The Roofing Journal
Practical guides from the crew — ice dam prevention, roof replacement costs, storm damage, and the details that matter when you are making a decision about your roof. North-central Minnesota framing throughout.
From the Field
Roofing guides for Minnesota homeowners
Plain-language answers to the questions we hear most often — from ice dam prevention in January to hail damage documentation in June.
Standing Seam Metal on a Lake Cabin: Snow, Ice Dams, Noise and Lifespan
Standing seam metal sheds snow, lasts decades, and is quieter than most people think. But it needs snow guards, a plan for condensation,…
Impact-Resistant (Class 4) Shingles in Minnesota: What the Rating Means and What Insurers Do
Class 4 is the top hail-impact rating for shingles. Here is what it measures, which brands in our lineup make Class 4 products, and what…
Roofing Material Prices in 2026: What Is Driving Them Up
Shingle makers raised prices at least twice in 2026, and steel tariffs are pushing metal costs. Here is what we can verify, and what it m…
Why Fall Is the Time to Fix Your Attic Before Ice Dam Season
Ice dams start in the attic, not on the roof. Fall is the best time to seal air leaks and add insulation, before the first heavy snow. He…
Solar Shingles vs. Solar Panels on a New Roof in Minnesota
Thinking about solar and a new roof at the same time? Here is how solar shingles and regular panels compare in 2026, what the tax credit…
Fall Roof Checklist for the Brainerd Lakes: 8 Checks Before Freeze-Up
Most winter roof leaks start with a small fall problem: a clogged gutter, a loose flashing, a leaky attic hatch. Here are eight checks to…
Tesla Solar Roof in 2026: What Minnesota Homeowners Should Know
Trade press reported in August 2026 that Tesla stopped supplying Solar Roof tiles. Here is what that means for a lake-country homeowner,…
7 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Minnesota Roofing Contractor
Before you sign anything with a roofing contractor in Minnesota, seven questions will tell you almost everything you need to know — and a…
How to Spot Hail Damage on Your Minnesota Roof
Minnesota hail season runs April through September, with north-central counties seeing 3–5 qualifying events per decade. Here is what to…
The Permanent Ice Dam Fix: Attic Insulation and Ventilation
Ice dam removal stops the immediate damage — but the dam comes back unless you fix the attic. Here is what a permanent solution actually…
Metal vs. Asphalt Shingles in Minnesota: A Practical Comparison
For most Minnesota homeowners the choice comes down to two materials: GAF Timberline HDZ asphalt and standing seam metal. Here is how the…
Repair or Replace? How Minnesota Homeowners Decide
When patching a Minnesota roof stops making financial sense depends on age, damage type, and what the next MN winter will do to whatever…
Asphalt vs Metal vs Slate vs Cedar: Which MN Roof Lasts Longest
GAF Timberline HDZ, standing seam steel, natural slate, and cedar shake each handle Minnesota winters differently. Here's an honest compa…
Hail Damage in Minnesota: What Insurers Actually Cover
Minnesota hail season runs April through September. What your insurer covers depends on whether the damage is functional or cosmetic, ACV…
How to File a Roof Insurance Claim in Minnesota
Filing a roof insurance claim in Minnesota involves seven steps — from documenting damage within 24 hours to passing the final adjuster i…
When to Replace vs Repair a Minnesota Roof
Repair or replace? The honest answer depends on five factors: patch count, age against lifespan, granule loss, decking condition, and whe…
Spring Roof Inspection Checklist for Minnesota Homeowners
After a Minnesota winter, your roof has been through freeze-thaw cycles, ice dam season, and heavy snow loads. This 13-item checklist cov…
Winter Roof Installation in Minnesota: Can You Replace in Frozen Ground Season?
Yes, roofs can be replaced in Minnesota winters — with specific cold-weather practices for adhesive cure, shingle handling, and manufactu…
What a Roof Replacement Costs in Central Minnesota: 2026 Guide
A plain-numbers breakdown of roof replacement costs for central Minnesota homes — material choices, what drives the price up or down, ins…
Ice Dams in Minnesota: Causes, Damage, and How to Prevent Them
Ice dams form on Minnesota roofs when attic heat melts snow faster than it can drain. Here's what causes them, what damage they do, and h…
Questions about your roof?
The articles give you the framework; an inspection gives you the answer for your specific roof. Free estimates, written before any work starts.