Rochester NY is in a limbo state of identify… Not east enough to be east coast, not west enough to be the in the mid west.
At Rochester Pro Roofing we‘ve worked on roofs across Rochester. From old historical homes that we are tearing off the original slate that was shipped via the Erie canal from the mountains of Vermont over 150 years ago. To the homes that were built with asphalt shingles produced in the heart of Ohio that were destroyed by the Great Wind Storm of 2017.
With extensive experience working on roofs throughout the area, we’ve come to understand that the Flower City operates a bit differently than the rest of the country … especially when it comes to roofing.
What’s Changed In The Past Decade?
Roofing in America has seen the most changed in the last 10 years than it ever has before. With building practices changing, all home are being built tight, resistance to airflow and water.
- Ice & Water shield is now installed on nearly 50% of a typical roof. This protect from ice damming by self sealing to the roofs decking and sealing around all penetrations, creating a complete water proof area on the roof.
- Synthetic Underlayment replaced traditional felt paper. Felt paper is a asphalt based organic paper that protects against moisture build up behind the shingles. Synthetic Underlayment took that idea, and jacked it up on steroids. It is far more water proof, and is slip resistance enough where any steep roof is walkable.
- Ridge Vent is installed on nearly every single home. Before we used box vents. Box vent are extremely limiting and only vent a small sections. A true end to end ridge vent guarantees perfectly ventilation, while limiting penetrations.
- Architectural Shingles are no longer considered the premium option, it is the standard. Three Tab shingles used to dominate the market, but due to their low wind resistance and less durable design. Today, architectural shingles are the go to choice for roof replacements for both performance and appearance.
How Is Rochester Different?
Snow Load
It is no secret, when you tell someone you are from Rochester NY, the first thing they mention is the snow. For 4 months of the year we are dealing with constant snow and bracing for the next storm.
Our homes are built to handle the weight of heavy snow — something that often goes unnoticed. Just 6 inches of snow on a standard 20 square roof can add nearly 4,000 pounds of load.
This is the reason we install Ice & Water shield on all bottom eaves, valleys and around all penetrations.
Home Construction
Rochester has and plethora of older homes that were build over 100 years ago, designed for entirely different roofing systems, such as cedar shake and slate roofing systems.
Frequently when working on a historic home, we are having to re-deck the entire roofing surface to make the roofing system completely flat to allow for asphalt shingle or metal roofs to be installed.
We are almost never installing on a “perfect surface” we are correctly decades of settling and movement.
Wind & Extreme weather
From large Lake Ontario snow bands in January, to the regular wind storms in April, to the rain soaked August, Rochester is extremely prone to strong weather. Residents may consider it mild compared to the rest of the country but that’s just Rochester toughness ingrained in them.
To combat the weather, your Rochester roofer must install 6 nail per shingles. Ice & Water on at least 6 feet from bottom eaves and all chimney’s flashed to perfection. No amount of “Do you your best and caulk the rest” will help you. If it’s not done right, water will get in.
Why National Roofing Advice Doesn’t Always Apply.
The Souths Practices
In many states like Tennessee or South Carolina, it is common to see shingle over hangs extend up to an inch over the edges, creating a sloped appearance along the edges.
Shingles must overhang the edges by at least 1/4’’ to 3/4’’. What makes our process different in Rochester is the style of drip edge. Rochester Roofers install a “D” Style drip edge on all rakes and eaves, with that required overhang built into it. Giving a straight edge to terminate the shingles to.
Florida’s Practices
Florida has some of the strictest roofing code. With extreme heat, heavy rain, and strong winds, roofing systems there are tested daily. However, if a Florida roofer were to install a roof in Rochester using the same methods, it would likely lead to leaks.
One key difference is how roofs terminate against walls. In Rochester, we use step flashing, layered with each course of shingles , to properly direct water down the roof. In Florida a roofer instead uses one full piece of “L Flashing” sealed with tar. With any snow, this would leak straight into the roofing system.
Mid West Practices
In the mid west it is common to see chimney flashing that over extend past the sides of the chimney. This is done to help divert water away from the upper flashing. While this approach can work in certain climates, it’s not ideal for Rochester.
In Rochester all chimney flashings are flashed and bent tightly directly to the chimney wall itself. Extended “Dog ear” flashing relies on exposed sealant to keep water out. Over time the sealant breaks down under UV exposer. When flashing is properly bent and tucked beneath counter flashing, the sealant is protected. Resulting in a longer lasting, more reliable system.
West Coast Practices
In areas such as California or Washington, it is extremely common to see roofers install low profile vents in place of ridge vent. This is done to prevent wild fire risk in the drier west coast climate
However, that type of ventilation system doesn’t perform well in Rochester. Even with a small amount of snow accumulation, those low profile vents would be blocked, stopping air flow entirely. This will ultimately trap heat and cause winter ice damming.
Conclusion
Roofing is not “A one size fits all” and Rochester proves that.
What works in Florida, the Midwest, or the West Coast doesn’t translate here. Our combination of snow load, freeze-thaw cycles, older home construction, and constant weather shifts demands a different level of precision. Every detail matters.
The difference is simple: in Rochester, roofing systems aren’t just built to look good, they are built to survive.
Understanding local roofing practices is critical. Because in a city like Rochester, your roof isn’t just protecting your home… it’s constantly being tested.