Natural slate roofing not just enhances the visual aesthetics of your house, but also offers an extensive list of additional benefits including durability and eco-friendliness. However, the primary drawback of natural slate roofing is the high associated price tag, which is often out of bounds. As a result, people go ahead and get the next best thing – composite slate roofing! Often composed out of fiberglass, polymers rubber, and other fillers, a composite slate roof offers similar beauty as natural slate roofing. Composite slate boasts of a few advantages over natural slate including cost effectivity, durability, mold resistance, lower weight and ease of installation. However, like all roofing options, proper insulation is a must to protect your house from the natural elements. How to Install Composite Roofing the Right Way? The most important step while installing the composite slate is to remove the existing roofing entirely. Once you do that, it is safe to prepare the decking surface. Ask your slate contractor to examine the current boards carefully for signs of weakness and damage. Replace all rotting plywood decking, framework, and boards before moving on to the next step. Your roofer might also have to work on the downspout and gutter if needed. It is the perfect time to address these issues so that they don’t present a bigger problem in the future. The installation of drip-edge and tar papers are next on the line. Some cases require the use of rubber membranes to avoid damage from ice and snow in the future. Ignoring the importance of a proper installation technique is unwise. The next step is to carefully lay out the composite slate shingles according to the safety guidelines stated by the manufacturer. Any mistake there could result in a lapse of warranty. So, make sure to get it right every step of the way. Ensure proper flashing once the slates are all lined up and installed. Flashing is another important step that ensures that the roof doesn’t leak in the future, apart from acting as a detailer. D-I-Y vs. Professional Help If you think that installing a composite slate roof is a tough job, you would be right, it is! Hence, seeking professional help is always recommended if you are not comfortable with your roofing skills or are dicey about the prospect of having to work on the roof yourself. If in doubt, don’t hesitate to call an experienced roofing contractor to seek expert guidance. If you plan on getting the job done by yourself, plan ahead. Roofing takes up a lot of time and effort, and if not done the right way, all your effort might be in vain. Certain factors decide whether or not you should embark on the journey alone, and these are:
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