On May 10, 2011 the Twin Cities area was struck by a severe hail and wind storm. Hail stones averaging ½ an inch to 2 ½ inches raged across the State from as far north as Long Prairie and Little Falls to Fairmont and Sherburn in the south. The majority of the storm hit the Minneapolis and St. Paul metro area, with some of the largest hail stones reported around St. Louis Park at close to 2 ½ inches, which is enough to cause considerable damage to the exterior of your home.
Other parts of the metro area which large hail was reported include Edina, Eden Prairie, Elk River, Golden Valley, Chaska and Chanhassen. There were reports of funnel clouds around Hopkins as well. The extreme winds blew the roof off a home in Wright County and numerous vehicles suffered body and window damage throughout the storm’s path. Luckily, no injuries were reported. Other areas adversely affected were Anoka, Ellendale, St. Francis, Waite Parke, St. Joseph and Bowlus.
Strong winds accompanied the hail storm with wind gusts as high as 70mph reported in northern and western Wisconsin and throughout central and southern Minnesota.
Hail and wind storms are a common occurrence this time of year around Wisconsin and Minnesota and can cause substantial damage to area homes and businesses. If you’ve been hit recently with large hail or see missing shingles on your roof it is probably time to have the exterior of your home checked by an expert. Contact Trinity Exteriors to request a free exterior home inspection.
House color is perhaps the most important determinant when deciding on roof color. You can go with a high contrast roof that stands out against your siding and trim color or match the siding with the roof so that they blend together. If your house matches your local terrain, then you should try and blend in the roof as well. A white house with a black roof makes an effective contrast, while a brown roof will give your entire home a more traditional look. A yellow house with light green trim doesn’t need a yellow roof; a light grey will keep the focus on the house rather than the roof. Remember, your roof should complement your house color, not quarrel with it.
The need for proper attic ventilation cannot be overstated enough. Bad attic ventilation can raise energy costs, cause roof warping due to moisture buildup and lead to the formation of ice dams in the winter. These problems can lead to roof leaks, gutter damage and increase your annual maintenance costs considerably. A well-vented roof, with proper intake and exhaust venting not only provides numerous benefits to the structural integrity of your roof and attic, but will end up saving you money in energy bills by removing heat in warm seasons and moisture in cold. Calculating the proper amount of ventilation for your home is quite easy, all you need is the measurements of your attic and a calculator.
A popular type of roofing material for homeowners who desire a natural look is wood shingles or shakes. Often times however wood roofing materials do not last as long and can be susceptible to fire in hot and dry climates. In addition, due largely to their labor-intensive installation can cost over twice as much as asphalt roofing materials. They are most often made from cedar and come in two distinct varieties: shakes and shingles. Shakes are thicker and have a rougher appearance, while shingles are much thinner (an average of one inch) and have a smooth appearance. Wood roofing materials require the most maintenance to stop the buildup of lichen, moss and it is necessary to check for sun damage periodically. They can be expected to last from 25 to 30 years on average.
