ROOF INSTALLATION MADE EASY!

When is The Best Time To Install a Roof?
Here we are at the start of spring and you need to get going on that necessary project and nothing would be nicer than to have it all simplified. This article is intended to help consumers make an informed decision on that great home improvement project. I know that by giving appropriate information, any consumer can make a qualified choice on the materials as well as the best contractor to implement the job, and because when a homeowner has taken the time to make an informed choice, Stahl Roofing Incorporated will be at the top of the list. Sifting out the right contractor is the most critical decision. One of my closing statements when I make a presentation is “choose the contractor you want first, and then choose which material and what it will cost”. So read this short article, it will be time well spent, save you aggravation and money by making the right choice. Tell me, have you ever had a bad home improvement experience or knew someone who did? Probably, so take the time here and do your homework and this can be a great experience. Here are some guidelines:

Do I Need a New Roof?
Is it time? How old and in what condition is your current roof? Some statistics I received from a Real Estate company stated on how long various roofing products last in our area. On the average product, many standard asphalt products and some medium shake shingles averaged fourteen to eighteen years in our climate. Before I go on and in respect to those who do have a different opinion and perspective, I am only mentioning averages; this is not to say that that quality and type of some materials didn’t achieve a much longer life. On one hand, we do have some newer more durable products that are out in the last ten years that should be on the house for a longer period then what I previously mentioned, but I also have seen some products prematurely fail as well as some brands that are no longer manufactured. It is worth paying a professional to come and inspect your roof, give an evaluation and projection on what kind of performance you can expect from your current material.

What Kind of Products are Available to Meet My Needs?
I don’t want to rule out the standard products here, we have some types that have been around for a long time that have had improvements and have shown a history of good performance. A competent representative will take the time to show the distinctions in the various brands, the composition of the types, how they’re tested, what the warranties are, and which suits your specific needs and budget. It’s not just putting on a covering anymore and even the longer warranty products, are worth their cost because of the ability to perform in our climate, especially long term, after all, how many times do you want to do this and at what cost? Product samples are available from the manufactures through your contractor of choice, and some contractor’s and/or suppliers may have a showroom in order to view the materials. Be sure to let the contractor know what your needs and plans are and they can advise what direction to go.

Who Should You Hire?
I believe you can check out a contractor before a representative walks in your door and I strongly suggest that you do.  The company you’re considering may be “certified” to install a specific product, but how the operation is handled is as important as the product itself. That is, a good product poorly installed brings a lot of heartache. You could be dealing with several items after the installation, and the worst would be roofing material separating from the deck when the winds aren’t that severe and leaks that could cause other damage. Ask how the workers are overseen, and who is to be called if there is a question or concern and are they readily available. My reference information includes General Contractors, roofing suppliers, business references as well as previous customers to give my potential customers a wide view of who we are and how we conduct business.

What about Warranties?
There are two types of Warranties, Labor and Materials. Roofing Manufacturer’s have provided written warranties that outline the expected performance of their products for longevity and wind. These are readily available and your Roofing Professional can explain how they work and what they mean. We believe in purchasing quality brands that are durable enough to endure our climate so installing products with a history in our area is important. We have our labor warranty written on the contract/proposal so it is clearly understood what we providing for our customers, this is not always true for roofing contractors.