Roofing new homes and builds in Vancouver, WA

New construction roofing is a different job from a re-roof. There is nothing to tear off, but the schedule matters more, and the roofer has to work around framers, window installers, plumbers and electricians. The goal on a new build is to get the house dried in quickly so the framing and sheathing stop soaking up rain, then come back to install the finished roof once the other trades are done on top.

We roof new single-family homes, accessory dwelling units, custom builds and small infill projects for general contractors and for owner-builders managing their own job. Our crews install composite shingles, standing seam metal and low-slope membranes. Because we also do repair and replacement work, we know which new-construction shortcuts cause leaks ten years later, and we do not take them on any build.

Dry-in comes first on a new build

In this climate, a new house framed between fall and spring can take a lot of water before it is closed up. Wet sheathing swells at the edges, framing lumber picks up moisture, and mold can start on the attic side of the deck if it stays wet for weeks. A fast dry-in limits all of that. As soon as the sheathing inspection passes, our crews install drip edge, ice and water barrier at eaves and valleys, and synthetic underlayment across every slope.

A good dry-in also has the step flashings and kick-out flashings planned, even if they go on later. Window and door installers need to know where the roof meets the wall, so the housewrap and siding layers lap correctly over our flashing. We talk through those details with the builder before dry-in day. Getting the layering order right at the walls prevents the most common leak we see on new homes.

What our new construction scope covers

Every builder's scope is a little different, so we write ours out line by line and match it to the plans. The aim is no gaps between trades: nothing the framer assumed we would do, and nothing we assumed the siding crew would handle. When the plans call for a product or detail we think will cause trouble, we raise it before ordering material, not after the roof is on.

• Drip edge, ice and water barrier and underlayment
• Composite shingles, standing seam or low-slope membrane
• Step, kick-out, headwall and chimney flashing
• Pipe boots and vent flashing after rough-ins
• Ridge vents and intake venting per plans
• Skylight flashing kits and curb details

Working around other trades and inspections

The biggest risk on a new roof is damage by other trades after we leave. Plumbers cut holes for vents in the wrong spot, HVAC installers drop a flue through the wrong slope, or solar prep crews walk the new shingles in hard boots. We schedule finish roofing after most rooftop work is complete, and we ask builders to call us for any late penetration rather than letting another trade seal it with caulk.

Permits and inspections are handled by the builder in most cases, but we check with the local building department about any roofing items the inspector wants to see, such as ice barrier at the eaves or nailing patterns. We photograph key layers before they get covered so the builder has a record. Those photos are also useful later if a question comes up about how the roof was built, or when a buyer asks.

Choosing the roof for a new home

Most new homes around Vancouver go up with architectural composite shingles, which are affordable, easy to match later and accepted by nearly every HOA. Standing seam metal is a growing choice on modern designs and rural builds, especially where owners want a long-lived roof with fewer moss problems. Low-slope membranes suit modern flat rooflines and covered decks. We help builders and owners compare cost, look and upkeep, and we keep the product within any HOA or planning rules that apply.