In the first installment of our spring spruce up series, we talked all about siding. In Part 2, we’re shifting our focus to roofing. In this article we’ll share some of the things you’ll want to be aware of if you’re considering a new roof. Whether it’s from damage, age, or you simply want to increase the value of your home, new roofing is a big investment — and doing a little homework now can save you time, energy and money down the road.
As with Part 1 of this series, you’ll want to make sure you get multiple estimates, talk with your insurance agent, and understand which are the top brands for each roofing type …
GET MULTIPLE ESTIMATES (PROPOSALS)
Josh Gauwitz always says, “you don’t have to use us for the project, but you should always get an estimate from us, and at least one other roofing contractor.” It can be tempting to just pick a contractor you feel good about, but multiple estimates can go a long way in helping you make an educated decision. Be sure to only request proposals from licensed, local roofing contractors in the Dane County area. We say local, because some brands try to look local, but don’t actually have a location in your area. We’ve seen this happen a lot when a hailstorm comes through Dane County and non-local contractors start knocking on doors to offer their services to do the roof repair or replacement … This can be problematic if you need help down the road, and the contractor you chose isn’t actually local, or invested in the community. One more tip about estimates — never pay for them! They should always be complimentary.
TALK WITH YOUR INSURANCE AGENT
If the damage to your roof is caused by a hailstorm, or if it’s damaged in another way — like from a fallen tree — always call your insurance agent right away and see if you are covered. This is an important note, as the sooner the insurance agent gets involved, the easier it is for them to assess damage BEFORE repairs begin. At Legacy, we work hand-in-hand with the homeowner and the insurance agent to make sure the entire process is as pain free as possible. Since we work with insurance companies on a daily basis, we know what to expect and how to work through the claims process in a way that helps the homeowner as much as possible.
KNOW YOUR BRANDS
Let’s talk briefly about the three different types of roofing you may want to consider when you talk with a roofing contractor …
Asphalt Roofing
When it comes to asphalt roofing, GAF is the brand that we highly recommend. And, we also recommend working with a contractor that is a GAF Master Elite Installer to ensure the highest quality installation of your new asphalt roof. GAF is the nation’s largest roofing manufacturer, which makes sense based on the fact that they are an industry leader for the products they produce. And with GAF, you can choose from an abundance of asphalt roofing types, each with color options to ensure your new roof complements your home.
To learn more about GAF, and what it means to be a Master Elite Installer, check out our asphalt roofing page.
Metal Roofing
More expensive than asphalt roofing, at least in the short term, a well-installed metal roof can last a lifetime — making it an excellent choice if you plan to stay in your home long-term. With metal roofing, we recommend working with a contractor who works with DECRA. In addition to offering an amazing product, they also provide a limited lifetime warranty that’s the most comprehensive in the industry. Known for offering, “sophisticated style with the strength of steel,” DECRA provides gorgeous roofing designs with layers of pure multi-layered steel protection.
Learn more about DECRA on our metal roofing page.
Rubber Roofing
The last roofing type we’re going to mention today is rubber roofing, and Mule-Hide is our company of choice to work with. They offer three main rubber roofing products: TPO, EDPM, and PVC roofing. Scenarios where you’ll typically find rubber roofing is when a roof is flat or low-pitched (you’ll find this on a lot of commercial buildings). With these roof types, traditional shingles are not as effective because there’s less gravitational pull as opposed to a higher-pitched roof.
Learn more about Mule-Hide rubber roofing here.
Want to learn more about any of these roofing types?
In addition to checking out our individual roofing pages, you can also give us a call at (608) 221-3000, or fill out our contact form to set up a complimentary consultation, where we can answer all of your questions and share as much detail as you like about the roofing products mentioned above.
