The most common type of roofing in Minnesota is an asphalt shingle. From the ground these roofs appear flat with many little rectangles covered with large granules of sand. The color of the sand makes up the color of the roof.
Each type of roof has it’s own benefits. The best for snow removal and longevity is a painted standing seam metal roof. The best roof for short term economics, the least expensive, is a shingle roof. The longest lasting it a thick high-end slate roof which some would argue is the best looking as well. Some of the best new types of roofing are synthetic roofing materials which include slate, shake and tile profiles. Cedar roofs can last 30 years or more. Stone coated steel are extremely long lasting, durable, and light.
Your roof shingles are made of layers of fiberglass or organic matting and asphalt with granules on the top for color and to reflect the sun. If there are vertical slots that make a line straight up the roof then they are probably 3-tab shingles. If the pattern is rectangles and trapezoids in random patterns then they are probably what are called dimensional or architectural shingles.
The materials called “ice and water shield” or “peel and stick” are a type of roofing membrane that is used as a high quality underlayment for sloped and low-slope roofing applications. It is usually a modified bitumen product, like a cross between rubber and shingle material. Building code in Minnesota requires that an approved material be applied to the roof deck and extend 3 feet or more to the inside of all exterior walls and up all the valleys. It is common to use this material around chimneys, walls flashings, and around vents, pipes and other roof protrusions. Ice and water shield is only for avoiding leaks in high risk areas. It does not stop ice dams from happening.
Multiple people on the Right Away Construction team have been in roofing and trades for over 20 years. As we look back the average price of materials, labor, and the price of our jobs has increased at a rate of 4% per years for over 20 years. Prices now are double what they were when we all started in this industry.
Ice dams form in the winter because heat is escaping from the interior of your home to the roof deck, melting snow which is then dripping and freezing before falling off the roof. The common area this happens are spots where the ceiling is close to the roof deck like along exterior walls. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that the roof wall area is also the hardest place to lay the insulation. All of this gets even worse because of architectural designs that put valleys, dormers, and other structure above entrances and transitions making it even more difficult to reach these areas during the insulation stage of construction. Spray foam insulation when installed well can greatly reduce ice damning or a roof.
Asphalt roof do not technically need maintenance but they will last longer if they are regularly inspected for damaged and repaired as necessary. It can also be a benefit to add additional high grade polyurethane roof sealant around vents and to any exposed nail heads or screws. More expensive, decorative roofs like tile, wood shake, and stone slate should definitely be inspected, maintained, and repaired but only by a professional.
Yes. There are two type of skylights. The traditional type looks like a window. These cost most to install and require that a cavity is built into the attic so connect the skylight to the ceiling. Another option is is the reflective type of skylight. These can be very effective at bringing in natural light and are far less expensive and intrusive to install. They can a roof top unit that look like other roof top vents and then they use a reflective tube or pipe and a ceiling fixture they lets the light into your home. We can install either of these during your roofing project or as an upgrade on its own.
Each type of roof has it’s own benefits. The best for snow removal and longevity is a painted standing seam metal roof. The best roof for short term economics, the least expensive, is a shingle roof. The longest lasting it a thick high-end slate roof which some would argue is the best looking as well. Some of the best new types of roofing are synthetic roofing materials which include slate, shake and tile profiles. Cedar roofs can last 30 years or more. Stone coated steel are extremely long lasting, durable, and light.
Each type of roof has it’s own benefits. The best for snow removal and longevity is a painted standing seam metal roof. The best roof for short term economics, the least expensive, is a shingle roof. The longest lasting it a thick high-end slate roof which some would argue is the best looking as well. Some of the best new types of roofing are synthetic roofing materials which include slate, shake and tile profiles. Cedar roofs can last 30 years or more. Stone coated steel are extremely long lasting, durable, and light.
Each type of roof has it’s own benefits. The best for snow removal and longevity is a painted standing seam metal roof. The best roof for short term economics, the least expensive, is a shingle roof. The longest lasting it a thick high-end slate roof which some would argue is the best looking as well. Some of the best new types of roofing are synthetic roofing materials which include slate, shake and tile profiles. Cedar roofs can last 30 years or more. Stone coated steel are extremely long lasting, durable, and light.
