What’s included in every roof replacement
A good roof is a system. Calgary’s hail, chinook winds and freeze-thaw cycles find every shortcut, so we do not take any:
- Full tear-off to the deck, with tarps protecting your landscaping and a magnetic sweep for nails afterwards.
- Deck inspection. Every sheet of sheathing is checked. Soft, delaminated or rotted sheets are replaced, with the count photographed for your insurer.
- Ice and water shield at the eaves, valleys and around penetrations, where ice dams and wind-driven rain cause leaks.
- Synthetic underlayment over the rest of the deck.
- New drip edge, step flashing and vent boots. We do not reuse dented metal from a hail-damaged roof.
- Ventilation check. Poor attic ventilation causes frost and ice dams in Calgary winters. We balance intake and exhaust venting to manufacturer specifications.
- Shingles nailed to the manufacturer’s high-wind pattern, and starter strip and ridge cap from the same system.
- Clean-up and final walk-through, with photos of each stage for your records and your insurer.
Choosing a roof material
Most Calgary homes are re-roofed with architectural asphalt shingles. Because you are replacing anyway, it is worth comparing three options:
| Option | Hail resistance | Relative cost | Good fit for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard architectural shingles | Varies by product | Base price | Like-for-like insurance replacement |
| Class 4 impact-resistant shingles | Pass UL 2218 Class 4 | Higher | Homeowners tired of hail claims |
| Metal roofing | Depends on profile and gauge; cosmetic dents possible | Highest | Long-term owners, low-slope sections |
Your insurer pays to replace like with like. Upgrades are usually your cost, so we quote them separately and you decide.
Roof replacement on an insurance claim
When a replacement follows a hail claim, the steps are:
- We inspect and document the damage, and you open the claim.
- Your adjuster inspects. We can meet them on the roof.
- You receive the adjuster’s estimate. We compare it line by line with what the roof needs, including items commonly missed such as ice and water shield, drip edge, vent boots and permits where required.
- If items are missing, we send supporting photos and measurements so you can request a review.
- We schedule the work. You pay your deductible, as your policy requires.
- We send completion photos, and the final invoice if your policy pays in stages.
The full process, with timelines, is in our insurance claim roofing page and our guide to filing a hail claim in Alberta.
How long a Calgary roof should last
A properly installed architectural shingle roof is usually rated for 25 to 30 years or more by the manufacturer. In Calgary, hail often ends a roof’s life much sooner. That is why many homeowners on their second or third hail claim choose impact-resistant shingles.
Deposits and your protection
In Alberta, a contractor who takes money before work is complete and signs contracts away from their place of business must hold a prepaid contracting licence from Service Alberta. Ours is [SERVICE ALBERTA PREPAID CONTRACTING LICENCE #]. Ask any roofer for theirs before paying a deposit.
A typical replacement, day by day
Before day one: materials arrive on your driveway or roof the day before. We confirm the start time, colour and any upgrades with you.
Day one: crew arrives early, sets up tarps over landscaping and plywood against siding and windows. The old roof comes off one section at a time. Each section is inspected, damaged sheathing is replaced, and ice and water shield and underlayment go down the same day so the house is never left open overnight.
Day two (if needed): shingles, ridge cap, vents and flashing are finished. Gutters are cleared of debris and granules.
Before we leave: magnetic sweep of the lawn, driveway and flower beds for nails, a walk-around with you, and final photos for your insurer.
Most Calgary homes take one or two days. Large or steep roofs, or ones with a lot of sheathing to replace, can take a third.
Protecting your home and yard
- tarps over shrubs, flower beds and air conditioning units
- plywood leaned against siding and windows below the work area
- a bin or trailer placed where it won’t damage your driveway, on boards if needed
- attic items covered if you let us know they’re there
- daily clean-up, not just at the end
If anything is damaged during the work, tell us and we fix it. That is part of having a local office and a crew that will be back in your neighbourhood next month.
Get a fixed written price: book a free inspection with the form on this page or call [403-XXX-XXXX].