GAF is North America’s largest roofing manufacturer, and only GAF Master Elite(R) Contractors can compete for its residential President’s Club Award. To qualify for this award, a residential roofing contractor must demonstrate an exceptional level of excellence in their business, especially in the areas of Installation Excellence, Consumer Protection, and Installer Training.

Before the concept of a roof existed, pre-historic hunters and gatherers found safety and shelter in caves. It is believed that the first roofs to ever exist were made of wooly mammoth skin. This led to small settlements of huts built out of mammoth tusks and branches with skin and mud as the roof. Palmwood was also thought to be used in more tropical areas.

As we entered into 40,000 BC, we saw the arrival of thatch roofs made of leaves, palm trees, and forest debris. Although this was a step up from the prehistoric roofs, these thatch roofs were still not strong enough to withstand harsh weather conditions to protect homes and those living in them.

During the 19th century, we saw the arrival of new roofing materials emerging in different areas around the world, such as wood, clay tiles, and slate. The materials used for roofs during this time were very dependent on the natural resources available in each civilization and their geographical area.

Wood roofs were much more structurally sound than the thatch roofs made of trees and debris. Wood roofs were originally hand-split shingles made from trees that were native to the area. This wood was then smoothed and tapered with a draw knife to create a shingle. However, these wooden roofs were very prone to fires. Modern wood shake and cedar shake roofs, which have advanced from the initial hand-split wood shingles, are much less common today but can still be found in many areas around the world.

Another type of roof material that was often used in the past are clay tiles, which consist of natural harvested clay that is molded and baked at high temperatures. Slate from metamorphic rocks or natural stone was also derived from the sedimentary rock of volcanic ash, which was similarly molded into shingles.

While clay and slate roofs were prevalent during the early 19th century, they were only accessible to the wealthy. Therefore, most of the population was forced to rely on wood and straw roofs. Eventually, with industrialization playing a large role, clay and slate roofs became more accessible to the general population in an effort to prevent disastrous fires from destroying roofs.

Metal roofing originated the 18th century and was praised for its durability and resistance to fires. Metal roofing was made from aluminum, copper, stainless steel, zinc, and galvalume (most commonly made from stainless or galvalume steel today). Metal roofing was, however, extremely expensive and difficult to install and was mostly seen only on important buildings, such as temples and museums during this time.

The use of metal roofing saw an increase during the 19th century. However, it was still not very affordable and was often limited to more challenging rooflines. Even today, metal roofing remains the most expensive roofing system and is not affordable for a good percentage of our population.

Asphalt shingles are the typical shingle you see on most homes today, made of fiberglass or paper mat, asphalt, granules, sand or slag fines, and ceramic coated mineral granules. The first asphalt roofing structure was introduced by GAF in 1840, and the first asphalt permeated wool felts were introduced in the 1880s and were initially used as roll roofing. It wasn’t until 1903 that the first individual asphalt shingles were used in Grand Rapids Michigan! By cutting the material up into individual singles, this made the application easier and greatly improved the final look of the shingles. These individual cut asphalt shingles were believed to be developed by Henry Reynolds. In 1904, colored granule coating for asphalt rolls was introduced, allowing for different colors of asphalt roofs and adding to the aesthetic of homes.

In 1912, the first individual cut asphalt shingles were introduced to the market. Over the next century as science advanced, asphalt shingles and the application of asphalt shingles continued to evolve to be more durable, advanced, aesthetically pleasing and cutting edge to be what they finally are today. GAF played an enormous role in the advancement of asphalt shingles, and this is just one of the many reasons Renaissance Roofing, Inc. is happy to offer GAF products on every proposal!

Asphalt shingles were revolutionary for the roofing industry, and today they are the most common type of roof for residential homes. These shingles are relatively affordable compared to other types of material, easier to install, and extremely versatile. Asphalt shingles are also extremely effective at protecting your home and come in a variety of colors.

Solar shingles are a shingle that contains a photovoltaic cell that converts sunlight into electricity. Solar shingles first became available in 2005 and have been improving every year since. Solar shingles are different from solar panels, as they combine seamless solar roofing technology with traditional roofing. Michigan has just recently launched the revolutionary GAF Energy Timberline Solar™ Shingle, designed as a nailable shingle to the market. Renaissance Roofing, Inc, is proud to be solar certified and able to offer this to customers on our new roof proposals.

1. Roof Shingles

Roof shingles are the individual overlapping components that cover the roof. Common types of shingles include asphalt, wood, metal and slate. Renaissance Roofing, Inc. only installs asphalt shingles. As the outermost layer, shingles serve as your home’s first line of defense against harsh weather.

2. Flashing

Flashing is a thin material, often made of metal, installed around roof penetrations (such as chimneys, vents and skylights) to prevent water leakage. Flashing is another weatherproofing component that is placed in areas where water is likely to penetrate. It seals joints around your skylights, chimney, vents and wall abutments. Inadequate flashing can lead to leaks and water damage.

3. Underlayment

Underlayment is a water-resistant layer installed beneath the shingles to provide an additional barrier against moisture penetration – this would be the Deck Armor laid over the plywood sheeting. Deck Armor underlayment is another layer of protection against the damaging rain, wind and snow.

4. Soffit

Soffits are the underside of the roof overhang, typically located beneath the eaves. Soffits often contains vents to facilitate attic ventilation.

5. Fascia

Fascia boards are installed along the roof’s edge and provide a finished appearance. They also support the gutters.

6. Ridge

The ridge is the highest point of the roof, where two slopes meet. Ridge vents may also be installed to allow hot air to escape from the attic.

7. Eaves

Eaves are the lower edges of the roof that overhang the walls of the house. They help protect the exterior walls and foundation from water damage. Eaves also work to keep pests and insects out of your home.

8. Valley

A valley is the internal angle formed where two sloping roof sections meet. Special flashing is used to direct water away from these areas.

9. Roof Pitch

Roof pitch refers to the steepness of the roof slope, often expressed as a ratio or angle. It affects drainage and the type of roofing materials suitable for the roof.

10. Ice Dam

An ice dam forms when snow melts on the warmer sections of the roof and re-freezes at the colder eaves, creating a barrier that prevents proper drainage. This can lead to water infiltration and damage.

11. Trim

Trim is what seals joints and drip edges, keeping moisture from entering your home. It also improves the exterior visual appeal of the entire roof system by providing seamless transitions from slope to slope.

12. Chimney Cap

A chimney cap’s main purpose is to prevent water, animals, and debris from entering into your chimney. Chimney caps also prevent sparks or embers from escaping your flue and landing on your roof or property.

13. Low Slope Roofing Systems

GAF’s Liberty Self-Adhering SBS modified granule-surfaced roofing membrane is designed for use with LIBERTY™ Self-Adhering Base/Ply Sheet and helps provide durable protection on low-slope areas of your property, including porches, garages, carports, and sheds. Materials can be installed without open flames and with no fumes or odors and provides durable protection for the low slope areas of your roof.

14. Drip Edge

Drip edge is an angled piece of flashing that is installed over top of a fascia board. Drip edge helps redirect water from the fascia into the gutters. Drip edge can be installed on the rake, eaves, and gables of your roof.

15. Ventilation

Roof ventilation is a system of vents and fans that allow air to flow through the attic space, removing heat and moisture.

Intake vents: located at the lower parts of the roof, like the soffit or under eaves, intake vents allow fresh air to enter the attic.

Exhaust vents: Located at higher points of the roof, like the ridge or gable, exhaust vents allow hot air to escape your attic.

Below are some examples of exhaust and intake vents:

Can Vent (exhaust)

Bath Vent/ Kitchen vent- comes in various sizes (exhaust)

FasciaVent (intake)

Soffit vent (intake)

Solar powered Fans (exhaust)

16. Starter Strip

Starter strips are an important and integral part of an asphalt shingle roof system. They aid in the roof’s water-shedding ability by locking down all the shingles with powerful adhesive. This adhesive also helps prevent the shingles from ever blowing off.

17. Attic Insulation

Properly air sealing and insulating an attic space can help keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Insulation saves money on heating and cooling bills and helps to keep the attic temperature where it should be. Proper insulation is an important barrier that prevents heat from moving between the attic and the living spaces of the home.

Knowing these terms can make it easier for homeowners to identify when something may be wrong with their roof’s integrity. Having a professional do an evaluation is always the best way to ensure your roof is in good shape and your home has proper ventilation. Renaissance Roofing, Inc. is here to help with your roofing needs! Please do not hesitate to give us a call at 734-495-0996.

While every HOA will have its own unique set of rules, some common items that HOAs set rules or restrictions for may include, but are not limited to:

• Siding & roofing colors/materials

• Home additions

• Yardwork & décor

• Fencing

• Visitor parking

• Recreational vehicles & trailers parked in driveways

Homeowner’s Associations will assign a governing board of directors that have been elected among the HOA members. This group determines how funds collected from the community are spent and oversees that all rules and restrictions are followed in the neighborhood.

HOAs collect funds from the community to provide homeowners with benefits such as:

• Maintenance of common areas

• Tree trimming & lawn mowing

• Maintenance & staffing of pools and gyms

• Snow removal & other maintenance of common roads and parking lots

Replacing Your Roof – HOA Approval

If you live in a community with an HOA and are planning to undergo a roof replacement, you will may need to get approval from your HOA. When your roofing contractor applies for your roof replacement permit (if your city requires a building permit), they will often be asked to submit a letter/email from their customers’ HOA to verify the approval to replace the roof. To obtain approval, you will most likely need to send the roof replacement plans to the HOA board members for them to review the materials and shingle color that will be installed.

With almost 30 years of business under our belt, Renaissance Roofing, Inc. has never had an issue with HOA approval. Our team at Renaissance Roofing, Inc. is more than happy to answer any questions that HOA board members may have during the approval process. We always use GAF architectural shingles with standard color options that do not have issues getting approved.

For those who are interested in GAF’s Solar Shingles and are worried about approval from your HOA, you are in luck! On July 8th, 2024, the Homeowners Energy Policy Act was signed into law by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in Michigan. This Homeowners Energy Policy Acts grants HOA members the ability to install rooftop solar systems and an array of other energy savings measures without pushback from Homeowners’ Associations. This act prevents HOAs from being able to completely ban solar panels, solar shingles, and other energy saving improvements. Please visit our solar page on our website for more information on GAF’s Timberline Solar Shingle system.

Every Homeowners’ Association is different, and it is best to ask your HOA what their policies entail. For any roofing-related HOA questions, please do not hesitate to contact Renaissance Roofing, Inc.

Roof deck underlayment provides crucial protection against moisture, prevents leaks, and is a vital part of enhancing the durability and longevity of your roof. When it comes to protecting your roof decking, it is important to pick products that you know you can rely on.

After your old roofing components are removed, the deck surface is inspected and any rotten or damaged boards will be replaced. The next product that is installed over your decking is ice guard. At Renaissance Roofing, Inc., we offer two ice guard products on our proposals: WeatherWatch and a generic ice guard. Ice guard is installed according to building code, a minimum of 66” up eaves or 2 feet into the heated unit to avoid water and snow penetration. Ice guard is also installed around penetrations, skylights, valleys & dormers, chimneys, flashings and transitions.

We always recommend installing the WeatherWatch ice guard for several reasons. For one, it helps prevent leaks in the most vulnerable parts of your home and reduces the risk of costly repairs due to wall and ceiling stains from leaks. Weather Watch also meets all the code requirements where local building codes require the use of leak barriers, all while being eligible for the best warranties that GAF offers. The generic ice guard is not an eligible product for GAF’s Lifetime Limited warranty.

After the ice guard is installed, underlayment is applied to the entire remaining roof deck. GAF offers the following products for deck protection: Shingle-Mate, FeltBuster, TigerPaw, and Deck-Armor. While Shingle-Mate and FeltBuster are less expensive options, our professional opinion is that they are an inferior product to GAF’s TigerPaw and Deck-Armor. We highly recommend going the next step up with GAF’s TigerPaw or Deck-Armor deck protection underlayment, as they perform better.

GAF’s Shingle-Mate is a fiberglass enforced underlayment, a slight upgrade from the 30# felt option. Shingle-Mate will lay flatter and smoother than traditional felt protection. GAF’s FeltBuster is a synthetic roofing material. Compared to TigerPaw and Deck-Armor, FeltBuster is thinner and has almost a tinfoil-like consistency in our opinion.

TigerPaw Premium roof deck protection features a moisture control design that reduces damaging moisture on the roof deck, allowing it to lay flatter. TigerPaw’s synthetic, non-woven material provides at least 7 times greater tear strength than standard #30 felt (please ask for a sample from your estimator to compare). Non-asphaltic, polypropylene underlayment will not rot or become brittle – unlike conventional felts, which can disintegrate over time.

While TigerPaw is a great product, Renaissance Roofing, Inc. also offers an upgrade to the GAF Deck-Armor Premium roof deck protection. Deck-Armor offers all the same great qualities as TigerPaw —breathable technology, durable, long-lasting construction, a great look for your home with its resistance to buckling—and the same lifetime limited warranty eligibility but with even more protection. Deck-Armor is thicker, and its breathable technology (has the highest perm-rating for this product in the market) helps manage the roof system’s moisture and provides a secondary layer of wind-driven protection. Deck-Armor’s claim to fame is that in the event of windblown shingles, DeckArmor is made to help withstand the elements for up to 180 days while your roof is being repaired.

Installation of Tiger Paw or Deck Armor

TigerPaw and Deck-Armor roof deck protection are both installed above the ice guard on the roof. They are the roof’s secondary layer of protection from the elements, including rain, snow, and wind. These are the layers that lie between the shingles and the roof deck. Your roof is the first line of defense against the elements, which is why it is so important that it is protected by quality materials that can withstand different weather conditions.

When deciding on deck protection, it is crucial to choose a durable, water-tight material. Inferior underlayments will not provide nearly as much protection as TigerPaw and Deck-Armor and will not be covered under GAF’s Silver and Golden Pledge limited extended warranties. Have peace of mind knowing your roof will be protected with high-quality underlayment such as the GAF WeatherWatch, TigerPaw and Deck-Armor.

Renaissance Roofing, Inc. is here to help you decide what is best for you and your home! Please feel free to contact us to set up a time for your personal roof evaluation.

As a Master Elite Contractor, we strive for new levels of success through the GAF’s President’s Club Awards. With a commitment to continuous improvement as a GAF President’s Club contractor, we complete the required education credits each year.

President’s Club contractors are the best of the best. Less than half of Master Elite contractors reach this status, and only 2% of roofing contractors in the country qualify. To achieve the President’s Club status, a contractor must display excellence in performance, reliability, and service. We pride ourselves on these qualities at Renaissance Roofing, Inc. Our dedication to quality work, customer satisfaction, and commitment to continuing education are what make Renaissance Roofing, Inc. a President’s Club award winner.

What is required to earn the President’s Club badge?

Demonstrate proper licensing and maintain insurance.
Maintain a proven reputation.
Commitment to ongoing professional training
Install the minimum number of complete GAF roofing systems each year.
Register the minimum number of GAF’s highest warranties for complete roofing systems.
Consistently maintain excellent customer reviews.

Choosing a local company is beneficial because we focus on quality instead of quantity. Renaissance Roofing, Inc. never hires subcontractors. We train each of our employees in-house and require GAF certification, ensuring that our customers are entrusting their homes to a quality roofing company. Many larger roofing companies that hire subcontractors are paid by each square installed. This is not the case with Renaissance Roofing, Inc. Our crew is encouraged to take their time with each installation, guaranteeing your home receives the highest standard of workmanship.

By hiring Renaissance Roofing, Inc., you would also be supporting local businesses in the area. Don and Karen formed Renaissance Roofing, Inc. in 1998 after they realized the need for a high-quality roofing contractor in the area. With almost three decades of experience, you can trust that your home is in good hands.

Renaissance Roofing, Inc. strives to build close relationships with homeowners and we are available to answer any questions or concerns in a timely manner. Please feel free to reach out to us at 734-496-0996 for more information!