Top 12 Roofer Skills to Put on Your Resume

Crafting a compelling resume matters for roofers trying to rise above a crowded field. Put the spotlight on the right mix: sharp hands-on technique plus sound judgment, safety, and communication. That blend signals you know the craft and the jobsite realities.

1. Shingle Installation

Shingle installation means laying overlapping courses of shingles over a prepared deck with underlayment and flashings, bottom to top, tight and straight, in line with manufacturer instructions and local code.

Why It's Important

Done right, shingles form a wind- and water-shedding skin. They guard sheathing, improve efficiency with proper ventilation, sharpen curb appeal, and preserve the structure beneath.

How to Improve Shingle Installation Skills

Prep the deck: Clean, dry, flat. Replace rot. Install drip edge correctly—under the underlayment at eaves, over at rakes. In cold climates, add ice and water protection at eaves and valleys.
Starter course: Use dedicated starters along eaves and rakes to lock seal lines and stop wind-driven water.
Layout and lines: Snap chalk lines to keep courses dead straight. Stagger end joints per spec.
Nailing: Hit the nail line. Use correct shank and length for deck thickness. Avoid over/underdriven nails. High-wind zones typically require six nails per shingle.
Flashing and details: Step-flash sidewalls, counterflash as needed, weave or open valleys per design and climate. Seal penetrations with approved accessories.
Ventilation: Balance intake and exhaust to meet or exceed code. Proper airflow curbs heat, moisture, and shingle aging.
Final check: Inspect rows, fasteners, and details. Clear debris. Touch up exposed sealant points.

Strong prep, crisp lines, and faithful specs—longevity follows.

How to Display Shingle Installation Skills on Your Resume

2. Metal Roofing

Metal roofs—panels or shingles in steel, aluminum, copper, and more—deliver durability, low water absorption, and impressive service life for homes and commercial buildings.

Why It's Important

They shrug off storms, shed snow, reflect heat with the right finish, and need little upkeep. Installers who master them bring premium value and fewer callbacks.

How to Improve Metal Roofing Skills

Choose the right system: Standing seam, through-fastened, or metal shingles—match profile to slope, exposure, and structure.
Plan for movement: Allow for thermal expansion with clips, slots, and correct fastener torque. Over-tight is trouble.
Underlayment and substrate: Use high-temp underlayment where dark finishes or low slopes demand it. Keep substrates flat and dry.
Seams and sealants: Form seams cleanly. Use sealants rated for metal and UV. Keep dissimilar metals apart to prevent galvanic corrosion.
Snow and water management: Add snow guards where needed, size gutters accordingly, and flash penetrations with matched accessories.
Maintenance: Periodic checks of fasteners, seams, and coatings catch small issues before they echo.

How to Display Metal Roofing Skills on Your Resume

3. Torch Down Roofing

Torch-applied modified bitumen uses heat to bond layers into a tough, waterproof membrane for low-slope roofs.

Why It's Important

It cures into a rugged surface with strong seams, ideal for tight spaces and complex edges. Repairs are straightforward, and performance is consistent.

How to Improve Torch Down Roofing Skills

Substrate prep: Smooth, clean, dry. Prime where required. Round sharp edges and address ponding areas before you start.
Heat and overlap: Maintain even torch heat, watch for proper bitumen bleed-out at seams, and respect side/end lap dimensions.
Layering: Base, then cap. Follow manufacturer sequencing for plies, cap orientation, and granule embed.
Safety first: Fire watch during and after, extinguishers on hand, non-combustible shields at eaves. When conditions warrant, consider self-adhered or cold-applied alternatives to eliminate open flame.
Detail work: Wrap curbs, pipes, and drains with pre-formed or field-fabricated accessories. Seal terminations with approved mastics and edge metals.
Inspections: Bi-annual and post-storm checks to catch blisters, scuffs, or seam lift.

How to Display Torch Down Roofing Skills on Your Resume

4. EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer)

EPDM is a synthetic rubber membrane used on low-slope roofs. It’s flexible, weather-tough, and proven over decades.

Why It's Important

It resists UV, hail, and temperature swings. Large sheets mean fewer seams, which means fewer leak points when installed right.

How to Improve EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) Skills

Pick the right build: Choose thickness and reinforcement for the climate and traffic. Consider black EPDM for cold regions, white EPDM for heat reflectivity where cooling loads matter.
Attachment method: Fully adhered, mechanically fastened, or ballasted—select based on deck, wind zone, and load limits.
Seam quality: Clean, prime, tape, and roll seams with serious pressure. Most failures start at seams and details; treat them like the main event.
Substrate and adhesives: Dry, dust-free substrate. Use compatible adhesives and respect temperature windows.
Detail kits: Use pre-formed boots, corners, and cover strips to tighten up penetrations and edges.
Care and feeding: Routine inspections to repair punctures, tighten terminations, and keep drains open.

How to Display EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) Skills on Your Resume

5. TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin)

TPO is a single-ply membrane known for heat-welded seams, light weight, and strong solar reflectance on low-slope roofs.

Why It's Important

It installs fast, reflects heat, and welds into sturdy seams. A solid option for energy-minded builds and retrofits.

How to Improve TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin) Skills

Welding discipline: Calibrate temperature and travel speed. Probe seams after cooling. Add cover strips at T-joints.
Substrate readiness: Flat, clean surfaces. Use the right plates/fasteners or adhesives for the deck type and wind zone.
Edge and curb details: Termination bars, compatible sealants, neatly welded corners. Walkway pads at service paths to prevent wear.
Drainage first: Design to avoid ponding. Sumps at drains, positive slope to outlets.
Keep it clean: Dirt reduces reflectivity and makes welds fussy. Routine cleaning helps performance and future repair work.

How to Display TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin) Skills on Your Resume

6. PVC Roofing

PVC is a single-ply membrane with heat-welded seams that resists chemicals, grease, and fire—handy for restaurants and industrial jobs.

Why It's Important

It handles harsh exposures and welds fast and clean. Details around vents and curbs come together neatly with the right accessories.

How to Improve PVC Roofing Skills

Seam mastery: Keep welds consistent, test peel strength, and patch any pinholes immediately.
Reinforcement: Use reinforced membranes where foot traffic or mechanical stress is likely. Add walkway pads in service zones.
Accessories: Use compatible flashings and edge metals. Chemical exhausts may require upgraded details—plan ahead.
UV and heat: Choose membranes and colors tuned for the climate. High-temp underlayment where heat build-up is expected.
Drainage: Tight tolerances at drains and scuppers. No standing water—ever.

How to Display PVC Roofing Skills on Your Resume

7. Slate Roofing

Slate is natural stone, split thin and hung in courses. It’s beautiful, heavy, and legendarily long-lived.

Why It's Important

With correct headlap and fastening, slate roofs can outlast generations. They add value and charm that few systems can match.

How to Improve Slate Roofing Skills

Material grading: Select high-grade slate suited to the climate. Consistent thickness eases layout and fastening.
Structure first: Verify framing can handle the weight. Strengthen if there’s any doubt.
Fasteners and headlap: Copper or stainless nails, correct nail length, and proper headlap (often 3 inches, more in severe climates).
Layout: Broken bond pattern, crisp lines, careful cuts at hips and valleys. Flash in copper or stainless for longevity.
Maintenance: Yearly checks for broken slates, slipped pieces, and flashing wear. Replace in kind.

How to Display Slate Roofing Skills on Your Resume

8. Tile Roofing

Clay or concrete tiles bring texture, color, and real staying power. They’re heavy, they breathe, and they shrug off sun and salt when installed right.

Why It's Important

Tiles offer exceptional longevity, thermal benefits, and a distinct style. A well-built tile roof can outlast multiple paint jobs and then some.

How to Improve Tile Roofing Skills

Engineer the load: Confirm the structure can carry tile weight and local wind/seismic demands.
Underlayment: High-quality, high-temp underlayment or double underlayment in demanding climates. Proper lapping and sealing at penetrations.
Flashings: Pan and step flashings at walls, valley flashings with adequate width and rib height. Use closures and bird stops at eaves and ridges.
Fastening: Follow zone-specific fastening schedules. Foam adhesives or screws where uplift is intense.
Ventilation: Allow airflow under tiles where systems require it to reduce heat and moisture.

How to Display Tile Roofing Skills on Your Resume

9. Waterproofing

Waterproofing is the set of materials and details that stop water from sneaking into the structure—membranes, sealants, flashings, and smart transitions.

Why It's Important

Moisture wrecks buildings. Good waterproofing keeps decks sound, insulation dry, and indoor air healthy.

How to Improve Waterproofing Skills

Start with slope: Design positive drainage. Ponding is the enemy.
System compatibility: Pair membranes, primers, tapes, sealants, and metals that are designed to work together.
Penetrations: Pre-formed boots and reinforced corners. Backer rod and sealant at joints sized for movement.
Transitions: Roof-to-wall, parapet caps, scuppers, and drains—double down on these junctions. Redundancy is smart.
Quality control: Mock-ups, pull tests, and regular inspections. Fix problems while access is easy.
Clean gutters and drains: Keep water moving. Debris is a slow leak waiting to happen.

How to Display Waterproofing Skills on Your Resume

10. Gutter Installation

Gutters collect roof runoff and send it safely away from walls and foundations. Simple concept; big consequences if done poorly.

Why It's Important

Proper drainage protects fascia, siding, and soil. It fights basement leaks and splashback, extending the life of everything below the eaves.

How to Improve Gutter Installation Skills

Measure and plan: Map runs, high points, and downspout locations before a single cut. Long runs may need expansion joints.
Correct slope: Aim for about 1/4 to 1/2 inch fall per 10 feet toward the outlet. Straight, not sagging.
Solid fastening: Hangers every 24 inches (18 inches in snow country). Anchor into framing when possible.
Downspout capacity: Size and count downspouts to roof area and rainfall. Extensions or splash blocks keep water away from the foundation.
Seal joints: Clean, dry, then seal seams and end caps with compatible sealant. Wipe excess for a neat finish.
Guard options: Add screens or guards where heavy leaf fall threatens clogs.

How to Display Gutter Installation Skills on Your Resume

11. Skylight Installation

Skylights bring daylight through the roof. That means cutting an opening, framing a curb or shaft, flashing it all tight, and finishing the interior cleanly.

Why It's Important

They brighten interiors, trim lighting costs, and add drama. Installed poorly, they leak; installed well, they sing.

How to Improve Skylight Installation Skills

Select smart: Energy-efficient, properly sized units with laminated or tempered glazing. Decide fixed vs. vented based on room needs and moisture.
Frame and curb: Square, plumb, and sized to the unit. In snow or heavy rain zones, build higher curbs (4 inches minimum; more where needed).
Flash like a pro: Use manufacturer-specific flashing kits. Step flash on shingle roofs, integrate underlayment and ice/water shield around the opening.
Air seal and insulate: Tight air barrier at the shaft, continuous insulation to prevent condensation and heat loss.
Finish and maintain: Smooth interior finishes, then advise owners to clean glass and check seals annually.

How to Display Skylight Installation Skills on Your Resume

12. Roof Inspection

Inspection is the quiet superpower—spot issues early, document them clearly, plan fixes before they mushroom.

Why It's Important

Early detection means smaller repairs, longer roof life, safer buildings, fewer surprises after storms.

How to Improve Roof Inspection Skills

Systematic approach: Start high, end low. Survey field, seams, flashings, penetrations, edges, and drainage in the same order every time.
Use tech: Drones for hard-to-reach views, moisture meters, and thermal imaging to find hidden wet spots.
Safety protocols: Harnesses, anchors, footwear, and weather checks—non-negotiable.
Attic and interior: Look for stains, wet insulation, inadequate ventilation, and daylight at penetrations.
Clear reporting: Photos, condition ratings, prioritized repairs, and maintenance schedules clients can act on.

How to Display Roof Inspection Skills on Your Resume

Top 12 Roofer Skills to Put on Your Resume