Trusted Minneapolis/St. Paul Roofers Since 1996

The AMEK family are trusted in the Minneapolis and St. Paul region as custom builders and remodelers who have worked with local homeowners for 16 years. But did you know the roots of the family business are in roofing?

Twin brothers Andrew and Matt Schmidt began the business in 1996 roofing homes themselves and have built the business based on the four tenets of honesty, integrity, trust and building relationships.

Contact AMEK today and learn for yourself how how they earned their reputation.
Have curling shingles? AMEK is a specialist in replacing curling shingles as our CertainTeed Shingles 5-Star Confidence rating affirms.
Call 952-888-1200 to learn more.
Architectural shingles have become a favorite of homeowners and roofing contractors alike for their style, durability and fire rating. Call 952-888-1200 to learn more.
Latest From Our Blog

Is It Time For A New Roof?

General, Roofing, Roofing & Siding, , , , , , ,

Since the Minneapolis-St. Paul area had a mild winter, it’s a good time to get a head start on your home’s spring checklist like looking over your roof. Once you are on a ladder or a lower roof section, what are some signs you might need a new roof?

New_asphalt_shingle_roof

Signs to look for during a roof inspection

  • Scan for loose or missing shingles. These can be caused by improper nailing methods, missing nails or wind damage.
  • Look for spots of roof buckling. The shingles will appear ‘wavy’ and not flat in spots. Roof buckling is caused by moisture affecting the underlying boards of the roof.
  • Check the ground around your home or in your gutters for shingles or pieces of shingles. An excessive amount may indicate the need for a roof replacement.
  • Watch for large gaps between shingles. As shingles age, they shrink which can cause water and moisture to penetrate under the shingles causing roof damage.
  • Examine shingles for cracks which occur after storms, with aging or with improper ventilation.
  • Survey for curling shingles. Upturned corners on asphalt shingles can typically be seen from a ground-level view of the roof.

Is your roof 20 or more years old?

Even though shingles might have been rated for 30 or 35 years, it doesn’t mean they will last that long. Installation, roof pitch and direction, and home location are all factors.

“Our wide variances in temperature and moisture in the Midwest shorten the lifespan on most shingles,” according to AMEK Exteriors co-owner Paul Schmidt. 

“Our wide variances in temperature and moisture in the Midwest shorten the lifespan on most shingles,” according to AMEK Exteriors co-owner Paul Schmidt. “It’s always a good idea to be doing regular inspections of your roofing materials after 20 years to be watchful of potential problems.”

What about the parts I can’t see?

Well, the parts of your roof that you can’t see can be even more crucial to protecting your home.

Flashing_issue_with_roof_and_siding

“It’s more about what you can’t see than it is about what you can see,” according to Paul who specializes in remediation projects involving construction defects. “ 

“It’s more about what you can’t see than it is about what you can see,” according to Paul who specializes in remediation projects involving construction defects. “ We commonly fix work done by other contractors who did not install proper kickouts and flashing. One of the most common problem areas is where a roof line and siding are integrated.”

Another potential problem is attic spaces that aren’t properly ventilated causing ice dams which can cause water intrusion and shingle damage or causing trapped moisture which leads to deterioration of the walls or roof decking.

Roofing_material_Standing_seam_steel_roof
Steel Roofing on Modern Farmhouse

Types of roofing material

Looking beyond asphalt shingles may have advantages in lifespan or durability in high-wind or high-moisture environments. For more info on roofing material choices, here’s an overview.
AMEK Exteriors is ready to help when it comes to assessing the state of your roof this spring. Contact us today for a free roof inspection.

Architectural Shingles Choice Of Homeowners, Roofing Contractors

General, Roofing

In our last post we covered the changes and improvements that have been made to the asphalt shingles, the most widely installed shingle by roof contractors.

Using fiberglass as the core element to asphalt shingles instead of asphalt-soaked paper has made today’s asphalt shingle lighter, more fire-retardant and water resistant.

But that hasn’t been the only change in the last 15 years that has kept asphalt shingles the most dominant type of roofing shingle on the market. There are also new designs that have proven popular with homeowners and roofing contractors alike. Continue reading Architectural Shingles Choice Of Homeowners, Roofing Contractors →

Asphalt Shingles Most Popular For Roof Replacement

General, Roofing

Roof shingles come in a variety of materials — wood shake, clay, slate and asphalt shingles.

Wood shake shingles are considered by roofing contractors among the most durable roofing shingles on the market, able to withstand bad weather, are treated to resist fire and, it properly maintained, can last on a roof up to 50 years.

While wood shake shingles are considered durable, stone slate or clay tile shingles can last up to 75 years or longer, withstand severe weather and don’t burn.

Newer products coming to market include steel roofing shaped like a regular shingle, but includes a granular surface to give the look and feel of and asphalt shingle.

While wood, slate and clay shingles provide solid cover they are also among the most expensive options to replace a roof. Asphalt shingles are the predominant shingle used by roofing contractors and have undergone significant transformation in the last 20 years. Continue reading Asphalt Shingles Most Popular For Roof Replacement →

Do You Need A New Roof?

General, Roofing

The Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area’s mild (some would say nonexistant) winter allows us to get out into our yards much earlier than usual. And the lack of snow means we all can get a good look at our roofs earlier, too.

Some of the signs to look for when inspecting your roof to see if it needs replacing:

  • Look for spots of roof buckling. The shingles will appear ‘wavy’ and not flat in spots. Roof buckling is caused by moisture affecting the underlying boards of the roof.
  • Check the ground around your home or your gutters for shingles or pieces of shingles. An excessive amount may indicate the need for a roof replacement.

  • If you are able to get on to your roof to see if it needs repairing, check for excessive gaps between shingles. Shingles shrink as they age and can create gaps that allows water and moisture to get beneath them causing roof damage. On three tab roof systems gaps of ¾-inch or wider may mean it’s time for a roof repair or replacement.
  • Visible cracks in your shingles is a sign of wear, storm damage or shingle shrinkage. All are signs you should have an inspection to determine if you need a roof replacement.
  • Curling shingles. Upturned corners on asphalt shingles can typically be seen from a ground-level view of the roof.

If any of these conditions exist, or if your roof is approaching 20 years of age, you should consider having a professional roof inspection. AMEK Construction is a 5-Star Certainteed roofing contractor.

Call 952-888-1200 today for a free inspection!

Minneapolis St. Paul Among Tops For 2012 Remodeling

Roofing, Siding, Windows

Construction market watchers are predicting a rebound in remodeling projects across the country this year in general, and in the Minneapolis St. Paul region in particular.

That’s the word from Hanley Wood’s Remodeling magazine, which has released its ranking of the top 20 market areas in the country for remodeling activity in 2012, the first step in following up its inaugural Top 100 Markets list from last year.

The list indicates that only Houston will exceed the Minneapolis St. Paul metro area for remodeling activity for in the coming year. The list combines permit activity, household surveys and demographic and general economic data to compile the list which indexes activity against the decade-high mark of 2007.

The magazine cites the Twin Cities’ corporate and medical technology base, it’s educated workforce and lower-than-average unemployment in predicting a 6% rise in the number of remodeling projects.

In a separate report, Remodeling magazine compiles ongoing statistics about the cost recouped by remodeling projects, including kitchen remodels, master suite additions and living room addition.