Salem Roofing Story: Why Proper Ventilation and Certified Installation Matter

Hi, this is Chris Zorzy from A&A Services, and I want to share a story about a roofing job we did in Salem that really drives home the importance of hiring an honest, truly certified contractor.

So, I got a call to go out to Salem to meet a couple looking to replace the roof on their very old home. It wasn’t quite an antique, but definitely had some age to it. As I was inspecting the property, I realized right away that ventilation was going to be an issue—and that’s where the story really begins.

See, we’re Owens Corning certified contractors, and that means we’re held to a strict set of installation standards. We don’t just throw a roof on and call it a day. Owens Corning randomly inspects our completed jobs to make sure we’re following their guidelines. We’ve been inspected a couple times already, and we’ve always passed because we do things the right way.

Now, a lot of contractors out there also claim to be certified—whether it’s through Owens Corning, GAF, CertainTeed, or another manufacturer. But not all certifications are created equal. What most homeowners don’t realize is that to actually qualify for those extended warranties manufacturers offer—like the 50-year warranties—your roof has to be installed exactly to spec, including proper ventilation.

If you cut corners—like using cheap underlayments or skipping proper airflow—and there’s a problem down the road, that manufacturer won’t honor the warranty. They send out inspectors too, and if they find installation errors, that warranty becomes worthless.

So back to this couple in Salem. During my inspection, I found we couldn’t get enough ventilation into their roof structure to meet Owens Corning’s criteria for the 50-year extended warranty. I explained that to them honestly. I told them we’d still use top-tier materials—synthetic underlayments, high-grade ice and water shields—and do the job right, but I couldn’t promise the extended warranty unless we met the ventilation requirement.

They appreciated my honesty, but then mentioned another contractor—also claiming to be certified—who said he could get them the extended warranty. I was surprised. I said, “I don’t know how he could possibly get enough ventilation in this roof, unless he’s doing something I’ve never heard of.” Something wasn’t adding up.

So I advised them to call the manufacturer directly. I said, “Don’t just take my word or his. Ask the people who stand behind the product.” And to their credit, they did. They called Owens Corning, explained the roof configuration, and the answer came back clear: no, the roof couldn’t qualify for the extended warranty with its current structure.

That honesty won us the job. We added ventilation where we could, built a solid, long-lasting roof, and the homeowners were left with peace of mind—not just in the materials, but in the integrity of the installation.

So the takeaway here? Not every contractor who flashes a certification badge is doing things by the book. Ask questions, verify claims, and make sure you’re working with someone who prioritizes your home over the sale. That’s what sets a real pro apart.

Tags: salem