It’s that time of the year when Roofing Contractor Magazine is recognizing contractors that employ industry best practices, take care of their employees, and excel at quality workmanship and customer satisfaction. If we’ve done a good job for you, for a friend or a relative, we would certainly appreciate your vote! Thank you!
Visit The Link Below to Cast Your Vote for Innovative to be Roofing Contractor of the Year
Innovative Construction & Roofing is very pleased to reveal our featured restoration project for this week. This is a very stately, elegant property in the historic Washington Place St. Louis neighborhood. No cutting corners on this project.
Click through our gallery of images and imagine what how great a restored roof would look on your property.
Washington Place Restoration
Washington Place Restoration
Washington Place Restoration
Washington Place Restoration
Washington Place Restoration
Washington Place Restoration
Washington Place Restoration
Washington Place Restoration
Washington Place Restoration
Washington Place Restoration
Washington Place Restoration
Washington Place Restoration
Interested in learning more about the various color and texture options for slate? Hilltop Slate is Innovative’s preferred slate quarrier and producer of high quality natural slate roofing. Visit Hilltop Slate’s online Color Palette to get an idea of the selections available today.
For the third year, Innovative is proud to be recognized as one of America’s Top 100 Roofing Contractors by Roofing Contractor Magazine. Every year Roofing Contractor Magazine reports on the largest roofing contractors in the United States that report their sales volume voluntarily. This year Innovative ranks 40th among the 100 roofing contractors included on the list. We’re appreciate our many customers and Innovative Team Members that have helped us make it on to this list!
Many companies make extreme claims of their product’s durability and long-life. Some can back up those claims. Some can’t. Ludowici Tile, installed by Innovative Construction & Roofing on over 200 historic home restoration projects around the St. Louis area, is one company that makes the claim and proves it.
Ludowici’s products are backed by the industry’s most comprehensive warranty program, including a 75-year limited warranty. A roof crafted from Ludowici roof tile typically lasts well over a century.
Take the Tile Challenge
This video shows how Ludowici’s product holds up in comparison to the highest rated competitor from Europe in the face of sand blasting.
Styles and Colors for every taste
Ludowici, with manufacturing operations based in New Lexington, Ohio, is the industry leader in clay roof tile production. Styles abound.
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Greek
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Palm Beach
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Spanish
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Italia
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Mission
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Scandia
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Ludowici products are available in 33 standard colors and 9 premium Impressionist Series colors. Mixing and blending the Impressionist Series Tiles yields another 26 blends. Unique color combinations personalized for every homeowner.
Click her to see for yourself the possibilities…
Ludowici Color Palette
Interested in learning more about Ludowici roofing products? Click Here.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will make available low-interest federal disaster assistance loans to Missouri and Illinois residents and business owners affected by the severe storms, tornado and flooding that occurred from May 29-June 10. Low interest federal disaster loans are available to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, nonprofit organizations whose property was damaged or destroyed.
The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in St. Louis City, St. Charles, St. Louis, Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln and Warren Counties in Missouri; and the neighboring Illinois counties of Calhoun, Jersey, Madison, Monroe and St. Clair.
In conjunction with county government offices, the Small Business Administration opened SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center in St. Charles and St. Louis Counties on August 6. SBA representatives will be on hand to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help complete applications.
St. Charles County Location
St. Charles County’s Disaster Loan Outreach Center is located at 400 N. Second St. (on the northeast corner of N. Second St. and Adams St. to the north of the County Courthouse), St. Charles, MO 63301.
Parking is available on the north side of the building off Second St. Center hours are 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. No appointment is necessary. The center will close on Thursday, Aug. 22 at 6 p.m.
St. Louis County Location
St. Louis County’s Disaster Loan Outreach Center is located at the St. Louis County Department of Health office in Berkeley, 6121 N. Hanley Rd., Berkeley, MO 63134. Hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. No appointment is necessary. The center will close on Thursday, Aug. 22 at 6 p.m.
SBA Offers Disaster Assistance
Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replaced damaged or destroyed personal property.
Businesses of any size and private, nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to homeowners and businesses to help with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.
Interest rates can be as low as 1.875 percent for homeowners and renters, 2.875 percent for private, nonprofit organizations and 4 percent for businesses, with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
Disaster loan information and application forms are also available from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955 or emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877-8339. For more information about SBA’s disaster assistance programs, visit http://www.sba.gov/disaster.
The deadline to return applications for property damage is Oct. 1, 2013. The deadline to return economic injury applications is May 2, 2014.
EcoStar is a leading manufacturer of sustainable, environmentally friendly steep-slope roofing products. Created with a simple goal: to manufacture premium steep-slope roofing products using rubber and plastics technology, EcoStar has built on this premise for more than twenty years.
EcoStar’s product offering includes synthetic slate Majestic Slate Tiles, synthetic wood shake Seneca Shake and Empire Slate, its newest line of designer tiles.
Synthetic Roofing is Environmentally Friendly Roofing
Offering superior performance and durability, EcoStar products are manufactured with about 80% post-industrial recycled rubber and plastics and are highly flexible, sustainable and environmentally friendly. Providing superior protection against impacts and harsh weather conditions, all EcoStar products offer Class 4 impact resistance and are available with a 50-year Gold Star or limited materials warranty and a 110 mph wind warranty. EcoStar products also carry a Class A fire resistance (UL 790) rating.
Tough and Durable
This video shows how the tough and durable EcoStar roofing stands up to severe weather. Following a 2012 hail storm in the Oklahoma City area this news report shows how any homeowner can benefit from a synthetic roof.
Interested in learning more about EcoStar Synthetic Slate and Shake roofing materials?
Click the link below, learn more and view some projects…
DaVinci’s multi-width composite slate is formulated from a palette of 23 earth tones. This tile blends offer a broad spectrum of blends to complement any home. Up to eight different tones per blend create a natural variance in color patterns, giving you a more beautiful, authentic look. Don’t see a blend that matches your home? DaVinci offers a variety of blends, or you can use our virtually limitless color palette to create a unique color for your project.
It’s been a rough spring in St. Louis and Oklahoma City, as several violent storms have torn through both cities. Natural disasters, such as tornados and violent thunderstorms, tend to bring the best out of people, but unfortunately, natural disasters also attracts scam artists who want to take advantage of us during our weaken moments. Scam artists prey on vulnerable homeowners who have lost most, if not all of their homes. The most common home repair scam involves repairing or replacing roofs.
Regardless if you lost your roof to a storm or it simply needs repair, you need to know the basics of hiring a roofing contractor. During 2012, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) received over 3.5 million inquiries from homeowners concerning how to hire the right roofing contractor. The BBB states on its website that roofer inquiries top the list of inquiries they receive from consumers. Because of the number of inquiries, the BBB has devoted a portion of its website to helping homeowners find the right roof contractor.
Perform a Thorough Examination
The first thing you need is a complete roofing inspection to determine the extent of your damage. This is critical because you may uncover leaks you may not be aware of until the water has damaged your attic space and possibly anything stored there.
This is where you want to get a professional roofing contractor involved. Remember that they are on your side! A reputable contractor will help you because they want to find all the damage for you. They are trained in finding trouble spots you might not see and it could mean the difference between repairing your roof and replacing it.
Research
Certainly doo your research when choosing a roofing contractor, but you should never focus on obtaining the lowest bid. Many homeowners make the mistake of thinking they can legally pocket the difference between the insurance payouts and roofing contractor bids. Shopping smart means ensuring you get a guarantee for the quality of roofing materials and workmanship. Moreover, check out references and verify that any contractor under consideration meets state and federal mandates for licensure and registration.
High Pressure Not Welcome
High-pressure sales tactics may work for shoe sales representative, but there is no place for such tactics on a project as extensive as repairing or replacing your roof. Roofing scam artists are notorious for knocking on doors and claiming they can fix your roof on the cheap because they have leftover materials from another job in the neighborhood. A couple things to remember here: You don’t want a roof on the cheap of course. You want a legitimate bid that your insurance company will accept. It must be professional and thorough.
Secondly, about door-to-door solicitation . . . There is nothing wrong with someone knocking on your door. This is the primary method of contacting a homeowner. The reality is that most people do not respond to advertising or direct mail letters. So, knocking on a door is the fastest and easiest way to inform a homeowner that they may have damage. A knock on your door can be the assistance you need to get your roof back in shape. But that doesn’t replace the need to check out any contractor before you commit to using them.
Promises, promises
The days of the business handshake are long gone. You must require a written contract before you hire a roofing contractor. The roofing contractor must provide a verifiable address and license number on the contract. Pay close attention to the legal recourse language that describes what happens after the contractor fails to fulfill contractual obligations. Here is what your roofing contract should include:
Type of roof materials
Scope of work
The use of flashing
Ventilation changes
Who is responsible for restoring the outdoor landscape
Installation process
Payment procedure
Approximate start and finish dates
Warranty length
Natural disaster victims are very vulnerable to scam artists. Never make a hasty decision that leads to hiring an unscrupulous roofing contractor. Perhaps the best tip for how to hire the right roofing contractors involves your demeanor. Remain calm at all times and you can avoid making a decision that you’ll regret.
Nearly four of every five U.S. homes utilize asphalt shingles. The reason primarily is their relatively low cost. Typically there is an asphalt base on these shingles.
While asphalt shingle roofs have been used for many years, it doesn’t mean your home has to look outdated. There are literally hundreds of styles and shades from which to choose.
Also new technologies are being applied to the manufacturing of shingles that extend their life, which also lengthens the warranty – a big benefit for homeowners.
Choosing the Right Style and Color
With all the choices, picking the right style and color for your home can be a stressful task. It’s your roof and you only get one shot at making this big decision! Here are some tips on making this decision less stressful and end up with a gorgeous look.
If your home is a gray or blue shade, traditional roof shingle colors such as dark gray or black will look best and keep with a more classic look. This color combination blends well and makes your home look bigger.
Using other roof shingle color combinations tends to stand out and make the house look busy.
If you have a cream, tan or light brown house, brown roof options tend to work best. The added benefit of brown shingles is that many of the shingle options available have a mixture of brown shades that will really make your house look current.
Another option is using a combination of two different shades of brown for a different but still traditional look. A brown roof also blends with cream or tan exterior house colors and makes your house look bigger. A white house looks best with dark gray or black.
Home colors such as red, green or yellow house tend to look best with either a brown, gray or black roof. This is where you roofing professional can help. A reputable roofing contractor has replaced hundreds or even thousands of roofs and will provide valuable advice on these color combinations. They can also show you the latest styles and colors and actual swatches of shingle material.
This decision doesn’t have to be stressful! This is a chance to possibly give your home a new look!
Our friends who live in St. Louis and Oklahoma City know all too well the devastation that powerful storms can cause to their roofs. 2013 has been an especially brutal year for storms in both cities. With virtually all of the homes in OKC and the St. Louis suburbs possessing shingle roofs, you should first learn about some of the common shingle roof problems and then take the steps required to minimize the problems.
Common Shingle Roof Problems
Metal flashing prevents water from seeping between the shingles and roof. Damaged or improperly installed flashing can create leaks and other roofing issues. Shingles also can buckle if homeowners do not adequately ventilate the shingles during installation. Since St. Louis and OKC experience scalding hot summers, buckling is a very common roof problem found in both cities. Beware of ceiling spots! Ceiling discoloration indicates roof leaks and if you neglect to take care of the spots, you can expect the small spots to grow into gaping ceiling holes.
Lack of ventilation, high nails, and improperly installed fasteners cause curling shingles. Not only do curling shingles put out the Welcome mat for water seepage, they also tarnish the home appearance. Thunderstorms that contain high winds blow shingles from their foundations. The exposed roof comes in direct contact with snow, ice, and water, which leads to perhaps the greatest shingle roof problem, rotting. All of this may sound overwhelming, but residents of St. Louis and Oklahoma City can easily learn how to minimize shingle roof problems, without having to become professional contractors.
How to Minimize Shingle Roof Problems
Even under ideal conditions, you typically need to replace the shingles on your roof every twenty years or so. Many of the shingles fade in color or lose most of the granules that comprise the rough, moisture-repelling surface. Windy climates, such as the climates found in OKC and St. Louis, blow shingles from their foundations. Adhering to a regular maintenance schedule is the first step you should take to prevent shingle roof problems.
Regular Maintenance Schedule
I bet you change the car oil, replace furnace filters, and clean your lawnmower by following a manufacturer issued maintenance schedule. Well, the first step in learning how to minimize roof problems is adhering to a schedule that allows you to check the condition of your roof shingles. You want to check your roof shingles after every significant storm and before the start of each of the four seasons.
Replace Loose and Displaced Shingles
Saturday afternoon rolls around and you are faced with a couple of choices. You can replace the shingles on your roof or lounge in your easy chair and catch your alma mater’s college football game. Let’s make on thing clear: no matter how devoted you are to cheering on your former school, nothing outside of child birth should prevent you from replacing loose or displaced roof shingles. Once a shingle becomes loose or displaced, the only protection left is a thin piece of tar paper that is no match for Mother Nature’s onslaught. Remember to buy an extra bundle of shingles when you buy replacement shingles.
Hire a Roofing Contractor
Older homes tend to have sharply sloping roofs that test the mettle of the heartiest homeowner. If you feel the onset of vertigo or simply possess poor balance, consider hiring a professional contractor to minimize your roof problems. Not only do you stay out of harm’s way, you also get the peace of mind that comes with professionally maintained shingles. To hire the right contractor, seek recommendations from family members, friends, and professional peers. You should review online customer feedback that appears on websites such as Yelp and Yahoo.
Don’t’ Ignore Small Roof Problems
What happens when you ignore a small hole that develops on one of shirts or pair of slacks? The small hole inevitably grows into a large hole that destroys the article of clothing. The same principle applies to roof problems. If you find small holes and cracks in some of the shingles on your roof, you need to take immediate action to repair the holes or replace the shingles. You cannot afford to wait until a natural disaster strikes to minimize your shingle roof problems.
Repairing and replacing shingles takes a huge chunk out of the home improvement budget, even if you perform the maintenance. Be proactive and prevent shingle damage from becoming a major headache for you and your family.
