We’ve just experienced hail season
Colorado hail is notorious for leaving hidden damage that seems to sneak up on property managers long after hail season. One small hole created in the summer can create a world of problems months down the line.

Winter is coming
You don’t want your tenants experiencing the effects of hail damage, like leaking and molding, in the middle of winter when snow and ice can make damage even worse than normal. Plus, if there’s ever a time when a homeowner or a tenant would want to avoid having renovations around their home, its winter! Let your renters stay cozy and quiet in their homes when it’s cold, snowy and icy outside by fixing damage now.

You’ll be prepared for next year
If your roofs have sustained damage from this year’s hail storms, replacing your roofs now with durable, long-lasting, impact-resistant roofing will keep your properties protected for next year’s hail season. That means more savings and less worries for next year.

From protecting your tenants to helping you gain business, the benefits to getting a professional roof inspection are endless.

Don’t miss your chance to protect your roofs throughout Colorado’s harsh winter months. Schedule your FREE commercial roof inspection by calling 1-303-242-8444 today!

The post Have You Had Your Fall Commercial Roof Inspection Yet? appeared first on Metro Construction.

Roof Insurance Overview
First off, if you think you might have damage, schedule a roof inspection as soon as possible. Even if you don’t think you have damage, an inspection after a hailstorm is in your best interest.

Another thing to keep in mind is the myth that your insurance company will cancel your policy or raise your rates if you file a claim. This is not true!

Because roof claims can be common, your insurance may contain specific roof-related policies and exclusions. An exclusion is simply a measure your insurance company takes to avoid fraudulent claims and unnecessary expenses by excluding some items from coverage.

You should read your policy to find out what is covered and what isn’t. Some of the most common roof exclusions are:

Complete roof replacement. Roof repairs are almost always covered, but in some specific cases your insurance may not cover complete replacement.

Roofing material restrictions. All insurance companies do not cover all roofing materials. Wood shake is probably the most likely to be denied, as it can be less durable and expensive to repair.

Roof age. Older roofs are less likely to be covered by insurance. If you’re buying a new home, make sure you check out the roof before you apply for your insurance. Insurance companies don’t want to insure old roofs as they are more likely to need replacement soon.

Understanding the basics of roofing insurance policies is key for protecting yourself as a consumer. Now that you have the basics, you’ll want to get up to date with some common insurance terms every homeowner should know.

The post What You Need to Know About Insurance Claims appeared first on Metro Construction.

Metro’s professional recommendation? James Hardie fiber cement siding. James Hardie products are known for their long-lasting dependability and good looks.

Perhaps the industry-leading manufacturer’s most unique product offerings are their region-specific products. James Hardie’s HZ5® product line was specifically designed for a climate like that of the Front Range. HZ5 siding resists damage from:

-Snow
-Ice
-Moisture
-Freezing and drastically varying temperatures
-Challenging weather conditions

HZ5 siding is built to last and protect your properties through hail season and the harsh winter months.

Not only does James Hardie fiber cement siding better protect your property from weather threats, but choosing James Hardie also means:

-Less repairs
-Less replacements (30-year warranty!)
-More money saved
-Peace of mind for you as a property owner or manager
-Added value to your property

James Hardie even features HardieWrap® Weather Barrier for added protection against moisture damage and energy loss.

Find out how James Hardie commercial siding can benefit you, your properties, your business or your HOA members by calling 1-303-242-8444 today for a FREE estimate and inspection.

The post Protect Your Front Range Commercial Property with James Hardie Commercial Siding appeared first on Metro Construction.

With that much space to heat or cool, energy costs take up a good chunk of your budget and by extension raise the cost of rent. When you insulate your siding, update your roofing system or replace old drafty windows, you can save 10% – 50% of your energy cost. Those are savings you can pass onto your tenants, adding value to your properties and in turn, attracting new tenants and building your reputation as a smart, efficient property owner or management business.

Metro can increase your energy efficiency through updated commercial siding, roofing, insulation, windows, gutters and more. We can even conduct a free energy evaluation on your property to help you find energy-efficient and money saving solutions.

For a free consultation and a free estimate on any of Metro’s commercial renovation services, call 1-303-242-8444 today.

The post How Energy Efficient is Your Commercial Property? appeared first on Metro Construction.

Even if you need some up front investment, improving the appearance and functionality of your building will make it more valuable. If you have tenants, you can afford to charge a higher rate in exchange for a better-looking property with structural integrity. Attract more and better homeowners or renters when you repair or improve the exterior of your building with Metro Construction.

Call 1-303-242-8444 for a free inspection and a free estimate from the experienced professionals at Metro Construction today!

The post Deliver Value by Improving Your Commercial Building Exteriors appeared first on Metro Construction.

9. Stained siding
If gutters are clogged and water doesn’t have a proper place to flow away from your roof, it’ll likely spill over onto your siding or onto your lawn…

8. Erosion
When your gutters are clogged water can spill off your roof onto your home’s foundation, causing water to damage foundation, sneak into your basement, and cause other water-related damages.

7. Mold growth
Damp siding and foundation can cause mold to grow in your basement or on the sides of your house.

6. Ugly stains
Enough water splashing onto your siding, walkways or foundation will eventually cause stains that are hard to remove and very unpleasant to look at.

5. Mosquito paradise
Clogged gutters are an often-overlooked prime spot for mosquito breeding grounds. Simply having mosquitoes attracted to your house puts you and your family more at risk to bites and even diseases like West Nile virus.

4. Rotting
Water spilling over the gutters can cause the wooden components of your home to rot.

3. Weak structure
Rotting fascia, soffit, door jams, window sills, and siding shingles will weaken your home overall.

2. Ice dams
If your gutters are clogged with leaves, ice and snow won’t be able to properly drain from your roof.

1. Lowered curb appeal and resale value
No buyer will want a home without a safe and effective gutter system. Even if the house has no water damage currently, who wants to buy a home where they know they’ll have to deal with water damage down the line?

Leaves must be cleared from gutters year-round, but especially in the fall before winter hits. To prevent having to clean your gutters often, install reliable gutter coverings.

The post 9 Dangers of Having a Weak Gutter System appeared first on Metro Construction.

Want to get some old appliances off your hands? Does your old couch need a new home? Are your underused kitchen gadgets just taking up space?

Make the best of this cold weather by doing some good! Donate your used appliances or furniture to your local Habitat for Humanity® ReStore.

Accepted donation items include:

-Appliances
-Cabinets
-Flooring
-Furniture
-AC Units
-Furnaces
-Insulation
-Lawn Care Tools
-Lighting
-Electrical Components
-Lumber
-Mirrors
-Plumbing
-Roofing Items
-Drywall
-Windows
-Doors
-And much more!

You can either drop off items at your local ReStore or have ReStore pick up your items for a suggested $15 donation.

For a complete list of accepted items, view the Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver’s list of Accepted Donation Items.

Happy giving, all!

The post Remodeling This Winter? Donate Your Old Stuff! appeared first on Metro Construction.

Here are some helpful links to make sure you’re prepared for filing an insurance claim:

What You Need to Know About Roofing Insurance Claims

Common Insurance Terms Every Homeowner Should Know

A Better Understanding: Sample Insurance Claim

Back up your claims with third-party assessment reports
Another way to back up your claims is with a third party roof assessment report. Metro offers free damage assessment reports when you have our experts come out to inspect your roof. These no obligation, hassle-free reports will show you exact measurements of you roof and close up images of your roof’s damage. That way, you can eliminate measurement, damage or estimate discrepancies between you, your insurance provider and the roof repair company you choose.

The post Homeowner Protection: Things You Should Know Before Filing a Roofing Insurance Claim appeared first on Metro Construction.

What’s the difference between “Workmanship” and “Product” coverage? “Prorated” and “Non-prorated”? Should you spring for an extended roof warranty? Read on to find out!

The type of warranty on your new roof will depend on (A) your contractor and (B) the manufacturer of the product itself. Some products come with a longer warranty due to their durability and features. Your contractor will likely have product supply partnerships with manufacturers allowing them to offer special warranties.

One important distinction is between Workmanship Coverage and Product Coverage. The Roofing Product Warranty is on the actual roofing products themselves – your new shingles, underlayment, etc. If these “ingredients” of your roof ever fail within the warranty period, the manufacturer will replace them. A Roofing Workmanship Warranty covers the installation. If your new roof fails due to an application error within the Workmanship Warranty period, your contractor will be obligated to fix the problem.

For example, when you choose to have Owens Corning roofing products installed by Metro, you’ll want to know about the roofing product warranties that Owens Corning offers as well as the roofing workmanship warranty that Metro offers.

There are two main types of roofing warranty: Prorated and Non-prorated.

Prorated Warranty
As your roof grows older, a prorated warranty covers a smaller percentage of the repair costs. It might cover the workmanship, but generally does not cover the entire cost of repair or replacement due to factors like material cost.

Non-prorated
A non-prorated warranty covers workmanship as well as products. In some cases, it may be for a shorter period than a prorated warranty, but because the manufacturer will replace or repair the product at no additional cost, a non-prorated warranty is the better choice.

The main difference between the two is that as time continues, a prorated warranty will cover less of the material cost for repair or replacement. Always ask about warranty information when shopping for a roof. Your contractor is responsible for their workmanship, and the material warranties from the manufacturer are only valid so long as your roof has been installed correctly.

Metro Construction offers Lifetime Coverage on all Owens Corning roof systems and a two-year warranty on labor. Learn more about our System Advantage Warranty.

The post Understanding Warranty Talk for Your New Colorado Roof appeared first on Metro Construction.

Instant benefits to getting a professional roof inspection…

Keeps your tenants safe
The essential role of a roof is for protection. A fully functioning roof keeps your tenants safe from wind, rain and other threating weather conditions. To make sure your roofs are safe, have a professional roof inspector validate the condition of your roofs.

Keeps your tenants healthy
A roof that has a hole in it, was improperly installed or is wearing down on its own, puts your tenants at risk of health hazards related to mold growth, mildew, rotting, and abnormal temperatures and moisture within the home. Keep your tenants or members safe from health hazards, protect your own back and save yourself some stress by certifying the safety of your roof with a professional roof inspection.

Keeps your tenants’ energy bills low
Roofs with holes or incomplete roofing systems can allow air to escape through small gaps or a lack of insulation. A complete, fully functioning roofing system won’t allow air to sneak through, keeping the home at the desired temperature and regulating energy bills. Lowered energy bills, as proven by an inspection report, can be a major selling point when trying to gain new business or attract more renters, which is why after Metro inspections your roof, we provide complete documentation of the conditions of your roof.

Long term benefits to getting a professional roof inspection…

Increases property value
A fully functioning, properly insulating roofing system made up of long-lasting durable products, like Owens Corning products, will up the value of your property or your HOA member’s properties. A professionally documented roof inspection ensures your roofing is up to these standards, and you’ll have certification to prove it.

Saves money on repairs
When you have a long-lasting, hail-resistant roof properly installed by experienced professionals like Metro Construction, you protect your roof and the rest of the property from future damage. We’re not only talking protection from hail damage, but we’re also talking protection from wind, fire, moisture and other weather threats that can cause expensive damage.

The easiest, most economical way to achieve the benefits of a safe roof is to get a professional roof inspection. Metro offers FREE multi-tenant property and HOA roof inspections where our experienced inspectors will thoroughly evaluate your roofs then advise you on the best next steps to take for protecting your residents and maintaining their roofs. We also offer FREE estimates on all of our services.

Call 1-303-242-8444 today to schedule an inspection at your convenience.

The post How Will a Professional Roof Inspection Save Your Commercial Property or HOA? appeared first on Metro Construction.