Choosing a residential roofing company is a decision that should not be taken lightly.  Roofing repairs and replacement can not only be costly, but they are crucial to protecting your home, belongings, and most importantly – your family.  So, when selecting a roofing contractor, what should you consider?  From the company’s reputation and experience to your preferred working style, there are many things to look for in a residential roofing company.  Let’s take a look at some of the most important factors to consider.

Reputation

When first shortlisting candidates for a residential roofing company to complete your roofing project, you should consider the reputation of the contractor.  Ask friends, family, and colleagues if they can recommend a good contractor, but also consider how long that roofing company has been in business and their portfolio of work.  Not only do you want to know that the company has experience with your type of project, but working with a roofing contractor that has established roots in your community ensures that they will still be around if anything goes wrong with your roofing repairs or replacement.

This means that your residential roofing company should have a bricks-and-mortar location that includes a business address, phone number, and email.  Nowadays, most companies will also have a website that can direct you to testimonials from past customers, contact information for the roofer, and examples of the kind of experience they have.  All these elements suggest you are working with an established and reputable roofing contractor that is committed to serving its customers.

Staff

Some residential roofing companies hire subcontractors to complete roofing repairs and replacement, and this may be an early red flag.  Subcontractors are hired on one job at a time, and if the roofing company does not have a long-standing relationship with said subcontractor quality control may be an issue.  The best way for a residential roofing company to ensure exceptional workmanship is to hire and train their staff to meet or exceed their expectations of roofing quality.

Estimates

Any reputable roofing contractor will provide a written estimate and detailed contract for all roofing work that needs to be done.  Job specifications should be made explicit and the cost of materials and labour should be clearly outlined before you begin a roofing project. 

Liability Insurance

The next thing you want to know before you hire a residential roofing company is that they have adequate liability insurance to protect your property and their workers.  Ask your roofer if they can provide proof of liability insurance before agreeing to work with them.

Ongoing Maintenance and Emergency Service

Many roofing contractors will offer warranties for their workmanship that differ from the warranties for materials used in the project.  If there are problems with your roof that arise from errors made by your contractor or their staff, you want to be sure that repairs will be covered.  Likewise, always try to work with a residential roofing company that provides service outside usual business hours in case an emergency arises.

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If the time has come for you to repair or replace your residential roof, it’s also time to learn something about the most common materials used in residential roofing.  Depending on your geographic region, the materials currently used in your roof, and your budget, your choice of roofing materials is going to vary.  In Canada, there are several commonly utilized residential roofing materials including asphalt, clay, concrete, and metal.  Let’s take a moment to describe and compare each of these materials.

Asphalt Shingles

Sometimes referred to as composition shingles, asphalt shingles are probably the most common residential roofing material in the world.  They are affordable, lightweight, easily installed and maintained, and they are available in a wide range of colours and styles.  Typically, asphalt shingles represent a durable roofing material, particularly when you consider their cost.  Still, their lightweight nature means they are easily damaged by wind.  Moreover, their popularity means they are produced by a large number of manufacturers so you want to take care to choose a company that produces quality shingles.

As an alternative to asphalt shingles, laminated shingles are very similar but provide better protection in windy environments and they even offer better fire protection.  Also, whereas asphalt shingles have a lifespan of 20 to 25 years, laminated shingles can last up to 50 years.

Clay

Although among the most expensive residential roofing materials (ranging from $10 to $30 per square foot), clay tiles offer superior durability and can last up to 100 years in the right climate.  That being said, these residential roofing materials are very heavy, so your home must be able to provide the adequate structural support.  Additionally, clay tile are not suitable for colder environments as they can crack when temperatures cause them to freeze and thaw.  Still, they stand up well to strong winds and fire, and they are available in a beautiful array of colours.

Concrete

Concrete tiles are a more affordable alternative that have similar properties and appearance to clay tiles.  However, concrete tiles are more versatile with respect to styles and they are even manufactured to look like wood.  Another strength of concrete tiles is that they withstand freezing temperatures better than clay, and they offer incredibly durability with lifespans of up to 50 years.  Unlike other residential roofing materials, concrete tiles tend to absorb a lot of water and may develop mildew so they are not ideal for rainy climates.

Metal

Metal roofs are lightweight and durable and provide superior fire protection.  For environmentally-aware homeowners, metal roofs may be constructed from recycled materials and can be installed over your existing roof to reduce the waste associated with roof replacement.  A somewhat expensive material, costs are balanced with longevity as metal roofs tend to last between 50 and 70 years.  Nevertheless, metal roofs are difficult to repair and they are not suitable to all climates.

For more information on residential roofing, please your roofers in Vancouver online or call (604) 317-0004

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Sometimes you don’t have the luxury of scheduling your roof replacement.  In the event of an emergency, you’re likely to find roofing repairs or replacement are considerably more expensive – not because roofers are cashing in at your time of need, but because emergency roofing work typically comes up during a roofer’s busiest season.  Of course, emergency roofing repairs are not always avoidable, but with regular maintenance and inspections you can ensure that your roof will survive seasonal weather challenges so that you can schedule repairs or replacement during the roofing off-season when rates tend to be lower.

So when is the best time to reroof?  Obviously, roofing contractors are available year-round to help homeowners with their roofing needs.  As a homeowner, you may think it is in your best interests to delay roofing replacement as long as possible, but it’s much more important to consider the quality of your roof when deciding when to schedule a replacement.  This is why regular maintenance and repairs are so important.  An annual roofing inspection will reveal minor problems that can be repaired before they become catastrophic damage.  Moreover, your roofing contractor will likely be able to predict when your roof will need to be replaced.

A good contractor will always try to coordinate roof replacement or major roofing repairs with their offseason.  Late summer and fall tend to be the busiest months of the year for roofing companies.  As we prepare for the harsh realities of winter weather, we want to be sure our roofs are in good condition, so it makes sense that roofers would be busiest leading up to the winter months.  Moreover, late summer weather tends to be more predictable and temperatures are cooler so it’s easier to schedule and conduct repairs.  However, being the busiest months for roofers also means it can be difficult to find available contractors.  Roofing supplies also tend to be more expensive during the late summer and early fall months, so homeowners will likely find the peak season for roofing to be the most expensive.

On the other hand, scheduling major roofing work during the winter months can be easier since roofers tend to be less busy at this time of year.  Asphalt shingles can be installed in any temperature without affecting their warranty, so if you live in a dry environment, winter might be a great time to schedule your roofing work.  Unfortunately, winter weather can be unpredictable in most climates making it challenging for roofers to complete a project in a timely manner.  Interruptions from weather can definitely impact the cost of your roofing replacement.

As you can see, there are pros and cons to conducting a roof replacement at any time of the year.  Ideally, you want to have the luxury of planning ahead whenever it comes to major roofing projects.  So what does that mean?  Ensure you schedule regular inspections and maintenance for your roof so that you can effectively plan major repairs or replacements.  

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Your home is a significant investment that you likely want to protect for many years to come.  Your roof is likely the most important structural component of you home not only for protecting your family and belongings but also for providing integral support to the entire building.  When it comes to caring for your home, you really must ensure the quality of your roof by working with a residential roofing company.  From installation and maintenance to basic repairs and replacement, a residential roofing company helps ensure the outermost protective shield of your home (the roof) is in optimal condition and protects you and your family from even the harshest weather.

So, why should you use a residential roofing company?  It’s simple – they are experts in all things roof.  Your residential roofing contractor should be a highly qualified professional with extensive knowledge about roofing products, materials, and installation.  They’ll understand all the ins-and-outs of different roofing systems and which are most effective in different climates.  They’ll be able to quickly assess the condition of your roof and identify any potential problems based on the most recent roofing regulations.  More importantly, a residential roofing company will be well-versed in modern roofing technology and will suggest roofing solutions based on your budget, climate, and preferences.

In addition to their expertise, roofing contractors are also equipped with the necessary tools to properly maintain and repair your roof.  While you may feel confident climbing up on your roof to make minor repairs such as shingle replacement, residential roofing companies can not only make those repairs, they’ll have the right tools for the job so they can prevent future problems as well.  Plus, your roofing professional will not only notice obvious signs of damage, they can identify and rectify minor problems before they become more serious problems.

Another reason you should consider using a residential roofing company is regular maintenance.  One of the most important steps a homeowner can take in protecting their home and roof is to develop a comprehensive maintenance program.  Your residential roofer can significantly extend the lifespan of your roof by conducting regular inspections and providing maintenance as required.  Included in this maintenance program would be things like debris removal, gutter cleaning, fixture inspection, and all minor repairs.

Finally, consider working with a residential roofing company to ensure that your roof is properly maintained and repaired by qualified individuals.  Roofing contractors should be bonded and licensed according to local regulations and they should also be covered by appropriate insurance.  Indeed, perhaps the best reason to use a residential roofing contractor is to protect yourself and your family from risk of injury and also from liability.  A residential roofing company is knowledgeable, well-equipped, and legally protected to conduct roofing repair and maintenance.

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