Home Improvement Services > Replacement Roofing

One thing stands between your precious possessions and nature’s fury – your roof. Just as you wouldn’t wait until the brakes on your car completely fail before replacing them, you shouldn’t wait till your roof is leaking to replace it either. Wise homeowners know that an effective roof is not just shingles slapped on the top of their house. It is an integrated roof system working together to protect their home and family for a lifetime.

Roofs are exposed to tremendous temperature changes and conditions over the change of seasons. This wear and tear, expansion and contraction eventually take its toll. The average shingle is designed to last 20 to 30 years, therefore any roof approaching 15 years old should be considered for re-roofing.

Basic warning signs of a deteriorating roof would be cupping or buckling shingles and/or Buckling or tears in the flashing. Loss of granules and blistering of the shingle also indicate advanced age. The homeowner from inside the attic should also inspect roofs. Damp spots, sagging of the underlayment indicate a severe problem that should be addressed immediately. Ice forming on the roof indicates a serious problem with Ice Damming that can work its way up under and between the shingles. Remember that your roof was laid all at the same time therefore it is only a matter of time that a small problem that you correct in one area may still occur in other areas. Temporary patching may only hold of replacement for a short time and in the long run cause more harm than it repairs.

What are the options?

Taking time to interview a reputable roofing contractor is the only way to ensure that the right roof system is installed to meet your needs. Too many times after heavy storms people called “storm chasers” appear. They set up shop, do as many jobs as fast and cheap as possible and move on to the next disaster area. Proper research and education is a must.

What makes up a roof "system"?

Shingles
Asphalt shingles are the most common roof covering. They are commonly 3 tabs or sections each piece and are reinforced with fiberglass or paper. They typically last 20- 30 years.

Laminated or architectural shingles are designed to add color, depth, and character to a roof. They have gained recent popularity due to the look and styles available. They are made up of multiple staggered material, usually asphalt. They are thicker and usually have a longer lifespan.

Slate is made of stone that is highly durable lasting up to 100 years. They are extremely heavy and need special tools to install. All that can make them cost prohibitive in most cases.

Wood shake or shingles are typically made of cedar. Known for their unique appearance they are highly susceptible to the weather and should last about 15 years in our region of the country, depending on the amount of care and periodic maintenance given.

Under-layment
Typically under the shingles is builder’s felt or tar paper. It comes in rolls and the thickness is gauged in pounds. (for example a roll of 15 lb). In high leak risk areas such as eves and valleys special waterproofing underlayment such as "ice and water shield" should be installed. Metal flashing, usually galvanized is used in the valleys and around projections such as chimneys. In some cases the metal can be reused but it should be discarded if it is bent or torn.

Assessories
Drip edges are corner shaped metal strips installed along the edges of the roof to allow the water to run off without running down the fascia or siding. It also protects the edge of the felt from blowing winds and rain.

Proper ventilation is a must to maintain a healthy roof. A properly ventilated attic prevents moisture buildup and deters ice damming by keeping the inner roof surface dry. Venting can be done two ways. The first method is through the use of vent fans to manually draw the air out. This method can be unreliable and waste energy. The second method is using passive venting. This is done by installing vents at the ridge and soffit and uses natural convection to circulate the air as needed.

Four Season’s installation management team has over 75 years experience in the industry. We use several different brands and styles of materials so that we can install exactly what you would want to be looking at for 20 years, 30 or even a lifetime. We believe in doing it right the first time so before we order your materials we will send a manager out to re-measure and reinspect. Four Seasons has serviced roofing in the metro area since 1976. We encourage you to check us out with the MHIC, BBB as well as asking us for references in your area.

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