Frequently Asked Roofing Questions (FAQs)
Choosing a roofing company is a big decision. If you have questions we didn't answer, give us a call!
General Roof Questions
The average cost of a residential roof in Tulsa is around $12,500. However, prices can vary widely depending on the size, steep, materials, and unforeseen sight conditions.
Insurance can cover a new roof if it meets certain policy conditions. Roofs that are under 15 years old and have storm-related damage have a much higher chance of receiving insurance proceeds.
Solid Roofing can communicate directly with your insurance adjuster & agents to help simplify the process! Check out our insurance claims page for more information on best practices for dealing with your insurance company!
Most standard residential roofs can be installed in one day, depending on the size, steep and complexity of the project.
It's important to us that you and your family get back to normal life as soon as possible.
In Tulsa, the average roof lasts 10-12 years due to frequent storms and harsh temperatures. However, a new impact-resistant asphalt roof can last 20 years or more with proper installation and ventilation.
Metal roofs offer even greater durability and can last 50+ years, depending on the type of metal used.
Our labor warranty is a lifetime warranty. If you do happen to need roofing services again at some point down the road, we hope you'll give us a call.
Most manufacturers offer a Limited Lifetime Warranty if installed correctly. However, the fine print states it’s a non-prorated warranty
for often 10, 15, or 20 years, and then is prorated annually after that.
It's vitally important to choose a “certified” roofing contractor to maximize your warranty. Contractors like Solid Roofing are certified with all major brands.
We do! “Roof today, future pay” is one of the many payment options we offer with great rates fluctuating with the market.
A professional roof inspection is the best way to determine whether your roof needs a repair or a full replacement. The age of the roof is
a major factor: roofs under 15 years old are more likely to be repairable, while older roofs often require replacement. Attempting to repair very old shingles can sometimes cause further damage.
A professional roof inspection should always be the first step in determining how to move forward. Solid Roofing will inspect
your roof for free and provide visible evidence of damages, so you don’t pay a dime until we perform a repair or replacement.
We use architectural Class 3 and Class 4 impact-resistant shingles almost exclusively. In Tulsa’s storm-heavy climate, we consider impact-resistant shingles essential for long-term protection.
Before beginning any job, we always check the weather forecast to ensure conditions are clear.
Roofs are “dried in” during the first stage of installation, which protects your home from water intrusion if it does happen to rain
during an installation.
We rarely install asphalt shingles when temperatures are below 40°F, as most shingles require warmer conditions for proper adhesion.
Questions About Roof Inspections
The Solid Roofs team has a very detailed inspection list. It includes a minimum of 50 pictures of the property, including our personal favorite, the attic inspection.
The attic inspection separates us from our peers; very few roofing companies understand how vital it is to know the type of existing decking, where AC lines are run, and if the existing ventilation is adequate.
We also get several ground photos and, of course, the conditions of the roof system as well.
We take pride in thoroughly inspecting all metal flashing, protrusions, roof-to-wall transitions, perimeter wood workings, siding conditions, and any unusual objects like satellite dishes and solar panels. We believe that recording as much information as possible not only provides a thorough inspection but also shows we care about our customers' property!
On average, residential homes should be inspected every 3-5 years and every 2 years on commercial properties.
Roofs take a beating in Oklahoma, and most leaks are not noticeable until they’ve done some serious damage. Think of it like changing your oil every few years – your roof engine will last much longer if you address the small wear and tear every few years, versus neglecting it for a decade or two.
We're looking for signs of life! We aim to give budget-conscious feedback while diagnosing the conditions as a good auto mechanic does.
We inform the customer of the immediate things to consider, as well as the things to budget for over the next few years.
Roofs speak for themselves. We simply speak the language and translate to our neighbors.
We can! It’s not always an exact science; however, our trained eyes see things through many lenses.
We know construction. We know how insurance companies see things and evaluate their risk in policy coverage. We work with home and city inspectors regularly. As professional consultants, we are asked to be deposed in the court of law at times!
The most common issues found during a roof inspection are:
- Neglected Pipe Boot Flashing! 60% of roof coverings over the age of 7 years need to be replaced.
- Improper ventilation! Roofs need to breathe, and warranties are directly affected.
- Granule loss in gutters! This is a great indicator of age and protection.
Questions About Roof Repair
If your roof is leaking, you should call a roofing professional immediately (preferably Solid Roofing!!) and ask for a leak detection and attic inspection.
There are several layers to a roof system, as well as structural content under the roof like framing, truss, joists, insulation, and drywall. By the time you're seeing water coming through your ceiling, it's penetrated several layers. It's vital to have a professional look at your roof as soon as possible.
The most common causes of roof damage are weather-related. Wind storms, hail storms, and extreme hot or cold temperatures are all major contributors to roof damage that often need repairs.
Other common reasons for roof damage include flying debris and foot traffic.
Especially in Oklahoma, it's important to have your roof inspected regularly due to all of the extreme weather we see here.
Shiny or shimmering asphalt shingles are a sign that the roof may be nearing the end of its life. If you're seeing this, it means the granules have worn off, and the fiberglass matting is the last line of defense.
Another thing to pay attention to on your roof is black streaks. This often means algae, mold, or fungus growth, which causes the asphalt shingle composition to break down. This often occurs on the north side of your home.
There could be several different causes for your roof looking "wavy" or having transposed framing.
Common causes include thin decking, poor ventilation, large gaps in framing, or poor roof system installation.
If your roof appears to have that "wavy" look, you should definitely have your roof inspected by a professional as soon as possible to make sure there are not larger issues going on.
The technical term for shingles peeling up is "curling," but this means that your roof shingles have been compromised by weather, age, manufacturing defects, poor ventilation, or a poor installation.
If your shingles are peeling up, we recommend contacting a roofing professional to inspect your property.
Absolutely! Here are a few ways you can extend the longevity of your roof:
- Have a roofing professional install proper ventilation
- Take advantage of the Solid Roofing Performance Guarantee maintenance program and have the roof inspected annually.
- Purchase high-quality products like solar-friendly or UL2218 class 4-rated asphalt shingles.
- Install full roof-systems where the manufacturer gives you a longer, stronger warranty for using 4-6 of their product lines.
- Use a manufacturer CERTIFIED company like Solid Roofing.
A professional inspection is the best way to determine whether your roof needs a repair or a full replacement. The age of the roof is
a major factor: roofs under 15 years old are more likely to be repairable, while older roofs often require replacement. Attempting to repair very old shingles can sometimes cause further damage.
A professional roof inspection should always be the first step in determining how to move forward. Solid Roofing will inspect
your roof for free and provide visible evidence of damages, so you don’t pay a dime until we perform a repair or replacement.
Questions About Roof Replacement
We install all new flashings over PVC plumbing protrusions, electrical line protrusions, chimney transitions, and roof-to-wall transitions when needed.
HVAC metal flashings are typically replaced by a licensed HVAC contractor. We encourage our customers to install LIFETIME Pipeboots. The upfront cost is a bit more to go this route, but you'll save money in the long-term. Most homes need to have their builder-grade pipe boots replaced every 5-7 years in Oklahoma.
This is hugely important to us!
We always deliver 5 sheets of oriented strand board (OSB) to cover windows, garage doors, AC units, sconces, fountains, pools, tables, etc. If the customer has floral landscaping, we use a CATCH-ALL net system to protect it.
Next, we lay tarps all throughout the grass, sidewalks, bushes, and trees. Oftentimes, when a customer doesn’t want to replace their gutters, we protect them by installing shingles over them.
Roofing is messy! The average roof replacement removal of debris weighs in excess of 12,000 pounds. That's right, that's 6 tons of debris.
We have designated ground workers who constantly clean the perimeter of the home. But it’s still construction and it’s still a mess. When we complete the job, the crew makes 4 magnet sweeps for nails and miscellaneous metal debris. Then either our project manager or sales team performs a final inspection with one more magnet sweep.
It's not uncommon to run into unforeseen issues once a project is underway, like rotten decking or something like that.
We set proper expectations on our estimates by letting the customer know that if unforeseen damages are present, we will communicate with them and get their approval before fixing and creating a change order.
Our customers usually pay by check, cashier's check, financing, credit card, or cash. In that order!
Typically, it's cheapest to replace a roof in the 4th quarter of the year when business slows down a bit.
However, the weather can be fickle and cause unforeseen issues and delays.
Questions About Metal Roofs
YES! The 3 most common are Standing Seam, R Panel, and Metal Shingles. All have their pros and cons.
Standing Seam panels are installed by screwing directly to the deck and concealing the fasteners, but double the price of R Panel.
R or AG Panels are your traditional “barn style” panels that are installed with exposed fasteners and need maintenance every 5-7 years, but are at the best price point.
Metal Shingles are a steel shingle that are bent/broke to custom fit homes, installed directly to the deck with concealed fasteners. Metal shingles come in a large variety of looks and styles, but are by far the most expensive.
If you're planning to be in your home long-term, then yes, you are the perfect candidate for a metal roof that will last longer than the asphalt roof, IF installed correctly.
You can replace two asphalt roofs for the price of one metal roof, but they will last a very long time.
If installed correctly, metal roofs will last 40-50 years with regular maintenance checks.
Yes. In some cases, metal roofs can take two to four times longer to install than asphalt roofs.
If installed correctly, yes, metal roofs can lower your utility bills. By installing a high-temperature ice and water shield under the metal.
Yes, they can depending on the gauge of steel or aluminum you choose. You should still get a metal roof inspected after a hailstorm.
Yes, metal roofs are fire-resistant! This is a great benefit of metal roofs.