Choosing High-Quality Shingles That Withstand Rain

18 January 2024

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A roof is a vital part of your home, and it's your first line of defense against the elements. Without a robust and sturdy roof system, your home can be prone to water damage and even structural problems.


One of the most common causes of roofing failure is constant rain. Constant rain and moisture can cause your roofing to deteriorate over time. Therefore, when it comes to roofing, you want to choose shingles that hold up in the rain. In this blog post, we'll discuss how to choose high-quality shingles that can withstand both the test of time and the impacts of rain.


Start With High-Quality Materials


To ensure the durability of your roofing system, it is important to use high-quality shingles. Choosing asphalt shingles for your roofing is an excellent choice. Asphalt shingles are suitable for their reliability, durability, and cost-effectiveness. They come in a wide variety of colors and styles, which can enhance the beauty of your home and even increase your overall home resale value.


Consider the Quality of the Shingles’ Underlayment


The underlayment plays a crucial role in safeguarding your roofing system from moisture damage. It acts as a protective shield, defending against water infiltration and ensuring the longevity of your roof. You should select a suitable underlayment material that offers breathability or waterproofing properties, depending on your specific requirements. This ensures an optimal level of moisture protection, preventing any potential issues that may arise due to water accumulation.


Additionally, when choosing the underlayment, it is important to consider its thickness. Opting for a high-quality underlayment with a sufficient thickness helps to enhance its resistance to water seepage, further bolstering its durability and overall effectiveness in safeguarding your roof against moisture-related problems. By paying attention to these important factors, you can ensure that your roofing system remains well-protected and performs optimally over time. 


Opt for Impact-Resistant Shingles


When it comes to durability and strength, you need to choose shingles that can withstand impact, such as hailstorms. Impact-resistant shingles are designed to provide the highest level of residential hail protection. They are made of quality materials that can withstand extreme weather conditions, and they typically last longer than standard shingles. This option is worth considering if you live in areas prone to frequent hail storms.


Consider the Slope of Your Roof


Choose shingles that align with your roof slope. Shingles with a lower slope rating can make your roof vulnerable to water damage. In general, the higher the slope, the better the performance of your roof. A higher roof pitch helps to promote proper drainage, which reduces the risk of water damage.


Maintain Your Roof Regularly


After carefully selecting the appropriate shingles for your roof, it is crucial to prioritize the maintenance of your roof systems. To ensure its longevity and efficiency, it is recommended that you have your roof inspected annually by a professional. This proactive approach allows any potential problems to be identified and addressed early on, preventing them from escalating into costly repairs.


Additionally, promptly removing debris, such as leaves and branches, is a vital step in maintaining a functional roofing system. By taking these proactive measures, you can extend the lifespan of your roof and ensure its optimal performance for years to come.



Choosing shingles that hold up in the rain can save you a lot of headaches and money, keeping your home dry and safe. When shopping for shingles, focus on high-quality materials, underlayment, impact resistance, and slope. With proper care and maintenance, your roofing system will last for years. If you're looking for experts who can provide top-quality roofing installation and repair services, contact us at  20/20 Exteriors  today.

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Winter Is Coming: Why You Should Replace Your Roof Before the Snow Flies If you live in Spokane or anywhere in Eastern Washington, you know how quickly the seasons can change. One week can bring sunny afternoons and comfortable temperatures, and before you know it, freezing nights, snow, ice, and winter weather have arrived. For homeowners who already know their roof is nearing the end of its life—or who have been putting off needed roof repairs—fall is an important time to make a decision. If your roof needs to be replaced, getting it done before the snow flies can save you money, prevent winter damage, and give you peace of mind throughout the coldest months of the year. At 20/20 Exteriors , we live and work right here in the Spokane area. We understand the conditions Eastern Washington roofs face, and we know that winter can expose weaknesses in a roofing system that may not have been obvious during the summer. Here are some of the biggest reasons to consider replacing an aging or damaged roof before winter arrives. 1. Snow Adds a Tremendous Amount of Weight to Your Roof Snow may look light and fluffy when it first falls, but accumulated snow—especially wet, heavy snow—can place a significant load on a roofing system. A healthy roof is designed to handle normal winter conditions. But an older roof may already have deteriorated shingles, weakened decking, previous water damage, or other problems. Add snow and ice to those existing issues, and small problems can become much bigger ones. If you’ve noticed curling or missing shingles, soft areas, leaks, damaged flashing, excessive granule loss, or other signs of deterioration, it’s worth having your roof inspected before it spends another Spokane winter under snow and ice. 2. Small Roof Leaks Can Become Big Winter Problems A small roof leak during the summer might seem manageable. During winter, that same leak can become much more serious. Water can enter around damaged shingles, flashing, vents, chimneys, valleys, or other vulnerable areas. When temperatures fall below freezing, that moisture can freeze and expand. Over repeated freeze-and-thaw cycles, small openings can become larger. Water that makes its way into your attic or home can also damage insulation, drywall, ceilings, wood framing, and personal belongings. Persistent moisture can contribute to mold and rot as well. Replacing a failing roof before winter helps create a strong, weather-resistant barrier before months of snow, ice, and freezing temperatures arrive. 3. Ice Dams Can Expose Weaknesses in an Aging Roof Ice dams are another concern for homeowners in cold climates. They can form when heat escaping through the roof melts snow. The water travels toward colder areas near the edge of the roof and refreezes. As this process continues, ice can build up and interfere with proper drainage. Water can then back up behind the ice and potentially work its way beneath roofing materials. Proper attic ventilation, insulation, and a correctly installed roofing system all play important roles in managing winter moisture. If your roof is already compromised, winter conditions can make the problem worse. A new roof won’t eliminate every possible winter issue by itself, but having a properly installed roofing system going into winter gives your home a much better line of defense. 4. Fall Gives You an Opportunity to Address Problems Before They Become Emergencies There is a major difference between planning a roof replacement and dealing with an emergency roof problem in the middle of winter. When you plan ahead, you have time to evaluate your roof, understand your options, select materials, and schedule the work appropriately. When a roof begins leaking during a snowstorm, your options can become much more limited. Emergency winter repairs may involve snow removal, temporary protection, difficult working conditions, and waiting for weather that allows permanent repairs to be completed safely. The better approach is to identify potential problems now. If you’ve already been told that your roof has only a year or two of useful life remaining, ask yourself whether you really want that roof protecting your home through another Eastern Washington winter. Sometimes getting ahead of the problem is the best investment you can make. 5. Your Roof Protects Much More Than the House Itself It’s easy to think of a roof as simply shingles and plywood. In reality, your roofing system protects almost everything you own. Think about what sits underneath your roof: your family, furniture, electronics, flooring, cabinets, appliances, photographs, keepsakes, and everything else you’ve accumulated over the years. The cost of water damage can extend far beyond repairing a few shingles. A dependable roofing system helps protect the entire structure of your home. That’s why we encourage homeowners not to evaluate a roof based solely on whether it is currently leaking. A roof can be deteriorating well before water appears on a ceiling. By the time you see a visible leak inside your home, water may already have traveled through multiple layers of the structure. 6. A New Roof Can Improve Your Home’s Energy Performance Your roofing system works together with attic insulation and ventilation to help protect your home from Spokane’s temperature extremes. During winter, proper ventilation and insulation help control heat and moisture in the attic. During summer, those same systems help manage excessive heat. When we evaluate a roofing project, we aren’t simply looking at the shingles you can see from the street. A professional roofing contractor should consider the overall system, including decking conditions, flashing, ventilation, underlayment, penetrations, and other critical components. The goal isn’t simply to make the house look better. The goal is to install a complete roofing system designed to protect your home for years to come. 7. Fall Weather Can Provide an Excellent Window for Roof Replacement Many homeowners assume roof replacement is primarily a summer project. That’s not necessarily true. Depending on weather conditions and the roofing materials being installed, fall can be an excellent time to replace a roof. The important thing is not to wait until severe winter weather arrives. As we move deeper into fall, workable weather windows become less predictable. Temperatures fall, daylight gets shorter, and snow can arrive with little warning. If you’re already considering a roof replacement, September and early fall are an ideal time to start the conversation rather than waiting until the first major snowfall is in the forecast. 8. Don’t Wait for a Leak to Tell You Your Roof Is Failing One of the most common misconceptions we hear is: “My roof doesn’t leak, so it must still be fine.” Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Roofing materials deteriorate gradually. Shingles lose granules. Sealants age. Flashing can loosen. Wind can damage shingles. Fasteners can become exposed. Ventilation problems can contribute to moisture issues. None of these problems necessarily produces an immediate leak inside the house. A professional roof inspection can identify warning signs before they become expensive problems. If your roof is approaching the end of its expected service life, an inspection before winter is especially important. You may find that your roof still has several good years remaining. If so, that’s great news. But if there are significant problems, it’s much better to discover them on a clear September afternoon than during a January snowstorm. 9. Choose a Local Spokane Roofing Contractor When you’re investing in something as important as a new roof, who installs it matters. Eastern Washington has unique weather conditions. We experience hot summers, freezing winters, wind, snow, ice, and dramatic temperature swings. Your roofing contractor should understand those conditions. 20/20 Exteriors is a local Spokane roofing and siding company . We’re part of this community, and our reputation is built right here in the Inland Northwest. When you hire local, you’re working with a company that will still be here after the job is completed. That’s particularly important with roofing. A roof isn’t a short-term purchase. You want to know who installed it, who stands behind the workmanship, and who you can call if you have questions years down the road. Is Your Roof Ready for Another Spokane Winter? 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Don’t Let the First Snowfall Make the Decision for You Winter is coming to Spokane. That’s something none of us can change. What you can control is how prepared your home is when it arrives. If you’ve been thinking about replacing your roof, don’t wait until snow, ice, and freezing temperatures expose a problem you could have addressed earlier. A roof replacement completed before winter can help protect your home, prevent unexpected damage, and give you confidence every time a winter storm rolls through Eastern Washington. Now is a great time to have your roof evaluated and determine whether it’s ready for another Spokane winter. Contact 20/20 Exteriors today to schedule a roof inspection or discuss your roof replacement options. We’re proud to serve homeowners throughout Spokane, Spokane Valley, Mead, the South Hill, and surrounding Eastern Washington communities. 20/20 Exteriors — Local. Experienced. Here When You Need Us.
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Even when the installation is completed properly, questions or problems can occasionally arise months or years later. You want to know that the company you hired will still be around when you need them. Some out-of-state or storm-chasing contractors operate in an area temporarily. They may arrive after a major storm, complete hundreds of projects, and eventually leave the region. If something goes wrong after they leave, getting someone back to your home can be difficult. A local contractor has a much stronger incentive to stand behind their work. Their reputation is built in the same community where they live and work. 2. Local Contractors Have a Reputation to Protect When you hire a local roofing company, you're not just hiring a crew. You're hiring a business that has to live with the reputation it creates in the community. Local contractors depend on referrals, repeat customers, online reviews, and relationships with homeowners and other local businesses. That creates accountability. A company that plans to serve Spokane for many years understands that every roof it installs represents its name. Good workmanship and good customer service aren't simply promises—they are essential to staying in business. 3. Local Roofers Understand Spokane's Weather Roofing isn't the same everywhere. A roofing system that works well in one part of the country may have different considerations in Eastern Washington. Spokane-area homes experience cold winters, snow, ice, wind, summer heat, and significant temperature swings throughout the year. A contractor who regularly works in the Spokane area understands the local conditions and the challenges they can create for roofing systems. Local experience also means familiarity with the types of homes, roofing materials, building practices, and common roofing problems found throughout the Inland Northwest. 4. You Know Who You're Actually Hiring Before signing a roofing contract, homeowners should know exactly who they are doing business with. Ask questions such as: Where is your company located? How long have you been serving this area? Are you properly licensed and insured? Can you provide local references? Do you have a permanent local business presence? Who will I contact if I have a problem after the project is finished? Is the work being performed by your employees or subcontractors? Who will be responsible for warranty issues? A reputable local contractor should be comfortable answering these questions. If a company is difficult to reach, has no meaningful local presence, or seems to have appeared in town overnight, homeowners should proceed carefully. 5. Local Contractors Have More to Lose This is one of the most important differences. A company that travels from market to market may be able to leave a community behind once the work is completed. A local roofing contractor doesn't have that luxury. Their office is here. Their employees live here. Their customers are here. Their reputation is here. If a local contractor does poor work, word spreads quickly. If they do excellent work, homeowners recommend them to their friends, neighbors, and family. That creates a powerful incentive to do the job correctly and take care of customers. 6. Local Matters When You Need Warranty or Follow-Up Service A roof can last for decades, so choosing a contractor shouldn't be based solely on who offers the lowest price today. Consider what happens five years from now. If you have a question about your roof, discover a problem, or need warranty assistance, will you be able to reach the contractor? A local roofing company has a physical presence in the community and can provide ongoing service long after the installation is complete. That peace of mind is worth considering when comparing bids. 7. Your Money Stays in the Local Community Hiring local also benefits the community itself. Local roofing companies employ local workers, purchase products and services from area businesses, pay local taxes, and contribute to the regional economy. When you hire a reputable Spokane-area contractor, more of the economic benefit of your roofing project stays right here in the Inland Northwest. 8. Don't Let a Storm Create Pressure to Make a Quick Decision After a major windstorm or hailstorm, homeowners may suddenly see roofing contractors offering inspections and repairs. Some may be legitimate local contractors. Others may be companies that travel from outside the area specifically to pursue storm-related work. Regardless of who comes to your door, don't let anyone pressure you into signing a contract before you've had time to do your homework. Get multiple estimates. Check reviews. Verify licensing and insurance. Ask where the company is based. And most importantly, make sure you understand who will be responsible for your roof after the crew leaves. A reputable contractor should be comfortable giving you time to make an informed decision. 9. The Lowest Bid Isn't Always the Lowest Cost Roofing is an area where choosing solely on price can be risky. Two contractors can provide dramatically different bids because they may be proposing different materials, installation methods, warranties, or levels of workmanship. A low bid doesn't necessarily mean you're getting a better deal. The better question is: "What am I actually getting for the price I'm paying?" Look at the contractor's reputation, experience, insurance, warranty, materials, installation process, and commitment to customer service—not just the number at the bottom of the estimate. What Should You Look for in a Local Roofing Contractor? Before choosing a roofing company, take a few minutes to research them. Look for a contractor that: Has an established local presence Has a strong history of customer reviews Is properly licensed and insured Can provide local references Clearly explains the work being performed Uses quality roofing materials Provides written estimates and warranties Is easy to contact Will be available after the project is completed Has a reputation it is committed to protecting Your roof is too important to trust to a company that may disappear when the job is finished. Choose a Roofing Company That Plans to Be Here Tomorrow At 20/20 Exteriors, we believe roofing is about more than installing shingles. It's about building relationships with homeowners and earning a reputation that lasts. We live and work in the Spokane area, and our customers aren't simply addresses on a map. They're our neighbors.  When you choose a local roofing contractor, you're choosing someone who has a reason to stand behind the work—not just today, but years from now. 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