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COMMERCIAL ROOFING

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RESIDENTIAL ROOFING

If your roof is in need of repairs, replacement, or a complete overhaul, UNITED is here for you. Ask us about our remodeling & additions services today!

ABOUT UNITED

United Contracting & Roofing is a local, family owned and operated business. Our focus is long lasting relationships with our clients with quality service.

Roofing Tips

Discover tips, advice, and resources from your friends at United Contracting and Roofing!

Roofing Considerations for Home Additions

When your family needs more space, a home addition can feel like the perfect solution. Maybe you’re dreaming of a second story with mountain views, or a ground-level sunroom for weekend lounging. Either way, one of the most critical — and often underestimated — elements of the project is your roof. At United Contracting & Roofing, we understand that your roof isn’t just the cherry on top; it’s the structural and aesthetic capstone that keeps everything below protected and visually seamless.

Understand How Roofing Shapes Your Project

Every home addition requires extending or modifying the roofline. For a second-story build, the existing roof comes off entirely or is lifted. It may need to be replaced altogether, or parts of it may be integrated into a new roof system. On the other hand, a bump-out or first-floor expansion usually involves tying a new roofing section into the current one, often at a perpendicular angle.

The key challenge? Making sure the new roof doesn’t look like an afterthought. We often see homes where the addition roof doesn’t match the pitch, shingle style, or material of the main roof…and it sticks out in all the wrong ways. That’s where thoughtful planning, experienced installation, and high-quality materials make all the difference!

Matching Isn’t Just About Color

Matching a new roof to your existing one takes more than grabbing the closest shingle color at the hardware store. At United Contracting & Roofing, we look at:

  • Shingle material and texture
  • Pitch and slope of the original roof
  • Overhang depth and fascia detail
  • Roofline symmetry and drainage patterns

 

If your current roof is asphalt and ten years old, for example, installing brand-new shingles on just one part of the house can look uneven. In many cases, we recommend re-roofing the entire structure. This creates a clean, uniform appearance and prevents premature aging on one section.

We often hear, “But my existing roof still looks good!” And it may. But if it’s got less than five years of life left, it often makes more financial sense to do the full roof while the crews are already mobilized, saving time and labor costs in the long run.

Evaluate Your Current Roof’s Condition

Before you start designing your addition, have your existing roof professionally inspected. We walk the roof, check the decking for softness, examine flashing and valleys, and look for signs of aging like curling, cracking, or granular loss. This upfront assessment does more than influence design. It tells us how the new roof section will tie in structurally, whether reinforcement is needed, and if your existing roof is a good candidate for integration or replacement.

Ventilation and Drainage: Don’t Overlook the Details

Whether you’re building up or out, your roof needs to breathe. That means ventilation must be designed to keep hot air from accumulating in the attic or new second floor, which can lead to moisture damage and inflated energy bills. For multi-level additions, we may install ridge vents, soffit vents, or even powered attic fans depending on your setup.

Drainage is just as critical. A poorly planned roof extension can direct water straight into the existing structure or cause ice dams in winter. We design rooflines that shed water efficiently and install flashing that protects the joint where new and old roofs meet.

Material Choices for the Long Haul

In the Southeast, asphalt shingles are still the go-to for most residential roofs. They’re cost-effective, durable, and offer a wide range of styles. But if you’re planning a major home addition, it might be a good time to consider upgrading.

Architectural shingles offer improved wind resistance and depth of design. Metal roofing, popular in many upstate SC areas, provides exceptional longevity and a modern or rustic aesthetic depending on the finish. No matter your material, we ensure that every element — underlayment, decking, flashing, and trim — meets the same high standards of quality and performance.

Plan the Roofing Early in the Process

Too often, roofing decisions come after the addition has already been framed. But your roofing plan should be part of the initial design, not an afterthought. A well-integrated roof preserves your home’s structural integrity, maximizes curb appeal, and minimizes future issues.

Contact Us

At United Contracting & Roofing, we partner with homeowners, builders, and architects from day one. Whether you’re raising your roof or stretching it out, we help you choose the right materials, angles, and systems to ensure your home looks and functions at its best.

Ready to talk about your home addition and what it means for your roof? Schedule your free inspection with our team, and let’s plan your project the right way: from the top down!

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