Open Or Closed Roof Valley Better

When installing a closed valley the roofer will cover the roof with underlayment.

Open or closed roof valley better.

The only type of valley that is unacceptable is the woven valley. I m leaning towards an open metal valley but i ve had contractors disagree saying that the metal expands and contracts too much. After covering the roof with underlayment they ll then install a pre bent metal valley. I kind of prefer the look of the closed valley.

Architects often prefer closed valleys to open valleys as they feel that it gives a home better architectural appeal. And while some homeowners may prefer the aesthetics of a closed valley the heavier and thicker the shingle the less likely it is to lie flat across a joint. That said an open roof valley is a good option if you want to the metal strip to serve as an architectural detail on the roof. Open valleys may be susceptible to water backup if the cut off shingles are not properly trimmed potentially causing roof leaks.

It is always a good idea to check with the manufacturer or a certified installer of the product such as ourselves. The metal is usually pre painted to best complement the shingles color blend. The shingles will act as the valley lining and will protect the roof deck and underlayment against water run off. Open valleys on the other hand leave the metal exposed which may be more pleasing to the eye especially if copper is used as the valley lining.

Closed roof valleys are also more affordable as installing a metal lining costs extra. They ll then install the shingles onto the roof deck extending them through the valley. For an open valley a sheet of metal usually steel sometimes copper is fastened to the roof deck. Although the open valley is recommended by the manufacturer closed valley is acceptable.

The open valley looks like each plane of the roof was cut in separate and the eye is drawn to the separation. When installing an open valley the roofing company will add another layer of lining to the roof valley. The closed cut valleys are cheaper and commonly done in my area but they tend to wear out sooner due to the high volume of water in the valley washing away the protective grit on the shingles there before on the rest of the roof. However it is said that provided the rest of the roofing shingles were properly installed and are performing properly open valleys will perform better over time than closed valleys.

It might cost a little more in materials around 150 500 on average depending on the home and material. Roofers on the other hand often prefer an open valley because they feel it is more practical. For this reason professional roofers proudly supports the closed system of valleys. However a closed system simply performs better.