Here's a question we're asked often that can be challenging to answer:  What asphalt roof can I buy that would be best?

There's no one response that fits every homeowner or home, for a variety of reasons.  Some of the factors to consider are the style of your home and your location.  The kind of shingle that you would use might be dictated by the region and climate of the US.

For instance, if you live in an area where it is common to have high winds, as you're comparing roofing options, look at the wind damage section of the warranty.  All other things being equal, the one with the better wind damage coverage would be preferable.  If hail storms are common in your area, a metal roof might be a better choice than an asphalt one, since asphalt is damaged much more easily than metal is by hail.

Another part of choosing the best roof for your home is the contractor you choose, because a roof is only as good as its installation.  Look for a contractor who is certified or recommended by the manufacturer whose products they install.  Also look for industry membership and certifications.

You can research which roof is best for you to buy, or you can have trust in your roofing contractor to choose the roofing product that is right for you from his past experiences with these products. After over 30 years in the roofing business here in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area, we've been able to help many of your friends and neighbors choose the right roof for their homes.

Ask yourself these these questions when evaluating asphalt shingle roofing:  1. How long do I plan on living in this house? When a homeowner plans on living in the house only a couple of years, they may want to save money by putting on a roof of lesser quality. When doing this you must consider when you sell your home you might not get your entire investment back. Homes that have great curb appeal and better roofs sell faster than other homes. Value is added to your home when you have a good roof, and you can have peace of mind your roof is good for the short period you are there. 2. What roof types do the neighbors have installed? Your home's roof should blend in with the roofs of your neighbors.  Look at style and color and not necessarily material, since you can get a metal roof that looks like tile, shake, slate, or shingle.  And if many of the homes in your neighborhood have standing seam metal roofs, that might be a good choice for you. 3. What goes under the shingles? The roof's top side is only one part of a roof. What goes underneath contributes a great deal to the overall quality of your roof.  For instance, a roof's underlayment is a key part of a roofing system. You'll want to talk with your roofing contractor about what materials he recommends using with the shingles you're considering. Buying the best roof is more than selecting asphalt, metal, tile, or other kinds of roofing.  It includes the underlayment as well as professional installation. Contact Quarve to find out how we can help you with putting the right roof on your home.  We are a licensed MN exterior home improvement contractor specializing in roof repair and installation.