Roofing In Downers Grove

The village of Downers Grove, IL, was founded way back in 1832, so you can imagine the variety of materials that have been used over the years to construct homes and roofs here. Of course, many of the original buildings have had to be reinforced, and new roof installations have been done on the old homes that are still standing.

Being a community that dates back to the early 19th century makes Downers Grove a beautiful area with mature trees and architectural variety. You will find many different types of roofs in our neighborhoods, each offering a unique look and specific features. Read today’s blog to learn about some of the main types of roofing you’ll find in the area.

Shingle Roofing

This is one of the most popular types of residential roofing for several reasons. Asphalt shingles are fairly inexpensive, and they are also durable. With many colors and styles to choose from, these shingles can match your home’s look beautifully while protecting it against the elements. It’s fairly straightforward to maintain and repair shingle roofing; often, only a few shingles are worn, and only these need to be replaced, prolonging the use of your current roof and delaying the need for a complete new roof installation.

Each shingle consists of a glass fiber reinforcing mat coated with asphalt. Mineral fillers help the asphalt adhere better to the glass, and the asphalt is essential because it’s the waterproof portion of the shingle, filling in any holes or gaps to create a moisture-proof barrier.

As we’ve mentioned already, different designs and styles are available. Adept Construction recommends going with fiberglass shingles because of their durability. Many homeowners who had organic shingles back in the 1980s and 1990s have had to replace their roofs earlier than expected with the far superior fiberglass shingles option.

Today, these shingles can achieve a textured look that’s as aesthetically pleasing as the roof is durable. Sometimes referred to as architectural asphalt shingles, they recreate the look of cedar shakes with a rich texture and better three-dimensional depth. It’s not any trickier to install these types of shingles, which makes the installation go smoothly. Selecting this type of shingle roofing is a great way to add value to your property.

Cedar Shake Roofing

Cedar shakes and shingles can give your home a beautiful, natural look, complementing your existing colors and textures and adding a certain flair you may be looking for. Cedar shakes are made from quality material that holds up well through the seasons, year after year.

An interesting fact about cedar shakes is that they are carefully made by experienced craftsmen who are members of the Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau. This organization oversees the quality of wood shingles, ensuring that they’re made right and measure up to expectations by roofers and homeowners alike.

Many people choose cedar shake roofing because of the natural look they create. They work well in all styles of homes, adding a tailored appearance that can mimic different architectural looks. Did you know that cedar shingles can even look like ceramic tiles? And at a fraction of the cost!

There are different types of cedar shakes to choose from. Styles include the following:

• Handsplit Shakes: Split faces and backs have been sawn.
• Tapersawn Shakes: Both sides have been sawn evenly.
• Tapersplit Shakes: Crafted by hand with a froe and mallet.
• Straight-Split Shakes: Machine produced for even thickness throughout.

If you’d like to learn more about what options are available in cedar shake roofing, the friendly roofers at Adept Construction are happy to answer your questions.

Flat Roofing

You’ll see this type of roofing especially in older buildings. Not completely flat, these roofs provide a slope of at least ⅛” (an eighth of an inch) per foot of roof, which is important for water drainage (since pooling water on any roof will lead to leaks). Flat roofing installation involves adding quality materials to the existing roof structure, ensuring a waterproof finish. As part of the roof replacement job, corners will be beveled, roofing will be dry-fit, and roofing material will be glued down with heavy-duty, durable adhesives. The edges will be finished for a neat, stylish appearance.

Flat roofs are not all the same; different materials are available, each offering certain advantages. A built-up roof (BUR) is made from hot tar and gravel, built up with waterproof material alternated with tar. Modified bitumen flat roofing consists of single-ply rolls that are adhered to the existing roof using heat, although many newer systems use a peel-and-stick approach that does not require heating. Rubber membranes are remarkably similar to inner tubes and are engineered to resist UV damage.

These aren’t the only types of flat roofing materials available; in fact, when it comes to flat roofs, options abound! They may include using asphalt, a turbo seal, a synthetic rubber known as hypalon, PVC membranes, a glass-reinforced polymer composite, and all the options we covered in the previous paragraph, among others.

Many flat roofs here in Downers Grove use modified bitumen, which we’ve already touched on. It’s a type of asphalt that has been engineered to achieve rubber-like properties. Roofs that use this type of system come in one, two, or three plies, and they’re well-suited for hybrid roof systems. Regardless of what materials are used, it’s important that the end result is a waterproof, high-performing, and durable roof that will hold up to winter snows and summer sun alike.

Composite Roofing

As the name implies, a composite roof is made from a variety of materials. Its composition may include one or more of the following: asphalt, recycled plastic, or fiber cement. These materials can mimic virtually any traditional roof while offering unparalleled strength and durability.

The reasons that many roofers and homeowners alike choose a composite roofing approach are many, including these:

• The look of clay or slate can be recreated, but with less cost and much less material weight involved.
• They can mimic traditional shake roofs while offering more strength and durability.
• Composite roofing will not blister, warp, or peel.
• Being lightweight, they don’t demand as much reinforcement.
• They hold up to temperature extremes.
• They don’t require as much maintenance as some other roofs do.

With Downers Grove temperatures reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit on some of our summer days and occasionally dropping down to -32 degrees Fahrenheit in winter, it’s easy to see why composite roofing is a good choice in our area thanks to its durability and resilience.

Your Roofing Contractors In Downers Grove

Is your home in need of a roof replacement? For quality roof installations, look no further than Adept Construction. We’ve been serving Downers Grove and the entire region since 1997, so we’re familiar with what materials hold up in our varied climate and which construction methods work best. If it’s time for a new roof installation, get in touch with our roofing company. We’ll make sure the job gets done right so your new roof will last a long time. Give us a call today!

One more thing: We also do gutters! If your gutters are getting old, or if they’ve taken a beating from ongoing exposure to wind and other elements, reach out to Adept Construction for a quote for new gutters. Feel free to call us or use our convenient online form.