The Hedberg and Son Extra Steps Difference

WE TAKE THE FOLLOWING MEASURES MANY OTHERS DON’T TO ENSURE THAT YOU WILL HAVE THE

BEST QUALITY, LONGEST LASTING ROOF POSSIBLE:  

THE ROOF’S GOT TO BREATH – INTAKE & EXHAUST VENTILATION

We evaluate your ventilation needs by calculating the proper balance of intake & exhaust ventilation. This may include any or all of the following:

1. Determining the right mix of ventilation products based on the design and type of roof.
2. Adding additional roof vents, closing off existing roof vents and installing ridge vents or replacing all roof vents with oversized vents to improve the exhaust ventilation in your attic which will lower heat build-up that can void your shingle warranty.
3. Inspecting intake ventilation, blowing out or replacing soffit vents that have become clogged or adding more intake vents using the SmartVent product.
4. Removing power vents when installed with standard roof vents. This creates a ventilation drafting back and forth at the top of the roof instead of drawing air through the attic from the intake ventilation.

WEAR YOUR RAINCOAT – THE PROTECTIVE UNDERLAYMENTS & METAL DETAILS

The pipe boots, roof vents, valleys and penetrations are the most common areas of water infiltration in a roofing system. We install the following products to protect your home:

1. We install a 3’ wide roll of an adhesive backed synthetic ice and water barrier on the roof decking along the roof edge above the gutters, in the valleys (were two roof faces meet in a “V” shape), around skylights, roof vents, plumbing/heating pipes, chimneys and the dormers (windows that project from the roof face). Many times this step is skipped as it takes more time and has a higher materials cost. This process is required by the City codes in Urbandale and Ankeny only!
2. Ice and water barrier also helps to protect the roof decking from ice dams (water that freezes in the gutters that prevents melting snow and ice from draining away as intended resulting in water being forced up under the roofing).
3. We install a double wide course on homes with larger overhangs, in low slope valleys and completely cover extremely low sloped porches. We install a commercial grade waterproof membrane as needed in problem areas such as dead valleys (low sloped areas at the bottom of a valley).
4. We use 30# roofing felt vs. 15# as it is a stronger water barrier and is safer for our installers to work on. We also offer an upgrade to an even better synthetic felt underlayment used as the standard on our Lifetime roofing products. On cedar shake roofs we install an additional half roll of felt in between each row for additional protection which is required by the manufacturer but we have discovered many installations where it has been forgotten.
5. We install all new edge metal around the roof perimeter – gutter apron at the eaves above the gutters and D-style along the rake edges of the roof peaks. Many times we discover that the wrong type of metal edge was installed which allows water to leak behind the gutters damaging the fascia and soffit boards. We also frequently discover that the metal flashing around chimneys, skylights, sidewall/headwall (areas where the roof meets a wall of the home) were either installed incorrectly or in some cases not installed at all. We replace damaged flashing or install new as needed and seal with polyurethane caulking.
6. We install new rubber pipe boots, which last 7-10 years, over the plumbing/heating pipes that penetrate the roof with an upgrade to a stone-coated steel boot with a 50 year warranty.

THE ROOFING MATERIAL CHOICE – YOU’RE NOT WEARING THAT ARE YOU?

We offer most every type of roofing available today and want to make sure you understand exactly what you are getting for your investment. The manufacturers’ marketing and warranty coverage can be a little confusing so here is a guide so that you can choose the right material for your home.

Prices on all brands of asphalt shingles have escalated at an alarming rate over the last two years with increases of 50% or more – prices almost doubling in 5 years and tripling from 10 years ago. Due to these change in cost more and more homeowners are choosing a permanent solution of lifetime roofing systems.

Manufacturers’ warranty DOES NOT = lifetime of roofing materials

Manufacturers’ warranty vs. Expected lifetime of roofing materials:

Commercial TPO, EPDM, modified bitumen and PVC membranes up to 15 years

25 to 40 year warranty asphalt shingles up to 20 years

Cedar shake/shingles (#1 grade & CCA treated) up to 30 years

50 year to lifetime warranty asphalt shingles up to 30 years

Stone-coated steel, standing seam & simulated shake/slate up to 50 years

Rubber pipe boots and plastic roof vents up to 10 years

ASPHALT SHINGLES

We use the manufacturers’ hip and ridge cap shingle which is designed to form to the curved points where roof faces meet vs. cutting a 3-tab shingle that is designed to lay flat to reduce costs. This usually does not match the shingle style and/or color and bending it over the hip or ridge stresses the shingle creating an entry point for water. The hip and ridge cap product creates an impressive roof line while protecting your home.

Warranties covering “manufacturing defects only” vary on asphalt shingles from 25 to 40 years with 5 years non-prorated (full coverage) on materials. These include the older 3-tab and newer laminated architectural style that somewhat replicates a “shake” look. Preferred Contractors like Hedberg and Son provide the longest non-prorated period and can include removal/installation labor and installation workmanship while the expected lifetime of these shingles is 15 to 20 years the appearance begins to deteriorate as soon as 12 to 15 years after installation.

Warranties covering “manufacturing defects only” vary on asphalt shingles from 50 years to Lifetime warranty with 15 to 50 years non-prorated (full coverage) on materials. These double and triple layer shingles are available in “Designer” styles that truly replicate authentic cedar shake and slate roofing. Preferred Contractors like Hedberg and Son provide the longest non-prorated period and can include removal/installation labor and installation workmanship. The expected lifetime of these shingles is 30 years or more and the oldest installed roofs are still looking good 15 years after installation.

CEDAR SHAKES & SHINGLES – NOT ALL CEDAR IS CREATED EQUALLY

Natural cedar shake/shingles come in very wide variety of grades of quality, grain cut and can be treated or non-treated. Manufacturers offer warranties from 30 to 40 years with one year non-prorated for materials only. We offer the best quality #1 grade & CCA treated cedar unless requested otherwise as our 30 years of experience has shown us that these roofs can last over 30 years cared for properly . Cedar used to be available from old growth timber and would last 50 years or more. Today only new growth timber is available so it is important to choose the best quality and treated cedar inhibits insects and other critters from eating/accessing the roofing. The lower grade quality products will curl & the tails will flip up shortly after install, some have an almost orange color vs. the golden cedar color and can last as little as 15 years.

LIFETIME ROOFING SOLUTIONS – YOUR BEST INVESTMENT

More and more often homeowners are choosing this permanent solution rather than having to incur the additional costs of installing two, three or even more roofs over the years. By making an investment now they are also avoiding the escalating costs of materials and labor. Industry studies have shown that roofing materials costs have increased over 50% the last five years and manufacturers are telling us to expect increases of as much as 30% this year alone. Labor rates also continue to rise and Workman’s Compensation Insurance, which we provide for our employees but some roofing contractors do not, can be as high as 70% of wages paid. One can only imagine the increased cost to install multiple roofs over the next twenty to fifty years!

STONE-COATED STEEL AND METAL ROOFING – TOUGHEST ROOF AROUND

We install a variety of metal and standing seam type roofing. The product our customers are choosing the most is Metro Metal Stone-Coated Steel Roofing. Metro provides a performance proven and time-tested roofing system that will protect your home from the elements no matter what the weather. A Metro roofing system does this while looking great in Shake, Shingle, Mediterranean, or Roman tile designs in a wide range of colors that are certain to compliment any architectural style.

The Metro Metal stone-coated steel is the one roofing system that will pay for itself over time through a lower home owners’ premium, reduced heating and cooling costs, no maintenance costs and will actually appreciate the value of your home.

The heart of our system is a 26-gauge *Galvalume* steel center panel that is highly resistant to corrosion and exceptionally lightweight (1.5 lbs./sq. ft.). The top surface of each panel is covered with natural stone granules and is finished with a clear 100% acrylic over-glaze which protects it from the sun. This durable roof lasts at least 3 -4 times longer than most traditional roofing materials. We provide the industry’s best 50 year 20 year non-prorated warranty covering a high-wind performance up to 120-mph, appearance coverage for 25 years and Class 4 hail-impact resistant.

SIMULATED SLATE & SHAKE SHINGLES – BEAUTY THAT LASTS

We have researched and/or installed many of these types of products. Our experience has guided us to specialize in the EcoStar’s Majestic Slate and Seneca Shake Tiles. An EcoStar roofing solution provides added security for your home as there is a lower probability for repair or maintenance costs as we use a higher grade underlayment than standard roofing felt and EcoStar tiles will not crack, split or curl like asphalt or cedar roofing. An EcoStar roof is Class 4 hail resistant, fire resistant (Class C or option Class A) and has a Dade County Florida approved wind tolerance of up to 120 mph. These features could also result in lowering your homeowner’s premiums and/or eliminating the 10% surcharge for wood roofing (it increases the risk of fire) of which many homeowners are unaware they are paying.

EcoStar’s 100% recycled and recyclable tiles are beautiful and practical. Documented laboratory testing has proven them to last up to 75 years under extreme weather conditions. We are a GoldStar contractor for EcoStar which means our installers are factory trained annually and your 50 year, 1 year non-prorated, materials only warranty becomes a 50 year, 15 years non-prorated, materials and labor warranty. This is one of the most valuable warranties available on the market today for any type of roofing material. An aesthetically pleasing, long lasting EcoStar roofing system will be the last roof you will ever have installed on your home.

COMMERCIAL ROOFING MEMBRANES IN RESIDENTIAL SOLUTIONS

Certain roof designs can’t be roofed properly with standard asphalt shingles. We make sure to plan your installation with the best possible solution available. Warranties vary from 10 to 20 years on commercial membranes TPO (Energy efficient), EPDM (black rubber), modified bitumen (granulated like shingles) and PVC with expected lifetime lasting up to 15 years.