Midwest Roofing Services Blog

The Popularity of Shake Shingles In Residential Roofing

There was a time when cedar wood shakes and shingles were one of the few roofing materials available to the consumer but they have long been a favorite roofing material here in the Midwest. From Nebraska to Texas and from Colorado to Missouri, people love the look of a wood roof. From the bright yellow-orange of the freshly exposed wood upon installation to the weatherd gray patina that eventually sets in, the cedar shake roof has been a staple of residential, new home construction for decades. Wood shakes are frequently chosen because of their aesthetic appeal, ability to blend a structure into its environment, their good insulation properties, and the longevity they provide.

Aside from their aesthetic appeal, they offer a whole host of practical advantages:

• Eco-friendliness. Cedar shakes are environmenally friendly and they can be turned into residential mulch when they are removed.
• Durability. Normally warrantied for 20-25 years, if properly installed, maintained and restored, a cedar shake roof can last as long as 50 years.
• Weather resistant, standing up to variations in temperature and freeze-thaw cycles and they are also earthquake resilient.
• Hardiness, they are resist mildew and resist bugs.

But cedar shakes have drawbacks too:

• A cedar shake or shingle roof costs more that roofs made from other synthetic materials.
• Cedar roofs must be treated to make them fire-retardant, using products specifically approved for cedar.
• A cedar roof must be installed correctly. A wood roof needs to "breathe" and it must include a substrate that allows for air circulation.
• Communities are continuing to restrict the use of cedar shakes in residential housing codes because of the higher chance of flammability, and recent droughts in the Midwest have communities concerned about the roofing material.

Consumers Want the Look of Cedar Shakes with Less Investment and More Safety

People want the LOOK of a shake shingle roof without the cost, maintenance and risk of fire. So what is the solution? One product that we like is both realistic and durable; composite shake shingles developed by DaVinci Roofscapes. DaVinci Roofscapes has made a polymer roofing system that has the same residential curb-appeal of a natural cedar shake shingle. It has the lasting beauty and structural integrity of a shake shingle in a roof tile. For those who desire the natural appearance of hand-split shake shingles or machine-sawn shake, their composite shake shingles are reminiscent of the texture of natural cedar, but with unsurpassed durability and a life cycle savings of up to 50% compared to natural shake roofing. DaVinci utilizes a proprietary state-of-the-art engineered polymer to deliver durability and beauty for years to come. They are a beautiful solution for replacing your residential shake shingle roof.

A Synthetic Cedar Shake Solution

It's easy to see that the authentic appearance, durability, and lifetime cost advantages of DaVinci synthetic roof tiles - plus a Lifetime Limited Material Warranty - add up to an exceptional value for any discerning homeowner. If you love the look of a cedar shake shingle, but you are concerned about the the drawbacks that they involve, give us a call and let us talk to you about the DaVinci product. We'll be happy to come and give you an estimate on your residential roofing project.

CHOOSING YOUR RESIDENTIAL SHINGLE COLOR

Emily Videtto, Vice-President of Shingles and New Product Development at GAF talked about some of the key points in choosing shingles for your residential roof. A lot of consumers now live in communities where where exterior appearance is mandated by a home owner's association, but if you don't live in a community like that, then you actually have a lot of options when building or replacing your residential roof.

BE DARING WHEN MAKING YOUR RESIDENTIAL ROOF CHOICE

Videtto says "Be Daring – But Don’t Forget Resale Value" she goes on to add "colors in clothing and interiors may change every two or three years, but when you look at exterior color trends, you'll notice that 'bold' typically means much more muted than the trends you see in fashion" A bold green might be popular in the fashion magazines, you would see that color translated into an exterior palette of more subtle warm, earthy green tones. That's Because bold green might not be the 'in' color two years from now (likely not), but you're still going to have the same roof. Videtto said,"Color choices in exteriors are long-term decisions, so make sure the palette that you select is not only one that fits your personality and taste today but also one that you'll enjoy ten years down the road." 

SO MANY CHOICES IN RESIDENTIAL ROOFING

We have so many options in color and materials in residential roofing. Think about your entire exterior. Videtto aks,"Would you choose a new sofa for your living room without thinking about the room’s paint color or accent scheme?" Just like your interior, your roof needs to match the rest of your home’s exterior for a cohesive design. Your roof can represent up to 40% of your home's overall curb appeal, don't underestimate the impact on the overall look and style of your home. All of the parts have to work together. Maybe you want your shingles to match your current paint choice, or perhaps replacing your residential roof is the beginning of a new exterior color scheme that will include a new paint choice? Sometimes a replacement roof is the perfect opportunity to update the whole exterior to a more modern palette. In a National Association of REALTORS® survey, it was discovered that a new Designer roof can increase your home's value by a median of 7%!

In a National Association of REALTORS® survey, it was discovered that a new Designer roof can increase your home's value by a median of 7%

ROOF PITCH PLAYS A PART IN CHOOSING YOUR RESIDENTIAL ROOF

Roof pitch makes texture and overall visible space important elements in your shingle choice. Videtto says, "If your roof has a low pitch, the shingle profile will be more important than the shape;" This is where texture becomes important. You might consider an ultra-dimensional shingle that will add an extra thick appearance on your roof. Videtto suggests GAF’s Grand Canyon®, Camelot®, or Timberline® Ultra HD® Shingles for this purpose. If your residential roof has a steep pitch, then you have more visible surface area and a unique design or color pattern could be a better choice. In this situation, Videtto thinks you should consider a classic look, which can be achieved with either Camelot® II or Sienna® Lifetime Designer Shingles.

IT'S YOUR ROOF, YOU HAVE TO LOVE IT

Trush your instinct! You have to look at your roof every day. Videtto says, "If you absolutely LOVE a specific shingle, don’t settle for anything less. I can’t count the number of times I’ve made a purchase that I thought was practical, but then regretted it every time I pulled up in my driveway (the economy army green door — worst mistake!)." A shingle choice shouldn't kill your budget. Manufacturers offer value options with beautiful, more expensive, designer looks. Videtto suggests the entire GAF Designer Shingle Value Collection as a solution to get that designer look at a fraction of the cost.

PRIORITY HAIL DAMAGE SERVICE

Fill out the form and you will automatically be added to our listing for priority roofing service for hail damage, storm damage and tornados. Avoid the risk of more damage from subsequent storms, and move to the front of line, get your name on the list now.

Hail and Storm damaged roof Specialists

Weʼve helped over 30,000 people with damaged roofs, just like you. We are here to help you with your hail damaged and storm damaged roofs. Your future will be brighter, we will fix your roof.

Hail and storm damaged roof? We can help.

1. We assess the hail and storm damage to your home.
2. We explain how the insurance claims process works with your insurance company concerning hail and storm distruction. We explain all the insurance paperwork and our estimate so you clearly understand.
3. We check to make sure your insurance company is compensating you appropriately for your damaged roof.
4. We will assign a project manager to you. He will be your contact. He will supervise the crew, perform inspections and keep you informed at every step and answer any of your questions.
5. Our installation crews will leave your property the way it was before we started.
6. We install each roofing system to meet or exceed manufacturers specifications and regional codes.
7. We donʼt take Quality Control lightly. Your project manager will conduct a final inspection before you are invoiced.

At Midwest Roofing Systems, Inc. we are proud of our Wichita Kansas roots. It serves us well when we travel to surrounding communities, cities and States to fix hail and storm damaged commercial and residential roofs. We bring our hardworking midwest values to a number of States: Nebraska, Colorado, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas. Some of the cities and towns we've helped with hail and storm damaged roofs are; Hastings NB, Grand Island NB, Beatrice NB, Lincoln NB, Lamar CO, Las Animas CO, la Junta CO, Fairview OK, Enid OK, Hennessey OK, Perry OK, Stillwater OK, Cushing OK, Oklahoma City OK, Tulsa OK, Paris TX, Dallas TX, Houston TX, Siloam Springs AK, Fayetteville AK, Bentonville AK, Bella Vista AK, Joplin MO, Clinton MO, Odessa MO, Kansas City MO, Lee's Summit MO, Columbia MO, Fayette MO, Fulton MO, Lawrence KS, Topeka KS, Ottawa KS, Newton KS, Salina KS,
Dodge City KS, Beloit KS, Goddard KS and many more.

Debris leaks that we fix

Buildup of twigs, leaves or pine needles can trap water against the roof allowing water to soak in by capillary action. Itʼs vitally important to keep the roof clear so water can run off quickly. Cutting overhanging tree branches will make it easier to keep your roof clear of problems and potential leaks.

Gutter Backup

Gutters that are clogged with leaves or other material can slow the water flow off the roof, giving it time to soak through to the wood under the roofing material. Gutter covers can help keep gutters clear of debris to help ensure that water flows freely and quickly off the roof.

Roof Vent leaks that we correct and prevent

Itʼs important for all vents and pipes that penetrate through your roof are sealed properly with quality products to prevent leaks. Inspect the gaskets around vent pipes for cracks or gaps and check for missing nails. Plastic vents may crack after years of exposure to the weather.

Holes can cause leaks

Holes remaining after the removal of a TV antenna or some other rooftop installation can draw water into the house. Inspect the roof for holes and seal any that you discover.

Slope can cause leaks

If your roof slope is too shallow, wind could lift shingles and drive rain under the shingle creating leaks in your residential roof or you large commercial roof. Roof slope, or pitch, is measured as a ratio of its vertical rise, in inches, over a horizontal distance of 12 inches. The International Building Code stipulates that the roof slope must be at least 2:12 for installation of asphalt shingles. Missing or Damaged Shingles leaks that we fix Strong winds can tear or rip shingles from the roof exposing areas you canʼt see.

We are a Wichita Roofing Company specializing in stopping leaks and in leak prevention.

Midwest Roofing Systems is a Wichita roofing company, based in Wichita Kansas for over half a century. We were locally owned. If you have any questions about your leak or preventing leaks please call us or visit our website.