Is Roofing Easy to Learn?

If you are thinking about getting a job as a roofer, or your debating on whether you should install the roof on your shed or house yourself. You may be wondering if roofing is easy to learn?

Is roofing easy to learn? It is easy to learn the basics of roofing for simpler projects like shingling a shed. However, roofing becomes more challenging and technical for more complex roof designs found on homes. Nevertheless, any skill can be learned through practice and training.

Depending on what you are trying to do will determine how challenging it is to learn to roof. The Do-It-Yourself Roofer will be different from the person looking to get a job as a Roofing Contractor. There are many great resources available to help those on both sides of the spectrum.

The Do-It-Yourself Roofer:

If you are an at-home roofer looking to shingle a shed. You can easily find some good step by step instructions or how-to videos online.

These tutorials can guide you through simple projects that you may be doing.

I would not recommend shingling your own home unless you own a roof that is simpler like a single gable or hip roof. Anything else more complicated than that like a hip-valley roof with dormers or any combination roof should be done by a professional contractor.

The roof plays a vital role in keeping your home protected from the elements. This valuable part of your house should be done correctly by a professional.

You do not want to make a mistake on your roof that will lead to a leaky roof a few years down the road.

The Roofing Contractor:

If you are thinking about going into roofing, I must say that I think it’s a good job and a great skill to learn. You can check out my other article where I explain more about the demands of roofing and the reasons why I enjoy roofing here.

With that said roofing is a great skill to learn because it can benefit you and those around you throughout your life.

The more skills you know the more useful you become.

For a contractor, there are several different ways you can learn to roof.

On the Job Training
Self-Taught
Roofing Classes

On the Job Training:

I first learned how to roof from on the job training. Many roofing companies will start you out with the basics of roofing like laying felt and installing shingles.

Then as you progress and gain experience, they will teach you more technical skills.

There are some techniques used that only apply to certain situations found on specific roofs. As you come across those specific situations you will have the opportunity to learn the technical skills necessary for that situation.

Self-Taught:

If you don’t have the option for on the job training yet and you are still looking to learn. There are several ways you can learn on your own.

You can check out various how-to videos across the internet and step-by-step guides.

Plus, several manufacturers have given out free instructions for using their products. Here are some sources that I have found:

These are just a few options out there. You can find a product installation guide from almost any roofing supply manufacturer.

If you know which products you will likely be using, then you can check out their website and will likely find a product installation instruction.

Also if you are into books and manuals there is the Complete Guide to Roofing and the Slate Roofing Design Manual.

Roofing Classes:

Roofing Classes are perfect for those who want to make sure that they are learning the proper way to do things.

There are several roofing classes available to teach the technical skills of both commercial and residential roofing.

Some of which are sponsored by roofing manufacturers, others are taught by outside companies.

Here are some resources to help you find a roofing class near you.

GAF Sponsored Classes:

GAF Sponsored CARE class teaches all the different aspects of roofing for both commercial and residential.

They offer different training events at roadshow conventions throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Their U.S. Training Centers are located at:

Walpole, Massachusetts
Michigan City, Indiana
Tampa, Florida
Dallas and Gainesville, Texas
Cedar City, Utah
Fontana, California
New Columbia, Pennsylvania
Statesboro, Georgia

CARE- Center for the Advancement of Roofing Excellence Course

GAF Roofing Events/Classes Calendar

CertainTeed Classes:

CertainTeed teaches classes based on product knowledge and credential programs through in-person classes, online programs, and webinars.

They not only offer classes about roofing but also classes for trim, siding and fencing.

You can check out their classes by following this link here.

NRCA University

The National Roofing Contractors Association offers webinars, training, and classes. Their classes cover various aspects of roofing for all levels. They range from new roofers to executives, senior leaders, and managers.

Here is the link to where you can check them out.

Haag Inspector Certification Class

This class is for those who are interested in becoming a roof inspector. Many insurance companies will hire a roof inspector to check the homes of those who have made insurance claims for things like hail/wind damage.

In order to be an inspector, you need to know how various roofs should be properly installed.

The Haag Inspector certification is accepted in various states across the U.S. and in Canadian Councils.

You can learn more about the Haag Inspector Certification Class here.

Carlisle Trainings

Carlisle focuses on commercial roofing products for flat roof systems such as:

EPDM
TPO
FleeceBack
PVC

They created a CCM Training and Education center which offers both a classroom-type atmosphere and hands-on training.

Click here to learn more about Carlisle Training Center.

SRCA- Slate Roofing Contractors Association

The classes offered by SRCA feature in-class training and annual conferences. All their classes and training are dedicated to Slate roofing.

If Slate roofing is the type of roofing you want to learn, then this would be a great class for you.

You can view their class and training offers by clicking here.

TRI-Tile Roofing Industry

The tile roofing industry offers great classes specific for concrete and clay tile roofs.

They offer two types of certifications the Installation Manual Certification, and the High Wind Certification.

They offer certification classes in various states across the U.S.

Click Here to check out their certification class schedule.

Canada Roofing Classes:

The GAF sponsored CARE- CARE- Center for the Advancement of Roofing Excellence Course that I talked about earlier is also available in Canada.

RCABC- Roofing Contractors Association of British Columbia

RCABC is affiliated with the CRCA- Canadian Roofing Contractors Association, and the NRCA. They offer classes for all the different aspects of roofing and own a Training Center.

Their classes feature:

Apprenticeships
Safety Training

Professional Development
Accepted Observer Training

Upon completion of the class requirements, you can be recognized by RCABC as a Master Roofer.

You can learn more about the RCABC training and Education Opportunity by following this link.

Roofing Technology, Maintenance and Inspection Roofing Training Course

This is a 4-day course held at a training center located at Mississauga Ont. Canada.

Upon enrollment, they offer a roofing textbook to go along with the hands-on training.

The course teaches you how to work with the roofing materials PVC, TPO, EPDM, 2-ply Modified Bitumen, coal tar, asphalt, 4-ply BUR.

They also have subjects that cover roofing safety and leak detection.

If you are interested in checking out this course, you can follow this link to learn more.

United Kingdom Roofing Classes:

NCTS-National Construction Training Services

This course offers training in many different areas of construction.

The roofing related courses that they offer include:

Waterproof Membrane Roofing Systems
Slate and Tiling
Health & Safety Training
Working at Height for Roofing Operative

You can learn more about the courses they offer by clicking here.

Roof Train

Roof Training course if for all levels of roofers. They offer apprenticeship roof training courses that cover topics such as:

Pitched roofing
Welding & Bossing
Slating & Tiling
Solar Installation
Roof Estimating

You will have the opportunity to learn how to install natural slates, cement fiber man-made slates, concrete interlocking single lap tiles, plain tiles, shingles, basic lead dressing skills, and solar/PV panel installation.

Click here to learn more about Roof Train’s training program.

Eastern Region Roofing Training Group

This training group can provide you with a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) which can be used to apply for a Construction Skills Certification Scheme or a CSCS.

They offer courses and qualifications for:

Bituminous (Blue CSCS Card)
Roof Sheeting & Cladding (Blue CSCS Card)
Single Ply Roofing (Blue CSCS Card)
Liquid Applied Roofing (Blue CSCS Card)
Roof, Slate & Tile (Blue CSCS Card)
Construction Contracting Operations (Black Manager’s CSCS Card)
Occupational Work Supervision (Gold Supervisor’s CSCS Card)

They also offer apprenticeships and up-skill courses for all levels of roofers. Even those just looking to roof a small home extension.

In addition to their in-person training courses, they also have E-learning options for a variety of classes.

You can learn more about the Eastern Region Roofing Training Group here.