Frequently Asked Questions

If your shingles are starting to curl, crack, raise in the wind (this means your seals are broken) or lose granules, it's time to start thinking about replacing your roof. Some of these signs you can see from the ground and some you can't. If you aren't sure of the condition, call Rob and he'll come and look.

A leak does not necessarily mean you need a new roof. If the roof is still in good shape, repairing the leak should fix your problem. If the roof is in poor shape, repairing the leak could cause more damage than it solves — in that case replacing the roof might be the better option. An inspection tells us which situation you're in.

There are two ventilation systems used for homes, the most common is tiered vents and low profile vents. Ridge venting, which runs along the peak of your roof, is used only for cathedral ceilings and homes that have been framed for a ridge venting system.

Over time, lower quality shingles leave marks from rain. These marks appear as streaks running down the roof.

The side of the roof that gets the most sun tends to wear faster — normally the west side.

The life of a roof truly depends on the brand and type of shingle used, and on the workmanship. Some homeowners get 25–30 years out of a roof, while others need a new one after 15–20. If you aren't sure how many years you have left, it's best to have the roof inspected.

Ask how much roofing experience the person who will actually be doing the work has — company owners are usually not the ones completing the roof. Ask the company to explain the services they'll be performing and why you need them. If something doesn't make sense to you, it might be because you don't need it.

A roofing estimate should include all material and labour costs. Material includes shingles, ice-and-water shield, underlayment, vents, wall metal, flashing and valleys (if needed), and plumbing flanges. You should also receive information on the shingle warranty and the workmanship warranty. Note: if a company is not offering at least a 10–15 year workmanship warranty, you should be asking them why.

Material and labour. Material includes shingles, ice-and-water shield, underlayment, vents, wall metal, flashing and valleys (if needed), and plumbing flanges. Skylights are less common but can be quite pricey when they need replacing. It's also worth knowing that material prices increase every year — sometimes twice in a year — which can change the price of your roof from one year to the next.

A shingle warranty and a workmanship warranty are both very important. If a company isn't providing both, you shouldn't be using them. For shingle warranties the roofing company creates the record and the homeowner registers it (not all companies require registration for the warranty to be valid). Note: check whether one or both warranties are transferable — if you may sell your home after the roof is done, choose a shingle brand and a roofer whose warranties transfer to the new owners.

Look for a company where the owner has substantive roofing experience. If the owner has never worked on a roof themselves, it's unlikely they'd know what to look for when hiring a crew or inspecting a finished job. Every owner should be inspecting completed roofs — you can ask about that in advance. Note: it's best to work with companies that have small crews, as quality control is harder with big crews and high staff turnover.

Replacing a roof is a significant cost, and it's generally recommended you get 2–3 estimates. That said, in roofing you often aren't comparing apples to apples: the quality of material and the level of workmanship greatly influence price. In our experience we do a lot of repairs on roofs that were originally priced lower, because of poor workmanship, improper installation and low-quality material. Your roof is a long-term investment — the fairest price isn't always the least expensive estimate you receive.

We work exclusively with Owens Corning products, as we believe they're the best shingles on the market. We chose this brand for the SureNail® strip with its 1-inch nailing zone, the wide adhesive bands engineered for 130 MPH winds, and the variety of colours available.

No, it is not recommended. After the old shingles are removed, the roofer should inspect your roof deck for rot. If rot is found, new plywood needs to be installed — it's unsafe to leave rot on a roof deck. If new shingles are laid over old ones, this necessary step can't be taken.

We install a minimum of 6 ft of ice-and-water shield at the eaves, plus 3 ft in valleys where there are any, with synthetic underlayment over the remainder. The rare exception is a very low-slope roof, which should have 100% ice-and-water shield.

Pick the colour you prefer to complement the exterior of your home. The colour of your shingles does not affect how long they last.