Minnesota Roofing Contractors

Just like anything that we buy, the different roofing types in St Paul can also have their fair share of problems. Depending on which you invest in, there are certain things that you need to know so that you can make your roofing last as long as possible. This involves knowing the “quirks” each type has. This can also help you in determining which St Paul roofing type is right for you.

Here is a rundown of the types of roofing in St Paul and issues you may experience with them:

Wood shingles and shakes – Wood shingles and shakes look great, but you will need to talk to your St Paul roofer about how you can treat your wood and shakes to make them last longer. You will find that wood does require more maintenance than some other types of roofing in order to keep the wood in good health.

Metal Roofs - Metal has become quite the popular roofing option. Metal is practically maintenance-free, reflects heat, and is quite durable. There are not many problems with metal roofs other than a hail storm with very large hail can result in denting of the roof. Overall, metal does not have major problems. A metal roof will even dissipate lightning rather than conduct it, which is good news.

Built-up-roofs – Built-up-roofs are frequently installed on low sloping or flat roofs. There are layers of fiberglass or felt that alternate in layers and are then treated with asphalt. This type is seen more in commercial buildings. Just like any type of asphalt shingle, the granules in the asphalt can be knocked off by hail and debris that is blown around during a storm. When this occurs, the sun can eventually cause cracking. Due to the built-up nature of these types of roofs, penetration by hail may be less likely.

Slate and tile roofs – Both of these types are very durable and the oldest roofing materials around. However, they weigh a lot and require a roof that is reinforced so that it can handle the weight. In St Paul, residents have to take into consideration that snow can become very heavy in the winter, adding to the weight of slate and tile. These options are also more expensive.

Just as all of these roofing types have incredible pros, there are the cons. However, we must keep in mind that everything we come in contact with has some sort of con to it. It is how we deal with those cons that can help make a decision and educate us on what we need to do to ensure our roofing remains in the best health possible.

If you are currently experiencing problems with your roofing, it is also important to take into consideration that such issues as lack of maintenance, improper installation, improper design, and flashing failures can lead to additional issues.

So take a look at the roofing types and what you can expect. Depending on how much maintenance you are willing to take on, the aesthetic appeal you’re looking for, and the cost, you can find the roofing that is right for you.

You may be quite surprised at the difference roofing can make in your energy management. When you want to save money on your heating and cooling costs and you are also in the position to put a new roof on your home, the savings can start with your roof. Even if the initial cost may seem like quite the investment, the right investment can save you a lot of money in the long-term and also spare your home from the damage that faulty roofing can cause. That’s even more money saved.

Right now, the trend is the “cooling roof” trend. There are two factors that come into play here. The first is proper insulation to keep the warm air in in the winter and a reflective roof to keep the hot air out in the summer. This reflective roofing is white or light-colored in order to reflect sunlight and keep it out of your attic. The growth for this cool roofing is increasing because people want to save money on their energy costs.

Your Energy Management Strategy

When you save energy, you save money, it is as simple as that. This means that you may want to consider the different green roofing problems in order to complete your energy management strategy. As it stands, your strategy may include such things as turning lights off when you are not in the room or unplugging electrical items when not in use. Add roofing to the equation and you can save a lot of money on an annual basis.

You can look into garden top roofing, which is literally planting a garden on your roof that your Minneapolis roofing contractor can properly irrigate. However, in Minneapolis the most common form of roofing being used is cool roofing so that heat is reflected and not absorbed into the home.

You may also want to look for any roofing products that have the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star seal. This means that the EPA has approved the product and certified it as energy saving. Many products on the market today do have the Energy Star logo on them and are much more energy efficient than older products.

Replacing your roofing?

Are you looking at replacing your roofing and wish to make it part of your energy management strategy? If so, you can talk to a Minneapolis roofer about what you can do to make your roof one that saves you money over its life. You can look into such types of roofing as:

• Polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, which is single-ply roofing and has a great track record when it comes to long-term performance. These systems started being installed in Germany in the 1960s, so there has been plenty of time to study the effectiveness of this roofing.
• Chlorosulfonated polyethylene, or CSPE, is amongst the earliest white roofing that was used in the United States. Although effective, CSPE has not seen the success of PVC.
• There are more recent developments that include thermoplastic polyolefins (TPOs) and co-polymer alloys (CPAs).

Today, you will find mostly single-ply white roofing systems, but they are helpful in making your energy management plan a success.

When you buy a new roof system in Minnesota, you are buying more than just what you see. There are other parts of the system that you can’t see and they are very important at protecting your home from the weather. It is important that you know the different components of a roof system so that you can ensure you choose the best of everything for your roof.

Here are some of the components and some terms that you should familiarize yourself with when discussing your new roof with your Minnesota roofing contractor:

• Built-up roof – This is a roof that consists of layers of alternating hot-mapped asphalt and roofing felt. The roof is then topped off with a layer of gravel.
• Flashing – This is sheet metal that is used to join the different planes to prevent leakage from the roof.
• Counterflashing – This is the part of the flashing that is overlapped over a single shingle flashing.
• Cornice – The part of the roof you see protruding out from the walls at the side of the house.
• Deck – This is the surface that is usually made of plywood and is the surface in which the roofing materials are applied.
• Drip Edge – This is an L-shaped strip that is installed along the edges of the roof and allows water to drip off of the edges away from the eaves and the siding.
• Fascia – This is the trim board behind the eaves and the gutter.
• Felt – This is also referred to as “tar paper” by roofers in Minnesota and around the U.S. It is usually made of rags, asphalt, or paper.
• Penetrations – Penetrations consists of the chimney, vents, pipes, and stacks that penetrate the deck of the roof.
• Sheathing – The sheathing is the boards that are nailed to the rafters and the outside roofing materials may be secured.
• Rafter – This is a structure that sheathing may be nailed to.
• Shingle flashing – These are the strips that are under each shingle and bent up the edge of the wall or chimney.
• Underlayment – This is the material, usually felt, that is laid upon the sheathing or deck before the shingles are applied.

Other components that you will find are part of the roof include the actual roof covering, which can be shingles, tile, slate, cedar shakes, or another covering; the deck, the roof structure, the flashing, and the drainage system to ensure the water can drain off the roof, which will prevent leaks when done properly.

Talk to your Minnesota roofer about the different components of your roofing system so that you can make sure you have the best all around. You do not want any part of your roof to be of a low quality because this can compromise the rest of your roof. You certainly don’t want this to happen because of the fact your roof is a very large investment. Every part of it works together, so you need to make sure the entire thing is what it should be.

It is recommended by roofing associations and Minnesota roofers themselves that you have your asphalt roofing inspected bi-annually or annually. This is because the seasons certainly take a toll on your roof. And the time of year that is best to have a Minnesota roof inspection is the late spring and the early fall and there are reasons behind this.

So what can be found during a roof inspection?

Well, a Minnesota roofing inspector will take a look at your roof and look for telltale signs of damage. These signs can include granules missing from your shingles, weak spots, blisters, cracks, and missing shingles. An inspector can evaluate your eaves and valleys to ensure that they are not leaking or will not be leaking in the near future.

A Minnesota inspector can also take a look at skylights, fans, and other hardware to make sure everything is in check and nothing is leaking. These areas can be trouble spots, so they need to be checked every time your roof is inspected.

So when should inspections take place?

There are several times in which you need to make the call to a Minnesota roofer to inspect your roof. You want to make the call any time that there is a storm that produced hail, high winds, and flying debris. You never know when the hail or flying debris caused cracks, blisters, or holes in your shingles. You also never know when the wind may have blown shingles off of your roof or loosened them. You must address the problems immediately so that they do not become worse and cause leaks that can cause further damage to your home that could be expensive.

Roofing association and Minnesota roofing contractors will tell you that a late spring inspection is a good idea. This is because the snow storms and the harsh cold of the winter takes its toll on your roofing. Many times the weather does not start to warm up and stay consistently warm until the late spring. A late spring inspection ensures that the cold weather is over and that it is safe to go ahead and make any repairs heading into the summer.

By making sure repairs are made before the weather gets too hot, any damage will not become worse because it simply won’t be there anymore. The summer will then provide its own punishment on the roof. That is why it is good to have an inspection on the roof in the fall. You can then have a Minnesota inspector evaluate what the summer months did to your roof so that you can prepare for winter.

By having these regular inspections, you can extend the life of your roof. You will not have to make extremely premature replacements, which can save you a lot of money in the long-term. You certainly do not want to replace a thirty year roof in fifteen. If that happened, you would be replacing every fifteen years and spending more money than you ever intended.

Minnesota metal roofing has become quite the trend. Individuals have the choice of different colors and even different styles. For instance, you can have a blue roof if you want a blue roof. You can also have a metal roof that mimics the look of shingles if you want. There are more and more options being made available to homeowners as metal roof innovations are being made.

However, there are some myths about metal roofing in Minnesota that need to be addressed so that individuals such as yourself can make the right decisions regarding metal roofing.

Those myths include:

Metal roofs are too hot and don’t have insulating properties – It has been shown that metal roofs are saving homeowners money on their heating and cooling costs when they are installed properly. Metal roofs actually reflect a lot of the solar energy that tends to heat up the attics of homes. This results in the home remaining a more consistent temperature, which means you do not have to deal with the extreme temperature fluctuations you would have to deal with otherwise.

Lightning loves metal roofs – The truth here is that lighting hates metal roofs. The Metal Roof Alliance states that the instance of lightning hitting your home with a metal roof is not increased. If lightning does hit your home, the metal roof disperses the energy from the lightning evenly and safely. The instance of fire is also greatly reduced with a metal roof because metal is not flammable.

Metal roofs don’t last long – Quality metal roofs come with a 20 year guarantee from the manufacturer. Metal roofs do require special skills from Minnesota roofing contractors. Not everyone can install a metal roof, which says a lot about the quality of the roof. The more complex, the better it is. When installed properly, the expected lifespan of a metal roof is 50 years. This is much longer than most other roof types, which includes asphalt shingles that have a maximum life of 30 years.

Metal roofs aren’t very beneficial – Right now, you can receive a tax credit on your income tax return when you put metal roofing on your home. As you’ve read so far, metal roofing is not flammable, they are not too hot, and they do keep cool air in and hot air out. When you use an Energy Star rated metal roofing, your energy costs can be cut by 10% to 15%.

Metal roofs aren’t worth the cost – Metal roofs may cost more than asphalt shingles, but the overall savings exceeds that of asphalt shingles and the roof more or less pays for itself over time in the form of energy savings. Asphalt shingles do need to be replaced 2 to 4 times more often than metal roofing. Considering roof replacement costs thousands, the overall savings is astronomical.

When you decide to take the metal roofing route, you do need a Minnesota roofing company that specializes in installing metal roofs. It takes 4 to 5 years for a roofer to gain the experience needed to install these roofs, but once they are installed, they are an amazing asset to your home.

One of a roof’s most vile enemies is the hail storm. Hail can range in size from pea sized to the size of golf balls. On rare occasions, hail can be even larger than that. When it is, roofs in Minnesota see quite a bit of damage. That damage can range from the granules being removed from asphalt shingles to actual penetration of the shingles, exposing everything underneath. This can then lead to leaks that cause even more damage to the home.

Hail is certainly a force to be reckoned with and one that costs millions each year to homeowners, vehicle owners, and various other individuals who have different belongings damaged by hail. Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done about it. If the hail is going to fall, it is going to fall. You can protect your outside belongings if the storm is predicted, but you can’t protect your roof. There is not a garage or barrier that you can put over your roof before a hail storm strikes.

After the hail storm

After a hail storm, a wise thing to do is contact a Minneapolis Hail Damage expert to see if any damage was done. Even if you can’t see damage from the ground, it doesn’t mean that damage has not been done. There are several things that hail can do to your roof that you may not be able to see but an inspector can. Those things include:

• Missing granules, which eliminates some of the protection shingles have and can lead to faster wear and tear. Another hail storm will make this worse and speed up the demise of your roof even faster.
• Cracks in your shingles that can then let water through when it rains. This water will eventually break the barrier that is your underlayment and cause leaks in your roof that you may not find until it is too late.
• Blistering, which is the thinning of areas on your shingles. This thinning can then lead to cracks, holes, and other types of damage that will eventually lead to leaks.
• Penetration, which is very major damage. Penetration is when the hail actually penetrates the shingle. Depending on the size of the hail, penetration can result in holes in your roofing that goes through rather deep. The underlayment can also be damaged, leading to instant leaking that needs to be repaired as soon as possible.

When a roofing inspector sees these types of damage, they will tell you and inform you of what your options are as far as having these issues repaired. If your roof is heavily damaged, the roofer may suggest that the entire roof be replaced. This is usually true when 1 in 5 or even as few as 1 in 10 shingles are damaged.

The Solution – Hire A MN Roofing Contractor

If you find that you are consistently having damage during hail storms or that you have experienced a lot of damage according to your inspection, you may want to consider high impact shingles. These are shingles that can deal with the impact of hail much better than your traditional shingle. These are frequently referred to as “Class 4 shingles.” You will want to talk to your Minnesota roofing contractor about these shingles so that you can give hail a run for its money. Class 4 shingles aren’t immune to the largest types of hail, but they offer much more protection and can save you a lot more money in the long run.

One of the most important parts of your roofing system is your ventilation system. Your ventilation system ensures that hot air is not trapped in your attic. When the sun shines down upon your roof, your roof absorbs the heat that is generated from the UV rays. This is unless you have a “cool roof” that is light colored and reflects the sunlight so that head does not become trapped to the extent that dark roofs do.

Proper ventilation adds to the durability of a roof. Without ventilation, you not only have heat build up, but you also have moisture build up in the attic. When the heat and the moisture combine, the condensation that is produced can cause the sheathing and the rafters to rot. The shingles can also buckle and your insulation will become ineffective. So you need to make sure that your ventilation is not blocked off in any way. This means ridge vents, louvers, or soffit vents are to not be blocked in any way, even in the winter.

Proper attic ventilation protects against structural damage. The life of the material is increased, energy consumption is reduced, and the rooms below the attic are much more comfortable.

Insulation and Ventilation

If you are concerned about your ventilation and even the insulation in your home, a Minnesota roofer can help you address the problems. First of all, a Minnesota roofing contractor can take a look to make sure you have proper insulation in your attic. You should have a clear ventilation system, as well as a layer of insulation on the attic floor to keep the rooms below cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Another thing that you will need in your home if you don’t have it is a vapor retarder. This keeps any moisture inside the house from rising into the attic. Basically, you need enough vented spaces so that air will pass in and out easily. A Minnesota roofing professional will also make sure you have about one inch of space between your roof sheathing and your insulation. They are able to check everything and ensure proper measurements based on the length and the width of your attic. It is recommended that you have at least one square foot of vent area for every 300 square feet of attic floor. The vents should be placed near the ridge or at the eaves.

Energy Saving

When you have your roof inspected by a Minneapolis roofer, you do need to have them tell you whether or not you have proper ventilation. If you don’t, then you want to find out what needs to be done to make sure you do. If you do not have proper ventilation, then you are running the risk of your roof meeting its demise before its time.

Furthermore, the ventilation and insulation combination keeps the air in the living quarters of your home like it is supposed to. You do not want too much heat coming down from the attic during the summer and your cooling costs literally go through the roof. By keeping your air where it belongs, you are cutting down the amount of energy you are using in your home. Not only does this save you money, but you are also doing a favor for the environment.

Roofing maintenance is very important so that you can make sure your roof lasts as long as possible. In order to properly maintain your roof, you do need to know your roofing enemies. And believe it or not, your roof has many enemies that can compromise its performance. However, regular inspections and maintenance can combat these enemies so that your roof lasts as long as possible.

Here are some of the Minnesota roofing enemies that you may have to contend with on a regular basis:

• Sun roof damage – Over time, the heat and UV rays from the sun can lead to deterioration of your roof. This can occur faster on the sides of the roof that are facing the South or the West.

• Wind roof damage – High winds can lift the edges of the shingles or other roofing material and cause water and debris to be pushed below them. Extremely high winds can cause the shingles to blow completely off and even break.

• Rain roof damage – When water gets under your roofing material, it can make its way to the roof deck and cause the deck to rot. This can lead to extensive leaking and even more damage to your home.

• Snow and ice roof damage – Ice dams occur when melting snow refreezes at the roof’s overhang. This keeps the roof from draining properly into the gutter. Water can then back up under the shingles and this can cause damage to the roof deck.

• Moss and algae roof damage – When wood shingles and shakes stay moist, moss can grow. Once it grows, even more moisture is held on the roof, which can cause rotting. Algae may also grow in these shaded areas of wood shingles, but can also grow on asphalt shingles. Algae creates a black-green stain and can then lead to rot. It is ideal to trim back trees and any other vegetation that may be close to your roof to reduce this.

• Condensation roof damage – when the air is warm and full of moisture, condensation can build up. The way to prevent condensation from ruining your roof is to have a properly ventilated attic to blow out the hot air that can lead to condensation.

• Trees and leaves roof damage – When you have trees near your roof, debris from the trees can fall onto your roof and cause damage. Leaves can also fall into your gutters and clog them, causing water to backup.

• Shingle deterioration roof damage – The natural wear and tear of shingles is also an enemy. However, there is nothing that can be done about this since shingles do have a lifespan.

Knowing the facts about your roofing enemies will also help you to make responsible roof buying decisions. Knowing the enemies will also help you determine when you need to call a Minnesota roof inspector to inspect your roof. This should be done in the spring and fall anyway because you are preparing for the winter and summer and also taking care of damage that these two seasons inflicted upon your roof.

If you are not aware of what an ice dam is, it is the build up of ice at the edge of your roof. Sometimes these ice dams become so large that they back up water behind them and the water cannot properly drain from the roof and into the gutters. This water backup then causes the water to make its way under shingles, which then makes its way to the underlayment, and then to the roof deck. Once the water makes it to the roof deck, it becomes saturated and this can lead to rotting. This also leads to major leaks that result in further and more expensive damage to the home.

Because Minnesota sees a lot of snow in the winter, ice dams are a frequent occurrence. And not only is roof damage caused by ice dams, but overall structural damage can be caused.

Here are some ways in which you can prevent ice dams:

• Insulate– You want to keep your roof cold in the winter so that the snow will not melt on your roof. And when it does melt, it will not freeze again to create an ice dam. You need a roof that stays a constant temperature from top to bottom and from the peak to the eaves. Adding insulation to your attic floor will help regulate temperature
• Ventilate – An attic that is well ventilated in the winter is an attic that stays cold in the winter. When the attic stays cold, the roof stays cold. You will get lesser melt and when the snow does melt, it will most likely not refreeze because the temperature will be warmer by that point.
• An ice belt – If you have good insulation and ventilation and you are still getting ice dams, you can tell your Minnesota roofer and they will install an ice belt around the eaves. It provides an area where the ice and snow can just slide off rather than an ice dam form snow and. In this case, it may be necessary to remove the gutters so that they don’t hold the snow and ice.
• Heat tracing – Heat tracing is also a technique that is used in order to keep the eaves warm and prevent refreezing. This method is not a huge energy user, but does require electricity.
• Rake it – You can purchase a roof rake and rake away the snow as soon as it forms. You do this around the edges of your roof so that there are no obstacles in the way when the snow melts off of the roof.

A Minnesota roofing contractor can also add a waterproofing membrane along the eaves, the valleys, and behind your gutters. This provides extra protection against water that may penetrate the roofing. This can be a great way to prevent leaks. Nevertheless, damage from ice dams do require immediate attention in order to avoid bad leaks and rotting of the roof deck and other structural areas.

The life of a roof shingle is quite fascinating for the fact that they can “die” in a short period of time or they can last for many years without a hitch. To some, a shingle is just a piece or material that is nailed onto a roof and keeps the water out. It helps to drain water away and into the gutter system that then channels water away from the home. It seems rather simple, but the truth is that it is not simple at all. As a matter of fact, a roof shingle is more complicated in that.

Minnesota roofing seems to be largely made up of asphalt shingles. When a hail storm, wind storm, or a large snow storm makes its way through the state or areas of the state, some shingles seem to stand up to the challenge and others don’t, so why is this?

This is because Minnesota roofing contractors are experienced in installing different types of roof shingles. These roof shingles come in different weights. The heavier the weight, the longer it will last. As for the life expectancy, there are a number of factors that come into play.

Minnesota Shingle Life Expectancy

The life expectancy of a shingle is reliant upon things that you may have never thought would be factors. For instance, attic ventilation plays a role in shingle life expectancy. The hotter the attic stays during the summer, the shorter the life expectancy of the shingle. Other factors include:

• The color of the shingle also plays a role. The lighter the shingle, the less heat it pulls in. Heat is a big culprit in shortening the life of shingles.
• One side of the roof may receive more inclement weather than the other. The side that tends to take the brunt of the wind, rain, hail, and other weather will be the side that wears out faster.
• The pitch and slope of the roof also affects the life expectancy. Having a combination of harsh winters and hot summers can reduce the life expectancy.

Although manufacturers will package their shingles as twenty year, twenty-five year, or thirty-year shingles, this is the life expectancy they were designed to have. However, this is without the weather patterns that Minnesota tends to inflict on its citizens. Here are the facts regarding Minnesota asphalt shingles and their projected life expectancy:

• Twenty year shingles may last on average of fifteen years. They usually start to show deterioration between the ten and twelve year marks.
• Twenty-five year shingles last around eighteen to twenty years.
• Thirty year shingles last around twenty-five years.

Inspections

So don’t let the expected life expectancy of a roof shingle throw you off. You will need to have regular roof inspections by a qualified Minneapolis roofing inspector. These inspections should take place after storms in which there was hail, wind, or flying debris. You should also have your roof inspected in the late spring and in the fall to see the toll the winter and the summer did to your roof. The summer and winter tends to be the harshest, so inspections can help you address small problems before they become major problems. This will extend the life of your asphalt shingles and help you replace your roof closer to their life expectancy rather than prematurely.