Brian Cornell is a trendsetter. When hail injury required him to interchange his actual cedar roof, Cornell made two important selections. First, he invested in an artificial shake roof. And second, he put in composite roof photo voltaic panels on the similar time. Each are trendsetting decisions.
Development #1: Artificial Roofing
“We’ve seen a gentle improve in artificial slate and shake roofing gross sales through the previous a number of years within the Chicagoland markeplace,” says Jason Chase, proprietor of JnJ Restoration, a DaVinci Roofscapes Masterpiece Contractor based mostly in Evanston, Illinois. “Most householders have an interest within the sturdiness of the product for a similar purpose Brian was. They’re pissed off by roofing merchandise that don’t deal with extreme climate or are uninterested in sustaining their roofs.
“The DaVinci Roofscapes merchandise we set up have a Lifetime Restricted Supplies Guarantee. They’re made to very excessive requirements. These artificial slate and shake tiles resist hearth, impression and excessive winds. From the upkeep aspect, they resist splitting, cracking, fading and bug infestations. It’s a roof you placed on now and neglect about for the following 50 years.”
Development #2: Photo voltaic Panels
“We’re positively seeing elevated gross sales for photo voltaic panels on roofs in our space,” says Tom Anderson, senior power advisor with Greenlink™ Power Options in Rockford, Illinois. “Owners like Brian are considering twice when it’s time for them to interchange a roof. They’re questioning what extra can they do with that area to boost the worth of their property?
“In line with the Photo voltaic Power Industries Affiliation, the quantity of photo voltaic capability put in in Illinois is anticipated to develop by greater than 1,700% over the following 5 years. Cornell’s resolution to go photo voltaic this yr maximizes his Illinois’ photo voltaic incentives and credit together with a 30% federal revenue tax credit score that renewed final yr.”
The staff at Greenlink Power Options used their Aurora Photo voltaic Design instrument to find out the optimum placement of photo voltaic panels on Cornell’s L-shaped house. Then they labored alongside the JnJ Restoration staff to mount the panels whereas the brand new DaVinci Multi-Width Shake roofing was put in.
“The sturdiness of the composite shake roofing is good for internet hosting the photo voltaic panels,” says Anderson. “I envision this pattern persevering with to develop sooner or later. We’re seeing extra owners requesting photo voltaic panels concurrently they’re investing in roofing.”
Deciding on Artificial Shake
For Brian and Lisa Cornell, their journey to a brand new roof started in 2022. By then their house was 30 years outdated. Over time they employed a roof preserver who used an oil based mostly preservative on the true cedar shakes to maintain them properly maintained. Nevertheless, a hail storm prompted extreme injury to the roof on the house and gazebo.
“I knew our actual shake days have been over,” says Cornell, whose house sits on the Royal Melbourne Golf Course in Lengthy Grove, Illinois. “After I noticed the DaVinci composite shakes, they appeared very very similar to my authentic shake roof.
“The variation in shingle measurement and the feel of the artificial shingle all look similar to an actual shake roof. I actually just like the variation in colour within the Aged Cedar we selected. The roofing materials appears to be like similar to a weathered shake roof.”
Including Photo voltaic Panels
With the roof product and colour determined, Cornell went again to an concept he had beforehand thought-about. Photo voltaic panels. He needed to have them put in on his actual cedar roof previously, however the photo voltaic panel firm had rejected the request.
“We is not going to set up photo voltaic panels on actual cedar or actual slate,” says Anderson, whose firm is a 3rd technology constructing efficiency enterprise servicing each northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. “The pure merchandise are too undependable and lack sturdiness. There’s an excessive amount of likelihood for breakage. Additionally, it’s probably harmful for our crew, so we is not going to set up photo voltaic panels on these surfaces.”
Cornell remembered these conversations. Earlier than his new DaVinci roof went up, he contacted Anderson once more. This time he was happy to be taught that the composite cedar shake roof was a great floor for photo voltaic panel set up.
“It made sense to reduce the shingle penetration by having the roofers and photo voltaic installers work side-by-side,” says Cornell. “This manner there was minimal penetration to the substructure, eliminating the opportunity of leakage sooner or later.”
As a closing completion, snow guards have been additionally strategically put in on the composite cedar shake roof by the JnJ Restoration crew.
Investing for the Future
In line with Cornell, each the composite roof and the photo voltaic panels improve the worth of his house. The photo voltaic panels are already offering important financial savings on his electrical invoice. As well as, he expects the photo voltaic panels to supply power financial savings in about 7-1/2 years. And, each time he sells the home, he’ll have the ability to promote his trend-setting roof.
As he factors out, his aesthetically stunning, low-maintenance composite cedar shake roof has a long-term guarantee. As well as, the power prices to run the house shall be extraordinarily low sooner or later because of the photo voltaic panels.
“The success of this venture is predicated a lot on the 2 crews that labored collectively so properly,” says Cornell. “The groups from JnJ Restoration and Greenlink Power Options have been very skilled, devoted and thoughtful. I’ve already beneficial them to household and buddies.
“Each Jason and Tom confirmed nice persistence in answering my questions. They supplied us with top-level service, excellent merchandise and a completed roof that we completely love.”