Completed: May 2026
Location: Sequoyah Hills, Knoxville, TN 37919
Roof Replacement in Sequoyah Hills
When you buy a home in Sequoyah Hills, you’re buying into one of Knoxville’s most established and prestigious neighborhoods. Homes here sit on mature lots near the Tennessee River, many decades old. That history is part of the appeal. But it also means that systems like the roof may be closer to the end of their life than can be seen from the street.
That’s exactly where this homeowner found himself. He had just purchased the property and, after taking a closer look at the roof, recognized that it wasn’t going to last much longer. The shingles were curling at the edges, granule loss was visible across most of the roof, and surface streaking from algae growth. The existing skylight was a particular concern. Skylights are a common entry point for water when the surrounding flashing and shingle work gets old, and this one was overdue for attention.
Rather than wait for a leak to force his hand, he called Smith Roofing for an inspection. Jordan Hall came out, confirmed what the homeowner was seeing, and put together three tiers of options at different price and coverage levels. The homeowner chose the top tier: Owens Corning TruDefinition Duration Designer Series AR shingles with a 50-year manufacturer warranty.
Before the first shingle came off, the crew laid full protective tarps over the landscaping. On a property like this, with established plantings and detailed hardscaping, protection is not to be taken lightly. Once the tarps were down, the tear-off began.
During initial inspection and now tear-off, the crew was needed to address an indicator of a home’s age. Built in 1941, the house still had its original slat decking, meaning the roof boards were individual horizontal planks with gaps between them rather than the solid sheet decking used in modern construction. Those gaps can cause real problems. If a roofing nail misses the board and hits a gap instead, it has nothing securing it. Over time, and especially in high winds, that translates to shingles that will not hold up to the elements. The solution was an OSB overlay across the entire roof, giving the new shingles a continuous, solid surface to nail into. It adds material and labor to the job, but it is the right way to do it on a home this age.
With a solid deck in place, the crew installed RhinoRoof synthetic underlayment across the full roof. Synthetic underlayment is more tear-resistant and more water-resistant than traditional felt paper, and it handles the wet conditions that come with an East Tennessee spring and summer. In the valleys and around the skylight, Owens Corning WeatherLock G granulated ice and water barrier went down for an extra layer of protection at the highest-risk areas. Upgraded flashing was installed at the chimney, a spot that accounts for a significant share of residential roof leaks, and Lifetime Ultimate Pipe Flashing sealed every pipe penetration in the appropriate size.
The homeowner selected Gray Tweed for the shingle color, a good choice against white painted brick. The architectural shingle profile, with its layered shadow lines, suits a home of this character far better than the 3-tab shingles it replaced. The Lomanco OmniRidge Pro ridge vent runs the length of the ridge, allowing the attic to breathe properly year-round.
The project wrapped up with new gutters. The homeowner chose an oversized 6-inch 6K profile in Linen. Standard 5-inch gutters are common on smaller homes, but a roof this size moves a significant volume of water during a heavy rain, and 6-inch gutters handle that load more effectively and direct it away from the foundation where it belongs.
For a home on a street like this, in a neighborhood recognized throughout Knoxville for its character and its proximity to Cherokee Boulevard and the river, getting the roof right matters. The work done here will carry this home comfortably into the next several decades.
Project Specifications & Additional Upgrades
- Primary Roofing Material: Owens Corning Duration TruDefinition Designer Series AR in Gray Tweed
- Underlayment: Owens Corning RhinoRoof synthetic underlayment
- Venting: Lomanco OmniRidge Pro continuous ridge vent
- Flashing: Lifetime Ultimate pipe boots, custom chimney flashing
- Gutters: 6″ Gutters in Linen
Dedicated Project Manager: Jabrielle Pruitt
Project FAQs
Q: What is slat decking, and why did it need to be addressed on this roof?
A: Slat decking is a roof deck built from individual horizontal boards with gaps between them, common in homes built before roughly 1960. The gaps are the problem. A roofing nail that misses a board and hits a gap has nothing to grip, which means those shingles are more likely to lift in high winds. On this project, a full OSB overlay was installed over the entire slat deck before any underlayment or shingles, giving the new roof a solid nailing surface. If you own an older home in Knoxville or Knox County, it is worth asking about during any inspection.
Q: The home already had a skylight. How was that handled during the replacement?
A: Skylights are a common source of leaks because the flashing and shingle work around them ages along with everything else on the roof. On this project, Owens Corning WeatherLock G ice and water barrier was installed around the skylight opening, providing a self-adhering waterproof layer beneath the new shingles. This goes beyond standard underlayment and is the right game-plan any time a skylight penetration is being worked around during a full replacement.
Q: Do you replace roofs on other older homes in Knoxville and East Tennessee?
A: Yes. Smith Roofing works throughout Knoxville, Knox County, and East Tennessee, including historic neighborhoods where older construction like slat decking, original chimney flashing, and aging skylights are common. If your home was built before 1970 and the roof has not been replaced recently, an inspection is a good place to start. Learn more about our roof replacement services or contact us to schedule a time.
Does your Sequoyah Hills home need a new roof?
If you want to know whether your home’s shingles are nearing the end of their life, in Sequoyah Hills or anywhere else in Knox County, schedule a meeting for a free, no-obligation inspection.