What You NEED on Your Roof: The Essentials for a Long-Lasting, Worry-Free Roof
Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home. It protects everything underneath it—your family, your belongings, and the structure itself. Yet many homeowners don’t realize that a roof is much more than shingles. It’s a system that relies on proper components, installation, and ventilation to perform at its best.
At Level Up Improvement, we’ve seen firsthand what separates a roof that lasts 10 years from one that lasts 30. And the difference often comes down to what’s under the shingles and how the whole system works together.
If you’re replacing your roof or building a new home, here’s what you absolutely need on your roof to make sure it stands the test of time.
1. Proper Ventilation — The Unsung Hero of Every Roof
Let’s start with something that often goes unnoticed but plays a massive role in your roof’s health: ventilation.
A good roof needs both intake and exhaust ventilation to keep air moving through your attic space. Without it, heat and moisture can build up under your roof deck, leading to a host of problems that can quietly destroy your investment.
Why Ventilation Matters
Your attic is a hidden environment that affects everything from your shingles to your energy bills. Proper ventilation balances the temperature and moisture levels year-round.
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In the summer, hot air gets trapped in the attic, making your home harder to cool and raising energy costs.
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In the winter, trapped moisture can lead to condensation, which can cause mold, mildew, and even rot.
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Poor ventilation also shortens your roof’s lifespan by baking shingles from underneath, creating conditions for ice dams along the eaves and trapping moisture inside the attic.
Intake and Exhaust — A Two-Part System
A ventilation system only works if both intake and exhaust are in place.
Intake ventilation brings cool, fresh air into the attic. This is typically done through soffit vents located under the eaves of the roof.
Exhaust ventilation allows hot, moist air to escape through the top, usually via ridge vents, box vents, or gable vents.
Think of it like breathing — your attic needs to inhale and exhale. Without both parts working together, airflow stops, and problems start.
The Payoff of Proper Ventilation
When done correctly, roof ventilation provides several long-term benefits:
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Extends the life of your shingles
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Reduces the risk of ice dams in winter
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Prevents mold and moisture buildup
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Lowers energy costs year-round
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Keeps your attic insulation dry and effective
If your roofer isn’t talking about ventilation, that’s a red flag. It’s not an optional add-on — it’s a core part of your roof’s performance and warranty.
2. Expert Installation — The Make-or-Break Factor
The next non-negotiable on your roof: expert installation.
You can buy the best materials in the world, but if they’re installed incorrectly, the roof will fail. It’s that simple.
Roofing might look straightforward, but there’s a big difference between a roof that looks good on day one and a roof that’s built to last 30 years.
The Importance of Proper Nailing
You might not think much about nails, but they’re what literally hold your roof together. The right nailing technique ensures the shingles stay in place during high winds and heavy storms.
Each manufacturer has specific guidelines for nail placement, depth, and quantity. Missed nails, overdriven nails, or nails placed too high on the shingle can void the warranty and cause leaks down the line.
It’s not glamorous, but getting the details right here is what separates a professional job from a sloppy one.
Flashing: The Barrier Against Leaks
Flashing is another critical detail that too many installers overlook or rush through. It’s the thin metal material used around chimneys, valleys, skylights, and walls to prevent water intrusion.
If the flashing is improperly installed or reused when it shouldn’t be, water can sneak behind the shingles and cause hidden rot and interior damage.
A good roofer knows how to integrate flashing correctly with the rest of the roofing system to ensure long-term watertight protection.
The Right Materials and Techniques
Roofing systems are evolving, and professional installers keep up with the latest techniques. This includes things like:
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Using starter shingles along eaves and rakes for better wind resistance
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Applying ice and water shield in vulnerable areas like valleys and edges
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Installing drip edge to guide water away from fascia and prevent rot
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Following manufacturer guidelines for every layer of the system
These steps might sound technical, but they’re what protect your home from leaks, rot, and premature failure.
At Level Up Improvement, we train our crews to follow every manufacturer spec and best practice because we know the details matter. A roof that’s installed right the first time doesn’t just perform better—it saves you thousands of dollars and countless headaches down the road.
3. Quality Materials — The Foundation of a Reliable Roof
Even the best installers can’t make up for subpar materials. The products used on your roof directly impact how long it will last and how well it will protect your home.
Shingles That Stand the Test of Time
Not all shingles are created equal. Premium shingles, like CertainTeed Landmark Pro, are designed to handle the weather extremes we see in Michigan—intense summer heat, pounding rain, and heavy snow.
They’re thicker, heavier, and come with longer warranties for a reason. Choosing a quality shingle adds years of protection and value to your home.
Underlayment and Ice Barriers
Beneath your shingles lies another key player: the underlayment. This layer acts as a secondary moisture barrier in case water ever gets under the shingles.
In cold climates, ice and water shields are especially important. They prevent water from backing up under shingles when ice dams form at the roof’s edge. If your roof doesn’t have this protection, it’s only a matter of time before leaks appear.
The Complete Roofing System
A well-built roof isn’t just shingles—it’s an integrated system. The best roofing manufacturers design their products to work together for maximum performance. That includes:
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Starter strips
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Ridge caps
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Ice and water barriers
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Underlayment
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Ventilation components
Using products from the same manufacturer often qualifies your roof for extended warranties and ensures that every layer works in sync.
4. Warranty — The Proof of Quality and Longevity
A roof should come with a proper warranty—and not just the manufacturer’s material warranty. A full system warranty covers both materials and workmanship.
Manufacturer vs. Workmanship Warranties
A manufacturer warranty protects against defects in the roofing materials themselves. These can range from 20 years to a lifetime, depending on the shingle and system.
A workmanship warranty, on the other hand, covers installation errors. This one typically comes directly from the contractor and speaks volumes about their confidence and integrity and can also come from the manufacturer which shows their trust in the installers.
At Level Up Improvement, we stand behind every roof we install because we do things the right way—every single time. Our approach ensures that when a homeowner gets a roof from us, they’re getting both product protection and peace of mind.
Why Warranty Terms Matter
Here’s a simple truth: companies that consistently do things right tend to be around for the long run. That means if you ever need warranty support years down the road, you’ll be dealing with the same trusted team who installed your roof in the first place.
A strong warranty isn’t just about paperwork—it’s a reflection of craftsmanship, accountability, and reputation.
5. A Contractor Who Does the Right Things — Every Time
Ultimately, what you need on your roof goes beyond the materials or the techniques. You need a company that believes in doing the right thing—even when no one’s watching.
Because a good roof starts with good people.
At Level Up Improvement, our philosophy is simple: do the job right, treat every home like it’s our own, and stand by our work for years to come. We don’t cut corners, reuse old flashing, or skip important ventilation steps. We believe in systems that work together, details that matter, and installations that last.
This mindset doesn’t just protect your home—it protects our reputation. And that’s why homeowners continue to trust us year after year.
6. The Big Picture: How Everything Works Together
Each of these elements—ventilation, expert installation, materials, and warranty—plays a specific role. But when combined, they form something much greater: a complete roofing system designed for long-term performance.
Here’s how it all comes together:
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Ventilation keeps your attic cool and dry, preventing damage from the inside out.
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Expert installation ensures every shingle, nail, and flashing piece is in the right place.
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Quality materials provide durability and weather resistance you can count on.
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Strong warranties give you long-term protection and peace of mind.
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A trustworthy contractor ensures every detail is done with care and integrity.
When all of these are done right, your roof doesn’t just survive—it thrives. You’ll have fewer repairs, longer shingle life, and lower energy costs. Most importantly, you’ll know your home is protected from the top down.
7. Final Thoughts: Invest in What’s Above You
Your roof is more than just shingles nailed to wood. It’s a system that protects everything you care about. So when it’s time for a new one, make sure it’s done right—from ventilation to flashing to the final cleanup.
Because when you invest in the right components and choose a company that does things the right way, you’re not just buying a roof—you’re buying security, comfort, and peace of mind for decades to come.
At Level Up Improvement, we’ve built our reputation on doing what’s right, not what’s easy. If you want a roof that lasts, performs, and comes with a warranty you can trust, we’d love to help.