How a Roof Should Be Installed — The RCC Standard
How a Roof Should Be Installed — The RCC Standard
What Separates a Quality Installation from a Shortcut
Most homeowners can’t evaluate a roof installation. The work happens above your head, it’s done in a day, and the crew is gone before you can inspect it. That’s why most roofing companies cut corners — because nobody is looking.
At Roof Concepts Construction, we publish our installation standards because we want homeowners to know what right looks like. Every RCC roof replacement follows the same process, every time, on every home.
The 8 Non-Negotiable Standards on Every RCC Installation
1. Hand-Nailed Installation
Every shingle on every RCC roof is hand-nailed. This means a skilled installer drives each nail individually, controlling depth and angle precisely. Pneumatic nail guns fire nails at inconsistent depths — some too deep (cracking the shingle mat), some too shallow (allowing wind uplift). Hand-nailing eliminates this variability. The result: better adhesion, fewer blow-offs, and a longer-lasting roof system.
2. EPDM Rubber Washer Screw Flashings
Every pipe flashing on an RCC roof is secured with EPDM rubber-washered screws instead of standard roofing nails. Standard nails can back out over time due to thermal expansion, creating leak points. EPDM screws have threaded shafts that grip the decking permanently and rubber washers that seal the penetration point. They will not back out, rust through, or fail before your roof does.
3. Code-Compliant 2×4 Drip Edge
RCC installs full 2×4 drip edge on every roof. Many contractors use 2×2 drip edge as a cost-cutting shortcut. The problem: 2×2 drip edge doesn’t extend far enough to protect the decking edge from water intrusion, and it doesn’t meet code in most jurisdictions. 2×4 is the standard. We don’t deviate.
4. Proper Ventilation Calculation
Every attic gets a ventilation calculation before installation begins. The goal is a balanced system: 50% intake (soffit vents) and 50% exhaust (ridge vent or turbines). Improper ventilation is one of the leading causes of premature roof failure and voided manufacturer warranties. RCC calculates and installs the right balance on every job.
5. RCC Defender Perimeter Protection
Before any shingle comes off your roof, the RCC Defender system goes up. Heavy-duty netting is deployed around your entire property — shielding siding, windows, landscaping, AC units, and walkways from debris. At the end of the project, magnetic sweeps clear every nail from your yard. Your property is protected from tear-off to cleanup.
6. DryerJack Dryer Vent Installation
Most contractors reuse whatever dryer vent is already on the roof. RCC installs DryerJack vents — a purpose-built, code-compliant dryer exhaust vent that prevents lint buildup, reduces fire risk, and improves dryer efficiency. This is a safety upgrade that most homeowners don’t even know they need.
7. Proper Bathroom Vent Installation
Bathroom exhaust vents must terminate outside the home, not into the attic. Venting into the attic causes moisture buildup, mold growth, and decking rot. RCC verifies and corrects bathroom venting on every replacement to prevent long-term moisture damage.
8. No Exposed Nail Heads
Every detail is finished cleanly. No nail heads are left exposed where they can rust, create leak points, or corrode over time. It’s a small detail that separates a roof built to last from a roof built to look done.
These eight standards are not an upgrade. They are not an add-on package. They are the baseline on every Roof Concepts Construction replacement. If a roofing company isn’t doing all eight, ask them why.
A Roof System That Breathes
Your roof isn’t just shingles. It’s a system — and every component needs to work together.
The decking is the structural foundation. The underlayment is the moisture barrier. The shingles are the weather surface. The flashing seals every penetration and transition point. The ventilation system regulates temperature and moisture in the attic. And the perimeter protection (drip edge, starter strip, ice and water shield in valleys) ties it all together.
When any one of these components is installed incorrectly, the entire system is compromised. A roof with great shingles but bad ventilation will fail early. A roof with perfect nailing but unsealed flashings will leak. The RCC standard addresses every component because a roof is only as strong as its weakest detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is hand-nailed roof installation?
Hand-nailed installation means every shingle is fastened by a skilled installer using a hammer, not a pneumatic nail gun. This gives precise control over nail depth and angle, which improves shingle adhesion, reduces blow-off risk, and extends the life of the roof system. Roof Concepts Construction hand-nails every roof.
Why do you use EPDM screws instead of nails on flashings?
Standard roofing nails can back out of the decking over time due to thermal expansion and contraction. When a flashing nail backs out, it creates a direct path for water into your home. EPDM rubber-washered screws have threaded shafts that grip permanently and rubber washers that maintain a watertight seal for the life of the roof.
What is the RCC Defender system?
The RCC Defender is a proprietary perimeter protection system. Heavy-duty netting is deployed around the entire property before installation begins, shielding siding, windows, landscaping, and AC units from falling debris. Combined with magnetic nail sweeps at completion, it ensures your property is protected throughout the entire project.
What should I look for in a roofing contractor?
Ask about their nail method (hand vs. gun), their flashing fastener type (screws vs. nails), whether they calculate ventilation or just match what’s there, their drip edge size (2×4 vs. 2×2), and whether they provide perimeter protection. If a contractor can’t answer these questions specifically, they may not be building to the standard your home deserves.
Do these standards apply to every RCC job?
Yes. Every replacement, every home, every time. These are not upgrade options. They are the baseline standard on every Roof Concepts Construction installation.
Schedule a Roof Inspection
Want to see these standards in action? Schedule an inspection and we’ll show you exactly what your current roof looks like — and what a properly installed system should include.
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