FAQ about Roofing

General:

  1. How do I know if I need a new roof? (Signs of wear and tear, age, leaks, etc.)

There are many factors that will go into determining whether or not you need to replace your roof which can all be found in out “Roof Warning Signs” section. The primary indicators will be the age of the roof (generally anything over 20+ years should be inspected), excess granule loss or excess granules in the gutters and downspouts, dark streaks or algae growing on the roof, and finally, if there are any missing shingles.

  1. What factors affect the cost of a new roof?

There are several variables when it comes to the cost of a new roof. The biggest factors that will impact the overall cost of replacement are the pitch of the roof (how steep it is), the overall size of the roof, how many layers of shingles are currently on there, the complexity of the roof, and whether the wood underneath the shingles needs to be replaced.

  1. Can you repair a damaged roof instead of replacing it?

More often than not there are options to repair a roof instead of replacing it, but this is often just a case of “kicking the can” down the road. Once a roof starts showing signs of wear, damage, leaks, etc, it is more than likely time for a full replacement. Doing patchwork and repairs are generally band-aid solutions and are ultimately just adding to the overall cost of the project.

  1. What permits are required for a new roof installation?

Every county and township in PA is different, but our team does all of the research for you and will pull any permits necessary when replacing your roof.

  1. Do I need to remove or cover my belongings from the attic during the installation?

This is always strongly recommended when getting your roof replaced, regardless of who you hire to do it. Re-roofing is a major construction project and there will be lots of vibration, flexing of the plywood, nailguns penetrating the shingles, etc that can cause disruptions. If you are currently using your attic for storage, we strongly recommend tarping everything or removing it before beginning a re-roofing process.

  1. What warranties do you offer on your roofing installations?

As a GAF Certified Contractor we are able to offer a 50 year warranty on all materials associated with your roof install.

  1. How long does a typical roof installation take?

Most roof installs are completed in one day, but this can be affected by a variety of factors such as the overall size of the roof, time of year and amount of available daylight, roof complexity, etc. Most roofs will be completed on the same day that we start though.

  1. Do you clean up after yourselves?

ABSOLUTELY! This is critically important to us as we always want to treat your home and property as if it’s our own. We are called Priority Roofing & Exteriors because we truly believe your home is our top priority on every project! We clean up throughout the roof tear off and install, placing all materials into an onsite dumpster or Equipter (mobile dumpster) as well as do multiple sweets of your yard with a magnetic roller to pick up any nails that came off during the install.

Materials:

  1. What are the most common types of roofing materials used in our market?

In our geographic area, the most popular roofing choice is asphalt shingles. These shingles are well suited to our climate and weather patterns. Some Other roofing options include metal roofing, slate, and cedar shake. These are all considered “specialty” installs and most (Asphalt shingles, metal, slate, etc.)

  1. Can I choose the color of my shingles?

Shingle color is 100% up to the customer. As a GAF Certified Contractor, we are able to offer any of their available colors in our geographic zone. We are also able to offer other manufacturer shingles but this would affect color selection and warranties.

Process:

11. What is the typical process for a roof installation?

We fully understand that roofing is not a “fun” or “exciting” project that homeowners look forward to. With that being said, we do everything in our power to make this process as smooth and transparent as possible. We prioritize communication in our process and will keep you updated throughout every stage.

The first step after making contact is to schedule an estimate. We will call or e-mail to confirm the agreed upon time and date and send one of our roofing consultants out to meet with you.

While there, they will do a full inspection of the roof, identify and explain any issues that they see, review all roof measurements with you, explain in detail the materials used and roofing process, and then give you an estimate either that same day or the following day at the latest.

After agreeing to move forward with the roof replacement, we will schedule an install date with you (subject to weather).

Between the time of signing the agreement and the day of your roof install, behind the scenes we will be ordering materials, pulling any necessary permits, scheduling material and dumpster delivery, etc.

On the day of install, we will have a project manager on site with our crew to oversee the install and answer any questions you may have as a homeowner. We will also provide picture updates of the install as it is in process.

After the install we will also follow up with a call or e-mail to make sure everything met your, and our, high standards for install!

12. What type of ventilation system do you recommend for my roof?

Every roof is going to be different in terms of it’s ventilation needs, but one thing that’s certain is that ALL roofing needs ventilation. There needs to be an intake vent (typically your soffit) as well as an exhaust vent (typically a ridge vent) but there are other ways to get ventilation such as eave vents, fans, etc. No matter who dos your roof, please make sure that they have adequately addressed any ventilation needs in your roof.

  1. Do you install skylights or other roof accessories?

We do install skylights and choose VELUX as our preferred vendor. They are the largest skylight manufacturer in the world and have a variety of products to meet each specific need.

Company Specific:

  1. How long have you been in the home improvement industry?

I have been in the home improvement industry for nearly two decades and have worked on both the contractor side, as well as the shingle manufacturer side so I am able to offer a unique perspective into the roofing process and what is necessary to ensure a quality job.

  1. What sets your company apart from the competition?

As mentioned above, my multi-faceted background in the industry allows me to approach roofing from a more rounded perspective. Part of my job as a shingle manufacturer rep was to meet with contractors on a daily basis and learn how they operated their businesses. I’ve met with thousands of contractors over the years and was quickly able to identify what made some successful, and others not quite as strong. I’ve learned what NOT to do as much as I’ve learned what I should be doing. A few common themes were to operate with honesty, integrity, and transparency, and then to ALWAYS communicate with the homeowner. Keep them informed every step of the way which is exactly what we do here at Priority Roofing & Exteriors.

  1. What makes your company different than other roofing companies?

We genuinely believe in treating your home as if it’s our own which is why our motto is that “Your home is our top priority”. We really believe that and we do everything we can do make sure you are comfortable throughout the entire roofing process.

  1. How can I schedule a free estimate for a new roof?

Just call or text us at 484-359-ROOF(7663) or email us at info@priorityroofingpa.com