STurbrdige Roofing Contractors

Choosing the right roofing contractor and finding one you trust can be difficult. Here is a guide to help you hire the right roofer:

• Local, Experienced Contractor - often, one of the best ways to evaluate roofing companies is to determine if they are local to the area and have been doing roofing in the area a long time. (David Barbale - Roofing & Remodeling has been a contractor in Worcester County for over 35 years. Compare our experience to other roofing companies in the area!)
• Customer Reviews - another great way to evaluate a roofing contractor is to look at both positive and negative things their customers have said about them. (We have a 5 star rating on Google and Facebook and we’re proud of the quality, genuine reviews we have received. We also have a lengthy customer reference list available upon request. Compare our reviews and reference list to other roofing companies!)
• Quality Of Work - seeing is believing; if you’re able to look at finished projects and, especially, at before & after photos of completed work, your eyes will help you make a decision on which roofing contractor is right for you. (We have a portfolio / before & after page - compare our work to other roofing companies!)

There are two main things to consider when you are looking to choose a roof: the type of roof and the type of product.

Here are some common types of roof systems recommended by roofing companies:

• Asphalt Roof - this is the most common type of roof system and asphalt shingles have a few common sub-categories: 3-tab shingles, architectural (or designer) shingles, and premium (or luxury) shingles. In most cases, these common sub-categories follow a “good, better, best” pattern, i.e. 3-tab shingles are good, architectural shingles are better, and premium shingles are best. And, in most cases, the middle option (architectural shingles) provide the best combination of quality and price value.
• Metal Roof / Cedar Shake Roof / Slate Roof - metal, cedar shake, and slate roofs are a less common type of roofing system and are typically the right option if you’re looking for a roof system that is unique or luxurious.

Here are some types of roof products (specifically, asphalt shingle products) we recommend as a professional roofing contractor:

• ATLAS Pinnacle Pristine - within the roofing industry, this is a high-quality, highly respected asphalt shingle product line. This product has a healthy balance of durability, style, and price making it a great option for most homeowners. Here are some of the notable product features of Pinnacle Pristine architectural shingles: Lifetime-Limited Warranty, 130mp Wind Resistance, Scotchgard Protector (which guards against algae streaking), and eligibility for Signature Select (a full, premium product warranty).
• CertainTeed Landmark - within the roofing industry, this is another high-quality, highly respected asphalt shingle product line. This product also has a healthy balance of durability, style, and price making it a great option for most homeowners. Here are some of the notable product features of CertainTeed Landmark architectural shingles: Lifetime-Limited Warranty, 115mph Wind Warranty, 10 Year StreakFighter algae-resistance warranty, and Class A fire-resistance rating.

Related to the quality of work, the success of a roof system depends heavily on the product used and the installation methods of the roofing contractor. Here are some things to make sure your roofer includes in their installation process:

• Ice & Water Shield - this is a waterproof roof underlayment membrane that protects vulnerable areas of your roof like your eaves, valleys, and gaps around your chimneys or dormers. (Our roofers install ice & water shield 9ft up from the edge of your roof, over your roof valleys and where roof lines meet house walls, and around other critical areas like chimneys or dormers.)
• Drip Edge - drip edges are metal sheets installed at the edge of your roof to direct water away from the fascia and gutter. (Our roofers install an 8-inch “T” drip edge for quality durability.)
• Underlayment - roof underlayment is what lies between your shingles and the roof deck (typically, plywood) and provides a secondary layer of protection against weather elements like rain, snow, and wind. (Our roofers install synthetic (vs felt underlayment) to maximize roof durability.
• Flashing - these are the thin pieces of metal used to prevent water from leaking into your home from a joint on your roof. (If necessary, our roofers install new flashing; if unnecessary, ew touch up any existing flashing.)
• Starter Strip - these strips are placed on top of your underlayment but beneath the shingles and serve a water-shedding function by covering shingle joints at the eaves. (Our roofers install starter strips for maximum durability.)
• Ridge Vent - installed at the peak of a sloped roof, this feature of a roof system allows damp, warm air to escape from the attic which increases energy efficiency and increases the life of your roof. (Our roofers install a ridge vent to maximize the durability of your roof.)

Obvious signs that you need a new roof would be that your roof is leaking or missing shingles. A more common sign, however, that you need a new roof is finding roof (shingle) granules in your gutters. This is a common sign that your roof is aging and it is time for a roof replacement and to start looking at roofing companies.

If your roof is older, it’s important to have a roofer come out every few years to assess the roof and identify any signs of weakness or damage. Identifying these weak areas of your roof may allow you to repair them before any serious damage is done and save you money from having to fully replace the roof.

Here are some the most important items you should look for on a roofing estimate or contract from your roofing contractor:

• Product List - at a minimum, the shingle product (e.g. ATLAS Pinnacle Pristine ColorName) should be clearly highlighted in the estimate / contract so you have the key piece of product outlined in writing by your roofer.
• Manufacturer and Labor Warranties - it is also important that your roofing contractor outline any warranties associated with either the product (i.e. manufacturer / product warranty) or the labor (i.e. labor warranty). This will make sure you are covered in the event that there is a defect with the product or with the installation methods used.
• Timeline & Project Overview - Installing a roof typically has far fewer moving parts than remodeling the interior of your home, but it is still helpful to have a clear sense of what steps are necessary to complete the project and when they’ll be done by your roofing contractor.
• Installation Methods (& Products Used) - lastly, it is probably worth having your roofing contractor in writing exactly what products will be used during the installation. Items on this list would be: ice & water shield, drip edge, underlayment, flashing, starter strip, and ridge vent.