That said, it’s important that you hire a great roofing contractor to ensure a job well done and money well spent! Below, we’ll give a bit more information on how to find the right one for your project. 

How to Choose a Good Roofing Contractor in 6 Steps

If you’re looking for a residential roofing contractor, don’t settle for just anyone. Find a team that’s aligned with your project goals and that’s willing to put in great work to achieve them. 

How do you do that? Follow these six simple steps: 

1. Ask Around for Recommendations

While you can always start your search online, hearing good (or bad!) things about a certain roofer from a trusted source is usually more helpful. Ask your friends, family, and neighbors about any recommendations they may have. 

Another great idea is to ask your Homeowners Association (HOA), if you have one. They may have preferred contractors that have done good work on houses within your community in the past. 

2. Check Qualifications

Once you’ve made a list of a few residential roofing contractor options, it’s important that you check all of their qualifications. Well-established, reliable roofing contractors will be able to provide the following information (at a minimum): 

• License (in your area)
• Insurance
• Proven experience and portfolio examples
• References

If any of the roofers on your list aren’t able to provide those items, it’s likely that they may not be the best option. 

3. Ensure Their Services Align With Your Project Goals

Roofing services vary from contractor to contractor. While some are only able to help with repairs, others can do fully-fledged new roof installations. As long as they meet qualifications, neither of these contractors is better than the other — it just depends on what kind of project you’re hoping to accomplish. 

Something to keep in mind if you’re installing a new roof or replacing an entire existing one: redoing your roof is a great time to check your gutters. For a more streamlined process, you may want to consider finding a residential roofing contractor that provides gutter services as well. 

4. Compare Bids

Gather a few bids from a few different contractor options, then compare them. During this process, make sure you’re taking all aspects of each bid into account. 

Sometimes the total cost isn’t the best determining factor. If a bid is low, make sure it’s not missing a particular service, product, or warranty that you really want. If a bid is high, check and see if it has any additional services that you didn’t about, but want. 

5. Consider What Product Warranties They Offer

Many well-established residential roofing contractors have partnerships with top brands in the roofing materials industry — and more often than not, those brands offer some sort of product warranty. Although the big goal is to never need a warranty, having one is a great way to protect your big investment. 

Some roofing contractors also provide a service or installation warranty, on the chance that materials aren’t installed properly the first time. This is a huge bonus because, in the case that you run into loose or damaged shingles due to an installation error, you have someone who will be happy to come out and fix it at low or no cost. 

6. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions

Last but not least, don’t be afraid to ask questions. While you’re consulting with a roofing contractor you may be interested in working with, make sure you get all the details you need before signing on. You should be able to communicate freely back and forth to agree on services and expectations. 

Not sure what kinds of questions you should be asking? Start with these topics:

• Contractor experience and qualifications
• Quotes and estimates
• Project timeline
• Safety, insurance, and warranties

If you’re looking for a trustworthy roofing contractor for your residential building complex or home, contact Werner Roofing. Our team has many years of experience working in various West Michigan neighborhoods, and we’re happy to provide a quality, durable roofing solution for you. To get started on your project, contact our team today.

Hip vs. Gable Roof: What’s the Difference?

The design of your roof might not be something that’s top of mind, but it does matter when it comes to ensuring the best protection for you and your home. Your roof is sloped to help water run off it, so determining the right roof type and slope design is essential in making sure your roof functions properly and remains structurally sound.  

The two most common styles of roofs are called Hip and Gable. Knowing the difference between these two roof types, along with the pros and cons of each, will help you to determine which one is right for your home. Let’s take a closer look at hip vs. gable roofs.

What is a Hip Roof?

With a hip (or hipped) roof, all four roof sides meet at the top to form a ridge (called a hip) and slope downward toward the walls. The walls sit beneath the eaves evenly on each side of the roof. There are several variations of hip roofs, including: 

• Half-Hip: Also called a clipped-gable or jerkin-head roof, this is typically an add-on to a gable roof where the end of a gable has a small hip roof section sloping off its ridge. (The front right section of the house in the image above is a perfect example of a half-hip roof!)
• Pavilion: Built on a square structure with all sides meeting at a center peak, this type of hip roof is sometimes referred to as a pyramid roof due to its triangular appearance.
• Mansard: This type of hip roof, often called a French or Curb roof, has slopes with varying angles that drop off at the midpoint and become flatter at the top. 

Pros of a Hip Roof:

• Stability – With slopes on all four sides and a self-bracing design, hip roofs are sturdy and durable making them especially perfect for homes that endure a lot of snow and wind. 
• Consistent Eaves – Since the eaves are even all around the house, many prefer the clean lines of a hip roof over one with gables that break up the roofline. 
• Compatible with Low Slopes – While other roof types require a steep slope, hip roofs work just as well with low-sloped houses as they do with steeply sloped ones. 

Cons of Hip Roofs:

• More Expensive – Because hip roofs tend to be more complicated in design than gable roofs, need more materials, and are more difficult to install, they are typically a pricier option.
• Less Attic Space – The slopes on all sides of a hip roof take up more attic space than a gable roof does, so if attic space is important to you, a hip roof might not be the right choice.  
• Susceptible to Leaks – This shouldn’t be of concern if your roof is installed properly, but if not, the multiple angles, ridges, and seams produced from slopes on all four sides mean there is more opportunity for leaking to occur.  

What is a Gable Roof?

A gable roof design features two sides that slope downward, while the other two sides have gables and are walled from the ground to just under the eaves at the peak of the roof’s ridge. Sometimes a window or vent can be found on the walled sides. Also known as pitched or peaked roofs, variations of this style include:

• Front: Commonly used for colonial-style homes, with this type of gable roof, the gable is at the front of the house and the front door sits beneath it for a welcoming entrance.
• Cross: This type consists of two or more lines of gable roof intersecting at an angle and is typically used with homes that have attached garages or different wings needing their own section of gable roof.
• Dutch: Basically, this is like a hip and gable roof combination. In a dutch gable roof, a gable is placed atop a hip roof to allow for additional attic space and enhanced aesthetics.

Pros of a Gable Roof:

• Longevity and Low Maintenance – The slopes of a gable roof make it easy for debris, snow, and water to roll off, which means it’s easier to maintain, less likely to get damaged, and more likely to last longer.
• More Attic Space – One of the biggest differences between hip and gable roofs is the amount of attic space gable-style roofs provide. Having only two sides of the roof sloped makes for a vaulted ceiling, lots of room, and better air ventilation to boot.
• More Affordable – because they have a simple design and less complicated construction, gable roofs typically cost less than hip roofs, which is obviously a big consideration when deciding which roof is right for you and your budget.

Cons of Gable Roofs:

• Less Durable in Harsh Conditions – With only two slopes for stability and support, a higher pitch, and more surface area, gable roofs tend to be more vulnerable to damage in high winds and snowstorms.
• Less Curb Appeal – While some may prefer the simplicity of a gable roof, the more complex hip roofs with their consistent eaves tend to offer greater curb appeal.

Hip vs. Gable Roof: Which is Best for You?

There is much to consider when deciding which type of roof is best for your house, from the weather in your region to your aesthetic preferences to how much space you want to have and how much money you want to spend. But no matter which type of roof you’d like for your home, Werner Roofing can help!

We’re happy to take a look at your house and provide style and design recommendations. Just give us a call or contact us online to learn more today. 

VELUX Skylight Installation Guide

If you love natural light, fresh air, and saving on energy bills (who doesn’t love to save, right?), installing VELUX skylights can accomplish all three! High quality and high performing, these aren’t the skylights of old. VELUX skylights come in different sizes — even sun tunnels! — to brighten any size room, and when installed correctly, they can actually increase the energy efficiency of your home. 

The key words there are “installed correctly” which is why we’ve created this VELUX skylight installation guide.  

Why Install VELUX Skylights?

Skylights have come a long way, and VELUX skylights are certainly proof of that! These high-tech, premium quality skylights are not only beautifully designed, but also feature three layers of protection against leaks and in fact, offer a No Leak Guarantee. They can be automatically controlled with a remote or smart app, accessorized with blinds, and specially coated to help keep them clean as well as absorb solar heat. Basically, VELUX skylights work as good as they look, and good would be an understatement! 

Where to Install VELUX Skylights

Skylights can be used to make ceilings of all heights look even higher. They can bring in sunlight to dark spaces like hallways, staircases, or interior rooms. If you want to highlight areas of your home or “cheer up” a space like a closet or bathroom, a perfectly placed skylight can do the trick. However, the inside of your house isn’t the only thing to consider.

Let’s talk curb appeal. Outside appearance is where traditional skylights have had a bad rap, but the technologically advanced, sleek design of VELUX skylights allows for a low-profile exterior frame that blends into your roof rather than taking away from your home’s aesthetics. The location of the skylight makes a difference, though. 

The slope of your roof, the angle at which your skylight is placed, and the direction it faces all contribute to the amount of light it brings in, at what time of day you can enjoy that light, and how much heat from the sunlight is absorbed. 

Bottom line? When deciding where to install a VELUX skylight, you need to think about the outside of your house to ensure you achieve the effect you want on the inside! 

VELUX Skylight Installation

Just as deciding where to install your skylight involves both the outside and inside of your home, the actual installation of VELUX skylights involves the exterior and interior too. 

Installation occurs in two phases:

• Exterior – this involves cutting a hole in your roof and attaching the skylight. It can take anywhere from a half day to three days depending on the pitch of your roof, the depth and shape of the light shaft, and of course, the weather.
• Interior – this includes drywall and painting and typically takes about a half day per skylight, depending on whether your ceiling is flat or vaulted.  

Considerations for Installing VELUX Skylights

Obviously cutting a hole in your roof should not be taken lightly! It’s always best to consult with a professional, and hire your experienced local roofer for installation. They’ll have the know-how to take care of a few key considerations: 

• Checking with local building codes to avoid any violations.
• Determining whether your roof has rafters (which can be cut and reinforced) or trusses (which cannot be cut and will need a skylight that fits between them).
• Ensuring the site you choose doesn’t have any hidden obstacles like ductwork or electrical wires. 

When to Call the Pros for VELUX Skylight Installation

As mentioned, cutting a hole in your roof is no small endeavor! Unless you feel absolutely confident that you can install a skylight without compromising the integrity of your roof, this is a situation in which we would definitely recommend calling a professional team. 

Leaving it to the experts will give you peace of mind that your skylight is installed correctly, so you can enjoy natural light, fresh air, and yes, even lower energy bills, worry-free.  

If you’re considering adding high performance skylights to your home, contact Werner Roofing. We proudly and expertly install VELUX skylights and are happy to come out for a consultation. We can help you decide on the VELUX product that fits best with what you want to achieve and install it exactly where you can benefit from it most. Reach out to us online or call 616-844-5382 today!