One of the great things about the Pacific Northwest is the beauty in the environment? and in the architecture. Our culture embraces the natural aesthetic so strongly in this region, that many Portland area residents have incorporated it into the design of their homes. That often includes a cedar shake roof. Cedar roofs are not only appealing to the nature-loving eye, but durable, sustainable, and long-lasting as well.

If you?re thinking about getting a new cedar shake or shingle roof, or if you?re looking for an experienced contractor to repair the one you?ve got, read on. Choosing a cedar roof is one of the best ways to improve your home because it will also lower your bills. You can look forward to fewer roof repairs on account of cedar?s durability. And, because its cellular structure makes wood such an effective insulator, your home will stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

A roof system like this can add beauty and strength to your home for up to 30 years or so, but that will depend on a few critical factors.

Quality Materials

The CSSB keeps strict codes and rigid quality standards. They even encourage accredited third-party agencies to conduct unannounced inspections of their products to ensure that quality is always maintained. This way, you can count on having the best materials available, no questions asked.

Moisture Control

People often assume that a cedar roof will require more work. The truth is, any roof in our region will need periodic maintenance for appearance and structural integrity. Roofs in this climate are continuously subjected to moss, fungus, debris and damage from tree branches.Because our new cedar roofs are constructed with Certi-Last shakes, and treated with preservatives that will prevent early fungal decay, you can count on a fungus-free roof for about twenty years. Then, as part of very light maintenance schedule we will remove and/or prevent moisture problems with gentle cleaning and anti-fungal treatment.

If you need to have your existing cedar roof restored, we can take care of any green growths, replace split, rotten and cupped shakes (without them sticking out like sore thumbs against your existing shakes), and give your roof that like new appearance.

Expert Workmanship

Lastly and most importantly, your roof will only be as solid and precise as the roofer doing the job. Installing cedar shakes takes more skill than using composition shingles. But, with more than 33 years of experience, top of the line materials, and a 10 year warranty, our workmanship is certain to exceed your expectations.

Call us to discuss your existing or future cedar shake roof today! Dial 503-635-8706 or visit our contact page to request an estimate.

How Storms Damage Your Roof

Storms in North Texas have a tendency to be severe. They usually bring damaging weather effects with them, including:

• hail (up to 1+ inches in diameter)
• high winds (up to 60+ mph)
• torrentialarains
• flash floods
• tornadoes

Hailstones can crack the shingles of your roof, allowing water to seep in and cause serious damage to other parts of your home. Water damage is very costly to repair, especially if it has leaked into deep areas inside of your home like your walls or flooring.

What Roofs are Most Prone to Storm Damage?

Most new roofs do not suffer from storm damage. It is after they have aged, deteriorated, and been worn down that they are more prone to the effects of hail and other natural elements. You can protect your roof from serious damage by having it regularly checked.

How Do I Protect My Home?

Washington D.C. and its surrounding areas do not suffer as much risk for direct hits from hurricanes as other parts of the Atlantic seaboard, for which residents are thankful. However, we still encounter the effects of powerful storms making their way up the coast. Homes may be subject to heavy rains, high winds, hail, and other severe weather effects from the outer reaches of the hurricane or the remnants of a weakened, but still dangerous, storm.

Moreover, tropical storms are not the only weather events that pound DMV homes. Spring and summer storms can be just as powerful, nor?easters can wreak havoc while working their way down the coast, and winter storms can produce high winds as well as snow. Homeowners must be prepared for anything Mother Nature throws at them. Taking precautions before and during a storm, and then following up after the wind dies down, can mitigate the damage and its resulting costs. Below is a quick home maintenance checklist to help you prepare your property for severe weather.

Before the Storm

Unless a violent thunderstorm suddenly develops, most likely you will know when a tropical storm, winter storm, or nor?easter is on its way. Warning signs will give you time to prepare your home for the event. These are some steps you should take:

• Prepare your home?s exterior: During extremely windy conditions, objects can either fly off your home or into it, or a gust can tear off parts of your house (such as shingles or gutters). First, prepare for this wind by looking at your roof. Carefully remove any antennas or unsecured satellite dishes. If your roof has turbines, take those off and cover the holes to prevent rain from pouring in. Next, if your home has window shutters, make sure they are closed. If a nasty wind is anticipated, in the absence of shutters, cover the windows with plywood. Finally, clear out debris from gutters so heavy rain has some place to drain.
• Prepare the rest of your property: Since the objects around your house can become missiles in a tempest, secure loose items before the storm begins. Move patio furniture inside, put tools away, and tie down anything too big to move. Also, consider trimming back large tree branches to prevent wind from catching them and snapping a branch?or snapping the entire tree?which could then fall onto your house.
• Insurance concerns: You should know the coverage limits of your homeowner?s insurance if a storm hits. For example, if a tree does blow down, your insurance might not cover the cost of having it sawed up and removed, which is not a cheap job. Review your policy and call your agent before the first raindrop falls. Keep handy your policy number and important phone numbers so you aren?t scrambling to find them after the storm passes.
• Stay safe! Protecting your home and property is important, but it pales in comparison to protecting yourself and your family. Stay indoors during the storm unless you are directed to evacuate. If you forgot to take down the patio umbrella after the wind kicks up, don?t risk injury by going out into the storm to secure it. The umbrella can be replaced but you can?t.

After the Storm

The storm will pass, and with any luck, your home will come away unscathed. If not, this is some advice for dealing with the aftermath.

• Recovery: Once the wind dies down, walk around your property to assess any damage. Find out how your home?s exterior held up, and check for loose shingles in your yard and driveway. If something is damaged and needs immediate attention (like a broken window), repair it as well as you can in the short term, and don?t forget to inspect your detached garage as well.
• Insurance reporting: If you see any damage, call your insurance agent and maybe the home office for guidance. The insurer may want to send out an adjuster to look at the damage, but also the insurer could direct you to take care of the repairs on your own. Be as detailed as possible when speaking to your insurer; ask plenty of questions, take good notes, and save all receipts on repairs, including the materials you buy for minor repairs.
• Beware of scammers: Alas, unscrupulous contractors may knock on your door after a storm, offering to help with repairs. Some of these jerks do their homework by tracking areas that suffered the most damage, then hitting those neighborhoods and preying on homeowners still frazzled from the storm.Always contact any contractors yourself after a weather event rather than letting them come to you.
• Roof inspection: Once the chaos of severe weather has abated, consider contacting a professional roofing expert to inspect the top of your home. You may not realize that shingles blew off during the storm, or that hail caused more damage than is visible from the ground. A professional roofer can identify problems and make repairs, if necessary, so you will be ready once the next storm rolls in.

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A high quality roof is one of the biggest investments you?ll ever make as a homeowner. Because roof installation and repair requires preciseness, even a tiny blunder could cause the entire structure to collapse, resulting in severe damage. Therefore, it?s critical that your roofing contractor possess the proper knowledge and experience needed for installing or repairing your roof.

Furthermore, a high quality roofer should be able to appropriately answer any questions you may have. When choosing roofing contractors, it's critical that they possess the right qualities. Here are of the basic questions you should ask when hiring a roofer.

Does the Roofing Contractor Carry Insurance?

Probably, the most significant consideration when selecting a roofer is whether or not the contractor or company carries insurance. Keep in mind that roofers are more at risk for accidents than most workers as they can fall or suffer from other types of injuries.

When a roofer doesn?t have insurance, then it?s the homeowner who?s responsible for the loss. That?s why it?s imperative that a roofing contractor carries adequate insurance, as well as shows you the pertinent paperwork as evidence for insurance. Additionally, a roofer should have worker?s compensation. Never sign a contract before you see proof of insurance.

Are You Licensed and Bonded for Repairing Roofs?

A good roofer should have the appropriate contractor?s license to install and repair roofs. Don?t just take a contractor?s word on this, but have them provide proof of a roofing contractor?s license.

Inquire about bonding capacity. Some roofers aren?t able to obtain bonds because of high construction cost percentages or because of their low limits. But the most common reason is that a contractor is considered risky because of faulty warranties. Ask roofers you?re interviewing if they?ve been involved in any type of litigation and the reasons why. Besides poor workmanship, litigation can occur for other reasons.

Ask About Warranty Details

• When asking about a warranty, find out if it?s a contractor?s warranty, or if it?s a company?s warranty. Roofing contractors should give you a warranty providing at least two years for workmanship.
• If the warranty is a manufacturer?s warranty, be sure you ask if the warranty covers materials, as well as workmanship. Some company warranties only cover materials.
• Ask for a sample copy of a warranty that a contractor proposes.
• Find out if a roofing contractor or company has a permanent business facility. If so, this can be a good indication of being in business for awhile and isn?t a ?fly-by-night? operation.
• Besides having a permanent address, check to see if a roofer or roofing company has its own tax identification number and a business phone number as this can show that it?s secure and established.

Additional Considerations and Warnings

• Ask a contractor if the foreman will do more than just oversee the job, but will also work on it. Usually, foremen who have the sole job of supervision are able to handle problems more efficiently than if they were part of the work crew.
• Consider that selecting a roofer with the lowest bid doesn?t mean you?re getting the best choice in a roofer. Although sometimes high quality contractors do offer considerably lower estimates, this is unusual. You generally get what you pay for.
• Choose a local roofer over one that isn?t based in your vicinity. This is because local roofers know your area, so they?re able to obtain the proper permits and know what?s trendy in roof products and styles in your neighborhood. They?re also more familiar with the local installation codes of your community, such as homeowner association rules.
• Ask for ten or more references from a contractor. Then, choose at least three of them to call for learning about a roofer?s quality of service.

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