Amarillo Roofing Contractor
Wyben Roofing is a locally owned and operated business that services Amarillo, Canyon, and Texas Panhandle. A roofing company founded by brothers-in-law, Raymond Roberts and Jason Ashley. We have 30+ years of experience in residential roofing services, commercial roofing, and construction. We work hard to ensure each job is completed with honesty, reliability, and trust. For these reasons, our customers are glad they chose Wyben Roofing Contractors to repair their roofs. To receive a free quote call 806-318-2929 today and we’ll provide the best possible service for all of your roofing construction needs. Let us be your Amarillo Roofing Contractor.
When choosing an Amarillo roofing contractor to repair your residential or commercial roof it’s important to choose one that understands the parts of a roofing system. Wyben inspects each and every unique component of your roof, like decking, flashing, underlayment, and shingle integrity. This inspection allows us to make a recommendation for a roof repair or a complete roof replacement.
- Amarillo Roofing Contractor
- Here's a Brief Overview of Roof Components
- Roof Decking (Roof Sheathing)
- Roof Flashing
- Roofing Underlayment
- Synthetic Roofing Underlayment
- Felt Roofing Underlayment
- Shingles
- 3 Indicators That You Need a New Roof
- How to Pick the Best Shingle Colors for Your Roof
- Questions and Answers
- Sources Cited
Here's a Brief Overview of Roof Components
Roof Decking (Roof Sheathing)
Roof Flashing
Underlayment
Shingles
Roof Decking (Roof Sheathing)
Roof decking is the primary support system for your roof and is made up of wooden boards that create a frame. This frame is where shingles and other roof components are attached.
Wood roof decking comes in 2 types: sheet decking and plank decking.
Sheet Decking
Sheet decking/sheathing is made up of flat sheets of wood and can be made of OSB or plywood. OSB stands for oriented strand board and is most commonly used on modern roofs today. It comes in a 7/16″ flat sheet and is made up of strips or chips of compressed wood.
Plywood is not as common as OSB but is still widely used on residential roofs. Plywood is versatile because it comes in a variety of thicknesses from 3/4″, 5/8″, and 1/2″ down to 3/8″, which are installed based on the span of the roof rafters.
Plank Decking
Plank decking comes in 1/6 or 1/8 sizes and is made of long rectangle-shaped wood boards. Plank decking was the primary type of decking used before plywood was invented. Be sure to ask to ask a Wyben roofing contractor which decking options are the best for your roof replacement or repair.
Roof Flashing
Flashing waterproofs important parts of the roof, makes joints more secure, and helps cover up gaps that otherwise would be exposed to harmful elements like rain or snow. It’s common for flashing to be installed around skylights, chimneys, and vents. Flashing is beneficial in aiding the roof to contract and expand based on temperature changes and helps eliminate splitting.
Roofing Underlayment
Roofing Underlayment is sandwiched between the roof sheathing (roof deck) and shingles. This underlayment can be made of OSB or plywood and is attached directly to the roof deck. The underlayment adds an additional barrier to keep out strong winds, snow, and rain.
Synthetic Roofing Underlayment
Synthetic roofing underlayment offers superior water resistance and protection from harsh elements and is the preferred choice of many roofers because of these benefits. It is made up of polymers that add extra durability and last a long time. It offers better protection from weather than its felt counterpart due to its moisture-resistant properties.
Felt Roofing Underlayment
Felt roofing underlayment is an older, more traditional type of underlayment. It’s manufactured by coating a fiberglass mat or paper with asphalt. It comes in 2 thicknesses, No. 15 and No. 30 felt. The thickness of the No. 30 felt makes it less likely to rip or tear during harsh weather and while being installed.
Shingles
Shingles cover the roof by overlapping one shingle over the other to form a protective barrier from the weather. They can be made from composite materials like asphalt or fiber cement. They can also be made from metal, plastic, flagstone, wood or slate.
3 Indicators That You Need a New Roof
Start at the Top
Attic
Always start inside your home. Get a bright LED flashlight or equivalent and climb up the ladder to your attic. Inspect the eaves. Look for rays of sunshine coming from the top of the house. Be sure to check for discoloration or water bands which are an indication that your roof leaks.
Records
It’s time to check the record books and see when the roof was last replaced. If you purchased the home brand new you’ll need to find out what type of shingle was used on your roof and then look up information about the average life expectancy of that roofing material to see if it’s time to replace your roof. If in doubt, get a free inspection from a professional roofing contractor to be on the safe side.
Shingles
From the ground level look carefully at the roof and see if you have any missing, raised, or curled shingles. If you do this does not necessarily mean that you need a roof replacement but you may need roof repair. If you have a tall ladder and can safely get on your roof, inspect the areas you can’t see from the ground. Check for rotting wood, loose flashing, and missing shingles. These are all indicators that your roof needs maintenance. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this inspection yourself a bonded and insured Amarillo roofing contractor can do this for you.
How to Pick the Best Shingle Colors for Your Roof
Home Color
Best Shingle Colors
Cream or Tan
White/Off-White
Light Gray
Log Cabin/Aged Wood
Firebrick/Red
Blue, Green, Grey, Black, or Brown
Looks good with All Colors, White, Blue, Green, Black, and Grey
White, Green, Grey, Blue, or Black
Black, Grey, Brown, or Green
Grey, Green, Dark Brown, or Black
Questions and Answers
Q: How often should a roof be replaced?
A: The types of roofing materials used will influence the replacement schedule. On average you should replace Asphalt Shingles every 15-30 years, Wood Shingles every 20-25 years, and Composition Shingles should be replaced every 12-20 years. If in doubt, ask a bonded and insured Amarillo Roofing Contractor.
Q: Is it OK to put a new roof over an old one?
A: Yes, you can do it with asphalt but an expert roofing contractor would say it is not the recommended way to replace a roof. Asphalt shingles are meant to lay flat, but overlaying them on top of other asphalt shingles is complicated when placing them on uneven or bumpy surfaces. Additionally, extra layers hinder roof inspections since the inspector can’t properly inspect the OSB board or plywood to see if it needs to be replaced. Overlaying shingles also prevents the installers from installing water and ice leak barriers that are designed to keep water from seeping underneath the old shingles which is critical in areas that experience heavy rainfall or harsh winters.
Q: What time of year is best to replace a roof?
A: Installing roofs in different seasons can be tricky due to temperature inconsistencies such as extreme heat in summer and harsh cold in winter. Rainy weather in spring is not the most ideal time to install a roof either. For this reason, Fall is the most sought-after time of year to get a new roof installed. Be sure to book your appointment early to claim your installation spot. Keep in mind that experienced installers can perform your roof replacement during any season, so let us know when you want your roof to be replaced and we’ll get to work right away.
Q: Why is replacing a roof so expensive?
A: Complex roofs drive the cost of roof repair up since they require unique roofing materials that are not cheap, to begin with. But the highest increase in cost comes from labor which is around 40% to 50%, most of which comes from unskilled laborers.
Q: What is the least expensive way to roof a house?
A: Asphalt shingles cost less than other shingle types and are the most popular choice in US markets since they’re much easier to install. Although they’re cheaper the cost is affected by the exact type of asphalt shingle purchased.
Q: What type of roof adds the most value to a home in Amarillo Texas?
A: A metal roof can increase the value of your home by an estimated value of $28,000, but will cost more money to install than an asphalt roof, which places your ROA around 55%.
Sources Cited
Ragan, Bill. What Is Roof Decking? (Types, When Should It Be Replaced, and More). 22 Oct. 2021, www.billraganroofing.com/blog/what-roof-decking.
Synthetic Vs. Felt Roofing Underlayment | Owens Corning Roofing. www.owenscorning.com/en-us/roofing/tools/synthetic-vs-felt-roofing-underlayment-pros-cons.
Wikipedia contributors. “Roof Shingle.” Wikipedia, 13 Feb. 2023, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roof_shingle.