Roofing to code means installing your roof in accordance with the building codes adopted by your local jurisdiction — the minimum standards that govern how roofing systems must be built to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the people living in the home.
In Montana, building codes vary by jurisdiction. Each city or county adopts its own version, typically based on the International Residential Code with state and local amendments layered on top. Lewis and Clark County, for example, enforces the 2021 IRC — which dictates specific requirements for ice and water barrier, drip edge, valley liners, underlayment, chimney crickets, sheathing, and manufacturer installation compliance, among other things. Requirements in Butte, Dillon, or other jurisdictions in our service area may differ in their specifics, which is why we verify code requirements for every project in every jurisdiction we work in.
What code covers is more comprehensive than most homeowners realize:
- How far ice and water barrier must extend inside the warm wall
- Drip edge installation at eaves and rakes
- Valley liner requirements
- Underlayment type and application method
- Chimney cricket requirements based on chimney width
- Nail placement, pattern, and fastener requirements
- Ventilation ratios for attic air movement
- Permit and inspection requirements
When working on insurance claims, we use OneClick Code — a platform that pulls verified, jurisdiction-specific building code requirements for a property address, confirmed directly with the authority having jurisdiction. Insurance companies recognize it as a trusted source, and it ensures that code requirements are documented accurately when we’re working through the claims process on your behalf. It removes ambiguity from conversations with adjusters and protects you as the homeowner by making sure your roof is restored to the correct code standard — not just whatever the insurance company finds convenient.
Roofing to code is the floor — the minimum standard every installation must meet. Our installations are built to meet code requirements as well as Owens Corning installation standards, which in many cases exceed what code requires. When those two align, you end up with a roof that’s not just legally compliant but genuinely built to perform.
If you have questions about what code requires for your specific project or location, that’s a conversation we’re happy to have during your estimate.