In Vancouver you get three types of roofs. The first is the heritage home where the eave of the roof is probably twenty feet from the floor. The pitch of the roof is probably a 12/12 with three layers. The first layer is cedar and the two above are asphalt. Now day building code requires all roofing to come off before  a new roof is placed on. Plywood is essential and an increase of ventilation. Most of the heritage homes in Vancouver do not have soffit vents so having them installed is crucial.

The second kind of roof is the one layer or maybe two that sits on a shiplap deck. I increase the ventilation on these because more ventilation never hurt anyone, and especially your roof! Plywood is always a recommendation due to the movement of shiplap between the winter and summer. If your shiplap is wider than eight inches and narrower than six inches and you have no plywood you are probably in trouble when the warranty expires.

The third type of roof is the Vancouver special low slope tar and gravel roof. You have two options with this. One is to go metal. This is a good idea if you want the roof to stay on forever. The other is torch on. This has to be placed on by someone who knows what they are doing and have fire insurance. These will usually have a twenty year warranty.

When getting an estimate, it is important to know whether the roofer on your house knows the construction of your home.