Missouri Roofing Contractors

About Missouri Roofing

A combination of humidity and a full tornado season set Missouri up for several roofing issues, ranging from maintenance and inspection to repairs, from the minor to the remodeled. A good bet is seeking a contractor who's part of the National Roofing Contractors Association.

Typical Climate in Missouri

While the entire state of Missouri is considered to have a continental climate, there's considerable variation in the state, with a roughly 10-degree mean difference between its Northwest andSoutheast regions. Mean temperatures range from mid-50s in January to high 70s or low 80s in July, based on the state's largest cities of Kansas City and St. Louis. There's precipitation of some sort about 100 days a year in Missouri, with the Southeast seeing about 33 percent more rainfall than the Northwest, and twice as much snow (roughly 20 inches a year in the Northwest vs. 10 in the Southeast). Most vital to homeowners and roofers alike in Missouri is that, in the spring, the region experiences tornado season.

Common Roofing Issues in Missouri

Throughout the year, a common problem for Missouri homeowners is the growth of algae and moss on roofs. The region is home to a hardy brand of blue-green algae, which holds moisture as it grows, gradually enabling it to accelerate its pace. This has become a larger problem over the past 30 years, as the base of asphalt shingles was converted to limestone--a feeder for algae. However, while the algae stains are unattractive, the real issue is the damage to the roof itself. The algae takes root on the shingles, dislodging the granules that protect and color the roof. And because algae retains water against the roof, the underlayment becomes more prone to rot and decay. Of course, the most dramatic threat to roofs is tornado season, as the high winds can not only shred shingles but knock branches onto rooftops.

Licensing in Missouri

In Missouri, construction licenses of any nature aren't conducted at the state level but the city level. In fact, the state doesn't license contractors at all. As such, homeowners should make sure a contractor carries liability insurance, which isn't mandatory in the state.

Legal Issues And Complaints

A major blow for Missouri homeowners with respect to contractor litigation was struck several years ago, when it was ruled that the state's five-year statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit against a contractor of any kind began not from the date of completion of the work but from the homeowner's discovery of the problem. The case, Allen v. Kuehnle and Kuehnle Bros. Const. Co., allowed a homeowner to sue a contractor seven years after work was completed because they didn't uncover the problem until that point. A separate case, Erney v. Freeman d/b/a Phil's Custom Const., resulted in a judgment that homeowners can recover their repair costs should a contractor walk off of a job site.

Energy Efficient Roofs in Missouri

ENERGY STAR lists two roofing partners in Missouri: Butler Manufacturing and Tamko Building Products Inc. Butler makes a variety of roofing products, its CMR-24 roof system that is backed by a rigid insulation board and an interior steel liner. The company also makes a ThermaLiner system, which the company says offers added thermal efficiency, condensation control and noise reduction, and can be used with most of the company's central roofing products. Tamko products offers a wide line of residential and commercial roofing products. Residentially, in particular, the company offers a 50-year warranty and includes a 10-year Algae Relief plan that covers cleaning of any discoloration caused by the aforementioned algae problem. The company offers various ridge ventilation systems for roofs, enabling heat to escape and thus minimizing the work of a home's air conditioner. These products include the Cool Ridge, Rapid Ridge and Roll Vent.

Unusual Roofs in Missouri

Missouri's Kemper Arena uses three massive trusses to hold the roof in suspension, above and independent from the arena's seating tiers and support spaces below. This design not only provides an aesthetic nuance, but was it practical in allowing for the 18-month completion of the project.