Roof Installation faqs

Research indicates that the aging process for a roof begins soon after the shingles are installed and continues rapidly during the initial curing phase of its life cycle. During this stage, granule loss may occur, small blisters may develop, or the shingles may curl slightly at their edges. You may even notice that this curling is more pronounced during cold weather, and the shingles may lie flat as temperatures rise. The good news, however, is that after this curing stage, the shingles enter a long period of slow aging, which lasts for a major portion of the shingles’ natural life.

So you need to re-roof your home. Maybe you’re not quite sure where to start. Or perhaps you have re-roofed your home before but need to brush up on some of the latest products and procedures. Whatever the reason for your decision to re-roof your home, you don’t want to make any costly mistakes. We have some helpful blog posts to help you know if it may be time to replace your roof.

• How To Know When It’s Time To Replace Your Roof
• How To Tell If You Need A New Roof – Exterior Checks
• How To Tell If You Need A New Roof – Interior Checks

Replacing a roof can take anywhere from a single day to a few weeks. Yes, we know that’s a pretty broad timeline; but the truth is that every roof is different, which means every roof replacement is different. So while we can’t tell you exactly how long your roof replacement will take, we can inform you of a few things that will affect the project’s timeline, such as:

• Roof size
• Roof slope
• Roof age
• Roof material
• Weather

There are three ways to defend against the damage ice dams cause:

• Attic Insulation
• Attic Ventilation System
• Water-Proofing Shingle Underlayment

All three work together. Read more about Protecting Your Home From Ice Dams.

Replacing a roof is a series of significant decisions that homeowners must make – and it’s imperative that they make the best possible choices for themselves and their home. The average out-of-pocket cost to replace a roof is around $10,000, ranging from $8,500 to $14,300. However, no roof replacement is created equal. When you get an estimate from a roofing company, it will cover the roof size and the roofing material. There are cheaper options available for installation and material, and it’s entirely up to the homeowner.

Read more about the cost of roof replacements on our blog.

1. Choosing the right company to do your roofing installation is one of the most crucial decisions you’ll make regarding the well-being of your home, and we know how important it is to choose the best company for the job. Here are some quick steps to take when choosing your contractor:

• Ask around for recommendations
• Check qualifications
• Make sure services align with your goals
• Compare bids
• Consider warranties
• Ask questions

Read more about choosing a residential roofing contractor.

Installing a new roof can come with a pretty hefty price tag, so it’s nice to have protection on that investment. The good news is that, depending on the roofing contractor you work with, there are usually a few warranty options available to you:

• The standard manufacturer’s warranty that covers the products you purchase
• A workmanship warranty from your contractor that covers the installation
• An extended manufacturer’s warranty that covers contractor workmanship along with expanded coverage for the products

To learn which warranty is best for you and your roof, read our blog explaining roofing warranties the best we can.

Asphalt Roofs

Asphalt roofs usually last between 12-20 years. If you live in a mild climate and are good about maintenance, you could stretch that period to longer. Also, due to their simple installation, asphalt roofs are usually the most affordable roofing option. 

Metal Roofs

When appropriately maintained, metal roofs can last much longer than other types of roofs. In fact, they can last an impressive 40-70 years. That durability comes at a steeper initial price, but could save you money in the long run. 

To learn more about how long a roof lasts and the signs of aging to look for, read our blog.

1. Ice dams are formed when heat from the inside of a home escapes into the attic and warms the roof decking during the winter. This heat, combined with heat from the sun, can melt snow on the roof. Melting snow then runs down toward the eaves as water. When it reaches the cold eaves and gutters, it refreezes. This continual thaw and re-freeze process creates ice dams. The result is water backing up under the roof shingles, which can soak through the roof decking or wall sheathing, causing damage to attics, ceilings, and walls.

There are three ways to defend against the damage ice dams cause:

• Attic Insulation
• Attic Ventilation System
• Water-Proofing Shingle Underlayment

All three work together. Read more about Protecting Your Home From Ice Dams.

Spring in West Michigan can wreak havoc on your roof as the snow quickly turns to rain. So, how do you protect your roof rain from severe Midwest rain storms? Unfortunately, most homeowners wait until it’s too late to protect their homes from leaks and damage – but that doesn’t have to be the case for you.

Here are four proactive steps to take to protect your roof from rain:

• Complete necessary roof repairs
• Ensure gutter functionality
• Inspect flashing around skylights
• Schedule a roof inspection

To learn more about each step and additional information, read our blog about protecting your roof from rain.