Skyridge Ricky's Guide: Roofing for New Construction and Custom Homes in Utah
By Skyridge Ricky • February 26, 2025 • 11 min read
Sunny and I were just talking about this—there is nothing like the smell of fresh-cut lumber on a Utah job site! I love being part of a new build. When you're building your dream home, you're making thousands of tiny decisions, and it's easy to let the roof fall to the bottom of the list.
But here is the truth: the roof is the most important "protective lid" your new house will ever have! If you get the roof wrong on day one, you're just inviting future headaches into your brand new living room. I've seen custom homes in Park City where the builder used cheap paper underlayment just to save a few hundred bucks on a million-dollar project. It drives me crazy! Let me walk you through how we handle new construction so your "forever home" actually stays dry forever.
The "Dried-In" Milestone (Why Speed and Detail Matter)
In the world of new construction, "dried-in" is the magic phrase. It means the roof deck is covered and the house is safe from rain and snow. Builders are always in a rush to get to this point because once the roof is tight, they can start the electrical, plumbing, and drywall inside.
I remember a project in Lehi where the framing was done, but a massive spring storm was rolling in from the mountains. The builder was panicking! We got our crew out there and got the whole 4,000 square foot deck covered in synthetic underlayment in just six hours. It poured that night, but the inside of that house stayed bone dry.
But here is the Skyridge Ricky Rule: don't sacrifice detail for speed. Being "dried-in" doesn't just mean throwing paper down. It means getting the drip edge on, sealing the valleys with ice and water shield, and making sure the chimney saddles are framed right. If you rush the dry-in, you're just hiding mistakes under the shingles. We do it fast, but we do it right.
Professional Takeaways
- Skyridge Ricky's Rule: Dried-in means protected from water, not just "covered"
- Speed is essential to keep other trades (electrical, drywall) on schedule
- We use heavy synthetic underlayment that can handle UV if the shingles are delayed
- All flashing details must be checked *before* the shingles go down
Picking Materials That Match Your Architecture
When you're building a custom home, you want it to look sharp. But in Utah, "pretty" has to be "tough" too. Most people go for architectural shingles because they give you that great dimensional look without the high price tag. But we're seeing more and more people choose standing seam metal or even stone-coated steel for their new builds.
If you're building a modern-style home with those big, clean lines, standing seam metal is the winner. It looks incredible and it handles the snow load like a pro. If you're doing a traditional timber-frame or mountain-rustic look, a heavy designer shingle can mimic the look of wood shakes without the fire risk.
I always tell homeowners to think about the "roof-to-wall" ratios. If your roof is steep and visible from the street, it's a huge part of your curb appeal! Don't just pick "black" or "gray" from a tiny sample. Ask me for a house address where I've installed that specific color so you can see it in the real Utah sun. It looks different at noon than it does at sunset!
Professional Takeaways
- Modern Homes: Standing seam metal offers the cleanest lines
- Rustic/Traditional: Heavy designer shingles mimic wood or slate
- Curb Appeal: The roof is often 40% of what people see from the street
- Always see a full-sized sample in natural sunlight before deciding
Skyridge Ricky's Take on Ventilation and Insulation Planning
This is the part that most people ignore during a new build, but it's what makes your roof last 30 years instead of 15. Your roof needs to "breathe." If we trap all that hot Utah summer air in your attic, it's going to cook your shingles from the inside out.
When we work on new construction, I like to talk to the HVAC guys and the insulators. We want a "balanced" system. That means we need "intake" (usually through the soffits) and "exhaust" (through a ridge vent or attic fans). If we don't have enough intake, the exhaust can actually start sucking air *out* of your house, which wastes your AC and money!
I worked on a custom home in Draper where the builder hadn't planned for enough soffit venting. We caught it before the siding went on and added some "smart vents" at the roof edge. That one little catch probably saved that homeowner $5,000 in energy costs over the next decade. Planning the venting while the rafters are still bare is the only way to get it perfect.
Professional Takeaways
- Ventilation is about balance—you need equal intake and exhaust
- Poor venting "cooks" shingles and voids your warranty
- Coordinate with the insulator to ensure soffit vents aren't blocked
- Ridge vents are the most reliable exhaust for Utah mountain homes
Wrapping it up
Building a home is a wild ride, and the roof is a huge part of the journey. Don't let your builder just pick the "standard" roofer—make sure you have a crew that understands Utah's unique climate and cares about the details. Whether you're doing a simple shingle install or a high-end architectural metal system, the crew at Sky Ridge is ready to help you get dried-in fast and stay dry for decades. Reach out to us early in your planning phase, and let's make sure your new house has the best lid in the neighborhood!
