Helpful Info

Most people think roof replacement is about shingles. But there’s more to it than just shingles on the roof. It’s a complete system that is made up of your shingles, underlayments, ventilation and even the insulation; that all work together to provide the best protection for your home.

Shingles

One of the first signs of damage is granule loss from the shingles which will be noticed in your gutters, and downspouts. Hail damage will crack the matting, allowing granules to fall off. The granules are the little rocks that protect the inner mat of the shingle from UV light. Once the matting of the shingle is exposed the UV light will deteriorate the shingle, shorten the life expectancy of your roofing system and potential cause leaks into your home.

Ventilation

One of the first things we do for a roof inspection is make sure that a roof has adequate intake and exhaust ventilation. Without proper ventilation, the attic overheats which can shorten the life of your shingles. This also increases your energy bill to heat and cool your home. Without sufficient ventilation moist air can condensate on the underside of the sheathing and cause leaks or even mold in your home.

Underlayment

The next thing we look at is the quality of underlayments. The underlayments is your second level of protection that can prevent serious leaks from happening, especially in climates where ice damning occurs.

Insulation

Without proper insulation levels in the attic you may be wasting hundreds of dollars on unnecessary energy bills. Insulation in your roofing system will help keep your home at a desired temperature. Additionally, insulation can also be the best tool to prevent molds from forming and growing.

Call Armored Exteriors and schedule a full exteriors inspection with one of our professionals. We’ll assess the health of your home after a storm.

- At inspection our professionals will evaluate your home and will help determine if there are damages and the severity of damage to your home and make recommendations on repairs that may be needed.

- If there is severe damage, we’ll help walk you through setting up your claim – to help ensure that you have the vital information needed to help make the best decisions for you and your home.

-  After your claim is set up your adjuster will be contacting you to schedule a time to assess the damages. Let your adjuster know that you would like us to meet them during the insurance inspection.

- Contact us to inform us of the scheduled date and time your adjuster will be out to inspect. We’ll meet with your adjuster to help point out the damages that we saw in our inspection.

- We’ll review our damage scope with the adjuster and help provide them with documentation they may need regarding current building codes or products currently installed on your home.

- Your adjuster will put together their inspection report and will either leave it with you, email it to you or mail it to you with your 1st check.

- Once you have received there report we will meet back up with you and review over their report if there are any needed changes, we will contact your adjuster to review any differences in scope.

- If everything looks good, we’ll get a down payment to order the materials and get started on your project.

Sometimes in the construction process additional damages or code requirements may come up. If that occurs, we will document your project with photos and work with your adjuster to supplement your claim.

Five things homeowners should consider before selecting a roofing contractor:

1. INSURANCE: A contractor’s insurance can protect you from involvement in workers’ injuries, third person liabilities, and damages resulting from the job. Make sure your home and property are never at risk. Your contractor should be able to present a copy of a current certificate of insurance.
    
2. LICENSE: Always verify a contractor’s license or registration number
    
3. REFERENCES: The more experienced a contractor is, the better. References are an excellent way to determine the contractor’s reliability and expertise. Ask a friend or neighbor who recently had roof work performed about their experience with the contractor. Ask the contractor for a list of recent projects. Real estate agents and home builders can also be great sources of information.
    
4. WARRANTY: Always ask about the warranty and its terms. It is very important to read about this feature before the product and service are purchased. Be aware of the conditions and length of warranty provided by the manufacturer and service provider. Keep in mind that any warranty is only as good as the company behind it.
    
5. CUSTOMER SERVICE: Always go for a company that provides reliable, fast and trustworthy service. Great service means a delighted customer and determines the quality of company you are dealing with.
    

CUSTOMER SERVICE:
 Always go for a company that provides reliable, fast and trustworthy service. Great service means a delighted customer and determines the quality of company you are dealing with.

Hip Roof
A hip roof has four sides that slope up. It is also low-pitched to allow snow and rain to easily run off and features large eaves. A hip roof is more aerodynamic than most gabled roofs, allowing it to better withstand high winds.

Gable Roof
The classic gable roof has two slopes forming a ridge or a peak at the top. From either end, the gable looks like the letter A. Gabled roofs must be braced properly to prevent damage or collapse due to high winds. A very triangular roof, the gable allows rain and snow to run off easily.

Lean-To Roof
The Lean-To or Shed Roof is the simplest style, consisting of a single sloping plane with no hips, valleys, or ridges. A single-slope roof is probably lowest in construction cost and time. If a lower-pitched roof is attached against the eave of a steeper pitch, or against a wall, it is usually referred to as a lean-to roof. This is a common roof shape for rooms or storage spaces added to existing structure.

Flat Roof
A flat roof is just that, flat. Flat roofs are easy to build and require fewer materials and labor than most other types of roofs, which is why they are so commonly used on commercial buildings. A flat roof is not very attractive on most styles of homes, but will be found on some modern style homes and many multi-family residential dwellings.

Do you have a question about roofing? Below you'll find a list of frequently asked questions, but If you have a question that you don't see listed below, please feel free to contact us.

1. How do I know if I need a new roof?
Your roof should be checked regularly. Here are some signs that may mean you need a new roof:

- Is your roof between twenty to twenty-five years old?
- Are the shingles excessively cracking, curling, or blistering?
- Are there shingles missing, torn or damaged?
- Do you have granules washing out your downspouts?
- Is your roof leaking?

If you answered yes to any of these questions you can request a free roof inspection and we’ll have an Armored Exteriors roofing specialist contact you.

2. What are Signs Your Roof Needs to be Repaired?
The material of the roof, its exposure to UV rays, and harsh weather conditions can determine its lifespan. However, roof repairs done on time can add more years to the life of your roof. Here are a handful of signs your roof needs to be repaired.

Exterior light showing
Switch off the lights and look in your attic on a bright day, and if you see sunlight, it means there is a hole on your roof. Objects ferried by strong winds can cause such damage, and it is nothing to ignore. Early repairs are quick and cheaper, so don’t wait until water leaks through because you will incur more expenses in ceiling repairs, heating, and medical bills.

Condensation in the attic
Finding condensation on the underside of the sheathing in the attic occurs when the temperature in the attic becomes significantly hotter than it is outside. Often times people think they have a leak when actually what they have is a ventilation issue that is resulting in condensation (melting snow) dripping into their attic and in severe cases causing insulation and sheetrock damage.

Leaks after a rainstorm
Water leaks in your home can be indicative of a possible opening on your roof. Remember that small leaks can result in more significant problems like damaged ceilings, destroyed insulation, rotting sheathing and framing, and mold. Therefore, ensure that you call a professional to inspect your roof and recommend necessary repairs.

Falling shingles
Finding shingles on the ground should be a cause for alarm because it is a sign of significant structural damage in your roof. Note that falling shingles can result from old age, improper installation, or strong winds. Without all the shingles, your roof weakens and exposes your property to possible damage.

Missing granules
Granules offer aesthetic beauty, fire resistance, and UV rays protection. By looking from the ground level, you can notice missing granules. Your roof will lose granules if the shingles are damaged by hail or storm, if they are aging normally, or if the shingles were of poor quality. Check your roof regularly and talk to a roofing expert when you notice anything unusual.

Higher energy bills
Is there a sudden increase in your heating and air conditioning costs? Your home or office system may be working extra hard to make up for the cool and warm air escaping through the roof. Address the problem in your roof, and your energy bills will drop immediately afterward.

Armored Exteriors can fix your damaged or leaking roof with expertise and precision. Contact us today to get the job done right.

3. What kind of preventative maintenance should I do for my roof?
Roofs are designed to be exposed to the elements, and in WY & SD, we really put our roofs to the test. To save yourself costs of repairing or replacing your roof, we recommend performing a general inspection on your roof at least twice a year. These inspections will help you spot the problems early and make repairs if necessary. In addition to the inspections, we recommend keeping your roof clean by removing any debris and checking for mildew and mold.

4. How much does a new roof cost?

There is no exact cost for a new roof. There are many factors taken into account when Armored Exteriors writes an estimate for you. Some of these factors include, but are not limited to:

- Size of roof
- Materials to be used
- Location of house (this is needed to determine which materials would be best for the areas weather)
- Is it for a new house or roof replacement
- State costs and taxes
- Type of home