selecting roof materials and installers

Roofing products are very different, roofing installers are not all alike and price shouldn't be the main criterion when choosing a contractor or roof materials and roof coating or membranes.

A low cost isn’t usually the best option. Quality and professionalism are crucial…

See, namely:

Cool roofs basics
Roof membranes and coatings
Roof materials
Attic insulation
Roof and ceiling insulation
Reflective insulation

Qualified roofing products

In USA and Canada you should select a qualified Energy Star roof material. Energy Star qualified products are a guarantee of quality, since they meet minimum standards of quality, including new solar reflectance values.

Choosing an installer

The contractor should ensure proper installation in order to get proper waterproofing and maximum durability and solar reflectance to the roof…

A good roof installer has experience, and specialized knowledge and training. The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends:

- a well-established installer;
- a professional comfortable with the new roofing industry trends (including those involving solar reflectance and new products);
- an affiliated installer (member of local, regional, state and national industry associations);
- a licensed contractor or an approved applicator;
- an installer offering a good warranty for both workmanship and materials;
- an installer offering references;
- an installer capable of clearly explaining his project and his procedures.

Demand a written and sufficiently detailed proposal, including starting and completion dates, payment terms or damage prevention procedures; ask for the name and habilitations of the person who will be in charge of the project.

The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) provides lists of USA regional roofing contractors.