It’s hard to say which type of roofing is best because “best” is subjective. For one person, “best” may mean the longest lasting or the most storm resistant. For another person, it may mean the lowest cost. At Six Shield, we mostly install high-quality asphalt
composite shingles that are Class 3 impact-rated because this is the best balance of price and longevity for most homeowners in the areas we service.

This varies by location and how close you live to the coast but most homeowners in the Houston area need a 30-year composite class 3 impact-rated shingle.

The first step in an insurance claim is to have Six Shield inspect your roof to confirm that you have storm damage. Once the damage is confirmed, we guide you contact their insurance agent or claim department to make a claim. The insurance company will gather some information from you and schedule a time for an inspector to visit your home. Be sure to let Six Shield know when the inspector will be there so we can assist in the inspection and advocate for you with the inspector. The inspector will write up a report and send it to a desk adjuster at the insurance company who will ultimately make the decision about whether to approve your claim.

If the claim is not approved there is an appeal process that we can help you with. If the claim is approved, the insurance company will send you a detailed estimate showing the price and the scope of work for the roof replacement. You should forward this paperwork to your Six Shield representative so they can check to make sure the insurance estimate is correct and complete. You will receive the first insurance payment in the mail
within a week or so.
After the work is complete and you have paid your first insurance payment and deductible payment to Six Shield, then we will request the rest of the payment from the insurance called the recoverable depreciation. Once you receive this final payment, your final payment to Six Shield is due. It’s important to note that you are only responsible to pay the deductible out of pocket and the insurance will cover the rest.

This depends. If we inspect your roof and determine that you have storm damage (wind or hail) that happened in the last year or two, then it probably makes sense to make a claim with your insurance. Your Six Shield representative can help you make the best decision when they’re on site.

If your roof is less than 10 years old then it probably makes sense to repair the roof if the damage is localized, like a few shingles blowing off or a tree branch falling on one part of the roof. If your roof is older than 10 years, the shingles will start to get brittle and
it becomes more difficult to repair a small section of the roof without damaging the rest of it. At this point, it is probably best to replace the roof to protect your home.

Depreciation is the difference between what your roof is worth today (actual cash value) and how much it costs to replace your roof with a new roof (replacement cost value).
Most insurance policies from a reputable insurance company are Replacement Cost policies and allow the homeowner to recover that depreciation once the roof has been replaced.

If there is confirmed storm damage on your home then yes, your insurance company will cover the cost of replacing your roof minus the amount of your deductible, which is your responsibility.

Roof damage that qualifies for replacement is generally considered to be an “act of God” and your insurance cannot raise your rate due to an act of God.

Your roof will need to be inspected by a trained roofing professional to determine if you have hail damage. We will look at the roof itself for damage we can see and feel. We will also check the rest of your home for collateral damage that helps to make a case for hail damage.

Absolutely! You will most likely have the home inspected by a home inspector, but they are not trained roofing professionals so it is always best to have the roof inspected by a roofing expert.

Usually one to two days

If you have water pouring into your home that is damaging the ceiling, walls, and flooring, then you should call your insurance company and get the water removal started as soon as possible. If you only have a small leak, It is best to have a Six Shield
representative inspect your roof before filing a claim.

Some companies will, some will not. Many companies will not write a new policy on a roof older than 10 years.

Your roof is the primary protection for your home against water damage. It is large and expensive to replace, so insurance companies would rather not write a new policy on an old roof because the likelihood is high that they will have to replace that roof in the near future.

Most roofs last 16 to 18 years (even though they are called 30-year roofs) assuming there is no storm. High winds, harsh direct sunlight, hail, and driving rain can all shorten the life of a roof. If you plan to pay out of pocket for a roof replacement, then you should replace your roof when it is between 16 to 18 years old. If you are hoping to have your roof replaced with an insurance claim it is best to do that when the roof is 10 to 15 years old.

A new roof will help your home maintain its value whereas an old or damaged roof can make your home lose value. When it’s time to sell your home, buyers will often ask for the seller to replace the roof before the sale is complete.

Most quality shingles and roofing materials come with a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects as long as you use at least three components from the same manufacturer. For example: shingles, underlayment and ice & water shield. Six Shield offers a 3-year warranty on labor and workmanship.

Yes, homeowners’ associations do require specific colors of roofing to maintain a uniform appearance in the neighborhood. Usually, these colors include weathered wood, brown, gray, and black. You can check with the design committee for your HOA
to get the specific colors for your neighborhood.

If you bought your home from a previous owner and not from the builder, you should be able to see the roof age in the seller’s disclosure. You can ask your realtor to help you find this if you need it. If you don’t know the age of your roof, contact us for an
inspection and the inspector should be able to determine the age of the roof within a few years as well as estimate the lifespan of the roof.

Generally, roof inspections are done at no cost. If you need a written report on the state of your roof for insurance or real estate sales purposes, there can sometimes be a minimal charge for this report.