Shingle roofs are the most common type of roof in Central Texas (and the entire United States). It’s pretty easy to think that all shingle roofs are created equal, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. When selecting a contractor and a brand of shingle, there is a lot to look at and consider. At Roofer Chicks, we couple a quality installation with a selection of shingle brands, so that you as the homeowner can decide what’s best with you. We currently install GAF, Malarkey, Owens Corning, TAMKO and IKO shingles. We are certified installers with GAF, Malarkey, Owens Corning, and TAMKO, which should give you as the homeowner peace of mind. This means that we are trained by these manufacturers to properly install their roof systems, and we can pass on to you extended warranties.
Type of Shingle: The two basic types of shingles are 3-tab and dimensional (also called laminate or architectural shingles). Back in the 1980’s, 3 tab shingles were a lot better made than they are today. We strongly recommend against installing a 3-tab shingle. Even though they are rated for 60-70 mph winds by the manufacturer, we find that they can blow off at wind speeds of even 35 mph, which we get in Central Texas all the time. Also, 3-tabs are generally only rated for 25 years, whereas the dimensional shingles generally come with a lifetime manufacturer warranty (which generally means as long as you own your home).
Cost: A new roof is expensive, and money doesn’t grow on trees! Yet a quality installation also matters. At Roofer Chicks, one of the reasons we offer multiple brands of shingles is because we know that some projects need to be economically minded – we understand! You can put a good, quality roof on your home or investment property and not break the bank. We will be honest – we are not the cheapest the roofer out there and you can find many lower bids. Be careful when you are making your purchase decision solely on the price – I know you have heard the idiom that “you get what you pay for.” We have seen a lot of sad demonstrations that this is not a wives’ tale, and it ends up costing the customer more in the long run.
Impact Resistance: Let’s face it, we live in a hail zone here in Central Texas, and the insurance companies are getting weary of replacing shingle roofs. Many shingles today have impact resistance ratings – usually you will hear this being referred to as a “Class III” or “Class IV” impact rating. Most insurance companies give discounts off of your premium if you install and impact resistant roof. If you are interested in exploring an impact resistant roof, let your sales person know. Also, it’s probably smart to go ahead and call your insurance agent as ask what sort of discounts might be available to you for installing an impact resistant shingle. They cost more, but in the long run, you might be far ahead financially due to lowered insurance premiums and also having to replace the roof less often.
Color: Some people might call it a girl thing, but color matters! All the manufacturers have different colors and if color is your thing, this is worth exploring. If you plan to change the color of your roof and you have an HOA, we highly recommend getting approval for the color change prior to installation. If every roof in your neighborhood is grey or black and you have an HOA, it’s pretty likely they have a rule about that.
High Profile Ridge Caps: Have you ever looked at someone’s roof and it just seems like it POPS – it seems super 3D and really catches your eye? That’s likely because they have high profile ridge caps. High profile ridge caps cost more, but they are very aesthetically pleasing. Also, when you take a 3-tab shingle and cut if up to use for hip and ridge, you can bring the warranty of the entire roof down to the level of the ridge cap you used. Since 3-tabs only have a 25 year rating generally, most manufacturers will also change the rating of the dimensional shingle (which was a lifetime warranty) down to the level of the ridge cap shingle. 9 times out of 10 that’s probably never going to matter, but it’s definitely something to consider; it would stink to be the 1 time out of 10 guy who has a manufacturer defect and gets caught by a technicality.
Pipe Jacks: There are two basic types of type jacks – three in one, and lead. The three in ones have a rubber gasket, and they are prone to give out, usually around year 20 (sometimes way sooner). If you have a shingle roof that’s going to last 30-50 years, it’s smart to have a pipe jack that will last as the long as the shingle. Lead shingles last for forever – well, almost. Unfortunately, squirrels love to chew on lead boots. If you are in a neighborhood like Oak Run, you might want to really think about the lead boots. They do make squirrel guards for the lead pipe boots, and we’ve had mixed success with those. This is a great item to talk to your sales person about.
Shingle Systems: Most manufacturers make their own components for their shingles – components include starter shingles, ridge caps, ice and water shield, and even ventilation (like ridge vent). The reason it’s important to install a system is because if you do have a manufacturer defect, and that happens more than you might think, generally the manufacturer is only going to cover their own components. This means if you use other brands, you might have to come out of pocket for those parts of your roof, even if the manufacturer agrees to replace your roof under warranty. Also, most manufacturers require a certain number of components in order to receive an extended warranty.
Extended Manufacturer Warranty: Some people don’t believe in extended warranties, but sometimes they just make good sense. And when it comes to a major purchase like a roof (our average roof sales is $17,000), protecting that investment with an extended warranty is just a sound return on investment (ROI). Some warranties cover materials only and some also include labor in the event of a manufacturer issues.
Labor Warranty: Your manufacturer warranties the product itself, but if it isn’t installed properly, the roof can and will fail. The manufacturer will not accept responsibility for issues caused by improper installation methods. This means that WHO you hire to replace your roof matters a LOT. It’s important to know if your contractor has a reputation for standing behind their work and doing the right thing. Will they even be around if you have an issue in a year or two? At Roofer Chicks, we provide lifetime installation warranties on all our dimensional shingle roofs. Sometimes this is included in the extended manufacturer warranty as well, but rest assured that if you have a Roofer Chicks roof, we are going to stand behind our installation. If there’s ever an issue, we will be there by your side until it’s resolved.
For beautiful, long lasting quality shingles in New Braunfels, TX call Roofer Chicks, your local Roofing Contractor.
