new shingles on roof
By General Information • Roofing Tips 0 Comments

9 Tips for Choosing Asphalt Shingles

There are dozens of different asphalt shingle styles, cuts, and varieties. You have plenty of material to choose from but how can you whittle your list down to a more manageable situation? Let’s learn nine tips on choosing asphalt shingles.

  1. Environmental Factors

Environmental factors play the largest role in your shingle’s lifespan. You must choose a shingle that matches your environment, or you’ll replace your roof every few years. Lots of hail? Choose an impact resistant shingle. Is it cold? Choose a thick shingle.

  1. Sun Exposure

How much sun is your home exposed to? If you live in a high-sun state you might be better off with a cool, reflective, or light-colored roof. Energy-star certified shingles are the best at dealing with high sun exposure.

  1. Color

You can match the trim on your home or complement its paint color. Grab sample boards or use new software to see what your home would look like with several different colors. The roof might be up there for multiple decades, you better like the color.

  1. Cut

What type of cut you’d like can help narrow your shingle options. You’ll need 3-tabs for a uniform cut, dimensional shingles for more variety, and a luxury shingle if you want to mimic the sawed-off look of wood shake.

  1. Depth

The thicker the shingle is the more depth it provides. Triple-laminate asphalt shingles are among the thickest which means they create the most depth and shadows. Depth is necessary for regal style homes.

  1. Warranty

There are several different shingle warranties, but you must choose a shingle with the right warranty for your house. Look into upgraded warranties for more confidence in your roof’s lifespan. Warranties have lots of fine print so take your time when researching them.

  1. Brand

Like any other products shingle brands range in quality. Talk to your local roofer about different brands of shingles, what they like to install, and why. Many shingle brands are comparable but there are differences.

  1. HOA

If you’re in an HOA double-check on what type of roof materials you can install. Your HOA might have a pre-approved list which can drastically shorten your shingle search.

  1. What Can Your Roofer Do?

Here’s the truth – most major shingle brands are comparable. They all have their drawbacks and benefits, but one major brand is not head and shoulders above the rest. Rather than reviewing brands, ask your local roofer what they’re certified to install. Choosing a certified roofer to install your shingle will give the best overall product.

Use these tips and the help of your local roofing contractor to choose your perfect shingle. The above tips are helpful but it takes a roofers’ local knowledge to be certain you picked right.

crew works on roof
By Roofing Tips 0 Comments

9 Resources for Choosing a Denver Roofing Company

Picking the right roofer is the key to getting a great roof repair or replacement. Let’s review nine reliable sources to find the best roofer.

  1. Angie’s List / HomeAdvisor

Angie’s List and HomeAdvisor recently merged into one consumer protection resource. Angie’s List and HomeAdvisor vet contractors before allowing them on their site so any company you find on their sites are a step above any old listing. You can use the site for verified reviews too.

  1. Google Reviews

There are a few dozen different review sites, but Google Reviews is among the most heavily used. Google Reviews can give you an oversight of the company and what your neighbors think of them.

  1. The Phone Book

Why is the archaic phone book a great resource? Its longevity. Only established businesses with real address get phone book listings which means you aren’t risking call an out-of-state of fly-by-night roofer when you use the old yellow pages.

  1. Local Resources

Most mid and major metros have at least one local consumer resource. In Denver these include Tom Martino’s ReferralList or Team Dave Logan.  You can find these guides, normally free, at coffee shops, government buildings, and other ‘hang-out spots.’ These guides pre-screen contractors so they only feature reputable ones.

  1. com

Porch.com is a great place to look for local roofing companies. Porch pre-screens contractors for insurance, licensing, and more. You can view previous work and get additional resources on a contractor directly from Porch.

  1. Your Neighbor

Do you the like the job a local roofer did for your neighbor? What’s keeping you from hiring them? If a roofer worked out well for your neighbor chances are good they’ll work out for you too.

  1. Your Local BBB

Few people take advantage of the many resources offered by the Better Business Bureau. You can use your local BBB to check reviews, how long a company has been in business, any negative complaints on the company, and more.

  1. Local Roofing Supplier

If you’re at a loss speak with a local roofing supply company. They work with several different contractors and can tell you who’s on the ball and who you should skip over.

  1. Friends and Family

The modern roofing company uses advertising, but word of mouth is still the best method to hire a great roofing contractor. Talk to your friends and family who had work done recently to see what working with the company was like.

There are several resources to help you hire a great local roofer but these nine are our favorite. The more you use, the better chance you have of making a great hire.

impact resistant roof
By Roofing Guides • Roofing Tips 0 Comments

Start Your Summer with an Impact Resistant Roof

Roofing companies across Denver and Colorado are gearing up for the coming storm and roofing season. Will your roof get busted by hail this time around? You can wait and find out or you can start the summer right by installing an impact-resistant roof before hail hits. Let’s learn why Denver residents can benefit from IR roofing and why you should install before summer.

What is Impact-Resistant Roofing?

Impact-resistant (IR) is the roofing industry’s solution to hail, wind, and other environmental foes. They were originally designed for residents in the ‘hail alley’ that runs across parts of Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. IR roofing is built with extra protection to help absorb hail’s impact and keep your roof water tight.

What Makes Impact-Resistant Stronger?

In most cases a fiberglass insert is sandwiched between a traditional dimensional shingle to give it a boost. The materials are then third-party tested by Underwriter Laboratories (UL) by dropping a steel ball onto the roofing. If the IR materials pass the test, they receive a UL-2218 certification, otherwise known as a ‘Class 4′ certification. The materials have proven they can take the impact of hail and keep performing.

Not only do IR materials stand up to hail and other impacts, they are also stronger against wind and other adverse conditions common in Colorado. If you’re tired of replacing your roof and watching your insurance premiums rise every few years – it’s time to get IR roofing.

Install IR Before Hail

It’s recommended to get IR shingles installed in late March through May before the highest threats of hail appear over the front range. Spring offers shorter lines, better communication, and temperatures are optimal for IR install.

Other Benefits of IR Roofing

Insurance companies love IR roofing. Let’s be frank, insurance companies operate on the assumption that your roof won’t receive damage so when it does, the insurance company loses money. They don’t like that. Because they know an IR roof is less likely to need repair or replacement after a storm, they know they’re less likely to pay out your policy – they like that. Because of the benefits insurance companies offer insurance premium discounts to homeowners who choose IR roofs.

IR roofing comes in many colors, styles, and cuts to match any home style. IR shingles are now available in premium varieties for protection, depth, and a world-class appearance. If IR shingles are right for you pick up the phone and call your local Denver roofing contractor before you’re hit this hail season.

spring flowers
By Roofing Guides • Roofing Tips 0 Comments

Top 5 Reasons to Replace Your Roof in Spring

Spring is here which means homeowners across the Front Range are gearing up for spring projects – but have you considered your roof as a spring project? Though it’s slow for roofing companies, spring is an excellent time to repair or replace your roof. Let’s learn five unique reasons you should replace your roof in spring.

  • No Rush

Summer is roofing’s top season but not everyone likes the rushed feeling that summer brings. The longer you wait in the summer, the further back you fall in line, so homeowners feel pressured to make snap decisions. Spring is one of the slowest times for roof replacements which means you can take your time with decisions on color, style, scheduling and more.  

  • More Time with Company

A roofing consultant or production manager that is overseeing a handful of jobs at a time will have much more time to devote to your project compared to their summer work load of dozens of customers. If you want more time with your consultant and company – spring is perfect.

  • Ideal Temperatures

Spring brings the ‘goldilocks’ temperature for roof replacement. Most of winter is too cold for materials like asphalt shingles and though summer is roofing peak season, hot summer days can cause your shingles to slough. Spring bring ideal temperatures of 60-80 for most of the country, making it a great season for a reroof.

  • Efficient Process

You’ll move much more efficiently through a company from hand-in to final city inspection. In the summer the entire process can take weeks from paperwork backups, but spring always yields a more efficient roofing project. You are likely to get faster updates on your project in spring too.

  • Deliberate Crews

Summer is when roofing crews make most of their money. Admittedly crews might hurry through a job in the summer to get to the next project. That’s not to say the company will leave you with a poor job, but not always the best possible one. In the spring crews are more deliberate with their work since they know there aren’t other jobs to move onto.

These are five great reasons to replace your roof in spring but they’re many more. If you’re in need of a roof repair or replacement call your local roofing company and get your spring project on the schedule.

ladder on roof
By Roofing Tips 0 Comments

Your Spring Roof Maintenance Checklist

Spring brings warming temperatures, chirping birds, the melting of snow and ice – and new projects for all the damage that snow and ice caused over winter. One of the most important parts of your house to check on after winter is your roof. Let’s review what you should do so your roof is ready for spring showers.

Inspecting for Damage

Snow and ice can cause a variety of damage to your roofing system, so you’ll need to be certain all components are in good condition and ready for impending spring precipitation. Look for any of the following:

  • Missing or balding shingles
  • Rip, torn, or punctured shingles
  • Large amounts of granules in gutters – an indicator of an aging roof
  • Gutter damage including sagging or pulling away of the gutters
  • Missing or damaged flashing (metal barriers around roof penetrations)
  • Any damage to custom components like skylights

Inspecting for Leaks

Give your attic a once-over for leaks. Look for any signs of water damage like discoloration, swelling, peeling, or mold. Use a flashlight and be thorough. If you see any signs of leaking note them for a roofing contractor to inspect.

Deal with Debris

If there’s any debris left over from the winter, it’s best to clean it off the roof. Organic matter like piles of leaves and twigs harbor moisture and mold which can prematurely age your roofing system. Grab any branches or other items that can scratch your roofing too.

Call a Roofer

For a thorough inspection, talk to your local roofing contractor. Most reputable companies offer complimentary inspections so you can be certain your roof is in tip-top shape. Ideally, you’ll call on the roofing company that replaced the roof to perform any maintenance.

A certified roofer will inspect all components for leaks, damage, and signs of aging and make any necessary recommendations regarding repairs and maintenance. You can sleep easier when spring rain is battering on your window knowing it won’t be coming through your roof.

Be Ready

Spring brings the great thaw and your roof must be ready for it. Inspect the roof and its components for damage, clean any debris off, and make a thorough inspection for leaks. For a fail-proof inspection use a local roofing contractor for a professional eye. If you check all those boxes your roof will be ready for whatever weather spring brings.