My whole neighborhood has had to replace their roofs, mostly due to high quality installed by the builder. Yes that's sarcasm. They basically lasted 11 years.
I knew my turn was coming and I watched my whole street replace theirs with asphalt shingles. Mostly done extremely cheaply without even bothering to do waterproofing under. I figured this was a big ticket item, so research was required. In the last few years I have put in an interlocking double driveway, built a huge deck and now this.
I have found when dealing with construction companies it's hit and miss. You never know how you are going to get messed around and how good or bad the quality is going to be. Usually service is not great.
I found out that asphalt roofs for a house my size was about $10 000 including tax. The lifespan, no matter what they tell, is only between 8 and 13 years. No such thing as 25 years. I have friends who validated this having put in roofs 10 years ago. One guy I work with told me he spent $12000 on asphalt and 8 years later was already having to repair. I was convinced that a steel roof was the way to go for a number of reasons.
1. Animals cannot get in. I live on a forest and squirrels and raccoons are always an issue.
2. Insulation is better because it's actually put on top of the existing asphalt roof.
3. It's actually quieter as stated above. Put on top of the existing roof.
4. Venting is cleaner too, because they do a bridge vent, not those ugly square things.
5. Looks are to die for :-) and it doesn't degrade.
6. Lifespan is 50 - 60 years.
7. No more of that gritty horrible stuff running off.
So I started researching companies and New Steel Roofers Inc (newsteelroofers.com) was rated number 1. I kept reading how clean they were, how friendly, how professional, on time how they had repeat business etc etc.
So I hired them. Not cheap, but cheap not good and good not cheap. Actually if you intend to stay in your house, steel is cheaper in the long run. Every review on steel roofs will say the same thing, it's an expensive outlay
Anyway they have just finished the job. Took about a week and a half, mainly because of rain delays. I did have a leak issue, not their fault, but I called and they responded immediately and sorted it out. Calmly and without fuss.
Their reputation lived up to expectations. They said they would start end of Oct, I hired them in Sep. They called half way through Oct, delivered the stuff, and started that week. That in itself made me relax.
Before they were even finished, I had neighbors from all over come and admire my gorgeous new roof. It's more than the roof as well. Most people fail to mention this. The whole front facade is reworked in steel so the water cannot come in sideways. But the look in incredible.
It's also completely waterproofed.
I felt the whole time calm and relaxed dealing with this company, and I didn't feel like that on other projects. I felt they were going to come, do the job, I would be happy, and they would leave. That's exactly how is worked out. When you see the amount of work and the quality of the materials that go in, you'll understand the price.
The guys are friendly, easy to deal with, there was no mess at any time.
My roof is spectacular, I know it's added value to my home, and to drive up and see the house which looked unfinished before - I know I made the right choice.
Now I can enjoy the winter and not have to ever concern myself again with having to replace a roof. Thanks guys, it's been a pleasure.
