Hi,
I’ll bet you guys see these types of posts/threads all the time and as soon as your read this first few words you’ve said to yourself: oh great, another one. :roll:
…but I do hope that you will be kind enough to shed some light on a few things for me.
Spent the last few days reading my eyes out, but still unsure where and how to start.
We just bought this place (see pix below) little over a year ago. Knew the roof was old, but it was in tact. We really want to replace it - but I really want this to be done right. If I had the time I would learn the craft myself and do it, but this is not something I can start and stop at my leisure or do in pieces while I “try” a thing or two.
Got friends who “did roofs” before and are willing to do it with me…but as you can imagine that all sounds good on paper. Been talking about this for about a year and “we” didn’t do a thing yet. The more I even thought about trying to do it this way-the more I am against it (…all I need is a new father to fall off my roof and break his neck, right? )
I can refinish my floors, install windows, move walls, replace water heaters, do gas lines, build performance cars, run networks and design datacenters…but I’d rather see this done the right way and leave this particular project to the pros. So, with all this in mind, I’d like to ask you guys for your opinions, advice and a few words of wisdom.
House details:
Location: Central NJ (Morganville)
Type: 2 story colonial, easily walkable roof (haven’t determined the pitch yet)
Roof age: unknown but I’d say easily over 10
Shingle layers: 2
Current roof construction: plywood, paper, old layer, newer layer
Shingle condition: all there, still pliable, but begin to look warn out
Problems:
-past: a 4x4 section rotted out due to incorrect nail placement (I did a 1st time homeowner special…and fixed it, so far so good-replaced a 8x8 section, complete with paper and 2 layers)
-present: another 4x4 section in a far north-east corner is starting to rot
Size/measurements: will fill these in as soon as the rain stops (in the mean time look @ the sat. photo)
Current ventilation: 1 open gable on the southern side of the house (intake); 1 gable on the northern side with a power fan…which has manual control-thus it runs very infrequently
Soffit: solid (no vents); not sure if applicable
I want to have the 2 layers removed, whatever rotting/damaged wood replaced and a new roof installed - along with proper ventilation!
…and ventilation is the main issue for me at this very moment. Read a ton about ridge, and other venting methods, see houses with and without everywhere…but what is the better option in my case?
I had only 1 roof come out for an estimate a few weeks ago. My neighbor was having his roof redone, and I stopped by, BSsed for a few, and asked about “his guy.” Had him cove over for an estimate. Came out to $4300 (I’ll post details/copy when I get a chance). I asked (little informed and educated at he time) about ridge venting…but he said regular square vents every few feet plus a power/solar fan in the middle would do the job. Said he wouldn’t recommend a ridge vent for my house (he didn’t put one on the neighbor’s either). I thanked for his opinions and the estimate and we parted ways…for now. The neighbor stands by his guy (2 man crew who do their own jobs, over 10 year experience) and says he knows a lot of people and did a lot of research himself. His new roof, to my untrained eye, looks wonderful from the street level.
We’d like to remain in this house for quite some time (have kids to think of next, and we kinda skipped the ‘1st time homebuyer’ level in terms of what kind of a house we bought) and I’d like to have a roof which I won’t have to think about at all…for as long as possible. Even if we had to sell it, I’d be proud that the new owner would inherit a superb product and craftsmanship, as I take pride in everything I do. Do it the right way - or don’t do it at all.
What do you guys think of ventilation here (current and future)?
Which product to go with (something in the line of 30yr. architectual…nothing too fancy; function over form with a touch of flair for the wife, lol)?
Any recommendations for local (to me) installers?
More detailed images to come asap. This is just a area view off MS Live to give you an idea of what this place looks like (chimney on the far north-east side; single pipe through the roof…nothing else).
I realize this post is super long…and probably very boring for many of you, but in case you managed to survive through it all and have enough good will to reply I really will appreciate any and all replies, advice, criticism or jokes as the story evolves.
Thank you.
-Mike