The warmer times of the year are the busiest times for roof installation, so if it’s time to replace your roof, the coming months are when to do it. When shopping around for someone to do it for you, make sure they meet all of the below requirements. 

• Proof of Insurance:  Your contractor should be able and willing to provide evidence of their worker’s compensation and indemnity insurance policies.
• Permits:  Since each county requires some sort of permit, the contractor should be knowledgeable about which ones are needed for the job. The related costs of the permits should also be included with the bid.
• Warranties:  They must be able to provide warranties both for workmanship and materials used.
• Local:  A reputable contractor will have a permanent, physical address in your area.
• Written Estimates:  They should provide you with written estimates which include clean up, disposal of old material, warranties, labor, material and permits.
• References:  It’s best to hire a contractor with experience, so always ask for references to contact before signing anything.
• Knowledge:  Everyone has unique questions and needs, so your contractor should be knowledgeable enough to answer provide answers and options for your situation.
• Qualifications:  All contractor companies, Minneapolis-based or not, should be willing to provide you with evidence of roofing certification.
  
• Trade Organization Membership:  The most reputable contractors are part of trade organizations which reinforce strict codes, rules and ethics. A good standing with the BBB only adds to their credibility.
• Clean-Up:  One thing that may get missed in the bid is the cost of clean-up and removal of excess material. Make sure that part is included before making any final decisions.

Once you find the right roofing contractor for the job, you can rest easy in known that your new roof will serve you for years to come.

Quarve Contracting has been providing roofing services for Minneapolis and St. Paul area homeowners for three decades. 

When you discover a problem with your roof, like damage from a Minneapolis thunderstorm, you probably want to replace it as quickly as possible. Replacement or roof repair takes time, but it helps to have an idea of how long the process will take. 

Basic Process
In order to repair or replace your roof, the following steps must be taken. 

1. Roof inspection by roofing company or insurance adjuster
2. Time frame determination and cost estimate from roofers
3. Funding and approval from insurance company
4. Scheduling and material acquisition
5. Actual repair/installation
6. Insurance paperwork

Provided there aren’t any hang-ups during the process, the entire scenario usually takes a few months, though it can take under a week in emergencies.

Season
The best time of year to replace your roof is during the driest months. When the crew is able to finish everything without dealing with the elements, they can get the work done faster.

Generally, the job shouldn’t be done when the weather is rainy or snowy, but if an emergency crops up, it is possible to do it in those conditions. Work done in those conditions can add anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.

Types of Material
Depending on what you’d like your roof to be made out of, finding the right material can take a long time. Asphalt roofing materials is generally the easiest to find, while slate or Spanish tile will take longer to install.  Suppliers also run out of stock from time to time, so the time it takes for a new shipment to come in must be added.

Size and Complexity of Roof
Logically, larger homes take longer to roof than smaller ones, but the complexity of the structure also factors in. If there are multiple angles or many chimneys to work with, it will take longer to finish the installation.

Damage and Hidden Issues
Sometimes, hidden problems become known once the crew gets up there. This is especially true of older roofs, since there may be water damage under the shingles. The time it takes to do the mending will add delays.

When it comes to roof repair or replacement, having an idea of how long it takes to finish will help you manage the stress associated with it.  Questions about roof repair or replacement?  Please feel free to call us.  

A quality roofing job involves much more than the shingles or other exterior roofing material you can see.  What’s just as important is what you can’t see – the materials underneath the top.  When you’re getting ready to replace your roof, you probably want to know about the different layers necessary for a proper installation. One common term you might be wondering about is “underlayment.”

What It Does
This important part of the roof is what protects the underlying wood roof deck from moisture.  Over the course of your day, water vapor rises through your home and into your attic, where most of it is sent to the outside through vents. What’s left over is trapped between your home and the shingles of your roof.

Sometimes, water from a Minneapolis thunderstorm, for example, will make its way past the shingles, which can cause huge problems.  The underlayment is what prevents it from settling into the wood and causing it to rot.

It also protects the shingles of your roof from any sap which may still be in the roof timbers making up your roof deck. This is an important issue when it comes to asphalt roofing especially, because sap causes asphalt to deteriorate more quickly than usual.

What It’s Made From
Underlayment is usually made from one of three materials.

Felt
There are two different types of felt. One is called #15 felt, which is generally thought of as being the best material for general roof installation. The other is called #30 felt, which is often used when installing metal roofs.

Synthetic
This is a newer trend in the world of roofing, and very promising. It’s designed to allow maximum ventilation, while providing excellent water proofing at the same time. It also stands up to the force of a high impact nail gun far better than the felt options.

Leak Barrier Membranes
These membranes are usually used as an extra layer of protection around valleys and along the edges of your roof. It has a sticky backing and is made out of a flexible, rubber-like material.

The next time you talk to your roofing professional, feel free to ask them about what type of underlayment they plan to use on your roof.

Quarve Contracting has been providing quality roofing services in the Twin Cities metro area for three decades.  Hundreds of Minnesotans have trusted us to protect their homes. 

If you’re a Minneapolis/St. Paul area homeowner who is planning on having your roof replaced soon, you may want to ask your roofing contractor about re-nailing the roof deck when the new roof is installed.  This is not something that is customarily done as part of a roof replacement, but the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety recommends this additional step for homeowners who live in areas where strong winds are common.  And as you know, especially in the spring and summer, wind-driven rain, tornadoes, and straight-line winds are a part of our usual weather.

Making sure that the roof deck – which underlies and supports the roofing over it – is secure.  It will help your roof last longer, and it will help it to hold up better to high winds.   This extra step will cost a bit more, but it’s a preventative measure that’s well worth the expense.

How do you know if your roof deck needs to be re-nailed?  Ask your roofer to inspect the connections to the roof trusses or rafters to make sure they’re secure.  This inspection should be performed AFTER the old roofing and underlayment is torn off.  Severe storms over the years can loosen the original fastenings, and at times re-fastening the decking is needed to restore its stability.  High winds and other severe weather can subject your home to a beating, and the roof takes a major part of that.

Not all roofing materials perform well in the face of strong winds and heavy rains, and that’s why many homeowners are choosing to replace asphalt shingles with metal roofing.  Most metal roofs are rated to withstand approximately 140 mph winds, which includes the most common tornadoes.  The wind resistance of metal  roofing materials significantly exceeds that of current building codes, which should help you rest a little easier the next time the severe weather alert goes off.  In addition to its wind resistance, metal roofing is extremely impervious to wind-driven rain and resists impact damage from hail, which is another severe weather threat we often deal with.

If you have questions about roof deck stability, metal roofing, or any other roofing-related issues, please give us a call.  We’ve been helping Minnesota homeowners protect their homes with quality roofing products for three decades. 

Roof vents are an important part of keeping your home comfortable as well as helping your roof last longer.  Roof ventilation works to keep your roof cool, which is better for the roofing as well as the interior of your home.  Proper venting also reduces moisture levels in your attic, inhibiting mold and mildew formation.

With the right venting you’ll use less energy for heating and cooling, which is good for the environment as well as your wallet.  Roof vents remove hot air which builds up in the summer, and since warm air rises, cool air flowing through your attic space naturally cools the rooms below it. In the winter, adequate roof ventilation keeps the attic space cool, inhibiting moisture build-up as well as addressing the main cause of ice dam formation.

However, roof vents don’t all work the same, and there is no one right solution for each roof or home.   Installing the wrong type of vent or improper installation can actually result in roof problems.

Roof vents come in five basic types:

• Soffit vents – installed under the eaves
• Gable vents – louvered vents inserted in the exterior wall near the roof peaks
• Turbine vents – installed at the peak; these are wind-driven
• Louvered vents – designed to permit air flow while keeping out rain and insects
• Powered vents – usually thermostatically controlled

Placement of roof vents as well as determination as to how much venting is required is a question best left to a professional roofer.  While inadequate venting has its share of difficulties, too much venting can result in roof leaks and other problems.

You’ll find the various types of roof vents at your local home improvement or hardware store, and some DIY’ers install their own, but we recommend that unless you are very experienced in dealing with roofing that you have an experienced roofing contractor install roof vents if your home needs more.  This is a problem many older homes face, and you can have your ventilation needs evaluated as a part of your next roofing inspection.

Outside of a major kitchen overhaul or an addition, a roof replacement can be one of the biggest improvement projects you are likely to take on.  And if you plan to own your home for any significant amount of time, you’ll be facing this expense sooner or later because roofing materials aren’t meant to last indefinitely.  Some have a longer expected lifespan than others, but they come at a cost.  So you need to weigh a number of factors when choosing replacement roofing material before you make a decision.  And don’t assume that you have to replace your roof with a product comparable to the existing roof.  You may want to make a change for any number of reasons.

If having a long-lasting roof is your main priority, here is a run-down on what to expect from the most common roofing materials.  Other than the material used, the other two factors that affect how long a roof lasts is the amount of sun exposure as well as pitch, and these two elements can affect any roofing material.  Roofs which get a lot of full sun and have shallow pitches simply don’t last as long as shaded, steep roofs.

• Asphalt:  This is the most popular roofing choice, and depending on the type you choose, you can expect a useful life of anywhere from 15-30 years.  Keep in mind that asphalt’s petroleum base breaks down more quickly in warm and humid situations, so full sun and a shallow pitch can reduce those numbers.
• Composite:  Composite roofing is similar to asphalt except that it includes fiberglass.   A composite roof should last about 20 years but it’s not a good choice in windy areas, so if your home is in an open unprotected area, the expected life is shorter; in fact, it’s probably not an appropriate solution for your home.
• Metal:  These types of roofs are rapidly gaining in popularity.  They are more expensive than asphalt or composite, but they are much more energy-efficient so you’ll save in heating and cooling.  Depending on the design of the roof and the type of metal, these roofs can last upwards of 75 years.  They also have the added benefit of being able to be installed on top of an existing roof since they are much lighter and don’t require a roof tear-off to avoid weight overload.
• Tile:  Providing a unique architectural element, tile roofs are popular with Mediterranean home styles.  Installation of these roofs is crucial, and the type of installation controls the lifespan.  They can last anywhere from 10-100 years, but they are difficult to maintain and expensive to install.  If you choose a tile roof,  look for a specialty roofing contractor as most roofers aren’t experienced enough with tile.
• Slate:  Like tile, these roofs are heavy, so you’ll want to check with an engineer to make sure your home structure can withstand the load.   It provides a natural look but its fragile and requires care.  If you really like the look of slate, you may want to consider one of the steel roofing options which replicate the look but require less care and are sturdier.  But with the right maintenance, a slate roof can last 40-75 years.
• Wood:  Wood shakes and shingles are hard to give a lifespan to because there are so many factors which will affect its wear.  Wood can last anywhere from 10-30 years.  If you choose wood, go for cedar; it’s the longest-lasting.
• Other Materials:  Roofing is also available in rubber membrane, poured concrete, and fiberglass panels but these are less popular residential choices in this area, and all require specialized installation.

Quarve Contracting has been providing roofing solutions for Minneapolis/St. Paul area home and business owners for three decades.  We specialize in durable, energy-efficient steel roofing, a great choice for those interested in a eco-friendly roofing product.  We also install quality asphalt roofing products.