Why everything starts with the dry-in, and the roof system
October 20, 2026
Once the frame is up, the next job is to close the house up against the weather. That is the dry-in, and a lot of what comes after depends on getting it right.
What the dry-in is
The dry-in is when the house is shut against rain and snow. The roof and the walls are sheathed and covered, and the windows and doors are in and flashed. After it, the inside work can go on in any weather.
Why it gets care
Water that gets behind the roofing or siding does its damage slowly and out of sight. A small gap at one window or roof edge can let water into a wall for years. So we check the dry-in before anything covers it up. Once the drywall is on, a mistake is expensive to find.
Roofs, attics and ice dams
An ice dam forms when heat from the house melts the snow on the roof and the water refreezes at the cold eave. The fix starts inside: seal and insulate the ceiling so the heat stays in the house. Then the roof is either vented, so outside air keeps the deck cold, or insulated at the deck so it stays dry.
Different roofs get different applications, so we choose the system to fit the roof. If you are planning a build, ask how your roof and attic will be done. The answer should have reasons in it.