GAF President’s Club: the Best of the Best

Hiring a roofing contractor is an act of trust. You’re putting the long-term protection of your home into the hands of someone you may have just met. That can be nerve-wracking, unless you’ve done your research. Here are three things to look for that can help you choose a roofing contractor with confidence:

Reviews

  1. Reviews: Always check consumer reviews. That’s where you’ll get first-hand insights into how easy the contractor was to work with, how well the crew cleaned up after the work was done, and the perceived value of the overall project.

Certifications

  1. Certifications: Many manufacturers offer certification programs to installers who are most familiar with the installation of their products. To qualify for certification, a roofer will likely have to have a minimum number of years in the business, be properly insured, licensed where required, and maintain good standing with the Better Business Bureau. These certified contractors can usually offer you enhanced warranties that are backed by the manufacturer. For example, GAF, North America’s largest roofing manufacturer, offers the Master Elite® Contractor designation to less than 2% of all roofing contractors. Only Master Elite Contractors® can offer the GAF Golden Pledge® Limited Warranty* with up to 30 years of Workmanship coverage.

Best of the Best Level

  1. The Best of the Best: If the GAF Master Elite® badge identifies a rare breed, the GAF Master Elite®President’s Club Award Winner badge takes it one step further. Less than half of Master Elite® contractors qualify for President’s Club status, and they do that by demonstrating excellence in three key areas: Performance, Reliability, and Service. The badge says that over the course of the prior year, the company installed a minimum number of complete GAF roofing systems that qualify for GAF’s highest warranties while maintaining consistently excellent customer reviews. If you’re looking for experience and excellence in residential roofing, no other designation means as much. Call us at 813.884.1815 or learn more at www.arsmi.com

Remember you can always find contractors certified by GAF** at the GAF Contractor Locator. Check under “Certifications and Awards” for individual details such as GAF Master Elite® President’s Club and find American Roofing and Sheet Metal as 2 Star Winners in 2023 for our services in 2022. 

*Definition of Lifetime: The word “Lifetime” means as long as you, the original owner(s) [or the second owner(s) if coverage was properly transferred during the Smart Choice Protection Period], own the property where the shingles and/or accessories are installed. The Lifetime warranty is applicable only to shingles and accessories installed on a single-family detached residence owned by individuals. For any other type of owner or building, such as a corporation, governmental entity, religious entity, condominium or homeowner association, school, apartment building, office building, or multi-use structure, the length of the warranty is 40 years. See the GAF Shingle & Accessory Limited Warranty, GAF Roofing System Limited Warranty and GAF Golden Pledge Limited Warranty for complete coverage and restrictions.

**Contractors enrolled in GAF certification programs are not employees or agents of GAF, and GAF does not control or otherwise supervise these independent businesses. Contractors may receive benefits, such as loyalty rewards points and discounts on marketing tools from GAF for participating in the program and offering GAF enhanced warranties, which require the use of a minimum amount of GAF products.

How long should a flat roof last?

flat roof residential LutzFlat roofs for both homes and commercial buildings last longer than they once did. While flat roofs in the past could only withstand Florida’s sun for 10 years, new technologies have helped stretch durability. A flat roof lasts up to 20 years in some cases.

Instead of traditional tar and gravel flat roofs, we now have many choices. We can choose rubber membranes, rolled tar, and multi layer systems which drastically extend flat roof life. Whether we install torchdown systems or single ply rubber systems, attention to quality workmanship makes all the difference. Our teams are specially trained to maintain the highest levels of quality installation. We evaluate the slope of the roof, plan for superior flashing and coach home and business owners on preventative maintenance of their new roofs.

 

Most commercial building owners opt for plain white flat roofs. They reflect the sun best and are most economical. Flat roofs come in many colors, however. Homeowners can have flat roofs match the color of their home’s walls, shingles or tile roof, or any design factor they want.

As with any major home expense, be sure to choose the right contractor. Ask the right questions to be sure your roofer is competent and has a history of happy clients. Call American Roofing and Sheet Metal at 813.884.1815 for an estimate on the best flat roof for your home or business.

Your roof condition impacts house sale value

 

flat roof home for saleYou are ready to sell your house, but is your roof ready? The condition of your roof directly affects  the value of your home and the ease of the sale. Here’s why roof condition impacts house sale value:

  1. Buyers will determine the amount they will offer based on the age of the roof. Air conditioning system and the condition of the kitchen and master bath also affect offer price. These are the most important elements of a home’s value to buyers so that they can determine what might be needed to replace in the future.
  2. Home inspections focus on the age and condition of the roof. While most shingle roofs are expected to last 20 years, in the Florida sun and heat, it is usually closer to 15 years. Home inspectors will assess roof condition and try to estimate the number of years left on the roof.
  3. Buyers’ insurance companies require a 4-Point Inspection to determine the estimated life remaining on a roof. The inspection covers HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning), Electrical wiring and plumbing connections and fixtures, too. As long as a roof has five to seven years’ life remaining, the house will normally pass the 4-Point Inspection.
  4. Appraisers look at the age and condition of the roof to compare it to other properties sold. They will discount a house’s value if the roof is 13 years or older if it’s shingle. Tile and metal roofing have a longer life expectancy, so their value is not discounted unless the roof is over 25 years. The age and roof condition impacts house sale value accordingly.

Maximize Home Value

American Roofing and Sheet Metal wants you to maximize the proceeds you net when you sell your home. Call 813.884.1815 to identify problems before buyers and inspectors do. We can help with repair or replacement so that you will get the top price in 2020.

Two signs you need to replace your shingle roof.

shiny shinglesWhile a silver lining around a cloud is a good sign, when you see a “silver lining” around your shingles, beware. The shiny edge you see is a sign to replace your shingle roof.

  1. You may notice the corners look shiny. Or, possibly the edges appear silver when the sun hits them. Both scenarios are giving you notice that your home is no longer protected from rain and storms. Replace your shingle roof before leaks start.
  2. Another sign many homeowners miss is in their gutters. While you may look and see only leaves, look deeper. Do you see granules in your gutters? Do you see granules at the bottom of your downspout? This is a sign that the shingles are no longer maintaining their integrity against the elements.

Shingle roofs are affordable and durable. Whether you go for the highest quality and shapes of designer shingles or the affordability and beauty of more standard dimensional shingles, there are many choices. When shingles wear and lose their granular surface, the hot sun of Tampa Bay can more easily penetrate your roof coating.

Call 813.884.1815 and American Roofing and Sheet Metal will give you an evaluation of your roof for free. If you decide to replace your roof, we will lock you into 2019 prices as long as your roof is scheduled for installation before March 1, 2020.

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