Asphalt roofing shingles are the most popular roofing product used in Saint Louis, Missouri with four out of five homes having an asphalt shingle roof. Asphalt shingles come in a wide variety of color and design options, but in terms of shingle type, there are chiefly three design categories: Three-tab shingles, Architectural shingles, and Premium shingles.
Architectural shingles are now the predominant roofing shingles installed in Saint Louis, Missouri. Architectural shingles are manufactured as dual layered products and provide a thicker and richer appearance on the roof. These shingles are also heavier in weight than 3-tab shingles and offer improved warranty protections. Premium shingles come in two categories. The first category resembles architectural shingles but with a more pronounced depth and shadow line. The second category mimics “old-world” roofing shingles, such as natural slate or natural shake shingles, providing a specific enhanced aesthetic appeal. Some premium shingles are also manufactured as impact resistant which can protect the shingle from hail-storms and possibly extend the life of the roofing system.
Many homes in Saint Louis City do not have a roof with enough slope for an asphalt shingle roofing system. In these applications a flat roofing material will be installed. Many of these products are also used in commercial applications. These products include Single-ply membrane roofing including TPO, PVC & EPDM. Each of these products has a specific application and warranty to best suit your needs.
A natural slate roof is stone, mined from the earth and cut into into shingles. Natural slate roofs are incredibly durable, waterproof, and fireproof. Slate peaked in the early 1900s but has declined as asphalt shingles became the most popular roofing material. Faux slate is an engineered polymer composite roofing product designed to resemble natural slate. Faux slate is simple to install and a fraction of the weight and cost of natural slate roofing.
Wood and cedar shakes are manufactured from the wood of cedar trees. Cedar wood is used for its beautiful color, hardness, exquisite fragrance, and it’s resistance to insects, humidity and temperature. Cedar shingles are typically more expensive than asphalt shingles but they give a historic appearance and texture that cannot be attained with modern products.
We work with industry leading manufacturers to offer the best warranties available.
Hip & Ridge is a pliable roofing material that is designed to protect the area where two roof planes meet. This material is durable and is an important part of protection against leaks.
A ridge vent is a vent installed at the peak of a sloped roof which allows warm, humid air to escape a building's attic.
Shingles are a roof covering consisting of individual overlapping elements.
RhinoRoof U20 is a highly engineered, mechanically attached, coated woven synthetic roofing underlayment for sloped roofs.
Decking is the material between the structural elements of a roof and the insulation and weatherproofing layers. The most common material for residential roof decking is plywood.
WinterGuard® waterproofing shingle underlayment is the solution for winning the battle against water penetration in your roof's most vulnerable places.
Starter strip is an asphalt based shingle used to waterproof the eave and rake edges of your home.
The CertainTeed Integrity Roof System® is designed for ultimate protection and performance. A quality roofing system requires a high-grade underlayment, shingles, ice & water shield, and ventilation all working together. We make sure that all these components are professionally installed to maximize the protection of your home.
Choosing the correct commercial roofing material for your building begins with the warranty. We are experts at commercial roofing and commercial roofing repair. We will guide you through the best solution for your commercial building.
A single ply roofing system is referring to a number of different commercial applications made by different manufacturers of EPDM, TPO or modified bitumen.
Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) is made from polyprophylene and ethylene to form a white sheet of roofing material. This material can be mechanically attached (screws and plates) or fully adhered (glued down). Where the material overlaps a heat welder is used to weld the 2 sheets together.
EPDM is a rubber roofing sheet that can be installed fully adhered (glued down) or mechanically attached (screws and plates) with a ballast (stone). Where the sheets of EPDM overlap, a cyanoacrylate adhesive is applied.
Many homes in Saint Louis City do not have a roof with enough slope for an asphalt shingle roofing system. In these applications a flat roofing material will be installed. Many of these products are also used in commercial applications. These products include Single-ply membrane roofing including TPO, PVC & EPDM. Each of these products has a specific application and warranty to best suit your needs.
A new shingle roof has many variables to consider when determining cost. A new roof is a system with many pieces and parts. The first step is to determine the square footage of the roof slopes (not the square footage of the home) on the home. Take that amount and multiply it by $2.80 a sq foot. The amount you arrived at will include tear off of the old roof, disposal, decking inspection, new felt, cap nails to hold the felt, starter strip shingles, shingles and ridge cap on a 6/12 and under 1 story home.
The second step is to add in all of the additional charges that apply to your specific home. Is there access for the dumpster to be put next to the home? How many layers of old shingles are being torn off? How many stories is each roof slope? What is the pitch of each slope above 6/12? How many pipe boots do you need? Are there chimney flashings to be installed, is so what type? Skylights? Do you want drip edge or roof ventilation? Each of these line items will have an additional cost.
A shingle roof on a 2000 sq foot ranch home with 1 chimney, 2 skylights, 2 pipe boots and ridge ventilation in St Louis Missouri is $6,450.00. 2000 sq feet x $2.80 = $5,600.00 + $830 for chimney flashing, 2 skylights, 2 pipe boots and ridge ventilation = $6,450.00
The best way to determine if you need to replace your roof is to begin with the age of the roof. Asphalt shingle roofs have a life expectancy of 15-20 years depending on ventilation and exposure to the Sun and wind. Architectural asphalt shingle roofs have a life expectancy of 18-25 years again depending on ventilation and exposure to the Sun and wind.
Visually looking at your roof from the ground can give you insight into the health of your asphalt shingles. As shingles age they begin to fish mouth or potato chip instead of laying perfectly flat. Either of these signs means that the shingles are at the end of their life and will need replacement in the near future.
Many times a leaking roof does not need to be replaced. A “roof” is actually an entire system with many pieces. Roofs typically leak at penetrations or flashings such as chimneys and skylights. When a roof is installed a certified installer will use as little caulking as possible. The caulk used on a roof will need to be reapplied in 5-10 years depending on exposure to the Sun, wind and rain. It’s also not uncommon for a small stick and few leaves to create a dam on your roof that simply needs to be removed so that the water can flow into the gutters again.
To determine if your roof is in need of repair or maintenance first start with your interior. Do you have any dark spots on your ceiling or walls? Without a ladder and being comfortable with heights the next steps will not be possible. First would be to inspect the attic for any dark spots on the underside of your sheeting. The second step is to climb on the roof and inspect all of the penetrations, flashings, edges, missing shingles and area’s that require caulking.
As shingles age they begin to fish mouth or potato chip instead of laying perfectly flat. Either of these signs means that the shingles are at the end of their life and will need replacement in the near future.
A new roof can be installed over top of your old roof but is not recommended. No asphalt shingle manufacturer will warranty their products if installed overtop of an existing roof. Removing the existing roof allows a thorough inspection of the decking. This inspection is critical because the decking will show areas that leaked but did not make it into the interior of the home. It is typical to replace a few pieces of decking that have decayed due to heat and cold. Furthermore the nails from a second layer installation typically do not penetrate the roof decking which will not hold the shingle in place as directed by the manufacturer. Finally without removing the old shingles new flashings can not be installed.
Attic ventilation is critical for your homes energy needs and the manufacturer’s shingle roof warranty. For proper attic ventilation there are 2 areas that need to be addressed. The first is where fresh air comes into the attic at your soffit. The second is where the air exits the attic at the peak of the roof.
A common mistake in homes is that insulation is covering the soffit vents not allowing the required amount of air to enter the attic. Raking the insulation off of the soffit vents or installing baffles is essential for the attics ventilation to work properly.
Each shingle manufacturer has a specific requirement for proper attic ventilation to ensure their warranty.
As a general guideline they require one square foot of ventilation area for every 150 square feet of attic space.
Synthetic underlayment is a product that is installed on bare wood roof decking. The only time this underlayment is exposed is if your shingles have been blown off of the roof. This thin layer of protection is all that is between your home and driving rain until a professional roofer can tarp your home or perform a permanent repair. Synthetic felt is superior to felt paper as it will not decay and will last as long as your shingle warranty.
When choosing the right roofing company to install a new roof think in terms of today and many years in the future. A properly installed roof will last 20+ years. In terms of today, did they provide you with a Workers Compensation and General Liability certificate? Did you call that insurance company and make sure its a real policy? Do they have references? Can they provide pictures of work in progress? How many online reviews have they generated? Will they provide lien waivers from material supplier and subcontractors? Thinking in terms of years down the road will that company be in business the duration of the labor warranty they provided? Will they be providing you with a Manufacturers warranty registered and mailed from the Manufacturer?