of roofing materials and extend through the underside of
the roof deck or penetrate at least 3/4 inch into wood plank or board decks.

Flashings

Flashings for asphalt shingle roof systems fall into four categories: perimeter edge metal,
penetrations, valleys and vertical surfaces. See Figure 2.

 Perimeter edge metal: Depending on the severity of climate, anticipated rainfall and
freeze-thaw cycling, the use of perimeter edge metal should be considered.
 Penetrations: Plumbing soil stacks, exhaust vents and pipes are flashed into asphalt
shingle roof systems with some type of flat flange that extends around a penetration and
is installed under shingles on the upslope of a flange.
 Valleys: Valleys that are called "open valleys" are typically lined with sheet metal.
 Vertical surfaces: When a roof system abuts a vertical surface, there are four types of
flashing commonly used: apron, step, cricket (or backer) and counterflashing.

19
Figure 2—Basic sheet metal flashing components

Apron, step and cricket flashings require some form of counterflashing to cover and protect the
top edges from water intrusion. In many cases, the wall covering or cladding material acts as
counterflashing. When this does not occur, a metal counterflashing mounted to the vertical
surface should be installed. See Figures 3, 4 and 5 for examples.

Figure 3—Example of metal counterflashing inset in masonry mortar joint

20
Figure 4—Example of through-wall metal counterflashing embedded in masonry mortar joint

Figure 5—Example of surface-mount metal counterflashing

Material standards

NRCA does not make any recommendations about which shingle product or manufacturer to
use; however, NRCA does recommend asphalt shingles meet standards established by ASTM
International.

 Organic asphalt shingles should meet ASTM D225, "Standard Specification for Asphalt
Shingles (Organic Felt) Surfaced With Mineral Granules."
 Fiberglass asphalt shingles should meet ASTM D3462, "Standard Specification for
Asphalt Shingles Made from Glass Felt and Surfaced with Mineral Granules."

Warranties

When purchasing a new roof system, there will be two warranties to consider. First, there will be
the manufacturer's warranty. In general, these warranties cover defects in the manufacture of the

21
roof covering. The period of coverage can range from 20 years to a lifetime. Please read NRCA's
consumer advisory bulletin addressing roofing warranties for more information. Once the project
is complete, be sure the contractor provides you with a certificate for your records.

Second, the roofing contractor will provide you with a warranty covering his workmanship.
Typically, this will cover installation and related issues. The warranty should contain what items
are covered and what will void them. Many contractors offer one year or two years of coverage;
however, there is no industry standard.

2.2 Clay tile and concrete tile

 Material description
 Roof deck
 Underlayment
 Securement methods
 Flashings
 Material standards
 Warranties

Material description

Clay tile is produced by baking molded clay into tile. The density of the clay is determined by
the length of time and temperature at which it is heated. Tiles may be glazed and also may have
surface texture treatments applied. As a result, there are a wide variety of tile profiles, styles,
finishes and colors available. In addition, there may be separate accessory tiles—matched to each
field tile design—of various shapes designed for use on ridges, hips, hip intersections and gable
ends. Installation methods depend on the nature of the tile being installed; that is, whether it is
two piece, one piece, interlocking or flat.

Example of a clay tile roof

22
Concrete tiles are made of portland cement, sand and water in varying proportions. The material
is mixed and extruded on molds under high pressure. The exposed surface of a tile may be
finished with cementitious material colored with synthetic oxide additives. The tiles are cured to
reach the required strength. They generally have lugs on their undersides for anchoring to batten
strips. There are additional waterlocks or interlocking ribs on the longitudinal edges that impede
movement and prevent water infiltration.

As with clay tile, there are a wide variety of profiles, styles, finishes and colors available. Color
may be added to the surface of a tile or dispersed throughout (color through). Special texture
may be added in surface treatment. Each type of tile roof system may make use of separate ridge,
hip, hip intersection, gable end and finial accessory tiles of various shapes in addition to field
tiles.

Roof deck

NRCA recommends tile roof systems be applied over continuous wood decking. When plywood
is used, NRCA recommends the use of a minimum 5/8 thick nominal exterior-grade plywood.

Caution should be exercised when roof decks are constructed out of the following materials:

 Oriented strand board (OSB): NRCA is concerned with potential fastener-holding

problems and dimensional stability because of the effects of moisture where OSB and
other nonveneer products are used as roof decking.
 Preservative-treated wood: Many roofing material manufacturers recommend wood roof
decks be constructed with wood that has been treated with a nonoil preservative pressure
treatment or with nontreated air- or kiln-dried lumber.
 Fire-retardant-treated wood: Because of the deterioration of some fire-retardant-treated
wood panels caused by premature fire retardant activation caused by heat history in
service, the use of fire-retardant-treated wood panel decks should be carefully considered.

For some types of tile roofs, batten and counter-batten systems are used to hang tile that has head
lugs. Battens are spaced according to the length and exposure of the specified tile. Battens should
be fastened to the deck with 8d common, galvanized, corrosion-resistant nails at approximately
12 inches on center.

Underlayment

Underlayment (or "felt paper" as it is frequently called) is installed over the roof deck before the
application of tile. An underlayment performs two primary functions: it provides temporary
weather protection until the tile is installed, and it provides a secondary weatherproofing barrier
if moisture infiltrates the tile roof covering. Many tile roofs have outlived the underlayment felts
over which they were installed. Therefore, an underlayment's service life should be comparable
to the design service life of the tile roof covering.

23
Asphalt saturated, nonperforated organic felts are among the most common underlayments; they
commonly are designated as Type 15 and Type 30 or referred to as No. 15 and No. 30, which are
reflective of a once used pound per square weight designation. The terms Type I and Type II
now are used within the industry in lieu of No. 15 or No. 30, respectively.

Another type of underlayment is a synthetic underlayment. It is characterized as being

lightweight, water-resistant and less likely to wrinkle; having high tear strength; and being easy
to walk on—even when wet. Theoretically, the product may be left exposed to the elements for
extended periods of time. Although synthetic underlayments and their purported attributes seem
appealing, there are significant issues to consider before using them. To date, there are no
applicable ASTM standards for these products. Many synthetic underlayments do not meet
current building code requirements, so manufacturers need to obtain a code evaluation report for
code compliance.

NRCA recommends a minimum of one layer of No. 30 asphalt-saturated felt applied horizontally
in shingle fashion on roof decks having a slope of 10:12 (40 degrees) or more. For roof decks
having slopes of 4:12 (18 degrees) up to 10:12 (40 degrees), a minimum of two layers of No. 30
asphalt-saturated underlayment should be applied horizontally in shingle fashion. NRCA does
not recommend installing tile roof systems on roof slopes less than 4:12 (18 degrees).

In locations where the average temperature for January is 30º F or less, NRCA suggests
installation of an ice-dam protection membrane. An ice-dam protection membrane generally is a
self-adhering polymer-modified bitumen membrane.

An ice dam protection membrane should be applied starting at a roof's eaves and extending
upslope a minimum of 24 inches from the exterior wall line of a building. For slopes less than
4:12 (18 degrees), NRCA recommends a minimum of 36 inches. See Figure 1.

Figure 1—Example of ice damming

Securement methods

24
Many different types and combinations of securement methods are used for the various types of
roof tile. To select a method of securement, many conditions need to be considered: wind, deck
type, seismic considerations, slope, building codes, local practices and manufacturer
recommendations. Fasteners should be made of noncorrosive materials that will remain
serviceable in the intended environment for the roof's design life.

 Nails—Nailing is the most common method. NRCA recommends that roofing nails be
11- gauge or 12-gauge galvanized steel or the equivalent corrosion-resistant roofing nails.
Nail heads should be low-profile, smooth and flat. Shanks should be barbed or otherwise
deformed for added pull-out strength. Nails should be long enough to penetrate through
all layers of roofing materials and extend through the underside of the roof deck or
penetrate at least 3/4 inch into wood plank or board decks.
 Wire tie and strapping systems—Hanging tile with wire is used on non-nailable decks,
insulated decks or where fastening through metal flashings needs to be avoided.
 Clips—Nose or butt clips sometimes are used in conjunction with other attachment
methods in high-wind or seismic areas.
 Lug-hung-tile—Many types of tile have formed undersides near their heads that may be
hung over a batten. Lug hanging tile usually is used in combination with other
securement methods.
 Bedding Tile—Laying tile in a bed of mortar of foam adhesive is common in some areas
of North America where freeze/thaw conditions are not encountered. Bedding often is
used in combination with other securement methods.

Flashings

Flashings for tile roofs fall into four categories: perimeter edge metal, penetrations, valleys and
vertical surfaces. See Figure 2.

 Perimeter edge metal-depending on the severity of climate, anticipated rainfall and

freeze-thaw cycling, the use of perimeter edge metal should be considered.
 Penetrations-plumbing soil stacks, exhaust vents and pipes are flashed into tile roof
systems with some type of flat flange that extends around a penetration and is installed
under shingles on the upslope of a flange.
 Valleys-valleys that are called "open valleys" are typically lined with sheet metal.
 Vertical surfaces-when a roof system abuts a vertical surface, there are four types of
flashing commonly used: apron, step, cricket (or backer) and counterflashing.

25
Figure 2—Basic sheet metal flashing components

Apron, step and cricket flashings require some form of counterflashing to cover and protect the
top edges from water intrusion. In many cases, the wall covering or cladding material acts as
counterflashing. When this does not occur, a metal counterflashing mounted to the vertical
surface should be installed. See Figures 3, 4 and 5 for examples.

Figure 3—Example of metal counterflashing inset in masonry mortar joint

26
Figure 4—Example of through-wall metal counterflashing embedded in masonry mortar joint

Figure 5—Example of surface-mount metal counterflashing

Material standards

Material standards NRCA does not make any recommendations about which tile or manufacturer
to use; however, NRCA does recommend clay tile roof coverings meet standards established by
ASTM International.

 ASTM C1167, "Standard Specification for Clay Roof Tiles"

 ASTM C1492, "Standard Specification for Concrete Roof Tile"

Warranties

When purchasing a new roof system, there will be two warranties to consider. First, there will be
the manufacturer's warranty. In general, these warranties cover defects in the manufacture of the
roof covering. Please read NRCA's consumer advisory bulletin addressing roofing warranties for
more information. Once the project is complete, be sure the contractor provides you with a

27
certificate for your records.

Second, the roofing contractor will provide you with a warranty covering his workmanship.
Typically, this will cover installation and related issues. The warranty should contain what items
are covered and what will void them. Many companies offer one year or two years of coverage;
however, there is no industry standard.

2.3 Metal roof systems for steep-slope applications

 Metal roof systems description

 Seam types
 Roof deck
 Underlayment
 Vapor retarders, insulation and ventilation
 Material standards
 Warranties

Metal roof systems description

There are three general categories of metal roof systems used for steep-slope roofing
applications: architectural metal panel, structural metal panel and metal shingle/shingle panels.
Generally, architectural metal panel roof systems are watershedding and are intended for use on
steep slope roofs. Structural metal panel roof systems are used on low and steep slope roofs.
Structural metal panel roof systems can be used on low slope roofs because of their hydrostatic,
or water barrier, characteristics.

Because architectural metal panel roof systems typically are designed to be used on steep slopes
that will shed water rapidly over the metal panels' surface, the seams typically are not watertight.
Many architectural metal roof systems are well suited for use on roof slopes of 3 inches per foot
(14 degrees) or greater. One exception to the general slope guidelines for architectural metal
panel roof systems is the traditional flat seamed, soldered or welded metal roof system, such as
copper. It may be specified on slopes less than 3 inches per foot (14 degrees). Solid roof
sheathing, or decking, is required for architectural metal panel roof systems, and NRCA
recommends using underlayment.

28
Example of an architectural metal panel roof system

Most structural metal panel roof systems are designed to resist the passage of water at laps and
other joints, as sealant or anti capillary designs can be used in the seams. Structural metal panel
roof systems possess strength characteristics that allow them to span supporting members.

Example of a structural metal panel roof system

Metal shingles and shingle panels are available in numerous varieties for use as steep-slope roof
coverings. Most of the metal shingles are press-formed during the manufacturing process to
provide a variety of shapes. These products can take the shape of individual or multiple asphalt,
tile, slate or wood shingle configurations.

29
Seam types

There are many categories of metal panels. The term standing seam often is used as a generic
description for a class of metal roof seams. The name standing seam is derived from the fact that
the seams are joined together above the panel flats. The term also is used to refer to a panel
profile that includes a standing seam: the vertical leg/flat pan and the trapezoidal seam. The
trapezoidal standing seam is more commonly associated with structural metal panels. Other
panel types are batten, flat, bermuda and shingled.

The original batten seam consisted of vertical leg panels placed between wood batten strips and
covered with a cap. Today, many batten seam panels are constructed entirely of metal. Because
they are designed to shed water, batten seam panels primarily are used in architectural
applications.

Example of standing seam profiles

A flat seam is created with individual panels applied in a shingled application. One panel edge is
folded back on top of itself; the other panel is folded under, and the two panels are hooked
together. Again, because flat panels are considered watershedding, they are more commonly
found in architectural installations. Some flat seam panel systems, such as copper, are commonly
soldered, which allows them to perform on less steep slopes.

30
Example of a flat seam

Roof deck

Architectural metal panel roof systems and structural metal panel roof systems are installed over
a large variety of substrates. There are two general categories of substrates: continuous or closely
spaced decking that provides solid support for the metal roof panel, and the other is composed of
spaced structural supports (such as purlins) where the metal panels must span between supports.
Most structural metal panels are used over spaced structural supports without being supported by
a solid roof deck.

Metal shingles and metal shingle panels should be installed over continuous or closely spaced
wood decking, furring strips, or metal or wood purlins using a batten or counter-batten system.
These roof coverings typically are considered to be watershedding roof systems, so the roof
slope should be 3:12 (14 degrees) or greater.

Underlayment

Underlayment (or "felt paper" as it is frequently called) is installed over the roof deck before the
application of a metal roof system. An underlayment performs two primary functions: it provides
temporary weather protection until the metal roof system is installed, and it provides a secondary
weatherproofing barrier if moisture infiltrates the metal roof panels.

Asphalt saturated, nonperforated organic felts are among the most common underlayments; they
commonly are designated as Type 15 and Type 30 or referred to as No. 15 and No. 30, which are
reflective of a once used pound per square weight designation. The terms Type I and Type II
now are used within the industry in lieu of No. 15 or No. 30, respectively.

For metal panel roof systems, metal shingles and metal shingle panels, NRCA recommends a
minimum of one layer of No. 30 asphalt-saturated felt applied horizontally in shingle fashion on
roof decks having a slope of 4:12 (18 degrees) or more. For roof decks having slopes of 3:12 (14
degrees) up to 4:12 (18 degrees), a minimum of two layers of No. 30 asphalt-saturated
underlayment should be applied horizontally in shingle fashion.

Underlayments typically are not used with structural metal panel roof systems when intermittent
supports are used to carry the roof systems. However, if there is a continuous or closely spaced

31
roof deck, NRCA recommends an underlayment be installed.

In locations where the average temperature for January is 30º F or less, NRCA suggests
installation of an ice-dam protection membrane. An ice-dam protection membrane generally is a
self-adhering polymer-modified bitumen membrane.

An ice dam protection membrane should be applied starting at a roof's eaves and extending
upslope a minimum of 24 inches from the exterior wall line of a building. For slopes less than
4:12 (18 degrees), a minimum of 36 inches is recommended. See Figure 1.

Figure 1—Example of ice damming

NRCA also recommends a slip sheet be installed over the underlayment for metal panel roof
systems. A slip sheet is a layer of smooth building paper, such as rosin-sized or unsaturated
building paper. Its purpose is to protect the underlayment from damage, as the panels can adhere
to and tear the underlayment.

Vapor retarders, insulation and ventilation

Condensation should be expected to develop on the undersides of metal roof panels. Careful
consideration should be paid to vapor retarder, insulation and ventilation issues. Because every
building is in some way unique, building owners and designers may need to consult moisture-
control specialists.

Material standards

NRCA does not make any recommendations about which product or manufacturer to use;
however, NRCA does recommend that metal roof systems meet standards established by ASTM
International.

 ASTM E1514, "Standard Specification for Structural Standing Seam Steel Roof Panel
Systems"

32
  ASTM E1637, "Standard Specification for Structural Standing Seam Aluminum Roof
Panel Systems"

Warranties

When purchasing a new roof system, there will be two warranties to consider. First, there will be
the manufacturer's warranty. In general, these warranties cover defects in the manufacture of the
roof covering. In the case of metal roof systems, manufacturers tend to cover only the metal
finishes or coatings. Please read NRCA's consumer advisory bulletin addressing roofing
warranties for more information. Once the project is complete, be sure the contractor provides
you with a certificate for your records.

Second, the roofing contractor will provide you with a warranty covering his workmanship.
Typically, this will cover installation and related issues. The warranty should contain what items
are covered and what will void them. Many contractors offer one year or two years of coverage;
however, there is no industry standard.

2.4 Slate

 Material description
 Roof deck
 Underlayment
 Fasteners
 Flashings
 Material standards
 Warranties

Material description

Roofing slate is a dense, durable, naturally occurring material that is essentially nonabsorbent.
Two properties of slate are cleavage and fracture. It has natural cleavage, which permits it to be
easily split in one direction. Fracture, usually occurring at right angles to the cleavage, is called
the grain. Roofing slate commonly is split so the length of the slate runs in the direction of the
grain. The surface texture of slate after being split for commercial use derives from the
characteristics of the rock from which it was quarried. Some slate splits to a smooth, practically
even surface, while other yields a surface that is rough and uneven.

The color of slate is determined by its chemical and mineral composition. Because these factors
differ in various regions, roofing slate can be obtained in a variety of colors. In addition,
exposure to weather causes slate to change color. The degree of change varies depending on the
slate. Slate exhibiting minimal color change is known as "permanent" or "unfading" slate. Slate
that shows a more marked color change is known as "weathering" slate. Between unfading slate
and weathering is "semi weathering" slate.

33
Example of a slate roof system

There are several classifications for slate roof systems. The first is standard slate, which refers to
slate that generally is from 3/16 inch (5 mm) to 1/4 inch (6 mm) thick with uniform length. The
category "standard smooth" refers to standard slate that has a relatively smooth surface, in
comparison with "standard rough" or just "rough". Rough slate has a rougher texture and
generally is available in thicker pieces. Finally, there is "graduated/textural slate," which is
designed with varying lengths and thicknesses and generally is rougher than standard slates.

Roof deck

NRCA recommends slate be applied over continuous or closely spaced wood decking. When
plywood is used, NRCA recommends the use of a minimum 5/8 thick nominal exterior-grade
plywood.

Caution should be exercised when roof decks are constructed out of the following materials:

 Oriented strand board (OSB): NRCA is concerned with potential fastener-holding

problems and dimensional stability because of the effects of moisture where OSB and
other nonveneer products are used as roof decking.
 Preservative-treated wood: Many roofing material manufacturers recommend wood roof
decks be constructed with wood that has been treated with a nonoil preservative pressure
treatment or with nontreated air- or kiln-dried lumber.
 Fire-retardant-treated wood: Because of the deterioration of some fire-retardant-treated
wood panels caused by premature fire retardant activation caused by heat history in
service, the use of fire-retardant-treated wood panel decks should be carefully considered.

34
Underlayment

Underlayment (or "felt paper" as it is frequently called) is installed over the roof deck before the
application of slate. An underlayment performs two primary functions: it provides temporary
weather protection until the slate is installed, and it provides a secondary weatherproofing barrier
if moisture infiltrates the slate roof covering. Many slate roofs have outlived the underlayment
felts over which they were installed. Therefore, an underlayment's service life should be
comparable to the design service life of the slate roof covering.

Asphalt saturated, nonperforated organic felts are among the most common underlayments; they
commonly are designated as Type 15 and Type 30 or referred to as No. 15 and No. 30, which are
reflective of a once used pound per square weight designation. The terms Type I and Type II
now are used within the industry in lieu of No. 15 or No. 30, respectively.

Another type of underlayment is a synthetic underlayment. It is characterized as being

lightweight, water-resistant and less likely to wrinkle; having high tear strength; and being easy
to walk on—even when wet. Theoretically, the product may be left exposed to the elements for
extended periods of time. Although synthetic underlayments and their purported attributes seem
appealing, there are significant issues to consider before using them. To date, there are no
applicable ASTM standards for these products. Many synthetic underlayments do not meet
current building code requirements, so manufacturers need to obtain a code evaluation report for
code compliance.

NRCA recommends a minimum of one layer of No. 30 asphalt-saturated felt applied horizontally
in shingle fashion on roof decks having a slope of 8:12 (34 degrees) or more. Where weather
conditions are severe and hard wind-driven rains are common, NRCA recommends a minimum
of two layers of No. 30 asphalt-saturated felt applied horizontally in shingle fashion. For roof
slopes of 4:12 (18 degrees) to 8:12 (34 degrees), a minimum of two layers of No. 30 asphalt-
saturated felt are recommended as long as standard-size slate with 3-inch minimum headlap is
used. NRCA does not recommend installing slate roof systems on roof slopes less than 4:12 (18
degrees).

In locations where the average temperature for January is 30º F or less, NRCA suggests
installation of an ice-dam protection membrane. An ice-dam protection membrane generally is a
self-adhering polymer-modified bitumen membrane.

An ice dam protection membrane should be applied starting at a roof's eaves and extending
upslope a minimum of 24 inches from the exterior wall line of a building. For slopes less than
4:12 (18 degrees), a minimum of 36 inches is recommended. See Figure 1.

35
Figure 1—Example of ice damming

Fasteners

NRCA suggests the use of copper slating nails for slate. NRCA does not recommend unprotected
black-iron and electroplated nails. NRCA recommends nails for standard-sized slate are sharp-
point, 3/8 inch large flat head, copper-wire slating nails. Nails should be long enough to
penetrate through all layers of roofing materials and extend through the underside of the roof
deck or penetrate at least 3/4 inch into wood plank or board decks. All roofing slate should have
a minimum of two nails, however, slate subject to high-wind conditions and/or thicker slate
should be fastened with four nails.

Flashings

Flashings for slate roofs fall into four categories: perimeter edge metal, penetrations, valleys and
vertical surfaces. See Figure 2.

 Perimeter edge metal: Depending on the severity of climate, anticipated rainfall and
freeze-thaw cycling, the use of perimeter edge metal should be considered.
 Penetrations: Plumbing soil stacks, exhaust vents and pipes are flashed into slate roof
systems with some type of flat flange that extends around a penetration and is installed
under shingles on the upslope of a flange.
 Valleys: Valleys that are called "open valleys" are typically lined with sheet metal.
 Vertical surfaces: When a roof system abuts a vertical surface, there are four types of
flashing commonly used: apron, step, cricket (or backer) and counterflashing.

36
Figure 2—Basic sheet metal flashing components

Apron, step and cricket flashings require some form of counterflashing to cover and protect the
top edges from water intrusion. In many cases, the wall covering or cladding material acts as
counterflashing. When this does not occur, a metal counterflashing mounted to the vertical
surface should be installed. See Figures 3, 4 and 5 for examples.

Figure 3—Example of through-wall metal counterflashing inset in masonry mortar joint

37
Figure 4—Example of metal counterflashing embedded in masonry mortar joint

Figure 5—Example of surface-mount metal counterflashing

Material standards

NRCA does not make any recommendations about which tile or manufacturer to use; however,
NRCA does recommend clay tile roof coverings meet standards established by ASTM
International.

 ASTM C406, "Standard Specification for Roofing Slate"

Warranties

When purchasing a new roof system, there will be two warranties to consider. First, there will be
the manufacturer's warranty. In general, these warranties cover defects in the manufacture of the

38
roof covering or in the case of slate, failure in the slate itself. Please read NRCA's consumer
advisory bulletin addressing roofing warranties for more information. Once the project is
complete, be sure the contractor provides you with a certificate for your records.

Second, the roofing contractor will provide you with a warranty covering his workmanship.
Typically, this will cover installation and related issues. The warranty should contain what items
are covered and what will void them. Many contractors offer one year or two years of coverage;
however, there is no industry standard.

2.5 Wood shakes and wood shingles

 Material description
 Roof deck
 Underlayment and interlayment
 Fasteners
 Flashings
 Material standards
 Warranties

Material description

Wood shakes and wood shingles are manufactured from western red cedar, cypress, pine and
redwood trees. Shakes are split from logs and reshaped by manufacturers for commercial use.
They are thicker at the butt end than shingles; generally one or both surfaces are split to obtain a
textured effect. A split and resawn shake has a split face and sawn back. A taper sawn shake has
a natural taper and is sawn on both sides. Wood shingles are sawn on both sides and have an
even taper and uniform thickness. When applied to shingles, the industry terms "Perfection" and
"Royal" mean 18 inch and 24 inch lengths, respectively.

Cedar shakes and cedar shingles are available pressure treated with fire retardants and chemical
preservatives for increased fire resistance and to prevent premature rot and decay in some
climates.

Pine shakes are made from southern yellow pine and are taper sawn. They also are available
pressure treated with preservatives to protect against decay and insects. Interlayment felts are
required for pine shakes.

Roof deck

Wood roof systems may be applied over continuously or closely spaced wood decking or over a
spaced, sometimes referred to as "skipped," sheathing. Solid roof decking or sheathing should be
used in areas of the roof deck where an ice dam protection membrane is required.

The most common materials used for roof decks are plywood or oriented strand board (OSB).
When plywood is used, NRCA recommends the use of a minimum 15/32 thick or 1/2 inch

39
nominal exterior-grade plywood for 16-inch rafter spacings and 5/8 inch nominal thickness for
24-inch rafter spacings. For OSB, NRCA recommends a minimum 15/32 inch thick or 1/2 inch
nominal exterior-grade OSB for 16-inch rafter spacings.

Caution should be exercised when roof decks are constructed out of the following materials:

 Oriented strand board (OSB): NRCA is concerned with potential fastener-holding

problems and dimensional stability because of the effects of moisture where OSB and
other nonveneer products are used as roof decking.
 Preservative-treated wood: Many roofing material manufacturers recommend wood roof
decks be constructed with wood that has been treated with a nonoil preservative pressure
treatment or with nontreated air- or kiln-dried lumber.
 Fire-retardant-treated wood: Because of the deterioration of some fire-retardant-treated
wood panels caused by premature fire retardant activation caused by heat history in
service the use of fire-retardant-treated wood panel decks should be carefully considered.

Underlayment and interlayment

Asphalt saturated, nonperforated organic felts are among the most common underlayments used
for wood shakes and wood shingles; they commonly are designated as Type 15 and Type 30 or
referred to as No. 15 and No. 30, which are reflective of a once used pound per square weight
designation. The terms Type I and Type II now are used within the industry in lieu of No. 15 or
No. 30, respectively.

When underlayment (or "felt paper" as it is frequently called) is specified, No. 15 or No. 30
asphalt-saturated, nonperforated felt should be applied shingle fashion on roof decks having a
slope of 4:12 (18 degrees) or more. NRCA does not recommend using wood shakes and wood
shingles on slopes less than 4:12 (18 degrees).

In the case of wood shakes, these sheets are produced in 18 inch (450 mm) widths as
"interlayment" felts; that is, they are applied between courses of wood shakes rather than directly
over a substrate. See Figure 1.

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Figure 1—Example of a wood shake roof system with underlayment and interlayment

In locations where the average temperature for January is 30º F or less, NRCA suggests
installation of an ice-dam protection membrane. An ice-dam protection membrane generally is a
self-adhering polymer-modified bitumen membrane.

An ice dam protection membrane should be applied starting at a roof's eaves and extending
upslope a minimum of 24 inches from the exterior wall line of a building. For slopes less than
4:12 (18 degrees), NRCA recommends a minimum of 36 inches. See Figure 2.

Figure 2—Example of ice damming

Fasteners

Wood roofing may be attached to a roof deck with noncorroding, galvanized steel or stainless
steel nails or noncorroding metal staples. A minimum of two fasteners should be used to attach
each shake or shingle. Nails should be long enough to penetrate through all layers of roofing
materials and extend through the underside of the roof deck or penetrate at least 3/4 inch into
wood plank or board decks.

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Flashings

Flashings for wood roof systems fall into four categories: perimeter edge metal, penetrations,
valleys and vertical surfaces.

 Perimeter edge metal: Depending on the severity of climate, anticipated rainfall and
freeze-thaw cycling, the use of perimeter edge metal should be considered.
 Penetrations: Plumbing soil stacks, exhaust vents and pipes are flashed into wood roof
systems with some type of flat flange that extends around a penetration and is installed
under shingles on the upslope of a flange.
 Valleys: Valleys that are called "open valleys" are typically lined with sheet metal.
 Vertical surfaces: When a roof system abuts a vertical surface, there are four types of
flashing commonly used: apron, step, cricket (or backer) and counterflashing.

Apron, step and cricket flashings require some form of counterflashing to cover and protect the
top edges from water intrusion. In many cases, the wall covering or cladding material acts as
counterflashing. When this does not occur, a metal counterflashing mounted to the vertical
surface should be installed. See Figures 3, 4 and 5 for examples.

Figure 3—Example of through-wall metal counterflashing inset in masonry mortar joint

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Figure 4—Example of through-wall metal counterflashing embedded in masonry mortar joint

Figure 5—Example of surface-mount metal counterflashing

Material standards

NRCA does not make any recommendations about which shake or shingle products or
manufacturers to use. There are no ASTM standards for wood roof coverings; however there are

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standards for grading. Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau (CSSB) Standard CSSB-97 contains
grading rules for wood shakes and wood shingles. NRCA recommends that cedar shakes and
cedar shingles be a minimum No. 1 grade, which requires 100 percent edge grain, clear
heartwood and no face defects.

Warranties

When purchasing a new roof system, there will be two warranties to consider. First, there will be
the manufacturer's warranty. In general, these warranties cover failures in the roof covering
product. Please read NRCA's consumer advisory bulletin addressing roofing warranties for more
information. Once the project is complete, be sure the contractor provides you with a certificate
for your records.

Second, the roofing contractor will provide you with a warranty covering his workmanship.
Typically, this will cover installation and related issues. The warranty should contain what items
are covered and what will void them. Many contractors offer one year or two years of coverage;
however, there is no industry standard.

2.6 Synthetic

 Material description
 Material standards

Material description

"Synthetic" as it pertains to steep-slope roofing materials refers to manufactured products that

replicate asphalt shingles, concrete tile, clay tile, metal panels, slate, wood shakes and wood
shingles. Synthetic roof coverings contain recycled plastic and/or rubber as a key ingredient.
These products have been available since 1993.

There are some advantages to using synthetic roof coverings when compared to their traditional
counterparts. Synthetic slate, or "fake slate," for example, weighs substantially less than natural
slate. The reduction in weight allows synthetic slate to be installed over conventional roof decks.
Some synthetic products purport to be hail-, mold- and algae-resistant. Several synthetic cedar
shake and cedar shingle manufacturers claim a labor savings, because fire-retardants or anti-
algae coatings do not have to be applied to the product.

Despite the benefits, there are some significant drawbacks. Synthetic roof coverings are
relatively new and there isn't a proven track record about their performance. Most synthetic
products are manufactured with dyes or coloring agents and it is unknown whether these
products will fade because of ultra-violet exposure and weathering. It also is unknown whether

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these products will become more brittle or less flexible over time. And most important, model
building codes do not recognize any synthetic roof coverings. You need to check with your local
building department before installing these products. Because of these reasons, caution should be
exercised when using synthetic roof covering products.

Material standards

Currently, there are no ASTM International standards for synthetic steep-slope roof covering
products.

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