West Michigan Roofing Questions, Answered

It comes down to the age of the roof, how widespread the damage is, and the condition of the deck underneath. If the roof is under about 15 years old and the damage is limited to one area, a few missing shingles, a leak around a vent, worn flashing, a targeted repair usually restores it for years, and most of our repairs carry a 10 to 15 year warranty. Replacement makes more sense when the roof is 20-plus years old, has repeat leaks or two layers of shingles, or shows widespread granule loss and curling. We give you the honest answer after a free inspection, not a pitch for the biggest job. If it's a repair, we say repair.

Ice dams are the most common cold-weather problem we see across Grand Rapids, Rockford, and the lakeshore. Heat escaping into the attic melts snow on the upper roof, the water runs down to the cold eaves, and it refreezes into a ridge of ice that backs meltwater up under the shingles. The real fix is attic insulation, air sealing, and balanced ventilation, not chipping ice off the edge. Ice and water shield along the eaves and valleys is the last line of defense, which is why Michigan Residential Code Section R905.1.2 requires it here and why we run it past where the dam forms, not just to the code minimum. Interior water damage from an ice dam is often covered by homeowners insurance; the roof work itself depends on your policy.

Our freeze-thaw cycles, lake-effect snow, and summer storms are harder on roofs than milder climates, so what you actually get depends on the system under the surface as much as the material on top. Architectural asphalt is rated 20 to 30 years, standing seam metal runs 40 to 70, and modified bitumen, TPO, or EPDM on flat sections runs 20 to 30. Ventilation makes a bigger difference than most people think: a poorly ventilated attic cooks the shingles from below in summer and drives ice dams in winter, and it can take years off any roof.

Call a reputable roofer first for a free inspection. Much hail and wind damage isn't visible from the ground, and filing a claim for damage that doesn't clear your deductible can work against you. Our inspectors are Haag certified, we document everything in a written report with photos, and we'll tell you honestly whether it's worth a claim. If it is, we submit our documentation to your carrier on your behalf and meet the adjuster on the roof so the scope reflects the whole roof, not a fifteen-minute slice of it. Under Michigan law we can't adjust or negotiate your claim, and you should be cautious of any roofer who says he will. Never sign over your claim to a contractor or pay a large deposit before work begins.

Yes. The company phone is watched around the clock, call or text, and for a true emergency we're usually on site within 24 hours, weather permitting. Our technician arrives prepared to work, so the same visit that diagnoses the leak stops the water, and sometimes that's the permanent fix on the spot. Emergency work comes at a premium because of the logistics behind it, typically starting around $850. If you have an active leak, skip the online form and call or text (616) 840-1927.

For most homeowners, architectural asphalt offers the best balance of cost, durability, and curb appeal, and it handles our snow loads and freeze-thaw well. Standing seam metal is the premium choice: it sheds snow, resists ice dams, and runs 40 to 70 years, popular on Ada and lakeshore homes. Modified bitumen is our pick for flat sections on a house. Premium systems like cedar shake belong on the right custom home, but for most houses asphalt or metal delivers better performance for the money, and we'll walk the trade-offs honestly for your home and budget.

We price by the square, 100 square feet of roof surface, because a whole-house number means nothing until the roof is measured. Architectural asphalt runs $500 to $1,000-plus per square as a complete system, about $5 to $10-plus per square foot, so a simple ranch might land $12,000 to $16,000 while a steep, cut-up two-story runs $18,000 to $26,000. Standing seam metal starts around $12 per square foot and can run past $25 to $30. Size, pitch, complexity, layers, and deck condition decide where yours lands. See our roof replacement cost page for the full picture, and every figure is a planning range until we've measured your actual roof.

Yes, genuinely free with no obligation. For a roof in good shape, an inspection every two to three years is smart, and every year once it passes the 15-year mark. Get one after any major storm, before buying or selling a home, and any time you notice water stains, granules in the gutters, or daylight in the attic. A spring and fall maintenance schedule is even better; it catches the cracked pipe boot and the lifted flashing while they're a $500 fix instead of a $2,600 rebuild. Nothing's more expensive than a cheap roof, and nothing's cheaper than catching a problem early.

Yes. Stellar Roofing Company is a Michigan Licensed Residential Builder, fully insured, founded and led by Paul Aikens, with thousands of homes and businesses protected across the region. Every replacement carries the manufacturer's warranty, registered at its enhanced tier because we're GAF Certified Plus and a CertainTeed ShingleMaster, plus our own workmanship warranty in writing, and we pull the building permit so your roof passes final inspection. Ask any roofer for proof of insurance and both warranties in writing before work begins.