Lots of streaking going on, and we don’t mean the clothe-less type. These photos were taken in Highland Park, an Avon, Ohio community. Clearly, the “algae inhibitors” didn’t do much good. Since approximately 1/2 the view of all homes is the roof, think of how much nicer these once beautiful homes would look with no streaking. Metal roofs never streak, of course. Not now, not 50 years from now.
INSTALL A NEW ASPHALT ROOF IN THE COLD WEATHER?
Verbatim, this is a printed statement from a GAF Smart Choice Shingle “Lifetime” Limited Warranty. If you’ve installed asphalt shingles of any kind since September, you have cause for concern….
“All self-sealing shingles, including GAF’s, must be exposed to warm, sunny conditions for several days before they completely seal. Before sealing occurs, shingles are vulnerable to blow-offs and wind damage. Shingles installed in fall or winter may not seal until the following spring. Shingles installed in the fall or winter may not seal until the following spring. Singles which are not exposed to direct sunlight or to adequate surface temperatures or that are not fastened properly may never seal. Failure to seal, blow-offs, and wind damage under these circumstances result from the nature of self sealing shingles, not a manufacturing defect, and are not covered under this warranty.”
Integrity of an installer means everything. We’ve seen many asphalt roofs installed this winter by unscrupulous asphalt roofing installers. Did you get a “better deal” because the company was slow in the winter? The best asphalt roofing companies simply DON’T install asphalt roofing in the winter months. Fortunately, metal can be installed any time of year as there are no “blow off” or “sealing” issues related to metal roofing.
WESTLAKE ADDS A BEAUTIFUL NEW METAL ROOF!
The first Kassel and Irons Black Onyx/Copper Penny steel panel installation in the area! Looks fantastic…great choice!
Common Roofing Scams and How To Avoid Them
Each year, homeowners are targeted by less than reputable roofing companies, who do the bare minimum, fail to address any of the problems, leaving trusting families with poorly installed roofs that fail prematurely, or have ongoing water issues and repairs. Keep reading to learn how to avoid the most common roofing scams.
Door-to-Door Scammers
Roofing door-to-door sales are not common in the industry, but they are common roofing scams that unreliable individuals practice. Homeowners should always partner with reliable roofing companies they find—not the other way around. If a roofer comes to your home, you should be immediately skeptical. Two common signs that show the salesperson at your door is a scammer is if they mention your insurance, and if they arrive soon after a storm hits your local area. “Storm chasers” is a common term used for salespeople who listen to the weather bureau to find out which areas have wind or hail damage, knowing that insurance companies will allow for roof replacement in those areas. The “storm chaser” essentially blankets the area hit by storm damage and looks for unsuspecting homeowners in need for roof repairs, while also offering free roof inspections. Because they know how insurance companies work based upon the overall square footage of your roof, the salesperson will determine the cost to install the cheapest roof possible to maximize their profit. The trusting home owner is left poorly installed roof, and in many cases, the fraudulent company is no longer in business to help when roof problems begin to occur. Of course, these aren’t the only signs they’re scammers, but both tactics are prevalent among door-to-door roofing scammers.
Dodging the Scammers
For many people, the idea of getting a brand-new roof for free is appealing, especially if their roof was damaged or are convinced their roof needs repair. What can be easier, a problem solved, little or no money exchanged, and you have a new roof… right? Wrong. Roof scammers or “storm chasers” have no incentive to do a quality roof installation, and there is no way to hold them accountable when issues occur because they will most likely be long gone when problems do arise. Because the roof is cheaply installed, it is not unusual to see their roof needing to be replaced again in as little as 5 – 7 years.
So, now that you know the most common roofing scams, let’s break down the best tactics to avoid such situations. Unfortunately, scammers exist in almost every industry, and roofing is no exception. Thankfully, tactics for avoiding scammers are fairly straightforward. To put it simply, do your own research instead of taking the word of an uninvited stranger at your door. When the salesperson insists your roof is damaged and can be repaired cheaply, say no and stand your ground. After saying no to the salesperson, ask friends and family for referrals or research roofing contractors online. No matter how you hear about a company, research customer reviews, check their Better Business Bureau rating, and ask for examples of previous work. A reputable roofing contractor will be happy to provide you a list of references for you to see the roofs they have installed and obtain feedback on the quality of their work. You shouldn’t settle on a roofing provider until collecting multiple quotes, consider which ones address your roofing needs, and holds the most value to you. If your roof was damaged due to a recent storm, be sure to re-read your homeowner’s insurance policy to avoid breaching it in the process.
FREE ROOFING ESTIMATES FOR NORTHERN OHIO!
Don’t forget, we provide FREE ESTIMATES! If you are ready, or thinking about replacing your roof, don’t hesitate to call!
HAIL DAMAGED ROOFS IN CLEVELAND, AKRON, AND SURROUNDING AREAS
Once again, Spring is here with the potential for both wonderful, and not so wonderful weather. Predictions have been made for a rough Spring. Should hail appear during a storm, it’s important to inspect your roof for hail damage. Hail can cause significant granule loss wherever it strikes which leads to direct sun exposure to the underlying asphalt on the shingles it effects. This will lead to cracked shingles over time and the potential for leaks. Have an insurance inspector analyze the damage after a storm if you suspect damage to your asphalt roof.
Metal roofing isn’t subject to hail damage like an asphalt roof is. Corrugated steel panels are dimpled to begin with and standing seam roofs don’t generally show dimpling. Both products are warranted for hail penetration. Kassel and Irons steel roofing is warranted for a lifetime against hail and wind uplift on a non pro-rated basis. You won’t find asphalt roofing manufacturers offering any protection for hail damage in their warranties.
OLMSTED FALLS ADDS A NEW METAL ROOF!
A beautiful standing seam roof adds to the charm of this farm house in Olmsted Township. What a difference!
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS ADDS A METAL ROOF!
Another proud owner of a KasselWood “Aged Cedar” roof…
Northeast Ohio homeowners ask, “how much is a metal roof in comparison to asphalt?”
When discussing the issue of cost, it’s worth remembering that when you are considering a permanent roofing solution, as compared to a temporary roofing solution (asphalt), think hard about your objectives. Here’s a list that will help you qualify yourself as a good candidate for a metal roof…
1) do you plan on living in your house for more than 15 years?
2) are you at an age where you can see yourself replacing your roof at least two times, including this time (keeping in mind that a temporary asphalt roof lasts, on average, 12 – 15 years…sometimes as little as 9)?
3) do you enjoy the thought of owning something you’ve purchased that looks and performs as well today as it will 50+ years from now?
4) are you someone that appreciates environmentally friendly products?
5) would you prefer a “one time fix” to an ongoing need?
6) do you enjoy feeling that you really got something of value for what you paid for it?
7) can you justify a long term investment vs. a short term purchase if it saves you a lot of money in the long run?
If you answered “YES!” to one or more of the above questions, you may very well be someone that would appreciate the benefits of a metal roof. While costs vary considerably from roof to roof based on size, complexity, and steepness, the best way to find out how much a metal roof will cost is to have Distinctive Metal Roofing provide you with a FREE quote. It’s simple and easy. While we’re at it, we’ll help you make the right decision for your set of circumstances. NO PRESSURE, NO OBLIGATION….PROMISE! Please Email or call….we’re here to help.
Metal Roofing in Akron, Ohio – a before and after glance
This beautiful home in Stow, Ohio just became more beautiful when we finished installing their new KasselWood “Aged Cedar” steel roof last week. Never to streak again!!!
