Roofs in Chicagoland,done right.

Roofs on the houses around Chicagoland

Most of what stands between Lake Street and Irving Park was built between 1960 and 1995, and the roofs age the same way. Here is what each type usually needs.

• Split-level

  Two roof planes at different heights, and the lower one takes the water off the upper. New step flashing where the walls meet, ice and water shield six feet up from every eave, and a ridge vent so the attic over the bedrooms stops cooking in July.

• Ranch

  Low pitch, long runs, and a lot of square footage for the money. Architectural shingles rated for the slope, new pipe boots and drip edge, and gutters checked for pitch so the water leaves instead of sitting at the corners.

• Two-story colonial

  Steep, tall and hard on a crew. Full tear-off to the deck, replacement of any soft plywood found on the way down, and a clean chimney cradle so the back side of the chimney stops collecting leaves and ice.

• Townhome

  Shared walls and association rules. A clear scope your board can read, a color match to the neighboring units, and a schedule that keeps the driveway usable. Hail on one unit usually means hail on the row.

Also: hail and wind repairs, tarps the same day water is coming in, gutters, downspouts, soffit and fascia. Every job gets one clear price before work starts.