What Work Was Done?
Becca M. contacted RoofAdvisor after exploring options for her approximately 20-year-old roof. Like many homeowners evaluating older roofing systems, she was weighing different approaches to extending the roof’s life, including a Roof Maxx treatment proposal she had received.
After a full inspection, it became clear that the better long-term solution was a complete roof replacement focused on improving both weather protection and attic ventilation. Becca ultimately reviewed replacement options for the house roof, excluding the detached garage from the project scope.
The final project involved a complete roof replacement, a small low-slope roofing section, and several ventilation upgrades designed to improve the overall performance of the roofing system.
Roof Replacement Completed
The new roofing system included:
- GAF Timberline® Natural Shadow Lifetime Architectural Shingles
- 130 MPH wind warranty
- Synthetic roofing underlayment
- Ice and water barrier protection at eaves, valleys, sidewalls, and penetrations
- Pro-Start® starter shingles around the roof perimeter
- Cobra® SnowCountry® Advanced Ridge Vent
- Seal-A-Ridge® ridge cap shingles
- Seal-A-Ridge® hip shingles
- New aluminum drip edge along eaves and rakes
- Two new plumbing boots
- New chimney flashing
- New wall and step flashing
The project also included complete tear-off, debris removal, and magnetic nail cleanup.
Low-Slope Roofing Improvements
In addition to the shingle roofing system, the project included the replacement of a low-slope roofing section using:
- Top Shield PRO two-layer roofing system
- Asphaltic membrane base ply
- Asphaltic membrane cap sheet
- 12-year manufacturer warranty
Low-slope areas often require different roofing materials than the main roof because they handle water drainage differently than traditional steep-slope roofing systems.
Upgraded Ventilation System
One of the most important aspects of the project was improving attic ventilation.
The ventilation upgrades included:
- Cobra® SnowCountry® ridge ventilation
- Vented drip edge intake ventilation
- Closure of existing can vent openings
- Improved airflow balance between intake and exhaust ventilation
Many older Dearborn homes were built before modern attic ventilation standards became common. Upgrading ventilation can help reduce heat buildup, improve moisture control, and support longer roof system performance.
Addressing Aging Roof Components
As roofing systems approach the 20-year mark, several components often begin showing signs of wear, including flashings, ventilation systems, roof penetrations, and low-slope sections.
The project included:
- New chimney flashing
- New plumbing vent flashings
- Updated roof edge protection
- Limited decking replacement in the low-slope section
- Improved weatherproofing throughout the roofing system
Addressing these components during replacement helps improve overall durability and reduces the likelihood of future leak-related repairs.
A Long-Term Investment in Roof Performance
For homeowners evaluating whether to continue maintaining an aging roof or move forward with a replacement, long-term value is often a major consideration. In Becca’s case, a complete roofing system replacement provided a more comprehensive solution than continuing to invest in an older roof approaching the end of its service life.
Backed by the GAF System Plus Warranty and RoofAdvisor’s 15-Year Workmanship Warranty, the completed project provides updated protection, improved ventilation, and long-term performance designed to withstand Michigan’s changing weather conditions.
Projects like this are common throughout Dearborn, where many homes built during the mid-century housing boom are now reaching the point where replacement offers greater long-term value than continued maintenance and repair.