A roof is the most expensive thing on a house that most owners never look at, and they usually meet it for the first time when it leaks. At that moment they are asked to choose a material, a contractor and a price in a week, using vocabulary they have never needed before.
Almost everything on an estimate can be understood in an evening. This site exists to give you that evening.
Who we write for
Homeowners, landlords and small-property owners in the United States who are facing a roof replacement, a gutter problem or a quote they cannot compare, and who would rather understand the job than simply trust it.
Everything here lives in one category, Roofing & Gutters: comparing roofing materials, reading replacement estimates, sizing gutters and downspouts, spotting the signs of an ageing roof from the ground, and getting attic ventilation right.
How we work
- We explain what each line item is for. Underlayment, flashing, drip edge and decking allowances are the lines where quotes diverge. Knowing what they do tells you which omission matters.
- We give ranges and name the variables. Roof costs depend on pitch, layers, access, region and season. We never quote a single figure we cannot defend.
- We say when the cheap option is the right one. A well-installed basic shingle often outlasts an expensive material installed carelessly, and we say so.
- We name the failure mode. Every roofing material fails in a characteristic way. Each article explains how, and what to look for before it does.
- We keep safety in the foreground. We do not recommend that readers climb onto roofs. Where an inspection is needed from above, we say to hire someone equipped for it.
Where we stop
Structural and safety judgment. Whether a roof deck, truss or chimney is sound is for a licensed professional on site. We explain what such a person looks for. We do not diagnose your roof.
Code and permit interpretation. Building codes, permit rules and wind or snow requirements vary by town. We tell you to ask your local building department and do not tell you what it will require.
Insurance and warranty disputes. We explain common warranty terms. We do not interpret your policy or advise on a claim.
Who writes here
Walter Brandt — Editor. Walter spent fourteen years as a residential roofing estimator and project coordinator in Ohio, measuring roofs, writing bids and explaining to homeowners why two quotes for the same house differed by thousands of dollars. That experience is why this site starts from the estimate and works backwards to the roof. He writes Ridgecap Guide for the person in the driveway holding a quote.
How this site is funded
Ridgecap Guide is free to read and is supported by display advertising, plus affiliate links on some pages. If you use an affiliate link and buy something, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Advertisers do not see our articles before publication and have no influence over them; ads are placed automatically by third-party networks. Affiliate commissions do not decide our recommendations either — much of what we recommend is repair, maintenance and a slower decision, which is the least profitable advice in this industry. The full disclosure is on our Disclaimer page.
Corrections
Products and practices change, and we get things wrong. If something here is wrong, send it through our contact form with a source. We will verify it, correct the article, and record what changed and when.
Get in touch
Questions, disagreements and topic suggestions are welcome through our Contact page. We cannot inspect your roof or price your job, but we can usually tell you which two questions to ask your contractor before you sign.