Roof Repair & Replacement Pros in Chicago, IL

Chicago Roof Installation

For many of us, from the time we were children, we've been taught about the importance of having a roof over our heads. Through good times and bad, weather fair and foul, our roofs keep us sheltered and free to live our lives comfortably, and as adults, being thankful for our roofs is generally not a problem. Unfortunately, no matter how good of a roof you have, through every one a little rain must fall, eventually. When the top of your home has seen better days in a city like Chicago, roof installation is a project that will be necessary not only for the comfort of those underneath it, but for the well being of you home's structure as a whole.

Options
Once a roof has been compromised badly enough to warrant replacement, there are several materials to choose from that your new roof can be made from. Each has some advantages and disadvantages, and none are right for every situation, but knowing the benefits and drawbacks of common roofing materials gives homeowners a better idea of what will be the best investment for their house.

Asphalt Roof Installation: This is the most common roofing material in the country, and is found on homes all around Chicago. Roof installation can be a pricey process, and asphalt shingles are the least expensive option on the market. Shingles, of course, vary in quality, price, and durability, but in general, they are easy and inexpensive to install, provide an extra layer of insulation, and often last for 20 or 30 years as long as they are well-maintained.

Metal Roofing: Metal roofing used to be extremely popular, and is gaining popularity again, as technology has solved many of the problems of metal roofs in the past. No longer are metal roofs noisy, rusty, or unattractive; modern metal roofs can easily last more than 40 years, and look good the entire time. Strong, durable, and visually appealing, metal roofing is, unfortunately, more expensive than asphalt, and requires installation by an experienced professional.

Slate Roofing: In many ways, slate is the best roofing material available. Similar in performance to the tile roofs that are common in the Southwest, slate roofs can easily last for 80 years or more. They look great, and add a sense of quality and history to a property. The bad news is that slate roofing is extremely expensive and difficult to install. Additionally, though they can last for more than a century, slate roofs are incredibly brittle and will require special attention if ever a problem arises.

Prices
When it comes to new roof installation, Chicago residents are left with the age old question of whether to go with high quality at a high price, or moderate quality at a lower price. The average price for a new roof in the Chicago area is just less than $20,000. This figure includes all types of roofing materials, and puts the median cost at about $5,000 more than the national average. For something high end like slate roofing, you can easily expect prices to be more than $30,000 or $35,000, while asphalt shingles may be installed for well less than $10,000 in more than a few cases. Your best bet is to talk to several contractors and get a few different bids on the material you feel most comfortable with. A great roof at a good price is out there, but it'll take a bit of work to get it!

Chicago Roof Repair

While a squeaky door can be annoying, and a malfunctioning toilet can be a downright nuisance, a roof in disrepair can be a little of both, plus a whole lot more. In addition to the leaks and water stains that a compromised roof can cause, homeowners will also have to worry about the extensive amount of damage that can be caused by roof problems, not to mention the costly price of repairs to the roof, and in some cases other parts of the home, as well.

Preventing Roof Repair
The best tactic for preventing pricey roof repairs is to catch small problems before they become larger ones. Certainly, homeowners that notice a problem should call for repairs as soon as possible, but catching roof issues early is often something that a homeowner isn't trained to do him or herself. By getting your roof inspected annually by a professional, it is likely that you'll be able to identify problem spots while they are still very cheap to fix. Roof inspection generally costs a couple hundred bucks at most, and can definitely save homeowners a lot in the long run. Calling in the spring will make the job safer for the inspector, and give you the best chance of spotting issues caused by winter weather quickly.

Issues Associated with Roof Repairs
Speaking of winter weather, in Chicago, roof repair is likely to be needed specifically because of the conditions present in the area during the cold season. Ice, moisture, and the weight of snow are all primary causes of roof damage, and Chi-town homes are hit with all three for several months out of the year. Asphalt shingles, though economical, easy to install, and the most common roofing material in the area and the country at large, as well, are quite susceptible to damage over the winter. If caught early, however, asphalt is extremely easy and cheap to fix. As long as the roof was installed properly in the first place, individual shingles can be replaced at very little cost in a few hours, and perform well afterward.

In more serious cases, moisture and ice that gets underneath shingles can require some pretty involved repairs. If you ever notice any shingles that are buckling or curling, call a repair person immediately, and prepare for a slightly larger bill. The problem here is that buckling and curling shingles often call for much larger sections of the roof to be replaced, and might also necessitate replacing insulation, roof decking, or even ventilation work in your attic.

Costs of Repair and Replacement
If problems become too serious, total roof replacement might be necessary. On average, replacing a roof in the windy city runs just less than $20,000. That's big money, but the figure includes replacement jobs ranging from well less than $10,000 to well more than $30,000, and takes into account higher-end materials as well as asphalt.

As far as roof repair, Chicago residents can count on costs of $500 or less for the minor stuff, and more involved work going well into the thousands. It's always a good idea to speak with several different companies and get estimates from each before settling on one. If you happen to have a metal or slate roof, repairs are likely to be on the higher end of the spectrum, though these materials tend to require less work over their lifetimes than asphalt shingles.