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Roofing/Importance of complying w/ASTM 3462 standards?

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Question
Please, my homework for this roofing job causes me to request compliance w/ the ASTM 3462 standards for application of materials. #1.Should a homeowner eliminate roofers who don't know what that is and say they'll have to look that up and get back w/me?  I thought that was really, really important.
#2.  Does ASTM 3462 apply ONLY to the shingles or to the application of all the materials: the membrane, the felt, flashing, etc?

Thanks a million!

Answer
Martha,
1) I would be surprised if you found a shingle that didn't comply with ASTM d3462. Secondly as installers we really dont deal with ASTM specs; that is more on the manufacturing end. Roofing contractors typically concern themselves with weights or warranty lengths when discussing shingles for our clients. I dont think you should eliminate every contractor that needs to call you back on your request.

2) You may be thinking of FHA roof standards, which is a base requirement for underlayment, nail type, ventilation, flashing details and shingle quality. It's the government standard for residential housing and covers the roof as a system more than ASTM does.


You may be complicating this more than you need to; find a contractor the installs either GAF or Certainteed roofing and one who is certified by the manufacturers to do so.

GAF's Contractor Locator:
http://www.gaf.com/General/GafMain.asp?Silo=RES1&App=DIST&WS=GAF&Force=../../../...

GAF's Roof system components:
http://www.gaf.com/General/GafMain.asp?Silo=RES1&WS=GAF&App=ROOF&Force=learnabou...

Certainteed:
http://www.certainteed.com/region.aspx?from=%2fproducts%2froofing

I hope Ive helped,
Tom

Roofing

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Tom Petrilli

Expertise

I can answer questions about residential and light commercial roofing. I really enjoy solving complicated problems. My expertise is in shingle, slate and traditional metals (copper, lead, terne, stainless) as well as single ply low slope roofing. I have also installed a considerable amount of synthetic slate.

Experience

I have been a roofer for 21 years, I've owned my own company for the past 13.

Organizations
The National Roofing Contractors Assoc and Virginia Association of Roofing Contractors

Education/Credentials
I have attended numerous manufacturer training programs as well as sought out experts in specialized work for instruction.

Awards and Honors
A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, A rating from Angies List, highest mark for quality and value from the Washington Consumer Checkbook

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