Ordering the shingles, panels, or other major roofing materials is usually the easy part. It’s the smaller items that can get overlooked. A missing box of roofing nails or a few pipe boots may not seem like a big problem when the order is placed, but discovering the shortage once the crew is on the roof can mean a trip back to the supplier, extra delivery costs, or a delayed installation.
A complete roofing order and successful roofing project need to account for the smaller components too, including starter strips, ridge caps, drip edge, flashing, fasteners, sealants, ventilation products, and other accessories.
Don’t Forget the Starter Strips
Starter shingles or factory-made starter strips are installed along the eaves to secure the first course of shingles. Since they’re separate from the main field shingles, they’re easy to leave off a material list when the focus is on ordering the bulk of the roof.
Check the roof layout and manufacturer requirements when figuring out how much starter material you’ll need. Including it with the original order means the crew has what it needs when installation begins, rather than discovering a missing component halfway through the job.
Check the Ridge Cap
Ridge caps are another common omission. They’re installed along the roof’s ridges and need to coordinate with the shingle system being used.
The quantity isn’t always as simple as ordering a few extra bundles of shingles, so check the roof measurements and the manufacturer’s specifications when calculating how much ridge cap material you’ll need.
If the project includes a ridge vent, make sure the ventilation components and compatible ridge cap materials are included too.
Add Drip Edge and Other Roof Edge Materials
Drip edge protects the roof edges and helps direct water away from vulnerable areas. It’s a relatively small part of the overall order, which makes it easy to leave off the material list.
Take a look at the eaves and rakes when putting together the order, as the roof may require different quantities or configurations depending on the design.
Account for Pipe Boots
Plumbing penetrations need their own flashing components. Pipe boots fit around pipes that pass through the roof and help seal those openings against water.
Count the penetrations before finalizing the order. It’s much better to have the appropriate pipe boots on site before installation than to stop work because one was missed.
Different pipe sizes and roof systems can call for different products, so don’t assume one type will work for every penetration.
Double-Check Flashing
Flashing deserves a closer look when reviewing a roofing order. Valleys, chimneys, walls, roof-to-wall intersections, and other transitions can require specific flashing components.
Step flashing is particularly easy to miss on projects involving walls or other vertical surfaces. A roof can have all the shingles and underlayment it needs and still run into problems if the flashing materials weren’t accounted for.
Look beyond the main roof area when reviewing the material list. The details around the edges and transitions can require a surprisingly exact amount of material.
Don’t Leave Out Roofing Nails and Fasteners
Fasteners are among the smallest items on a roofing order, but they’re also among the easiest to forget.
The type and quantity needed can depend on the roofing material and manufacturer’s requirements. Asphalt shingles, metal roofs, and other systems don’t necessarily use the same fasteners.
The same goes for nails used with accessories and related materials. Check the specifications for the complete roof system rather than assuming the fasteners already on hand will cover the entire job.
Check for Ice and Water Shield
Ice and water shield may be needed in specific vulnerable areas of a roof. Depending on the project, it can be used around eaves, valleys, penetrations, and other areas where additional protection from water intrusion is required.
It shouldn’t automatically be added to every order in the same quantity. Review the roof details and project specifications to determine where it’s required and how much is needed.
Remember Closure Strips for Metal Roofing
Metal roofing orders come with their own collection of smaller accessories. Closure strips are one example that can easily be missed when the main focus is on the metal panels.
Closures help seal gaps at certain roof details and are selected based on the specific panel profile and application. If you’re ordering metal roofing, review the accessory requirements for that particular panel system rather than creating an order around the panels alone.
Include Sealants and Other Small Accessories
Sealants, adhesives, flashing materials, and other small products can disappear into the background of a large roofing order. They’re also the kinds of materials that can bring work to a stop when they’re missing.
Check the manufacturer’s requirements for the products being installed. Using the specified sealants and compatible accessories can be important for proper installation and maintaining applicable product warranties.
Don’t Forget Roof Ventilation Components
A roofing order may also need ventilation products, particularly when an existing system is being replaced, or the project includes changes to attic ventilation.
Depending on the roof design, the material list could include ridge vents, attic vents, intake vents, or other ventilation components. Make sure these are compatible with the roofing system and included in the order before the project begins.
The Extra Materials Worth Planning For
It’s understandable to want an exact material order. Nobody wants to pay for significantly more product than the project requires. At the same time, ordering too tightly can create its own problems.
Extra materials may be worth considering for products where cutting, breakage, damage, or installation conditions could affect the final quantity. That doesn’t mean adding arbitrary amounts to every order. It means accounting for the waste factors and project conditions that apply to the specific roofing system.
Your supplier can help you check quantities against the material list before the order is finalized.
A Quick Check Before You Place the Order
Before submitting a roofing material order, look beyond the main materials and run through the details:
- Main roofing material
- Starter shingles or starter strips
- Ridge caps
- Drip edge
- Step flashing
- Valley and other flashing
- Pipe boots
- Underlayment
- Ice and water shield where required
- Roofing nails and other fasteners
- Sealants and adhesives
- Closure strips for applicable metal roofing systems
- Roof ventilation products
- Other manufacturer-specific accessories
The exact list will vary from one roofing project to another, but checking these categories can catch many of the small omissions that cause problems later.
Why Complete Roofing Orders Matter
A missing accessory can be more than a minor inconvenience. If the crew can’t finish a portion of the roof without it, the project may stop while someone tracks down the material. That can mean extra labor, additional delivery charges, lost time, and frustrated customers, which isn’t good news for any roofing company.
It’s especially worth taking a closer look at orders involving roof replacement, re-roofing, metal roofing, or custom materials. These projects can involve more components and manufacturer-specific requirements than a straightforward shingle order.
Build Your Next Roofing Order With Shunde Roofing Supply
Getting the major materials on the list is only part of putting together a complete roofing order. The smaller accessories can be just as important to keeping the project moving.
Shunde Roofing Supply works with roofing contractors, roofers, businesses, and property owners throughout Los Angeles and Southern California. Our team can help you with your next project by checking product availability, reviewing material lists, and identifying compatible roofing accessories for your order.
With locations in La Puente and Santa Fe Springs, plus local pickup and qualifying jobsite and rooftop delivery options, you can source the materials needed for your next roofing project in one place.
Call (626) 999-9903 or fill out our form to check availability or discuss your next order.