What roofing material should I use?

There are four types of roofing materials that are commonly used for Minnesota homes: asphalt, cedar, metal, and slate. Each has their own pros and cons, which should be reviewed before making your choice.

Asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing material in Minnesota, and throughout most of the country. It’s easy to see why; asphalt shingles are durable, inexpensive, and simple to replace. The only downside to asphalt shingles is that they have a shorter lifespan than other forms of roofing, lasting an average of 12 to 30 years.

Cedar shakes are another popular choice for roofs in Minnesota. This roofing option is visually appealing, weather resilient, pest resistant, energy efficient, and has an average lifespan of 30 to 50 years. However, installation and maintenance for cedar shakes is much more expensive than it is for asphalt shingles.

Metal roofing is a rarer option, but one that carries distinct advantages. Metal roofs are extremely durable and require almost no maintenance, unlike most other roofing materials. However, metal roofing is also expensive and replacement can prove challenging. Fortunately, these sturdy roofs tend to last for 40 to 70 years.

The last common option for roofs in Minnesota is slate. Slate roofing is considered by many to be both the most beautiful and most durable roofing material. It’s common for a slate roof to last for 75 to 100+ years. Unfortunately, slate roofing tends to be the priciest option and this heavy roofing material won’t work with certain types of homes.

We found Gus and A-1 on the Better Bureau website. They responded quickly to our request for a bid and were very thorough in the explanation of their process and products. After getting bids from multiple companies, we chose A-1 for their professionalism and attention to our questions. Gus worked well with our insurance company and kept us informed. He was very helpful and patient with us as we picked out shingles and gutters. He kept us updated on schedules and set up a great team to complete our work. He came to our house as they worked and when they were done. He completed the inside work on our skylight himself and his gutter guy was amazing!

Tom and Kristin S.

Our experience with Gus Pierce and A-1 Restoration was absolutely awesome! Not only was Gus persistent in dealing with our insurance company, but he did a great job in helping us select the replacement materials and he did a great job in arranging for and supervising the work crews. The work crews were hardworking, efficient and careful. They did an excellent job. We are very happy with the work! We highly recommend Gus and A-1 Restoration.

George S.

I highly recommend Gus and the A-1 Restoration team. They are true professionals. Gus was instrumental in working with our insurance company and helping us choose the best options for our new roof and windows. Every step of the way Gus communicated with us and the process was smooth. Our house looks great. Thank you Gus and Team.

Bob S.

Gus and his team did a fantastic job on my roof and gutter project. When the hail came through, we knew we’d have storm chasers knocking on our door but I already knew who I was calling. I was calling A-1 Restoration because of their local reputation and outstanding customer service. Can’t recommend these guys enough!

Matt H.