Frequently Asked Questions
Roofing shingles and wood shake usually have a 15-30-year lifespan, depending on the quality of the original shingles, how well the roof was installed, and the location and tree cover of your home.
A Canadian roof is subject to weather extremes, wide temperature swings, snow, ice, hail, ice dam issues, direct sunlight, wind, and even poor deck ventilation—all of which play a part in the longevity of a roof. These extreme conditions are a perfect illustration of why it’s so important to choose an experienced and professional roofer that does the job with precision and chooses the best roofing materials.
While the roofing shingle manufacturers we use today, like GAF and Certainteed, offer lifetime warranties, in the past, this wasn’t always the case. We advise our customers that 15-25 years is a good guideline to consider a replacement, but again it depends on the above factors.
Here are some issues to watch for:
Evidence of water leaks on your ceiling (water spots/discolouration)
Discoloured or cracked interior drywall
Curling shingles
Hail / wind damage
Loss of the asphalt granulation / bald spots on the shingle
Decayed shingles
Cracked / Damaged / Missing shingles
Missing or rusted flashing
If your residential roof has any of these issues, or is over 12-15 years old, we encourage you to call us for an inspection. Not all damage is visible to the untrained eye from the ground, and having a professional up on the roof for a closer inspection can ensure any damage is spotted early enough to avoid expensive repairs down the road.
That depends on the condition of the shingles and if they’re collectively past their prime or not—and also if the original roofing contractor installed the roof improperly or not. Roofing shingles in good condition can be repaired as long as the integrity of the shingle hasn’t been damaged too much. For roof shingles that are decayed, damaged, or just old, it can be more economical for your home’s protection and investment to have us perform a roof replacement.
There are several factors that determine the cost of your new roof. These include the professionalism and quality of your roofing contractor, the type, brand, and grade of roofing shingle that you select, the size of the roof, as well as the slope and shape of your roofline.
Don’t choose your roofing contractor based on cost alone!
Yes, price is a factor, but there are many other components to consider in getting the quality roof that your home deserves. Remember that roofing contractor workmanship and high-quality roofing materials have significant value. Simply hiring the cheapest roofing contractor could end up costing more in the long run if you need more frequent repairs due to shoddy work as well as the need for an earlier roof replacement.
Elgin Roofing can provide a no-obligation roofing estimate to get a fair and accurate cost for your unique home’s needs.
This roofing question is one that brings aesthetics and finances into the equation. Elgin Roofing has been a roofing contractor for 20+ years, and we can highly recommend GAF and Certainteed asphalt, fiberglass, and metal shingles without hesitation. These roofing shingles provide the best value for your dollar as well as attractive appearance for your home’s curb appeal.
If your downspouts and gutters are in good shape, our Elgin Roofing team can simply work around them. And we won’t remove and reinstall them once your roof is complete to avoid damaging them. However, if your gutters need repair or replacement, Elgin Roofing can provide this service too.
As one might expect, there are multiple factors that affect all roofing projects: weather, if there is a second layer to remove, flashing issues, and more. But overall, our professional roofers at Elgin Roofing can be finished with your new roof—from taking off the old roof to cleaning up—in two to four days, depending on the above factors.
Our crews are very efficient in the roof removal, new roof installation, gutters, and cleanup. Our professional roofers are trained to stay on schedule and ensure your complete satisfaction with your roofing installation. These factors take coordination, and at Elgin Roofing, we pride ourselves in being organized, efficient, and professional.
