Roofing Library: plain guides for Northwest roofs
Costs, moss, wind, leaks, permits and insurance, written from what our crews see on roofs around Vancouver and Portland.
Written by
- Editor
- Leroy Swanson, Roofing Library Editor
- Guides
- 16 and counting
- Have a question?
- Call (360) 803-6405
ADU roofing in Vancouver, WA: what to plan for before you build
Backyard cottages often get simple shed or low-pitch roofs that struggle in our long rainy season. Here is how to plan the roof shape, materials, drainage and timing for an ADU.
Read the guideSiding and roof flashing: where walls leak and how to tell
Some ceiling stains near outside walls are not roof leaks at all. They start where a lower roof meets the siding. Here is how that flashing works and how to spot a wall leak.
Read the guideThe best time of year to reroof in the Pacific Northwest
Dry summer months are the easiest time to replace a roof here, but they are also the busiest. Here is how each season compares, and how winter reroofs get done safely.
Read the guideSolar panels and reroofing: what to do first, and in what order
Solar arrays often outlast the shingles under them. Here is how to time a reroof around solar, who handles each part of a removal and reinstall, and what it typically costs.
Read the guideHow long a roof lasts in the Pacific Northwest, by material and by slope
Two roofs put on the same year can wear out a decade apart here. These are typical lifespans by material, what shortens them in our climate, and how to tell when yours is close.
Read the guideFiling a roof insurance claim in Washington: practical steps after damage
When a storm or falling limb damages your roof, what you do in the first days shapes how smoothly a claim goes. These are the practical steps to take, in order.
Read the guideRepair or replace your gutters: a plain checklist for Vancouver homes
Gutters work hard in a place with this much rain and this many fir needles. This checklist helps you decide when a repair will do and when replacement is the better spend.
Read the guideHow loud a metal roof really is in the rain, and what decides the sound
Many Vancouver homeowners like the idea of metal but worry about the noise during eight months of rain. Here is what actually controls the sound and when it is a real concern.
Read the guideReroof permits in Vancouver, WA: what decides whether you need one
Whether a reroof needs a permit depends on where you live and what the job includes. Here is what changes the answer, who to ask, and how we handle permits on our jobs.
Read the guideAttic condensation or a roof leak: how to tell the difference
Frost and drips in the attic on cold, dry mornings are usually condensation, not a roof leak. Here is how to tell the two apart and what actually fixes each one.
Read the guideChecking your roof safely after an ice storm in Southwest Washington
Ice storms do not hit Southwest Washington often, but when they do, falling limbs and ice buildup can damage a roof in hours. Here is how to check yours without climbing up.
Read the guideRoof leaks only in heavy rain: the usual causes and how to find them
If your ceiling stays dry through weeks of drizzle but drips during an atmospheric river, the cause is rarely a hole in the roof. These are the spots that fail only under heavy water.
Read the guideCedar shake vs composite shingles for Vancouver homes: an honest comparison
Many 1970s to 1990s cedar shake roofs in Clark County are wearing out. Here is how a new shake roof compares to architectural composite on cost, upkeep, moss, and looks.
Read the guideWhat Columbia Gorge east winds do to a roof in east Vancouver and Camas
The cold east wind that pours out of the Columbia River Gorge each winter is hard on roofs. Here is what fails first, which homes take the worst of it, and how to check yours.
Read the guideWhy moss grows so fast on Clark County roofs, and what stops it
Moss is not just a looks problem in Clark County. Shade, needles, and steady rain let it root under shingle edges, hold water, and shorten roof life. Here is why it spreads and how to slow it.
Read the guideWhat a roof replacement costs in Vancouver, WA in 2026
Most Vancouver homeowners want a number before anything else. Here are typical 2026 replacement ranges by roof type and size, plus the line items that move a bid up or down.
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