Supporting a local Scout
Happy National Boy Scout Day! Local Scout, Issac Poulton restored the information stand roofs at Mellody Farm’s Nature Preservation for his Eagle Scout Project. We were happy to help and supply the materials. We salute you Issac, great work! Check out Issac’s handy work below: Before After
How to Choose Roofer
A home is the largest investment most people will make in their lifetime. So, when it’s time to repair or replace your roof, it’s important to protect that investment by hiring the right roofer. Here are a few guidelines you can follow, to ensure you are making the smart choice: Ask the people you trust for recommendations: Your neighbors, your family, your friends, or your Home Owner’s Association are all good options. Next, check the Better Business Bureau, Angie’s List, Yelp and Nextdoor. Choose a local contractor: Make sure that the company that you choose is local. This means that they are not just operating locally now but have an established business and reputation in the community.When possible, look at the contractor’s work in your neighborhood. Check to make sure the contractor is properly insured: Your insurance broker can check over the certificate to make sure the Workers Comp is VALID. Price isn’t everything: Never choose a company based on price. In the long run, you get what you pay for. Customers that are sold on price as their sole criteria ultimately end up spending more money to fix problems, many of which would have been avoided by hiring a reputable, established roofing company with a comprehensive proposal. At CRC, we understand that choosing a contractor to trust with your home is often a difficult and overwhelming decision. Cedar Roofing Company, LLC is family owned and operated. The vast majority of our employees have been with us for over 30 years and are skilled craftsmen, who take great pride in their work. We are fully insured and have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and an A rating on Angie’s List. We are proud to bring our years of experience and technical capability to every project. To see examples of our work in your neighborhood, click on the links provided on the roofing pages of our website.
North Shore Cedar Roof Comparisons:
Here are the four most common Cedar roofs on the North Shore: 18” Machine Sawn Perfection Shingles, with 5.5“ Exposure (Lifespan 18 – 23 Years) Cedar shingles are used for both roof and side wall applications and offer a lighter, more refined appearance than hand-split shakes. Certain architectural home styles are more appropriate for Sawn Shingles, which is the primary reason they are chosen. On average, this material is 3/8” thick at the butt end and is installed with 5.5” Exposure. 18” Tapersawn Shakes, with 7.5“ Exposure (Lifespan 20 – 25 Years) We frequently urge clients to consider using Tapersawn Shakes instead of 18” shingles because they offer the same clean, architectural appearance but are substantially thicker. Remember, when it comes to cedar roofing, thicker is better. On average, this material ranges from 5/8” or 3/4” thick at the butt end and is installed with 7.5” Exposure. Expect to get between 20-25 years of service out of a Tapersawn Shake roof. 24” Medium Hand-Split Shakes, with 10“ Exposure (Lifespan 18 – 23 Years) The most common cedar roofing material, Medium Shakes are the workhorse of the industry. They are the go-to choice for home builders, primarily because it is the most affordable wood roof one can find. On average, this material ranges from 1/2” to 5/8” thick at the butt end and is installed with 10” Exposure. Expect to get between 19 and 24 years of service out of an unmaintained Medium Shake roof. 24” Heavy Hand-Split Shakes, with 10“ Exposure (Lifespan 25 – 30 Years) We encourage our clients to consider Heavy Shakes whenever possible, because they offer substantially more long-term performance for a small increase in cost up front. On average, this material ranges from 3/4” to 7/8” thick at the butt end and is installed with 10” Exposure. Expect to get between 25 and 30 years of service out of an Heavy Cedar Shake roof.
Cedar Roof Lifespans: what to expect
Ever wonder if it’s worth it to spend the extra money for premium shake? Or if CCA treated shake actually extend the useful life of your roof? This handy chart has some answers… *Treated roofs refer to materials treated by the shake and shingle manufacturers, prior to shipping and installation. Also known as CCA pressure treated wood. There are many things that play into how long a cedar roof will last including roof slope, tree coverage, quality of installation, fasteners used, maintenance history and more. The numbers in this chart reflect averages based on our experience over the past 38 years. These statistics apply to what we will call an ‘average’ cedar roof, with a 9/12 slope, average tree coverage and code compliant installation by professional roofers. Organic rot, severe weather and UV abuse will shorten these lifespans.
Walgreens in Northfield gets a new synthetic roof
Cedar Roofing Company recently re-roofed the Walgreens in Northfield IL, replacing the original cedar shake roof with a composite shake roof. The old, deteriorating cedar shake were falling off the roof. They gathered in the gutters, and at times, fell to the ground. It was becoming a dangerous situation and it was definitely time for a new roof. CRC is committed to educating our customers about new developments in technology and materials available today. Synthetic roofing materials are a relatively new development in the market and seemed like a great choice for the Walgreen’s store. Made from recycled plastic or rubber, they are light weight, mold, pest, impact and fire resistant and are virtually maintenance free. And so, when the owner of this commercial building asked us for recommendations, Cedar Roofing Company suggested DaVinci Single Width Shake. Cedar Roofing Company’s installers are trained and proficient with all the new installation procedures and processes that are required with synthetic roofing projects. If you would like to see more examples of our work and find out more about synthetic roofing materials, please click here. Or call the office to schedule a free roofing estimate at 847-247-4400
Spring Cleaning: Your roof and Gutters
There are few rites of spring more satisfying than the annual deep clean. Just be sure not to forget your roof and gutters! Debris Cleanup: In the fall, debris can build up in your gutters and on your roof. With Chicagoland’s late falls and early freezing temperatures, there’s often the inevitable buildup of additional debris after most people have already had their gutters cleaned. Snow and ice can freeze this in place and make it hard to address until the spring. As the temperatures warm and snow turns to rain, it’s important to make sure your roof and gutters’ drainage pathways are not obstructed. CRC’s experienced repair crews can inspect and clean debris buildup from the roof, gutters and downspouts. We will also provide you with a comprehensive system inspection, to identify any maintenance items that should be addressed. This will help avoid costly damage to both the interior and exterior of your home. Moss and Fungus: Moss and fungus growth are common in this area, particularly on Cedar roofs. While this usually begins as a fairly benign issue, it can cause serious damage if left untreated. Moss in particular can cause the roof beneath it to rot over time. This can lead to damage that causes leaks. It may even shorten the lifespan of your roof. Removing moss from the roof can be accomplished with a topical cleaner, or power washing, depending on the amount of growth and the age and condition of the roof. But power washing can do more harm than good if done on an older roof, or by an inexperienced contractor. Call CRC to have one of our experienced estimators give you their professional analysis. Roof Maintenance: The winter can be hard on your roof, with snow, ice and debris buildup causing damage. The CRC service teams can perform a thorough rooftop inspection of your roof and perform minor repairs on the spot, as well as make specific recommendations to keep your roof in tip top shape.