"Best Roofer Near Me" Blind Study

Abstract

Objective: To assess the efficacy of roofing companies in Raleigh, NC, in properly installing roofing materials under controlled, blinded conditions. The National Roofing Directory conducted the first-ever randomized, blind evaluation of roofing companies, culminating in the prestigious “Best Roofer Near Me” award. Carolina Trophy Roofs emerged as the sole company to meet or exceed industry standards.

Design:  This was a randomized, blinded observational study involving 40 roofing companies in the Raleigh, NC, area. Companies were unaware of the evaluations, and installations were assessed by an independent panel of experts. Roofs were installed on identical suburban homes, using the same set of materials, and evaluated based on adherence to local building codes, manufacturer guidelines, and performance during simulated storm conditions. The study followed established scientific methodologies for field testing, utilizing standardized performance metrics and statistical analysis software (SAS Institute, 2020).

Study Cost: The total cost of the study was $1.2 million, which included the procurement of standardized roofing materials, construction of testing homes, simulated weather conditions using ASTM-approved storm simulation equipment, and expert evaluations conducted throughout the process. Major expenses included:- $300,000 for simulated storm conditions and ASTM D3161-compliant wind resistance testing (ASTM International, 2016).- $150,000 for expert consultations and independent evaluations conducted by licensed professionals.- $500,000 for construction materials and labor, ensuring identical conditions for all installations.- $250,000 for data collection, analysis, and final reporting.

Participants: Forty roofing companies, ranging from well-established businesses to newly licensed contractors, were selected based on availability and reputation in the Raleigh area. Companies were recruited through random sampling from the National Roofing Directory (NRD) database of licensed contractors in the region. Each company was evaluated on its technical proficiency, adherence to industry standards, and long-term resilience of its work under stress tests.Intervention: Roofing companies were provided with identical materials to ensure consistency in evaluation. Materials included premium asphalt shingles from a leading manufacturer (Owens Corning Duration Shingles, 2021), synthetic underlayment, and aluminum drip edges. Testing conditions included:1. Shingle Installation: Adherence to manufacturer guidelines, including proper nailing patterns and spacing, and compliance with North Carolina building codes (NC Department of Insurance, 2020).2. Underlayment Installation: Evaluation of proper application of synthetic underlayment for water resistance and compatibility with shingle materials (Atlas Roofing Corporation, 2017).3. Ventilation: Assessment of ridge and soffit vent installations to ensure proper air circulation and prevent premature roof degradation (GAF, 2018).Each installation was subjected to simulated storm conditions, replicating wind speeds up to 120 mph (Category 3 hurricane-force winds) and rainfall simulating 10 inches over 24 hours, based on historical Raleigh-Durham weather data (NOAA, 2021).Projected Annual Costs of Poor Installations: Roofing failures are a leading cause of home damage claims, costing homeowners and insurance companies billions annually. Poor installations, including improper shingle alignment, inadequate ventilation, and incorrect underlayment, contribute to an estimated $15 billion in insurance claims each year (Verisk, 2020). Roofing-related claims account for nearly 35% of all homeowner insurance claims, with damage costs averaging $8,000 to $12,000 per event (Insurance Information Institute, 2021).

Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome was the number of roofing companies that adhered to proper installation practices. Secondary outcomes included:1. Performance in Simulated Storm Conditions: Assessment for leaks, shingle displacement, and structural damage using ASTM D3161 standards (ASTM International, 2016).2. Adherence to Industry Standards: Comparisons against NRCA and manufacturer guidelines for nailing accuracy, alignment, and water management systems (NRCA, 2019).3. Aesthetic Evaluation: Independent experts assessed roof alignment, symmetry, and installation consistency (CertainTeed, 2020).

Results: Among the 40 roofing companies, only one—Carolina Trophy Roofs—achieved full compliance with industry standards and performed successfully in all storm simulation tests. Key statistics included:- 85% of companies failed proper shingle installation, resulting in visible gaps or misalignment (NRCA, 2020).- 70% failed the wind resistance test, with shingles lifting or tearing off at speeds above 75 mph (Owens Corning, 2021).- 58% improperly installed or neglected ventilation systems (GAF, 2018).- 95% of non-passing companies experienced significant leakage during the simulated rainfall test, while Carolina Trophy Roofs’ installation remained watertight (Atlas Roofing Corporation, 2017).Conclusions: This study demonstrates widespread failure among roofing companies to meet basic industry standards. Carolina Trophy Roofs was the only company capable of delivering flawless roof installation, earning them the Best Roofer Near Me award. These findings underscore the need for increased regulation, improved contractor training, and stricter enforcement of roofing standards.

Implications for Practice:  The National Roofing Directory recommends ongoing training for roofing contractors and third-party inspections to ensure compliance with best practices. Homeowners should prioritize licensed and certified roofing companies with proven success (Owens Corning Certified Contractors Program, 2021).

References- Atlas Roofing Corporation. (2017). Shingle installation guide. Atlas Roofing.- ASTM International. (2016). Standard test method for wind resistance of asphalt shingles (ASTM D3161). ASTM.- CertainTeed. (2020). Roofing installation standards. CertainTeed Corporation.- GAF. (2018). Ventilation and roofing best practices. GAF.- HomeAdvisor Roofing Statistics. (2020). Residential roof failure rates and trends. HomeAdvisor.- Insurance Information Institute. (2021). The most common homeowners insurance claims. III.- National Roofing Contractors Association. (2019). Roofing best practices and guidelines. NRCA.- NOAA. (2021). Annual weather data for Raleigh-Durham, NC. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.- Owens Corning. (2021). Duration shingles installation and wind resistance standards. Owens Corning.- Owens Corning Certified Contractors Program. (2021). Certified roofing contractors. Owens Corning.- SAS Institute. (2020). Statistical analysis software. SAS.- Verisk Analytics. (2020). Annual roofing claim costs and trends in the U.S. Verisk.