Finish roofing is generally installed as soon as possible after the roof sheathing has been applied. The idea is to protect the sheathing and what’s beneath it from possible rain damage. It is, however, a good idea to make sure any projections through the roof deck, such as plumbing and exhaust vents, are in place before the roofing is installed. Siding can wait in place before the roofing is installed. Siding can wait slightly longer; it’s usually applied just after the doors and windows are set.
As with most homebuilding products, you have many options in roofing and siding. The choices you make not only affect the style and appearance of your home, but also determine its maintenance needs over time. Installation methods also play a big part in the service life of roofing and siding materials.
While traditionalists are likely to prefer such natural roofing materials as cedar shingles and slate, it’s also worth considering some of the newer, lower maintenance (and sometimes lower-cost) alternatives. Asphalt roofing shingles are available in a wide variety of colors, patterns and weights—some resembling natural wood roofing from a distance. Premium asphalt shingles can last as long as 30 years or more, so their higher price can actually be a bargain when compared to standard asphalt shingles, which last only 15 to 20 years.
Depending on the geographical region and the architectural style of your home, you might also consider clay-tile roofing, lighter weight aluminum, fiberglass and composition roof-tile designs. Slate-like roofing made of concrete and polymers is another option, as is metal roofing.
Among siding materials, a host of newer products emulate traditional materials. Affordable, low maintenance vinyl sidings are now available with embossed wood-grain patterns. Aluminum panels simulate individual wood shingles. And there are many interesting options among genuine and imitation stone veneers, and, of course, brick veneer. EIFS, stucco-like coatings applied over insulating foam, offer yet another alternative.

Roofing Basics
The effectiveness and durability of most roofs, however, depend largely upon proper installation of the underlayment, flashing, and ventilation, as well as the finish roofing material. Roofing underlayment acts as a safety net between the roofing material and the bare roof deck. It also protects the roof sheathing during construction. Underlayment comes in several thicknesses and weights, with 15-pound asphalt-impregnated felt the most common choice. Generally, the steeper the roof, the lower the acceptable grade of underlayment. On more troublesome shallow-slope roofs, underlayment often takes a beating. Your contractor must glue both the overlapping paper edges together and the paper to the roof deck using roofing cement, a thick, semi-liquid, petroleum-based product.
Relatively new to residential construction, rubberized asphalt membranes offer a no-mess alternative to roof cement. They are extremely effective at preventing water damage from ice dams, and these self-adhesive membranes work even on low-slope roofs.