Solar Shingles?

Solar shingles sound like a great idea. Ordinary shingles on your roof can provide the power for your lights and heating. What could be better?

Unfortunately, it's not quite like that yet. You may be able to get solar shingles in Colorado as part of an experimental 3-step roofing system. There's some research being done in Australia and in Arkansas. There are rumors of ordinary solar panels being shaped to look like shingles and working to replace part of your roof.

Even where solar shingles are available, they cost about five times as much as ordinary shingles, aren't as sturdy, and may require specialists for installation.

We talked with an engineer working on the issue, and he said that in another ten years, solar shingles should be available. They should look the same as today's shingles so you can avoid the "solar panels on the roof" look. They should, in another ten years after that, be less expensive than ordinary electricity sources today. That's something to look forward to.

In the meantime -- for the next twenty years, that is -- what should you do for a green roof?

• Choose a lighter colored roofing materials to reduce cooling costs and a darker one to reduce heating costs. What about here in Kansas City, where you have both? Pick one. 
• Make sure your roof is installed and insulated correctly. Use fans to ventilate the attic area in summer.
• Plant shade trees. When the leaves fall in winter, sunshine will hit your roof. In the summer, they'll shade your roof and help keep you cool. 

A solid roof of modern materials does a lot to help keep energy bills down. When solar shingles become a practical alternative, you can be sure we'll be your best source.

Storm Preparation

Every spring, tornados and hail storms ravage the Midwest. According to NOAA, the Kansas City hail storm on April 10, 2001 was the costliest hail storm in U.S. history, with damages estimated at two billion dollars.

The aftermath of a storm can be life changing. Since our area is prone to weather hazards, we've had to learn to adapt to the natural climate. You can't avoid extreme weather, but you can be prepared when a storm attacks.

Here are some suggestions for spring time:

• Park your cars in a garage with a roof to protect the windows from breakage and the roof of the vehicle from getting dents.
• Home and business owners alike should choose a strong roofing system for their houses and buildings. The cost and the inconvenience of dealing with damage every time isn't worth the apparent savings of going with the cheapest option. 
• Be particular when choosing the appropriate materials for your roof. Ask about hail resistant shingles and material warranties. At Bill West Roofing, we offer the best possible warranties, and often can give you a choice of different kinds of warranties. Your roofing company should be willing to explain the details to you.
• Make sure that you have enough food and supplies to keep the household for a few days, in case you can't get out.
• If you are outside when a storm hits, get inside and stay inside (bring pets inside too). Once you’re indoors, close all drapes, blinds, or shades to help protect against broken window glass and hailstones.
• If the storm is severe, move to a basement, cellar or another part of the building not directly below the roof.
• Make sure that all family members know where to take shelter in case of severe weather. Sometimes animals hide when a storm is approaching; when severe weather is predicted, round up your pets so you can take them with you. 

Your roof is your protection against hail, wind, lightning and thunderstorms. We are experts at installing roofs strong enough to withstand the most unfavorable weather conditions. If you are living in the greater Kansas City area, call Bill West Roofing to discuss your roofing needs.

Stronger Laws for Roofers?

We've been reading about new laws proposed in Wyoming, laws designed to protect people from roofing scams.

The article told of a Wyoming woman who paid for a new roof, and then got a bill from the makers of the shingles that were used -- the roofer hadn't paid for the materials, so the suppliers put a lien on the woman's house.

We're not lawyers. We're roofers. So we don't know everything there is to know about laws like these. We'd have thought that failing to pay for the shingles and leaving the homeowner in the lurch would already be against the law.

We do know that there are a few things homeowners can and should do on their own to avoid roofing scams:

• Make sure you read and understand your contract. The contract should say clearly whether the price of the materials is included in the price of the roof.
• Make sure you choose established roofers. Bill West Roofing has been pleasing homeowners in Kansas City and the surrounding area for almost four decades. With a company like ours, you have nothing to fear. Choosing a new, untried company can lead to unpleasant surprises.
• Make sure you use local roofers. If you hire a cheap roofer who tells you he can cut costs because he doesn't have the overhead of an office, a company truck, or a local number, you  may be getting a storm chaser. These cowboys come into town after a bad storm, do some quick work, and move on before you find out what kind of trouble you're in. 

Some of the storm chasers are very persuasive, but you can protect yourself by taking a little time to research the company before accepting their bid.

New Services at Bill West Roofing!

Bill West Roofing has been making sheltering roofs for the people of Kansas City, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Johnson County, and the surrounding region for close to four decades. We keep people safe from rain and snow and the heat of the summer sun, and that's satisfying work.

Sometimes, though, you need more than that. You might need siding and guttering and windows. You need to have these things done with the same level of skill and dedication we bring to roofing. 

So now we do all those things, as well as roofing. 

Contact Bill West Roofing when you need roofing done right -- or windows, siding, and guttering!

Understanding Your Roof's Warranty

A lot of roofing materials manufacturers are going to prorated lifetime warranties for their materials. This sounds great, doesn't it? If your roof needs new shingles at any time during your life, you figure, you'll just get your new shingles! They're under warranty!

Truth is, it doesn't work that way.

Let's say that your new roof costs $11,000. Say that $6,000 of that is the cost of the shingles. Your roof is great, and it does a good job of protecting you from the elements, makes your home look good, and generally does everything a roof is supposed to do.

After twelve years, your roof is damaged by some extreme weather.

Since it's been more than 5 years, the manufacturers of the shingles put the value of those shingles at $2,000. They're allowed to cap the value after 5 years in the fine print of most warranty agreements. They can also decide the amount of depreciation and pro rate, often after 11 years. A typical adjustment would be 20%, leaving you with $1600 toward the cost of a new roof.

And that's after just 12 years. With a lifetime, pro-rated warranty, the reduction in benefits continues every year. 

Adjusted for inflation and increasing labor costs, the price of a new roof in 50 years might be $49,886. The prorated warranty would pay less than $2,000 for the shingles. Where will you come up with additional funds?

You're better off with a regular 50 year warranty, not prorated. Your warranty should cover the costs not just of the shingles, but also of the work required to build a roof from those shingles. At Bill West Roofing, we offer a non-prorated 50 year warranty and a 25 year warranty on workmanship, as well as our 5 year guarantee against leaks.

There is a price for this. When we build your roof, this additional protection costs you less than $200. If you're in the Kansas City area, contact us at (816)229-5215. If you're not in and around KC, ask your own local roofing company if they can offer you something better than the prorated warranty.