What Is Roof Underlayment?

Harsh weather can damage your home, leading to expensive repairs or even making it unlivable in the worst cases. While you can't control the weather, you can take steps to try and minimize damage—like installing a durable roof.If you live in an area prone to harsh weather, metal roofing materials can help protect your home from elements like hail, rain, snow, and wind. Here's what you need to know about metal roofs and the protection they offer.Wind and Impact ResistanceMetal roofing shingles can help resist high winds due to their interlocking system, which helps provide wind uplift resistance. Interlocked panels help keep the materials in place and reduce the areas where winds can cause uplift, like the eaves and edges. Metal's smooth surface also lets air flow easily over it.The GAF TimberSteel™ Premium Metal Roofing System passes the ASTM D3161, Class F test method, wind resistance for the ASTM D3161, the highest possible category for wind resistance of steep slope roof coverings. This means it has been tested to handle 110 mph wind speeds under the Standard Test Method for Wind Resistance of Steep Slope Roofing Products (Fan-Induced Method)*.GAF TimberSteel™ metal field shingles are classified to UL2218 Class 4 Impact Resistance, the highest rating available.Moisture ResistanceOffering excellent protection against wind-driven rain, the GAF TimberSteel™ passes the TAS -100 Wind-Driven test* for rain water intrusion.Custom Snow SolutionsWhile rain is one problem, snow can also damage your roof. Snow adds a heavy load to your roofing structure, and moisture can enter your home as it melts if given the opportunity.Metal roofs have a smooth surface that allows snow to slide off which may help prevent ice dams that form when snow melts and refreezes. Custom snow guards are available in the colors of the TimberSteel™ system to complement your roof.UV Radiation ResistanceSunlight can break down roofing materials over time. Metal roofing helps resist the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays which may contribute to its longevity.Consider Metal RoofingWith more areas experiencing extreme weather, homeowners all over the country may benefit from considering metal roofing materials.Does metal roofing sound right for your home? Explore the options GAF offers and sign up to get updates about the availability of GAF TimberSteel™ in your area.*Testing conducted under controlled laboratory conditions.

If you notice missing shingles on your roof, there's no need to panic. Missing shingles aren't an emergency, but you should still act quickly, especially during wet seasons. Your roof is a multilayered system designed to protect your home's structure and finishes from water damage.If you ignore missing shingles, moisture can get into your home, leading to issues such as rot, mold, and costly water damage. Replacing missing shingles quickly can mean the difference between a minor roof repair and a total roof replacement.So, here's how to spot missing shingles and hire a roofer to replace them.How to Spot Missing ShinglesLocating missing shingles, before leaks set in, can save you time, money, and peace of mind. Here are several ways to spot them before they cause bigger issues.Inspect Your Roof from the GroundScope your roof with binoculars for signs of missing shingles. Inspecting your roof from the ground helps prevent shingle damage from walking on the roof and, most importantly, fall-related injuries. Scan your roof from every angle that it's safe to do so, including from streets, sidewalks, and neighbors' yards if you have permission to do so.Check for Shingle ChangesSystematically check each shingle following a horizontal or vertical line. A missing shingle often sticks out as a color change in your shingle pattern. While you're at it, look for shingles that are cracked, curled, or sagging or that aren't aligned with the others. These can all be signs of shingle or roof damage.Review Your Roof for Damage after StormsRoof damage often happens as a result of extreme weather. Once it's safe to be outdoors, visually inspect your roof for damage. You can also survey the ground around your property to spot any shingles that may have blown off.Look Inside Your Home for LeaksCheck inside your home for longer-term signs of missing shingles. Evidence of leaks in your attic or water stains on your interior ceilings or walls can indicate wider-spread water damage in your home. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, have a roofing professional inspect the area (both inside and outside) for damage.Schedule a Professional Roof InspectionThe National Roofing Contractors Association recommends professional-level roof inspections twice a year—once in the spring and once in the fall. Like routine car maintenance keeps repair costs down, roof inspections can help spot small concerns before they potentially become expensive problems.How to Hire a RooferOnce you spot missing shingles on your roof, the next step is hiring a professional to replace them. Create a list of questions before you call around, so you can find a reliable roofing company that won't cut corners.If you have warranties, you may also want to check whether or not those have any requirements. For example, all GAF roofing shingles and qualifying accessories (the "GAF Products") come with the coverage provided by the GAF Shingle & Accessory Limited Warranty,** and you don't need to do anything at all to get it.How to Prepare for Roofing RepairsThough every contractor is different, confirm certain details before signing any contracts. Here's how you can ensure you and your contractor are on the same page before work begins:Communicate clearly from the start; this will help prevent frustration and unexpected costs.Before making a deposit, be sure you both agree on the quote and job details.Agree on the job's start date, plus a contingency plan if bad weather forces a rain check. Ask your roofer if they'll install a temporary tarp to prevent water damage in the case of a delay.Read your quote carefully. Confirm approximate labor costs and the color, style, and brand of shingles that will be installed.Ask about anticipated material quantities and estimated roofing material costs (like flashing, roofing nails, etc.).Confirm whether the repair job includes cleanup costs and if the roofer will remove any debris.When to Consider a Roof ReplacementLook at the big picture before replacing missing shingles. Consider your roof's age, any warranties on your roof system, the extent of the roof damage (both internally and externally), and whether the missing shingles are an isolated issue. Multiple missing shingles or frequent repairs could be a sign that you need a new roof.Ready to schedule a professional roof inspection? Contact a GAF-certified roofing contractor* to get started.*Contractors enrolled in GAF certification programs are not employees or agents of GAF, and GAF does not control or otherwise supervise these independent businesses. Contractors may receive benefits, such as loyalty rewards points and discounts on marketing tools from GAF for participating in the program and offering GAF enhanced warranties, which require the use of a minimum amount of GAF products. Your dealings with a Contractor, and any services they provide to you, are subject to the GAF Contractor Terms of Use.* *GAF Accessory Products covered under this limited warranty include: GAF Ridge Cap Shingles, GAF Starter Strip Shingles, GAF Leak Barrier Products, GAF Roof Deck Protection Products, and GAF Attic Ventilation Products. For a complete list of qualifying GAF products visit gaf.com/LRS. This limited warranty does not cover low-slope membranes. See gaf.com for a copy of the limited warranties covering those products.

GAF Timberline HDZ® Reflector Series Shingles come in rich, vibrant colors, giving homeowners attractive color options that can be used to comply with the Cool Roof Requirements of Title 24 and the LA County Green Building Standards Code.*Here's why you may want to add these shingles to your business offerings, especially if you work in California.Timberline HDZ® RS ShinglesA few features make these shingles stand out.Meeting California Code ComplianceIn California, residential roofs must meet solar reflectance requirements because they are mandated by California's Building Energy Efficiency Standards Title 24, Part 6 and Los Angeles County Green Building Code. Both codes set a minimum reflectance rating known as the solar reflective index (SRI), which measures a material's ability to reflect sunlight and heat. The lower the SRI value (from 0 to 100), the hotter a material becomes in sunlight. The higher the value, the cooler the material. Shingles with a higher SRI help reduce temperatures by reflecting sunlight which can help reduce the cooling load.The new Timberline HDZ® RS Shingles provide solar reflectance that complies with both Title 24 and the Los Angeles County Green Building Code.Title 24California's Title 24 covers the entire state, unless local requirements are stricter, providing cool roof requirements for residential and commercial buildings based on their locations within 16 climate zones. For residential buildings (new construction), climate zones 1 through 9 and 16 have no cool roof requirements. Climate zones 4, and 8 through 15 require cool roofs for new and reroof applications when more than 50% of the roof is removed.If shingles don't meet the required SRI, alternative paths to compliance include using a radiant barrier, airspace, or additional attic insulation.Los Angeles County Green Building CodeThe Los Angeles County Green Building Code's Cool Roof Ordinance covers buildings in the county and prescribes SRI values depending on the type of building (low-rise residential, high-rise residential and hotels/motels, and nonresidential) and roof slope. High-slope (more than 2:12), low-rise residential roofs must have an SRI of 20 or more. Exceptions apply to roof repairs or replacements where less than 50% of the roof is removed, additions of less than 500 square feet or less than 50% of the total roof area, and green roofs.Selling Points for California HomeownersWhen working with property owners in California and Los Angeles County, you can highlight the following selling points of Timberline HDZ® Reflector Series Shingles.Potential Savings on Cooling CostsReflective roofing may help decrease a roof's temperature and cooling load, which has the potential to lower cooling costs.****StyleTimberline HDZ® RS Shingles provide the darkest highly-reflective shingle available, Charcoal, thanks to EcoDark® granules. They also feature GAF's High Definition® color blends for dimensional, wood-shake look.Peace of MindHomeowners can enjoy heightened confidence when choosing Timberline HDZ® RS Shingles because they come with a Lifetime Limited Warranty***** against manufacturing defects and a 25-year StainGuard Plus™ Algae Protection limited warranty.**Enhancing Homes' AppealHomeowners can rest assured that the new Timberline HDZ® Reflector Series Shingles offer the durability of GAF shingles while providing deep, rich color options to match their unique aesthetic.Color OptionsTimberline HDZ® RS shingles feature newly formulated EcoDark® Granules that provide deep rich, dark colors including Charcoal, the darkest highly-reflective shingle color in California, as well as other popular shingle colors that offer color blends for a more dimensional look.Time-Release Algae Fighting TechnologyTimberline HDZ® RS shingles feature GAF Time-Release Algae-Fighting Technology which uses specially engineered capsules that are infused with thousands of copper microsites. This allows the copper to release steadily over time for long-lasting algae fighting power. It's technology so strong, it powers the 25-Year StainGuard Plus™ Algae Protection Limited Warranty.**WindProven Limited Wind WarrantyTimberline HDZ® RS shingles have LayerLock® technology and the StrikeZone™, nailing area like traditional Timberline HDZ® shingles, and are eligible for the WindProven™ Limited Wind Warranty with no maximum wind speed limitation when installed with the required combination of accessories.***Curious to learn more? Visit the GAF Timberline HDZ® RS Shingles product page for more details.*Can be used to comply with the Cool Roof Requirements for steep slope residential buildings of 2022 Title 24, Part 6, of the California Code of Regulations and the Green Building Standards Code of Los Angeles County.**25-year StainGuard Plus Algae Protection Limited Warranty against blue-green algae discoloration is available only on products sold in packages bearing the StainGuard Plus logo. See GAF Shingle and Accessory Limited Warranty for complete coverage and restrictions.***15-year WindProven™ limited wind warranty covers GAF Shingles with LayerLock® Technology only and requires the use of GAF Starter Strips, Roof Deck Protection, Ridge Cap Shingles, and Leak Barrier or Attic Ventilation. See GAF Roofing System Limited Warranty for complete coverage and restrictions. Visit gaf.com/LRS for qualifying GAF products. For installations not eligible for the WindProven limited wind warranty, see GAF Shingle & Accessory Limited Warranty for complete coverage and restrictions.****Energy cost savings are not guaranteed and the amount of savings may vary based on a variety of factors, such as climate zone, utility rates, radiative properties of roofing products, insulation levels and HVAC equipment efficiency.*****Definition of Lifetime: The word "Lifetime" means as long as you, the original owner(s) [or the second owner(s) if coverage was properly transferred during the Smart Choice Protection Period], own the property where the shingles and/or accessories are installed. The Lifetime warranty is applicable only to shingles and accessories installed on a single-family detached residence owned by individuals. For any other type of owner or building, such as a corporation, governmental entity, religious entity, condominium or homeowner association, school, apartment building, office building, or multi-use structure, the length of the warranty is 40 years. See the GAF Shingle & Accessory Limited Warranty, GAF Roofing System Limited Warranty and GAF Golden Pledge Limited Warranty for complete coverage and restrictions.