Roofing

Most of it is not visible from the driveway, which is why so much goes unclaimed until a leak appears years later. From the ground, look for dents in gutters, downspouts, window wrapping, vents and any metal on the roof.

Check whether granules have washed into the gutters. That is shingle surface no longer protecting anything. On the roof itself, bruising shows as soft dark circles and is easy to confuse with normal wear.

It depends on your policy and the extent of the damage. Colorado policies typically cover sudden storm damage subject to your deductible. What they do not cover is age and ordinary wear, which is the usual reason an older roof gets denied.

Two things matter most: file inside the window your policy allows, and get proper documentation before the adjuster arrives. We provide the inspection and photos.

Size and pitch, how many layers come off, the material, the condition of the decking, and how complex the roofline is. Steep roofs with valleys and dormers cost more than a simple gable of the same square footage.

If it is going through insurance, the practical number is usually your deductible plus any upgrades you choose beyond what the policy covers.

Asphalt is right for most homes here. It costs less, matches the neighborhood, and repairs easily when one storm takes out a section. Metal is worth the premium if you plan to stay a long time, though it can dent in severe hail.

There is a third option most Colorado homeowners should price: Class 4 impact-resistant shingles. Many insurers discount premiums for them, which in a hail corridor can offset much of the upgrade. Ask your agent what your carrier does.

Often, yes, and we will say so. A few missing shingles, a failed pipe boot or flashing pulled away from a chimney are repairs, not replacements.

Replacement becomes the honest answer when damage spans multiple slopes, the roof is near the end of its life anyway, or the decking has gotten wet. We will tell you which one you are looking at, including when you can wait.

Most asphalt replacements are a one to two day job once materials are on site. Larger or steeper roofs take longer, and metal takes longer than asphalt.

The longer part is usually before we start. After a major hailstorm the whole region files at once, and both adjusters and material supply back up.

Your policy sets it and carriers differ. Check your policy or call your agent, and do not wait. Damage that goes unclaimed long enough starts getting classified as wear rather than storm damage, which is the most common denial on an older roof.

Yes. Metal remains an excellent choice for the right house and has the longest service life of anything we install. We just do not think it is automatically the right answer for every roof, which is why asphalt and impact-resistant shingles sit alongside it here.