Roof replacement
Full tear-off and replacement in asphalt shingle, flat, rubber/TPO, or metal.
Roofing for homes and commercial buildings
Replacements, leak repair, storm damage, gutters and ventilation for homes and commercial buildings.
What this covers
Leak repair
Tracing the source and repairing it, rather than patching the stain.
Roof inspections
A written assessment of condition and remaining life.
Storm and wind damage
Inspection after wind or hail, and the repair or replacement it calls for.
Gutters and drainage
Gutters, downspouts, and getting water away from the building.
Ventilation
Intake and exhaust venting so the roof assembly can dry.
Roofing materials
Asphalt shingle
The most common choice for homes: cost-effective, available in a wide range of colors, and straightforward to repair.
Flat and rubber/TPO
Low-slope roofs need different materials and drainage than a pitched roof, and they are common on additions, porches, and commercial buildings. Built-up cap sheet and single-ply membranes both cover them.
Metal
Long-lived and low-maintenance, with standing-seam and metal shingle options that suit both modern and traditional buildings.
Flat and low-slope roofs
Commercial and multi-unit buildings are usually low-slope, and so are a lot of smaller ones: two-flats and three-flats, rear additions, porch roofs and dormers. It changes the roofing system more than it changes the job. Systems we work in:
- Flat
- Rubber/TPO
- Metal
Where low-slope roofs fail
A pitched roof sheds water and mostly fails where the covering wears out. A low-slope roof holds water for a while, so it tends to fail at the joins instead.
- Seams and laps: where two sheets meet, welded or torched or adhered.
- Base and counter flashing: where the roof turns up a parapet or a wall.
- Curbs and penetrations: rooftop units, vents, pipes, conduit and anything added after the roof went on.
- Drains and scuppers: blocked, or set higher than the surface around them.
- Ponding: water still sitting more than a couple of days after rain, which is usually a slope or a drain problem rather than a covering problem.
What a low-slope estimate should spell out
Worth getting in writing from everyone you ask, so the numbers compare:
- The condition of the deck, and what happens if it is wet underneath.
- Tear-off or recover, and how many layers are already up there.
- Insulation and cover board, and the R-value if it is being replaced.
- Membrane type and thickness, and how it is attached.
- Flashing details at every wall, curb and penetration.
- What happens to drainage.
Storm damage
What to do after a storm
- Stay off the roof. Look from the ground or an upstairs window.
- Photograph what you can see safely: debris in the yard, dented gutters, fallen limbs.
- Check ceilings and the attic for new stains or damp.
- If water is coming in, catch it and move what’s underneath.
- Stay clear of downed power lines and call the utility.
- Get the roof looked at before the next storm. Wind and hail damage often isn’t visible from the ground.
Licensing
Illinois Roofing Contractor License No. 104.019705.
Roofing is licensed by the state in Illinois, so one license covers the whole service area. HVAC and electrical work differently. Those are licensed by the municipality, and a license naming one town does not cover the next.
Warranty
A 10-year workmanship warranty on shingle roofs.
Financing
Financing available.
How a project runs
How long a job takes depends on its size, what is found once the old material comes off, material lead times, and weather. You’ll get a timeline with your estimate.
Permits: permit requirements are set by the village or city where the property sits, and they differ from one to the next. We’ll tell you what your job needs at the estimate.
Questions
How long does a roof replacement take?
Depends on size, pitch, how many layers come off, and the condition of the deck underneath. Flat, metal and commercial roofs take longer. Weather moves the schedule more than anything else. You'll get a timeline with your estimate.
How much does a new roof cost?
Too many variables to put a number on a page: size, pitch, material, layers to remove, deck condition, gutters and flashing. Estimates are free, and that's the only figure worth anything. Financing is available.
Can my roof be repaired, or does it need a full replacement?
One bad flashing, a vent boot, or a small patch of shingles is usually a repair. Widespread granule loss, curling or cracking, a sagging deck, or leaks appearing in new spots point to replacement. On an old roof a repair often just buys time. A free inspection settles it.
How do I know when a shingle roof needs replacing?
Asphalt shingles generally last 20 to 30 years. Outside, look for curling or cracked shingles, bald patches, and granules in the gutters. Inside, look for ceiling stains, daylight in the attic, and damp insulation. A sagging roofline, or leaks that keep moving, usually means the whole assembly rather than one spot.
How do I know when a flat roof needs replacing?
Different signs entirely. Look for seams lifting or opening, blisters and ridges in the surface, water still standing more than a day or two after rain, and staining on the ceiling below rooftop units or near parapet walls. Age matters less than what the joins are doing. A roof that is patched in six places is usually telling you something the seventh patch will not fix.
Tear-off or recover on a low-slope roof?
A recover goes over what is already there, which is cheaper and quicker but only works if the deck and insulation underneath are dry and sound, and only up to the number of layers the code where the building sits allows. A tear-off is the only way to see the deck. If anyone quotes a recover without saying how they checked what is under the old roof, ask them how they checked.
How soon after a storm should I get my roof inspected?
Soon, even if nothing looks wrong from the ground. Wind can break the seal between shingles without tearing any off, and hail usually bruises rather than punctures. That shows up as a leak weeks later. Stay off the roof and have someone look at it.
Related services
Commercial
Interior build-outs and fit-outs: taking a commercial space from shell or strip-out to finished.
Residential
Kitchens, bathrooms, basements and additions, plus decks, siding and garages.
Infrastructure
Water supply, drainage and waste, water heaters, HVAC, electrical, and waterproofing.
Service area
- Chicago
- Elmhurst
- Elmwood Park
- Evanston
- Forest Park
- Franklin Park
- Glenview
- Harwood Heights
- Lincolnwood
- Melrose Park
- Morton Grove
- Niles
- Norridge
- Oak Park
- Park Ridge
- River Grove
- Rosemont
- Skokie
- Wilmette
Ready to talk about your roof?
Estimates are free. Call or send a message.