Essential Roofing Books for Professionals & Contractors

The biggest investment you can make in your business is investing in yourself, and that means leveling up your knowledge bank. You can learn from mentors or take classes. But one of the easiest ways to boost your know-how is reading roofing books—and you can read from the comfort of your La-Z-Boy!

There are literally thousands of roofing books to choose from, covering topics like cost estimating and bidding, different roofing materials, and how-tos. You can also find books that cater to specific needs, such as how to install an asphalt shingle roof or how to pass your National Standard Roofing Contractor’s exam. You will even find state-specific exam prep books.

So, let’s dive in. Here’s your definitive guide to essential roofing books for contractors and a curated list of must-haves in the industry.

Featured Roofing Books

Reference books make your life easier by providing quick answers to everyday problems and questions while you’re in the field.

• The Roof Framer’s Bible, Barry D. Mussell. This is a comprehensive pocket guide for roofers. It gives you all the information you need to frame gable, hip, shed, and gazebo roofs, including irregular “bastard” hip roofs. This handy reference includes exact measurements, diagrams, illustrations, and tables. Mussell has a YouTube channel where he shares detailed how-tos, like how to frame different types of roofs.

Essential Roofing Books

If you’re planning to get or are already working toward your general contractor’s or roofing contractor’s license, having an arsenal of general knowledge roofing books will help. Quality book give you a thorough understanding of roof construction and, generally, what types of roofs are common.

Here’s a list of some great books to have on your shelf.

• Manual of Low-Slope Roof Systems, C.W. Griffin and Richard Fricklas. Now in its fourth edition, this book is one of the most comprehensive guides to roofing. The book walks you through the structural components, drainage, vapor control, wind uplift, and fire resistance of the roof system.
• Framing Roofs, Editors of Fine Homebuilding. This is a collection of articles on the latest in framing roofs. It’s a great beginner's guide for the contractor just learning to roof.
• Roofing, Flashing, and Waterproofing, Editors of Fine Homebuilding. Another invaluable resource from the editors of Fine Homebuilding, this collection explains in detail how to protect your roof from water intrusion. The book covers multiple different roofing materials, underlayment, and flashing.

Specialized Roofing Books

There’s a big difference between a roofing contractor and a general contractor. Roofing contractors are specialized builders who can manage the complexities of building a roof, including calculating angles, bevels, and cuts unique to roof design. Within the roofing profession, some roofing contractors specialize in specific styles or materials.

Depending on where you plan to work, you’ll want a guide specific to your state and the types of roofs commonly constructed there, such as tile roofs or asphalt shingles. You may also want to learn about estimating or opening a roofing company. Here’s a list of recommended resources for newbies and experienced roofers.

Roofing Contractor Books

These essential guides are tailored to roofing contractors with a focus on contractor-specific knowledge.

• National Standard Roofing Contractor ICC F14 Exam Book Bundle. Our roofing exam book bundle has everything you need to pass your roofing contractor’s exam. You are also allowed to bring these into the open-book exam, so be sure to highlight and tab important sections.
• Full Length Roof Framer, A.F.J. Reichers. Similar to the Roof Framer’s Bible, this book has tables, cuts, and bevels for common, hip, valley, jack, and purlin rafters. The book also includes cuts and bevels for gable and cornice molding and illustrations for 48 different pitches.
• Felt and Torch on Roofing: A Practical Guide, Tim Richardson. Felt and torch-on roofing creates a water barrier that goes underneath other roofing materials. This book presents detailed techniques and best practices for felt and torch-on roofing for professional roofers new to this technique.

Roofing Sales and Marketing Books

Learning how to make a sale is critical for anyone who wants to make money as a roofer. Here are some books with proven marketing strategies to build your business.

• The Roofing Sales Survival Guide: Beat the Odds, Overcome Yourself, and Win Big, Adam Bensman. Bensman trains roofers all over the world how to make sales calls in his book, YouTube channel. Here you will learn from a true expert.
• Roofing Construction and Estimating, Danial Atcheson. With a 4.5-star rating on Amazon and 230 reviews, this is a must-have reference. This book covers estimating secrets to help minimize waste and save money. It includes repair and estimating for residential and commercial construction and all roof types, including asphalt shingles, roll roofing, wood and shake shingles, clay, metal, built-up, and elastomeric roofing.

The Best All-Around Roofing Books

There is a back-end way to approach roofing that’s a little out-of-the-box. These books are DIY books for homeowners. Some will give you information about roofing that’s new to you, but more importantly, many of your customers will look at these resources to judge your work or try their hand at roofing. Read these books from the perspective of selling your services by tackling some common questions or concerns from homeowners.

• Roof System Inspection Made Easy, Juan Bautista. First up is a book written for home inspectors. It is a comprehensive guide to help inspectors assess roofing system. It also gives roofing contractors a good idea on how to pass a home inspection.
• Roofing the Right Way: A Step-by-Step Guide for the Homeowner, Steven Bolt. This resource is mainly for gable-style roofs. It is not comprehensive, but will get the DIY expert headed in the right direction—and help the roofing contractor see what problems might need to be addressed for the homeowner that bit off more than they could chew.

Carpentry Roofing Books

• A Roof Cutter’s Secret to Framing The Custom Home, Will Holladay. Now in its fourth edition and a 4.8-star rating on Amazon, this book will quickly become your go-to reference. The author shares what he’s learned working as a roof cutter and framing consultant in an easy-to-understand format.

The Benefits of Learning Roofing

Roofing is a growing field, with 2% expected job growth in during the next decade. The median salary for roofers in 2023 was $50,030. It is an easy profession to break into, and the skills needed are largely learned on the job. Roofers can become contractors by gaining experience and taking and passing the national exam.

You will need to study to pass the exam, and that’s where reference books come in—they supplement your on-the-job training and experience. Books can also help you stay up to date with industry standards and best practices.

The national roofing contractor’s exam is open book, which is a huge benefit…if you know where to find the material the questions are asking for. Studying the books on your shelves and test-prep guides is the best way to prepare to pass the exam.

Conclusion

Whether you’re interested in working for someone else or dream of hanging your own shingle (pun intended!), learning as much as you can about roofing, common pitfalls, and nailing sales calls is essential for your career. These books will get you started in the right direction. And if getting your roofing contractor’s license is on your bucket list, these resources are essential.