Materials - The Making of A Quality Roof
Let’s talk about the importance of layering. Your roof is not made up of just support beams and shingles—at least, we sincerely hope it isn’t! There are several layers to every roof, each of which is designed to offer support and protection with as little weight as possible. Each layer serves a distinct purpose, and all those layers should add up to a solid roof that helps protect against everything from a blustery storm to the smallest of seasonal allergens. Every layer plays an important role in combating moisture, winds, hail, and other natural effects that can damage your home.
The base structure of your roof is pretty much always going to be a wooden structure, just like the interior structure of your walls. From there, the outside of that wooden support structure is generally covered in wooden decking—again, material pretty susceptible to damage from water and ice, so it makes for a great support, but it definitely needs thorough protection from the elements. That protection starts with a drip edge, the aluminum edging that both helps attach decking to the support structure and also serves as step one to ward away water. On top of the decking, a layer of underlayment will be laid to help protect against moisture damage. Depending on your roof’s structure, especially in moisture-rich areas like Charleston, you may also have an ice and water protective barrier along the edges, just in case your gutters overflow; that water barrier prevents water from seeping upward and getting under the shingles. In addition, flashing is usually installed around the eaves and any places where something sticks up through your roof (like a chimney or ventilation), as an extra layer of protection around those particularly vulnerable seams. Finally, your chosen shingles or other roof covering goes on top, along with ridge and valley coverings. The idea, ultimately, is that a properly installed roof will not have any place that moisture or pests can get in, protecting the longevity of your roof. This is also why, if you see damage to your roof, it’s important to get it repaired as quickly as possible, before the under layers are weakened or ruined.
Choosing Your Roof’s Exterior
In terms of actually choosing which roofing materials to use, most homeowners don’t worry as much about the underlayment because none of it will be seen. The idea generally is, as long as it works, that’s the best option—and an experienced roofing company will know which options are best suited for your local climate. However, choosing that topmost layer of your roof brings in a few more questions, because curb appeal can be just as weighty of a characteristic as the durability and cost. When it comes to choosing that outer layer, the biggest questions that come up are durability, cost to repair or replace, and overall cost. The number of different roofing materials is a pretty extensive list that includes everything from the standard asphalt shingles you see most frequently to less-common options like wood shake shingles or slate tiles. At Kramer Construction, we work primarily with the following roof options: metal roofing, standard shingles, asphalt roofing, and CertainTeed Lifetime Shingles.
Here in the low country, hurricanes and hail alike sweep through and wreck roofs regularly. While we are happy to work with you and find the best roofing materials based on your budget and preferences, the options listed above are our preference for roofing jobs because they offer a balance between durability, cost, and ease at which a section can be replaced, rather than the entire roof. Click on each of the options below to learn more about the benefits of the different roofing materials we offer.

Homeowners Insurance and Roofing Repairs
Hail can definitely be a hassle, and hurricanes are no laughing matter. With as frequently as we see damage to roofs in the Charleston area, one of the reminders we always like to give is to check up on your homeowners insurance policy. If your roof needs repairs or replacement because a hail storm recently swept through and took out half of your shingles, the good news is, you might not be on the hook for the cost of repairs. After all, it’s those scenarios that we cannot plan for or protect against that are why we invest in homeowners insurance—well, that and because it’s generally required by mortgage companies.
Making the Most of Your Homeowners Insurance Coverage
Often, the biggest issue homeowners have when making a claim for their roof, is proving the condition it was in before the damage happened. Generally, insurance companies will pay for the cost of roofing repairs or replacement, less your deductible. However, the caveat here is that most policies are written in such a way that they won’t cover the full cost of a brand new roof if your roof was twenty years old. Most policies cover a depreciated cost of your roof, so the older your roof is, the less they will pay, no matter the cause of the damage. Of course, if you can prove that your roof was in great repair before the damage was done, your insurance company is likely to cover a higher portion of the costs. In order to really get the most from your insurance coverage when you need it, and to prevent damage from growing before you notice it, we suggest routine roofing inspections. Keep the documentation with your other household paperwork so that, when damage does happen—and around here, it’s more a question of when, not if—you can easily show your insurance company that you’ve been diligent about keeping your roof in good repair.
Roofing Inspection and Estimate
The best way to protect your home without a major hit to your bank account is to invest in preventative measures, rather than waiting for damage to pop up or grow worse. Whether you’re looking to double check that everything is still in great working order or you think there’s a problem with your roof, let the roofing experts figure out what’s going on. One of our team will come out and do a thorough inspection. If nothing is wrong, we can provide documentation you can hold onto for insurance purposes. If we do find damage, our team can provide an estimate for the costs to repair or re-roof your home, depending on what the best course of action is for your situation.
At Kramer Construction, we serve Charleston and the surrounding areas. Fill out the form below to request an inspection and make sure your roof is in good repair. Or, if you have more questions, feel free to give us a call! Our team is happy to help you out and provide you with a high-quality roof with expert installation, for protection that lasts.