No one wants to have the one house on the block that sticks out like a sore thumb. Take a wander down your street and have a look at what you see. It can be hard for the untrained eye to know what to look for, so here is a quick guide to the different types of roofing in Kansas City.

When you see a roof made from asphalt that is totally flat, this probably signifies an older roof. This is the classic 3-tab shingle that was popular over the past several decades. These shingles are very affordable, but typically only last 20 years or so.

These shingles are also made from asphalt, but they are called “architectural shingles.” They have a 3-D effect that most homeowners find very aesthetically pleasing. They also come in a wide range of colors from white and green to blue and brown, so you’re bound to find a shade that appeals to you. These shingles can survive up to 40 years, depending on the weather and manufacturer. We like to go with GAF/ELK and CertainTeed, as these two brands stand by their warranties.

Cedar Shake is not too popular in Kansas City, but you may see an older home or two that has it. People buy this type of roof for the historic look, but they generally only last 15 years or so. Wood is susceptible to insects, hail and rot, which makes it not the best choice for KC homeowners.

Metal is strong, durable and lightweight — lasting 50 years or more. When you buy a metal roof, you are pretty much set for life! Yet, not everyone likes the look of metal for a residential home. You’ll see a lot of commercial buildings, garages, barns and sheds with metal roofs, but not as many homes.

Tile is another style of roof that you may see in Kansas City, but you won’t likely see very often. These tiles look breathtaking, but they are easily cracked and shattered by hail or cold weather. Sometimes you will see a roof that looks like it’s made from tile, but it’s actually made of metal. While it’s heavy and expensive, a goof tile rough lasts 50 years in warmer climates.

Some homeowners opt for slate due to its gorgeous look and durability. Unlike shingles, this material is fireproof. Slate is the most expensive type of roof you can buy and it may require additional roofing structures to hold up the hefty weight of the stone.

We come across many different types of roofing in Kansas City. Maybe you are looking to construct an all-new roof or perhaps you just need to re-roof the old roof. Either way, knowing what you want ahead of time can help move your project along quicker.

Roofing Styles

• Flat – These old roofs are not very popular in modern day, but can be easy to put up. On the downside, it can also accumulate water or dirt. It also costs more to service a roof without drainage.
• Sloping – This is the most common type of residential roof, as they let water and debris run right off.
• Gable  –  Homes that appear to have “multiple roofs” are called gabled and they are very popular too.
• Salt Box – A salt box roof is short on one side and long on the other, allowing water to run down an uneven side.
• Gambrel – Barns often have this type of roof that is almost octagonal around the top.
• Mansard – This roof often extends down below the uppermost windows on the home and is a historic style.
• Pitched – Steep a-frame roofs can be dangerous to roof, so not many contractors are willing to touch them. However, Eclipse Roofing specializes in this type of roofing job.

Roofing Materials

• Asphalt – These are by far the most common type of shingle. They are affordable, durable and last up to 40 years.
  
• Cedar Shake – These shingles are very attractive, but only last 15-20 years and are susceptible to insects and rot.
• Tile – This material is also very handsome, although it is heavy and more expensive. A good roof lasts 50 years.
• Slate – Durable, waterproof and fireproof, slate is a gorgeous look, but is the most expensive type of material.
• Metal – Metal is strong, durable and lightweight. It can last 50 years, but not everyone likes the look of it.

We specialize in affordable, long-lasting asphalt shingles that come in multiple shapes, colors and styles.

Roofing Brands

• GAF/ELK – Founded in 1886, GAF/ELK is the largest manufacturer of shingles in America with $3 billion in annual sales. They have received many positive accolades from builders and contractors alike. Their Timberline shingles are an especially popular type of roofing in Kansas City.
• CertainTeed – Founded in 1904, CertainTeed is a leading manufacturer in shingles within North America, employing more than 6,000 employees at 65 manufacturing facilities across the country. They are another name we trust. You’ll see their Landmark line of architectural shingles around Kansas City quite often.

We deal with only the best manufacturers and are certified to install their products, so your warranty will be upheld. Please call to schedule a free estimate for your KC roofing job.

Spring is a good time to look for roofing specials in KC. By the time summer hits, the waiting line can be pretty long to get a roofer to your house. The first weeks of the winter thaw is the ideal time to call and secure your spot. We may not always be able to roof, due to the heavy rains and unpredictable weather, but we are committed to keeping the lines of communication open and scheduling around the gloomy forecasts to ensure your job gets done as quickly as possible!

Not All Roofing Specials in KC Are Worth It.

It’s not unusual to see roofing specials this time of year. Yet, keep in mind that price is not the only consideration. Beware of Groupons or Daily Deals offering a super low price on a new roof. Often, these offers are “bait and switch,” luring customers in with the promise of cheap labor, but later jacking up the price due to “unforeseen circumstances.” We see it all the time. Worse yet, are people who go with the lowest bidder only to find that these ruffians have skipped town, leaving half their roofs exposed! Go for reputation and you can never go wrong. Make sure the roofer you choose has a good track record with the Better Business Bureau and has a list of referrals you can call.

What Are You Getting For Your Money?

Another factor to consider is the product itself. All shingles are NOT created EQUAL! You want a product that is guaranteed to last. Some of the newer asphalt shingles are guaranteed to last 50 years when applied by an approved contractor. So, first of all, you want a top-of-the-line brand like CertainTeed or GAF/ELK. Secondly, you want to make sure your roofer is certified by the manufacturer, so your warranty doesn’t become null and void!

Spring Roofing Specials in KC & Free Consultations

Please contact Eclipse Roofing to inquire about our spring specials. All year round, we offer free home consultations to give you an accurate estimate and let you know what you can expect from us.

The cost of a new roof varies as greatly as the cost of a new car. In general, a new roof can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $12,000. The cost to replace a roof in Kansas City will vary based upon several factors.

Roofing Materials

High-end materials like wood shake or Spanish tile may be selected for aesthetic appearance — and they do cost more. The cheapest type of material you can use is the asphalt shingle, which can last for a good 25 to 50 years now. We work with the highest grade manufacturers, GAF/ELK and CertainTeed, to ensure your satisfaction.

We have visited homeowners who received low-ball offers to have their roofs redone for $1,000. Upon closer inspection, we noticed that they used low-quality brand names of asphalt shingles like Witch (that has actually melted in the rain) or BP (which has a litany of negative reviews about the early deterioration of their product and poor customer service response.) Shingles that cost $10 or more below the competition are not reliable.

Roof Condition

Sometimes it’s not just the outermost layer of shingles that shows deterioration, but the wood structures beneath may have rotted, the flashing may be bent or torn away, and there may be a need for better ventilation to keep the attic dry. Often, roofers will simply slap a fresh coat over-top the old shingles, but this can only be done so many times. Naturally, it will cost more if structures need to be torn out and replaced. A good contractor will let you know about the condition of the roof before getting started.

Pitch of the Roof

One Kansas City reviewer on Angie’s List c0mplained that a work crew arrived, but abruptly left without saying a word when they noticed there was a steep pitch to the roof.  “Of course, the estimator told me that I had a steep roof and that I would be charged extra as a result,” the reviewer wrote. Generally speaking, a steep pitched roof costs 10 percent more than a flat roof due to the difficulty of the job. You can, however, find a contractor like Eclipse Roofing that specializes in pitch roof applications to save yourself some money.

Call 913-262-4700 for a free estimate!

Looking for average roofing costs in Kansas City? We recommend calling three different contractors for free estimates to get the most accurate portrait of the local competition. However, before you pick up the phone, you may be wondering if you’ll have enough dough in the bank to cover it or if you need to take out a small home improvement loan — and that’s understandable.

Ballpark Estimate For A New Roof In KC

The cost of a new roof in Kansas City can range from $2,000 to $25,000, according to HomeAdvisor.com. They add that a good baseline figure is around $10,000. Unfortunately, Kansas City prices are slightly above the national average.

D.I.Y.?

People who are particularly handy around the house may opt to buy the materials and do it themselves for a much lower price than a professional installation. Truth be told, CostHelper says you can probably slap a fresh set of asphalt shingles onto a one-story ranch home for $680 – $3,700, depending on the square footage. However, you are also voiding the manufacturer’s warranty on the shingles you buy and risking the liability of injury. Besides, roofing is back-breaking work! So, for $1,700 – $8,400, many homeowners feel it’s worth having the professionals install a new KC roof.

Materials

The materials you choose can also affect the price of your roofing job. Asphalt is the least expensive option and will generally last 25 to 50 years, depending on the brand. Wood shingles or shakes are beautiful, but require a good amount of maintenance, are not fireproof, and don’t last as long — plus they cost an average of $6,800 – $20,000 to install. Tile roofs are more durable and distinctive-looking, but are also in the same price range as wood. Metal rooftops are very durable and even longer lasting than asphalt, but the cost can range anywhere from $5,000 to $40,000, depending on the type of metal used.  Though classic-looking and long-lasting, we’ve seen slate roofs cost as much as $84,000!

Give us a call at (913) 262-4700 for a free estimate on your Kansas City roof!