Are you one of the lucky people that live in a home with a clay tile roof? Who do you turn to when you need a repair or even a simple inspection? Not a lot of contractors in the Bloomington/Normal area work on clay tile roofs anymore.
Carlson Exteriors is one of the only contractors in the area that will repair and inspect clay tile roofs!
We are proud to introduce the Northgate Shingle by CertainTeed. It’s the shingle your insurance company wants you to have! So…. why is this shingle one of the best on the market? The biggest reason is the Northgate shingle has a Class 4 Impact/Hail rating. This is the highest rating possible! Most insurance companies offer a discount when you tell them you had these put on your roof.
Other reasons to make the Northgate your favorite shingle are:
As the snow and ice melt off your roof, it’s a good time to see if your roof sustained any stress or damage from the winter.
Remember, choices do exist! Check out this latest job we did in Highland Slate shingles. 
Have you noticed a wet or tea-stained ceiling? It could be from a bad or old pipe flashings. The usual life span of a pipe flashing is 10-15 years but depends on your region’s weather conditions. If you keep an eye on all of your pipe flashings it could save you hundreds of dollars repairing any interior damage that can occur from a leak. Look for any signs of extreme age, deterioration, or cracking. Watch the video to see how easy it is to replace your own pipe flashing!
Winter can be brutal on roofs, especially if the shingles are nearing the end of their life. While this past Central Illinois winter has not been as rough as previous years, the cold, wind, and ice build up could have caused some major roof damage that has yet to be seen. Some roof leaks can take a while to become noticeable on the inside; while if caught sooner, less damage will have been done to your home’s interior. Carlson Exteriors is announcing their services for a free inspection of roofs. These inspections include a quality control check of your roof to identify any problematic damage accrued this winter, any sections that look worrisome but do not need immediate attention, and the estimated life expectancy of your roof. If any shingles require immediate attention, Carlson Exteriors will also provide a free estimate for the repairs. The professionals work with many types of roofing material to provide a durable and high quality replacement or repair.
Check out a handful of roofs our crew has replaced this year! Such a variety of sizes and colors.
Many homeowners in Central Illinois were devastatingly impacted by the storm that arrived last fall- home repairs continue to ensue 6 months later. As a local contractor, it is our responsibility and duty to both inform and educate the Bloomington/Normal area in regards to the risks of out of town contractors, commonly known as “storm chasers”.
The exterior construction business is a rather large portion of all remodeling that takes place on homes; it continues to have national, year over year growth. As the demand for exterior construction needs rises, the population of “storm chasers” has proportionately grown. These contractors will follow storm activity nationally, never staying too long in one place. It is commonplace for “storm chasers” to ascend upon a storm ravaged area with a sales staff exceeding twenty sales people. These sales people will go door-to-door knocking and asking for permission to inspect the damaged roof, siding, gutters, and/or air conditioner. Upon completion of the inspection, the sales staff may ask to contact your insurance company directly; they may even ask for a signature seeking permission. Be cautious and hesitant of what you sign- read all contracts and legal documents carefully; many of these permission slips and documents have a clause requiring the homeowner to employ said contractor upon an insurance settlement.
Feel free to contact your insurance company for contractor recommendations. For example, Country Companies’ adjusters have a policy in place where they can recommend three contractors. State Farm has a preferred vendor list. However, most insurance companies have additional policies in place to attempt to mitigate their liability to the homeowner in the event of the contractor not completing the work in a professional manner. This is the exact moment where it becomes the homeowners responsibility to perform their due diligence. The majority of insurance companies nationally place a one-year timeframe upon the initiation of a claim from a storm. This being said, unless there is imminent damage, most homeowners have time to initiate an insurance claim.
The following are a list of bullet points on ways to perform said diligence:
-Run “construction storm chasers” through whatever Internet Search Engine you use.
-If a salesman comes to your door, do not sign anything. Please take time to review the estimate and the contractor.
-Inquire as to where the company is physically located and the length of time in that location.
-If it is an out of town contractor, inquire what type of service after the sale will you get. Is the contractor willing to drive, in some cases, hundreds of miles to return for service? Please get this portion in writing.
-Please demand copies of both Liability and Workmen’s Compensation Insurance.
-Ask to see required state permits and licenses. Both contractors and insurance adjusters have to be licensed by state agencies.
-Inquire if the company has employees performing the work or will it be subcontracted out. If it is subcontracted out, demand copies of the Subcontractors Insurance as well. Ask to meet the Subcontractor that will be working on your home prior to work being started.
Please utilize the above questions. There are many other tools available for a homeowner to use. Such as, Internet reviews, local business associations and reviews, BBB, and referrals. We urge you to use these resources to determine the caliber of your potential contractor.
Metal or Asphalt? This is the question you should be asking yourself when you begin looking to replace your roof. Metal roofs have many advantages over asphalt shingles such as: energy/utility savings, insurance breaks, and longevity. So, which route should you take?
Ultimately, a metal roof is a green product compared to asphalt. It is made up of 25% recycled material and can be recycled again when the roof is torn off. While most asphalt shingles wind up in a landfill, recycling asphalt is just a beginning practice. Metal roofs are greener in utility terms as well. During the hotter months of the year, the metal shingles deflect the heat away from the house. Even though a scorching metal roof might not be appealing to touch, it is keeping your home cooler. Asphalt shingles tend to absorb the heat; even with proper ventilation the heat can permeate past the roofline deeper into your home’s structure. Many homeowners see an immediate decrease in utility costs when they switch from asphalt to metal roofing.
Insurance rates often decrease with metal roofing. Besides being fire retardant, the majority of metal roofing products have a Class 4 Impact Rating (the highest possible); impact ratings are based on the potential damage a product could receive. The testing process mimics hailstorms; cracks and ruptures are looked for on the front and backside of shingles. Most roof coverings look similar despite their impact rating so be sure your contractor is using the proper one. If you are doing it yourself, shingles will have their impact rating posted on the label. When you call contractors for estimates, it will be worth it to make an extra call to your insurance agent to see what discount you could be eligible for with a metal roof.
The lifespan of a metal roof far surpasses that of an asphalt one; a home with an asphalt roof will need to be replaced 2 or 3 times before a metal roof will need to be replaced. Longevity does come with a higher initial cost, but many homeowners find it’s value in the material’s durability alone. With all construction related items, proper installation is key to a longer lifespan. Make sure you have a knowledgeable and trusted contractor to install your roof because installation is nothing like an asphalt roof.
The style varieties in metal shingles are just as varied as asphalt shingles. Metal can be made to resemble slate, clay tiles, and architectural shingles. Homeowners are usually worried that a metal roof will not mesh with the style of their home; but with the expanded shingle style, your home’s exterior no longer dictates the roofing material. Be aware that premium styles do come with a premium price.
The pros and cons of asphalt or metal should be weighed in determining what’s right for you. Asphalt is a widely accepted roofing material and is easy to find qualified installers but is more vulnerable to severe weather and has questionable longevity promises. Metal is a proven durable material and comes with solid warranties while it is more expensive and hard to find experienced installers.
