Get matched with top roofers in Saguache, CO

There should be small gaps between your roof and the walls of your home, and other buildings. These small gaps let building materials shift, expand, and contract with weather and other outside forces, and they prevent moisture from wicking down walls from roofing and gutter systems. Without these strategic gaps, your home’s exterior and its finishes can sustain water damage, decay, peel, delaminate, and crack. However, there is a fine line between a smart gap and a problematic gap—all  gaps should be small, intentional, and covered or filled in with foam insulation to prevent pests from using them as access points.

Whether a metal or shingle roof is better for you depends on your preferences. Standing seam metal roofs require little to no maintenance, but if you install a screw-down metal roof where the fasteners are exposed, the gaskets on the fasteners will dry rot and need to be replaced. Generally, screw-down metal roofs need to be re-screwed every 15 to 20 years.

Metal roofs are energy-efficient and have extended warranties, while asphalt shingles are less durable than most. They tend to lose color and get damaged over time, and absorb heat from the sun.

While the terms are often used interchangeably, wood shakes and wood shingles have notable differences, primarily in their manufacturing and appearance. Wood shingles are machine-cut on both sides, resulting in a smooth, thin, and uniform product. In contrast, wood shakes are typically hand-split or sawed on only one side, giving them a more textured, natural, and rustic appearance. Due to these manufacturing differences, shakes are generally thicker, heavier, and less uniform than shingles. They are also more expensive. Homeowners seeking a more rustic aesthetic often choose shakes, while those preferring a more uniform look may opt for shingles. Both are installed in an overlapping pattern to create a durable, weather-resistant roof.

You can technically install a metal roof over asphalt shingles, but it isn’t a good idea. This is because you’re essentially creating a moisture barrier under the metal, which can easily—and often does—lead to significant mold damage. Removing an asphalt roof isn’t terribly expensive, and some roofing companies might cut you a serious labor and disposal discount if you add it to a new install.