We speak Peonies!
We begin by looking, being smart. Thinking about the setup, the staging, the impact to the existing surrounds. We start by protecting the garden, the grounds. Building staging and structures over bushes and garden beds to deflect the debris. Preparing to coexist, to leave no trace.
Good Bones:
A rugged wood roof begins with a solid substrate. We take great care to inspect and rebuild any deficiencies in sheathing or framing, to create a strong support structure before starting the all-important papering and flashing stages.
The Paper Chase
The island weather systems close in fast sometimes, so we never rip off more roof than we can waterproof in a day. We lay down the waterproofing layer using 30# tar paper and rolled lead, covering all surfaces completely. Every section of roof is one hundred percent watertight at the end of a day's work so there is no risk of damage from water intrusion. This also allows us a good night's sleep.
Flashing Forward
The weather brings wind rain and snow, the threat of water intrusion. After the tar paper comes copper and rolled lead around chimneys, valleys, terminations and all functions of the junctions, directing water away from the areas most vulnerable.
Shingles and nails
Then finally to the shingles. Alaskan Yellow Cedar aka Nootka Cypress is our preferred material as it is strong, rot-resistant and stands up well to the weather. We hand-nail our shingles using hatchets and 316 stainless nails - no nailguns. This is the tradition.
Copper Strips
We apply copper strips judiciously at all junctions and at regular thirty inch intervals throughout the shingle fields - the caps and strips work as a fungicide and a preservative significantly extending the life of the roof. This is the innovation.
RIDGE CAPS AND COPPER
Woven caps, ridge boards and saddleboards all receive the copper strip treatment. The zinc and lead coating on the copper strips is ablative, bleeding it's preservative goodness onto the shingles below, preventing the growth of mold, lichen, and fungi. Plus it looks great.
