Get matched with top roofers in Paterson, NJ

You can install a spray foam roof over shingles, but it may compromise the roof’s protective qualities or shorten its lifespan. Before installing a new roof, ask a qualified roofer if your existing roof needs to be removed before installing a spray foam roof so you ensure your home has quality, long-lasting protection. 

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.

A gable roof with steep pitches covered in asphalt shingles or wood shakes is the most popular roof for Cape Cod homes. Asphalt shingles started gaining popularity in the early 1900s, so wood shake roofs, which were popular in the 1700s when Cape Cod homes were first built, are the traditional option. You can further modernize your Cape Cod home by raising the roof in the front, back, or both to add living space and change up the traditional single-gable roof with doghouse dormers.

There is a weight limit for walking on a roof, but it’s determined by your roof structure and not the roofing material, at least in the case of a metal roof. Consider that entire teams of roofers will be on top of your home during the installation, so the weight of a single person won’t compromise your roof. That isn’t the case for something like a tile roof, so a high weight limit is one benefit of a metal roof.