NEED A ROOFING CONTRACTOR? ASK THESE QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU HIRE

Few things are more important to the integrity of your home than the roof over your head. When you hire a roofing contractor for repairs, inspections, or a completely new look, you have to trust that roofing company completely with the safety of your home.

So before you hire just anybody for the job, take the time to get to know your residential roofers personally. Start by asking these simple questions to make sure that the roofing contractor you hire is reliable, dependable, and trustworthy.

Do You Have Insurance?
All contractors should have adequate insurance to protect both their workers and their clients. Worker’s compensation packages should cover the roofing contractors in case of an injury on the job as well as provide customers with liability insurance. Without this basic level of protection, the homeowner could be left on the hook for any mishaps during the job.

Do You Have References?
It’s never a bad idea to take a look at a company’s past work portfolio. However, any roofing contractor will likely provide you with glowing reviews from their most satisfied customers. Try to do a little more digging. Ask past clients how satisfied they are with the work in terms of quality, time, and cost. An average-sized roof installation, for example, should only take three to four days. Make sure work was completed on time and under budget.

Do You Offer Warranties?
Depending on the type of work you need done, you may be entitled to two separate kinds of warranties. Manufacturers of roofing materials often have warranty-certified products; painted metal roofs, for instance, should retain 95% of their initial reflectance and emittance over time and are 100% recyclable after a long, useful life. Still, the roofing contractors should also offer some type of warranty on their handiwork, so that you’re not stuck having to pay extra money on leak repairs for a sub-par job.

Make sure to also ask about your contractor’s membership in the Colorado Roofing Association (CRA). This ensures that they’re certified by the state and established in their field. That way, you can rest easy knowing that your house is in good hands with a reputable contractor.

THE REAL COSTS AND BENEFITS OF IMPACT RESISTANT ROOFS

Though it seems like everyone ought to have an impact resistant roof in Denver, where hail is inevitable, that’s not always the case. Perhaps the biggest reason holding people back is that impact resistant roofs have a higher up-front cost of installation.

While a standard 2,200 to 2,600 square foot roof will cost homeowners anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000 in materials and $2,000 to $8,500 for professional installation, top-grade impact resistant roof systems might cost even more. Roofing companies charge by the “square,” or every 10×10 foot patch of roof — so the larger the roof, the higher the costs.

Yet the same might also be said about the potential costs of damage to your roof, especially during a hailstorm like the ones we’ve witnessed this summer. Homeowners tend to spend between 1% to 4% of their home’s overall value on maintenance and repairs every year, and that tends to increase the older the house gets. For a $200,000 home, you can expect at least $2,000 in repairs every year.

One big hailstorm, however, could wipe out that roof altogether if it’s not built to withstand the weather. That’s why insurance companies love to offer discounts or incentives to customers for going with impact resistant roofs when it’s time for a new installation. It’ll save your insurance company a lot of money, and you and your family a lot of potential heartache during those tough storms.

In the end, a more expensive impact resistant roofing material could save you money in the long run on fixes and repairs. Some materials are simply better suited than others to withstand hail damage. Metal roofs are usually more resistant than asphalt shingles, but since up to 40% of your home’s exterior may show as roofing, your aesthetic choice of material is no small matter. Impact-resistant tiles are also increasingly popular and durable.

However, be cautious that insurance claims might only cover functional damage when it comes to impact resistant roofs. They’re less willing to repair dings or missing shingles if it doesn’t affect the overall structural integrity of the roof as a whole.

Before you make a decision, call your insurance company to find out about coverage, discounts, and incentives. Just remember that impact resistant roofs can make a lot of difference during a big storm.

The next time you hear hail starting to fall, you’ll wish you’d acted sooner.

THE 5 MOST DAMAGING STORMS IN COLORADO HISTORY

Every roofing company in Denver has witnessed their fair share of storm damage, but sometimes Mother Nature really likes to outdo herself.

Case in point: a new report from the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association in Greenwood Village now says that last month’s hailstorm in Colorado Springs was the sixth-most damaging natural event in the history of the state. The storm caused more than $352.8 million in claims on residential roofs, commercial buildings, and vehicles combined.

What could be worse or more expensive than that? Across the country, roofing contractors pulled in about $46 billion in revenue in 2014, which must mean that we’re doing something right to protect our homes and valuables. Still, we decided to take a look back at the top five most damaging storms in the history of the state. Not surprisingly, hail in Denver makes a recurring appearance.

#5: June 2009 Hailstorms

A series of hailstorms and wind rocked the Denver area for nine days, producing a total of $353.3 million in car damage, roof repairs, and more.

#4: June 2013 Black Forest Fire

Over 500 homes were destroyed in the largest-ever wildfire in Colorado history, with $420.5 million filed in insurance claims. Fire and smoke damage results in an average repair cost of $4,172 per home, which is more than water damage ($2,386) but less than wind damage ($5,757 to $10,000).

#3: June 2012 Waldo Canyon Fire

Though the Waldo Canyon fire was smaller in area than the Black Forest fire a year later, it resulted in higher amounts of damage: $584 million, according to the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association.

#2: July 20, 2009 Denver Hailstorm

It’s hard to forget this one. A giant storm over the northwest Denver metropolitan area came on rather suddenly, producing tornado-level wind gusts up to 80MPH and golf ball-sized hail. Damages to cars, residential roofs, and commercial buildings: an incredible $767.6 million.

#1: July 11, 1990 Denver Hailstorm

At the time, the insurance damage costs for this historic storm — it produced lethal softball-sized pellets of hail — totaled $625 million. Adjusted for inflation to present-day dollars, that’s over $1.1 billion.

Even under normal circumstances, all residential roofs should be inspected once or twice a year. What’s a “normal circumstance” in Denver? That’s a little bit harder to define.

If you’re looking for residential roofers in Denver who specialize in impact resistant roofs, contact Advanced Roofing Inc. today.

WANT TO AVOID ROOF REPAIRS? FOLLOW THESE MAINTENANCE TIPS

There are few things more important to the safety and well-being of your family than the roof over their heads — quite literally. We often take our roof systems for granted until something bad happens: a leak, a hole, a dent, or missing shingles.

Quality roofing can last a lifetime, as long as you’re willing to actually look after it. Taking the time and minimal costs needed to perform regular maintenance roof repairs can save you from potentially severe roof damage that might be both costly and dangerous down the road.

Here are a few key tips to follow if you want a roof that lasts.

  • Regular Inspections

    Under normal circumstances, you should have your roof inspected once or twice a year by a professional. Schedule one for the fall and one for the spring. Experienced residential roofing companies will know where and how to look for weak spots or eroding surfaces that could be fixed or strengthened before the winter snow or summer thunderstorms hit.

  • Clean Gutters

    It’s everyone’s least favorite chore, but it’s a necessary one: not just for proper water drainage, but because the build-up of debris can cause extra weight on your roof. Additionally, clear gutters prevent moisture from causing mildew or mold on the roofing material itself, which can cause damage.

  • Trimmed Trees

    Overhanging branches can pose a real hazard to your roof. Everyone in Denver knows how one aggressive wind or hail storm can knock a branch right off even the healthiest of trees. If that branch lands on your roof, you could be looking at an entire roof replacement, not just small roof repairs.

  • Impact Resistance

    Speaking of hail… If you are in the market for a new roof, however, think about opting for an impact resistant roofing material. This added protection is a must-have for high-risk hail areas like Colorado. The peace of mind is worth the upfront costs — and many insurance companies will offer you a discount for having it installed.

When it comes to a structure as important as your roof, don’t procrastinate. Putting off small roof repairs could snowball into big problems. Keep an eye on your roof with regular inspections and care, and it’ll look after you for a lifetime.

THE BEST ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY ROOFING OPTIONS FOR DENVER HOMES

Your choice of roofing could make a large impact on how much energy is needed to comfortably heat or cool your home throughout the year. If energy savings are what you’re after, modern roof systems are often better at temperature regulation than older models. Certain roofing materials can help you keep energy costs to a minimum, too.

Not only that, but residential roofers can also reduce the environmental footprint of your home through the use of sustainable materials. Some roofing materials have a long life span, some are made of recycled materials, and some do both, which is a bonus for any eco-conscious homeowner.

If you’re in the market for a new roof, here are three of the best Denver roofing options that work well with Colorado’s unpredictable climate:

Cool Roofs: This type of roofing is usually made out of a light-colored material, which helps deflect the sun’s rays to keep the interior temperature of your home more stable. Any type of light-colored material can reap benefits, but cool metal roofs in particular can reduce peak cooling demands inside a structure by 15% and overall cooling costs by 20%.

Metal Roofs: Metal roofs are becoming more popular than traditional asphalt tiles not only because of their chic look, but because they’re much more durable and sustainable to produce. The roofing itself can be made of recycled materials, and recycled again after a long and useful life — sometimes 50 years or more.
Recycled Shingles: More and more, shingles manufacturers are also looking to be more eco-friendly in their production of materials. Some are made from recycled waste, which keeps housing materials out of landfills and gives them new life at an affordable price for homeowners.

There are many small changes you can make around your home to practice better sustainability for the planet, and your choice of roofing material is no exception. Many times, what’s good for the earth can also be good for your wallet, too, helping you save money in energy costs without sacrificing the comfort of your home.

Contact us today to learn which materials might be best for putting a new, eco-friendly roof over your head.