Posts Tagged ‘roof replacement’

Minnesota Roof Repair or Roof Replacement

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

Roof Repair MN

Just because your home is still standing following a severe storm does not mean that it was not damaged. Hail, wind, rain and lightning are horribly destructive forces.  Months later you may find a roof leak caused by a storm that has long been forgotten.  Or you might notice a loose piece of exterior siding that was originally loosened by wind or hail a year ago and is just now starting to be recognized. Insurance covering storm damage has time limits, which means you could end up paying for the storm damage repair out of your own pocket.

If you suspect that you have problems with your roof, or if you see any of the warning signals shown here, call a roofing contractor for a roof inspection.  A thorough inspection will give you peace of mind in knowing, whether repaired or replaced, that your roof is prepared to withstand the harshest Minnesota storms without leaking.  And if there is a problem with your roof, catching it early can literally save you thousands of dollars in repair work later on!

You might want to look at “How To Spot The Warning Signs”

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Posted in Hail and Storm Damage, Roofing | No Comments »

Home Upgrades That Still Deliver The Best Return If You Are Selling Your Home

Thursday, August 19th, 2010

Upgrading Existing Space Is Your Best Bet For Recouping Cost

It pays to know which upgrades will deliver the best return when you sell your home.   An annual remodeling report finds 4 basic replacements are likely your smartest choice.

Replacement projects included in the Cost vs. Value survey all cost less than $20,000 and most cost considerably less.  They instantly enhance curb appeal, boosting a home’s marketability, and they require little maintenance once installed.  A bonus: Most of these replacements qualify for a federal tax credit for energy efficiency (not included in Remodeling Magazine’s ROI calculations).

1. Replace the front door.

  • The absolute best return on the money of any of the projects surveyed — 129% of cost — is gained by replacing a beat-up front door with a $1,200 steel-shell door filled with foam insulation.
  • A new fiberglass door (more expensive, at $3,490) returns less, about 65%. (Fiberglass is the new chic building material because it’s rugged and durable, can be painted and will mimic almost any wood. Unlike wood, it doesn’t crack, warp or shrink and needs zero maintenance.)
  • Spend about $7,500 on an entire new entrance, including a widened opening, a solid-core wood door and high-end glass, new lighting and better locks, and you’ll recoup 69%, on average.

2. Replace home siding

  • Replacing old siding with a durable fiber-cement product ($13,287) recoups about 84% at resale.
  • Use vinyl siding ($10,607) to get an 80% return.
  • Foam-backed vinyl ($13,022) costs more and earns back less — roughly 79% — but it is much more efficient at insulating a home.

3. Replace windows. Three of the four window-replacement projects considered in the survey pay back about 77%:

  • Wood-trimmed windows ($11,700).
  • Lower-end vinyl windows ($10,728).
  • Windows trimmed in higher-end vinyl ($13,862).
  • The fourth project, higher-end wood-replacement windows ($17,816), has a return of about 72%. Fiberglass windows weren’t included in the study.

4. Replace the roofing: Spend $19,731 on new fiberglass asphalt shingles and you’re likely to recoup about 67% of the cost.

  • A higher-end roof replacement using standing-seam metal ($37,359) pays back about 61% of the cost, agents told the survey.
Source: realestatemsn.com
Remodeling Magazine: www.remodeling.hw.net/2009/costvsvalue

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Posted in Home Improvement, Remodeling Home, Roofing, Siding, Window Replacement | No Comments »

Life Cycle Of A Roof

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

You May Need To Replace Your Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles gradually change with the passage of time.  The aging process of asphalt shingles can be broken down into three distinct phases.  The three phases are: the curing phase, the stable phase, and the final phase.  Signs of this aging process may appear as early as the first couple of years, during what is often called:

  • Curing Phase ~ At first, you may notice small surface cracks, or a few small blisters.  These changes will not affect the ability of the asphalt shingles to protect your roof, and are an anticipated part of the aging process.
  • During the Stable Phase, these signs of aging will slow down dramatically.  The duration of the stable phase may last 20-30 years, but is dependent on many factors including the construction of the asphalt shingles, the condition of your roof and roofing ventilation, the slope of your roof, as well as the workmanship of your roofing contractor.
  • Near the end of the expected life of asphalt shingles, the aging process begins to speed up.  This is what is called the Final Phase, during which most homeowners start to think about replacing their asphalt shingles.

Curling:
One of the things you may notice is a slight curling of the shingles along the bottom edge, particularly during cold weather.  This is a normal occurrence of asphalt shingles and results from the natural loss of the oils from the asphalt covering the felt.  As the asphalt loses its oil, it slowly becomes more rigid, and may shrink at a quicker rate than the felt.

Surface Cracking:
Just like skin that has been exposed to the scorching heat of the sun, the surface of asphalt shingles reacts in a similar fashion.  Like your skin, asphalt shingles may develop small surface cracks.  This is a result of asphalt shingles becoming more brittle over time.  Thermal shock and deck movement may also increase the occurrence of surface cracking.

Blisters:
As asphalt shingles age, large bubble-like blisters may appear on the surface, some as large as a quarter.

They may be open, exposing the asphalt, or closed.  Blisters are more likely to appear when there is inadequate ventilation, or in areas where tree sap drips onto the shingles.  Small “rash” blisters do not affect the performance of the shingles.

For the most part, signs of natural aging are to be expected, and do not affect the performance of asphalt shingles.   If you think your home might be ready for a new roof, contact a professional roofing contractor.

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Posted in Roofing | 2 Comments »

What Are The Signs That I Might Need A New Roof?

Thursday, May 6th, 2010

Roof Damage?

The roof of our house plays an important role in preserving our house and maintaining its value in the resale market. The life of the roof depends on the roofing materials used, the local weather conditions, care taken during the installation process and the level of maintenance applied to it.

If you suspect that you have problems with your roof, or if you see any of the warning signals shown here, call a roofing contractor for a roof inspection.  A thorough inspection will give you peace of mind in knowing, whether repaired or replaced, that your roof is prepared to withstand the harshest Minnesota storms without leaking.  And if there is a problem with your roof, catching it early can literally save you thousands of dollars in repair work later on!

Do You Need A New Roof?

If you see any of the warning signs above you may have a potential problem.  But inspecting your roof from the inside is also very important.

The following is a checklist of problem signs you can look for during an indoor roof inspection.

  • Sagging decking between the rafters.  If the decking is sagging or deteriorating, the decking will also require replacement when a new roof is installed
  • Outside light that can be seen through the roof.  This may be common (and not a problem) but it is best to have a professional make this determination.
  • Signs of leaking in the attic (dark spots in the wood, especially around vents, chimneys, and other holes to the roof)
  • Test dark spots in the wood to decide if they are old or current problems.  If the spot is still wet, or if it is soft (test with an awl), the spot is a current problem.  If the spot is dry and hard, it is most likely an old problem that has been fixed.
  • Signs of water damage or leaking (usually in the form of water stains, or sagging ceilings) this could be due to an active leak in the roof or to condensation caused by poor roof ventilation.

If you observe any of the signs listed above, you need roof repairs, or a new roof, don’t delay.  Most often, the cost of fixing or replacing a roof is less than dealing with the damage an old roof can cause to your home.

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Posted in Roofing | 2 Comments »

Minnesota Hail Damage Repair

Monday, September 28th, 2009

Minnesota Hail Damage and Roofing Contractor

Langerman Exteriors is a specialized roofing company and roofing contractor based in Minnesota.  We provide a variety of Minnesota roofing contractor and exterior construction services with unique programs and solutions to meet your construction objectives and project budgeting goals.  We are recognized for our quick and organized hail damage MN reports and insurance claim negotiation solutions that meet the time sensitive elements of storm damage restoration.

Products, installations, and construction services are guarded by our exclusive warranties, offering valuable peace of mind not commonly found in construction projects.   It could not be easier to accomplish your roofing and exterior construction objectives!

  • Hail Damage MN Repair
  • Roofing and roof replacement experts
  • Roof leak identification
  • Roof Insurance Claim Management
  • Roofing solutions designed specifically for you
  • Flexible scheduling and advanced roofing logistics
  • Hail damage insurance negotiations and settlements
  • Siding replacement, repairs and new installation
  • Windows, replacement windows

We are an experienced hail damage restoration and insurance negotiation contractor.  Let us put our 40 years of industry experience go to work for you.  Contact Langerman Exteriors today 763-493-0058 and arrange for a no obligation hail damage consultation.  It will include a detailed hail damage evaluation report and a clear action plan for you to follow.

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Posted in Hail and Storm Damage | No Comments »