How to Choose a Roof

Have you noticed that when a person is grateful about their fortunes, the most common thing they will be thankful for first is having a roof over their head? Naturally, having a roof symbolizes having a home - a place you can feel happy and protected. 

And there’s nothing worse than the threat of losing this feeling of safety. 

That’s why choosing a roof is more than a symbolic choice. It is an extremely important and, often, overwhelming decision. You want it to be an issue of ‘set it once and forget’ rather than coming back with yearly repairs just because of one wrong piece of advice, low quality materials or poor workmanship. 

So, in this article we will look into what you need to know when picking out roof materials, discussing your project with the contractors as well as guarantee your decisions will not be coming back to haunt you. 

Keep in mind that if you have any questions, you can always contact us.  

A word of caution before you choose a roof

When it comes to roof systems, the technologies are constantly evolving. However, the market is filled with contractors pushing their preferred options because of their quota commitments to manufacturers or because of their lack of expertise. These options are not necessarily the best for your home when it comes to quality and/or price.

Get ready before reaching out to a contractor. You will hear different opinions about all types of roofing materials, manufacturers and even the best colors. Funnily enough, sometimes these different opinions even come from the same person. 

When you feel like giving up on finding the right contractor, that’s when you end up overpaying. Or even worse, you may listen to someone who doesn’t have your needs at the top of their priorities. And that only has one outcome – a costly headache for the next several years. 

Here’s arguably the most important piece of advice you will hear that will apply to any project. First, pick a contractor you trust. Whether it is Brunette or anyone else, make sure that they have proved themselves over time. And ask questions. Ask every question you have, even if you consider it to be extremely basic. A contractor that won’t help you then surely won’t help you when your roof starts to leak. 

Now, let’s move on to actual roof materials. 
Here’s what you need to know about purchasing a roof:

A quality roof is more than quality shingles. It is a system consisting of shingles, proper roof deck protection, ridge caps and a drip edge. And even nails. Yes, nails. Your roof will serve you 10, 20, even 30 years. In return, you must make sure all parts of the roof system work together perfectly. 

Your roof starts in the attic

Before you consider what kind of a roof you want, start by investigating your attic. Improper insulation will result in mold, bad odor, reduced roof longevity and even potential damage to your health. 

So, before you make any decisions, do some attic detective work. While it is advisable to ask your contractor to do an in-depth analysis of the attic to reveal any ‘trouble spots’, you can get a general understanding of its state on your own.

A small matter of color

Out of the dozens of shades you can use for your roof, you will probably start by considering what looks best with your siding. In this case, an expert designer (like ours) could do all the work. 

Note that the darker the shingles, the more of the sun’s heat your roof will absorb. This will result in higher temperatures in your attic. While it is a minor issue, it is worth considering, especially combined with the state of the attic insulation. 

Your roof is a long-term investment  

New roofs can be pricey. In fact, even a relatively small repair may set you back $3,000 or more. However, for this exact reason you should look to get the best quality roof you can afford. It will continue to protect you in any kind of weather for decades. Besides, repairing your roof every couple of years will only be more expensive. 

WHY USE BRUNETTE AS A ROOFING CONTRACTOR?

The easiest way to guarantee that your investment results in worry-free roof is to dedicate the roofing job to top professionals.  

During our 30 years of building roofs in Lansing, we've seen contractors come and go. It is imperative to choose someone who is going to be there for you for the years to come. Our expert team will take care of everything, so you don’t have to worry. We will be there for you to help pick the right design, the right materials and guarantee the longevity of your roof.
Brunette’s team of certified professionals are on top of every trend and technology in the industry. We will perform an in-depth analysis of your entire roof and explain your options in a language that you can understand.  

ROOFING CREDENTIALS
- Tenured Select Master Shingle Applicator
- 5 Star contractor
- Preferred contractor
- Top of the house contractor
- Angie's List Superior Service Award winner
- Thousands of satisfied customers
- 50-year non-prorated shingle warranties available
- Integra Roof System Storm Plus Protection
- Home Builders Association of Lansing member

We would argue that no other home improvement project is as vital to get right the first time as a roof. Not even taking into consideration the harsh local winters here in Lansing, MI. We can skip the fact that a roof is a focal point of any house. However, when you measure the energy-efficiency and the cost of even one mistake, it doesn’t compare to any other part of your house (besides the windows). 

If you are unsure about the materials or don’t know how to finance a roof, contact Brunette Home Improvement roofing contractors of Lansing for advice, free of any commitments. Our designers and project managers will come for a free consultation.