Roofing Course

Lesson 1 • The Roofing Trade Overview

Covers the scope of roofing work, career pathways, and industry structure. Connects professional identity to daily job-site responsibilities.

Lesson 2 • Reading Roofing Plans and Specs

Teaches blueprint symbols, slope notation, and specification documents. Accurate plan reading prevents costly installation errors.

Lesson 3 • Job Site Safety Fundamentals

Introduces fall protection, PPE requirements, and hazard recognition. Safety compliance underpins every task covered in later chapters.

Lesson 4 • Roofing Materials Overview

Surveys primary material categories: shingles, membranes, metal, and tile. Provides the vocabulary needed for all subsequent material-specific chapters.

Lesson 1 • Roof Area Measurement and Estimation

Applies geometry to calculate squares, waste factors, and material quantities. Precise takeoffs reduce material overruns and project costs.

Lesson 2 • Ventilation and Attic Airflow Principles

Explains intake and exhaust ventilation ratios and their structural impact. Proper ventilation prevents deck deterioration and moisture damage.

Lesson 3 • Roof Slope and Pitch Calculations

Teaches rise-over-run ratios, slope categories, and their effect on material selection. Accurate slope data drives every installation decision.

Lesson 4 • Roof Deck Types and Conditions

Covers plywood, OSB, and board decking along with inspection criteria. Deck condition determines underlayment and fastener choices.

Lesson 1 • Felt and Synthetic Underlayment Installation

Teaches horizontal coursing, lap dimensions, and fastening patterns for field underlayment. Consistent installation prevents wind-driven rain infiltration.

Lesson 2 • Drainage Design and Water Management

Explains how slope, crickets, and saddles direct water to gutters and drains. Effective drainage design extends roof system life significantly.

Lesson 3 • Underlayment Types and Properties

Compares felt, synthetic, and self-adhering underlayments by weight, permeability, and durability. Material choice sets the foundation for long-term waterproofing.

Lesson 1 • Shingle Repair and Replacement

Addresses individual shingle removal, replacement, and sealant application for repairs. Repair skills extend roof life without full system replacement.

Lesson 2 • Field Shingle Layout and Fastening

Covers chalk-line layout, exposure settings, and nail placement zones. Consistent layout produces straight courses and maximum wind resistance.

Lesson 3 • Shingle Types and Selection

Differentiates three-tab, architectural, and impact-resistant shingles by performance class. Correct selection matches product to climate and structural requirements.

Lesson 4 • Starter Course and Eave Installation

Establishes the critical first course that seals eave edges and aligns all subsequent rows. Errors here propagate through the entire field installation.

Lesson 1 • Valley Flashing Methods

Compares open, closed-cut, and woven valley techniques for water management. Valley selection depends on slope, material type, and aesthetic preference.

Lesson 2 • Chimney Flashing Installation

Covers base, step, saddle, and cap flashing for masonry and prefab chimneys. Chimney flashing is the most leak-prone detail on residential roofs.

Lesson 3 • Skylight and Pipe Boot Flashing

Addresses factory and site-built flashing for skylights and rubber pipe boots for penetrations. Penetration details require precise integration with underlayment layers.

Lesson 4 • Flashing Materials and Metal Selection

Compares galvanized steel, aluminium, copper, and lead flashing by durability and compatibility. Material selection prevents galvanic corrosion and premature failure.

Lesson 1 • Built-Up Roofing and Modified Bitumen

Explains multi-ply felt and bitumen systems alongside torch-applied and cold-process modified bitumen. These systems offer redundancy and long service life.

Lesson 2 • TPO and PVC Membrane Systems

Covers thermoplastic membrane properties, heat-welding, and attachment methods. TPO and PVC dominate commercial low-slope applications due to reflectivity and weld strength.

Lesson 3 • EPDM Rubber Membrane Systems

Teaches EPDM installation using ballasted, adhered, and mechanically fastened methods. EPDM's flexibility suits irregular roof shapes and extreme temperature ranges.

Lesson 4 • Low-Slope Flashing and Edge Details

Addresses membrane termination at walls, parapets, drains, and edges. Edge and termination details are the primary failure points in low-slope systems.

Lesson 1 • Substrate and Underlayment for Metal

Specifies deck requirements, vapour management, and underlayment compatibility for metal panels. Incorrect substrate preparation causes condensation and corrosion.

Lesson 2 • Metal Roof Trim and Flashing Details

Covers rake, eave, ridge, and valley trim fabrication and installation. Properly fitted trim completes the weather envelope and enhances appearance.

Lesson 3 • Standing-Seam Panel Installation

Teaches clip attachment, panel alignment, and mechanical seaming sequences. Standing-seam systems require precise layout to maintain watertight seams.

Lesson 4 • Thermal Movement and Expansion Control

Explains how metal expands and contracts and how to accommodate movement without leaks. Ignoring thermal movement causes fastener failure and panel distortion.

Lesson 1 • In-Progress Quality Control

Defines inspection checkpoints at each installation phase to catch errors early. Consistent in-progress checks reduce costly rework and warranty claims.

Lesson 2 • Final Inspection and Punch List

Covers systematic final walkthrough, defect categorisation, and punch-list resolution. A thorough final inspection protects contractor reputation and client satisfaction.

Lesson 3 • Pre-Installation Inspection and Planning

Establishes a systematic approach to assessing existing conditions before work begins. Early defect identification prevents schedule delays and cost overruns.

Lesson 4 • Roofing Project Scheduling and Crew Management

Teaches task sequencing, crew assignment, and weather-window planning for roofing projects. Effective scheduling maximises productivity and minimises weather-related delays.