A roof replacement is one of those projects you feel in your gut. You notice the curling shingles after a summer storm, or you find grit from the asphalt in your gutters, and you start running numbers in your head. In St. Louis, where spring hail meets humid summers and freeze-thaw winters, timing and planning matter as much as craftsmanship. The right plan keeps your home dry and your budget intact, and it also makes installation days far less stressful for your family. This guide walks through how to prepare, what to expect on the job, and how to choose materials and warranties that make sense for our climate. Along the way, you will see why a local partner such as Conner Roofing, LLC is a wise choice when mapping your roof replacement in St. Louis MO.
First, understand what your roof is telling you
I have walked more St. Louis roofs than I can count, and the story is usually in the details. Shingles that have lost their granules will look blotchy, almost bald in patches, especially on sun-facing slopes. Heat-driven blistering shows up as small pockmarks. Hail strikes look like soft bruises that don’t rebound. Look closely around penetrations: chimneys, skylights, bathroom vents. The flashing there often fails first, allowing slow leaks that stain attic decking long before you see water indoors.
Age matters too. Most architectural asphalt shingles are marketed at 30 years, yet in our region a 18 to 25 year service life is more realistic without extraordinary ventilation and maintenance. If your roof is layered, meaning a new installation was placed on top of an old one, subtract several years from that expectation. Weight, trapped heat, and hidden deck issues take their toll.
When in doubt, invite a pro to inspect. A trustworthy contractor will photograph the evidence, measure ventilation, and separate cosmetic issues from structural ones. A thorough diagnostic in St. Louis includes checking for hail, wind uplift along the eaves and ridges, flashing integrity, attic moisture, and the condition of decking at the edges where ice can creep under the membrane during a cold snap.
Planning the project around St. Louis weather
Our weather runs on its own schedule. You might get a 70-degree day in late February and a downpour two days later. Most roof replacement services in the metro area aim for temperatures between the mid 40s and the low 90s for asphalt. Sealant strips bond best above 45 degrees, and installers can work efficiently without risking damage to brittle shingles in deep cold or soft shingles during extreme heat.
Spring and fall book fast because the temperatures are friendly, especially after hail events. Summer works fine, provided crews start early and manage heat exposure. Winter is still possible, but timing matters. You want a window with dry skies and no heavy freeze within the first 24 to 48 hours after installation. Conner Roofing, LLC schedules with these windows in mind and adjusts crew size so the home is dried in well before the afternoon storms roll through.
Build some buffer into your plan. If you have to coordinate other trades, such as solar installers or gutter replacements, your roofer should lead the schedule. A seasoned St. Louis roof team will tarp quickly when pop-up storms threaten, and they will not tear off more roof than they can secure that day.
Budget, bids, and what drives cost
Most homeowners ask the same first question: what will it cost? The honest answer is that two factors dominate. The first is your roof’s size and complexity. The second is the system you choose, not just the shingle. A simple ranch with two straight slopes and a single layer tear-off costs far less per square than a steep Tudor with dormers, valleys, multiple penetrations, and two layers to remove.
Expect a range that reflects real differences: materials, crew experience, underlayment choice, flashing upgrades, and disposal fees. Insurance work after hail damage follows a different flow, typically based on scope and line items rather than a single number. Transparent contractors will show you the components, not just the total.
Ventilation upgrades, ice and water shield coverage, premium underlayments, and custom metal work add durable value. Cutting corners in those areas often leads to callbacks. In a market like ours, where heavy rain and quick freeze cycles stress roofs, those upgrades protect your decking and interior finishes.
Why local matters for a St. Louis roof replacement
Installers learn the rhythm of their climate. St. Louis is not the same as Kansas City, and it certainly is not Arizona. We have spring hail, summer heat, fall winds, and winter ice. Local crews know where roofs fail first here. They plan tear-offs around our fast-moving storm lines and understand the city and county permitting differences. They also know how insurance carriers handle hail claims in our zip codes, which speeds documentation and approvals when a storm triggers a replacement.
Conner Roofing, LLC is anchored here, which shows in how they stage jobs: protecting landscaping with plywood paths and tarps, policing nails with magnetic sweepers, and ensuring attics are inspected for daylight around penetrations once the new roof is on. A St. Louis roof replacement should feel choreographed rather than improvised.
Materials that stand up to our mix of heat, wind, and ice
When choosing shingles, start with impact and wind ratings, then evaluate warranty terms that match our conditions. Architectural asphalt remains the workhorse. It offers a fair balance of cost, weight, and performance. Look for products with Class 3 or Class 4 impact ratings if hail is a concern in your neighborhood. Some insurers offer discounts for impact-rated roofs, which may offset the premium.
Metal makes sense on certain homes, especially low-slope sections or where snow slides are not a hazard. Standing seam sheds water beautifully, and with proper underlayment and snow guards it can be quiet and durable. Clay and concrete tile are rare here because of weight and freeze-thaw risks, but fiber-cement and high-end composites sometimes enter the conversation for historic homes that want a slate look without the load.
Underlayment is where performance often swings. A synthetic underlayment resists tearing and wrinkling, which matters on humid days. Ice and water shield belongs in valleys, around chimneys and skylights, and roof replacement along eaves to at least 24 inches inside the warm wall. In neighborhoods with deep eaves or north-facing shade, extending that shield further is cheap insurance.
Ventilation closes the loop. Without balanced intake and exhaust, even the best shingles cook from beneath. Baffles at the eaves maintain airflow in houses with insulation pushed into the soffits, and ridge vents, when paired with adequate intake, draw heat and moisture out. In winter, good ventilation reduces condensation that can rot decking and trusses. In summer, it drops attic temperatures, easing strain on HVAC.
Working with Conner Roofing, LLC: how a well-run job flows
A strong process looks simple from the outside because the crew has done the thinking already. With Conner Roofing, the sequence usually runs like this: a detailed inspection with photos and measurements, a written scope that names materials and line items, and a firm schedule window that respects weather reality. On installation day, the crew protects the site first, then tears off, repairs decking where necessary, installs underlayment and flashings, and lays shingles with attention to straight courses and tight seams at valleys and walls. Quality control happens at the end and again after the first rain.
Documentation matters more than most people realize. When a roof replacement St. Louis project is done, you want photos of what was replaced, receipts that show the exact products used, and warranty registration proof. Conner registers manufacturer warranties and provides workmanship coverage details, which saves headaches if you ever sell the home or file a claim.
Insurance, hail claims, and avoiding the common traps
Hail is a fact of life in our region. Not every storm justifies a claim, and not every dimple is functional damage. A credible roofer will test soft metals, document shingle bruising that breaks the mat, and photograph spatter to show the storm’s direction and intensity. Most carriers want a clear pattern across slopes, not just one side. If a claim is justified, your contractor should line up scope with the adjuster, not pad it or strip it down. The point is accuracy.
Beware of out-of-town pop-up crews that chase storms with generic contracts and vague warranties. A St. Louis roof replacement should be backed by a team you can reach next season. Choose a partner who speaks plainly about code upgrades, permits, and what is recoverable under your policy. I have seen homeowners save thousands because a local contractor knew the municipal requirements and got paid to bring the home to code instead of quietly eating the cost.
Protecting landscaping, driveways, and interiors during the job
A roof tear-off is messy by nature, but it should not feel careless. Good crews lay tarps from eaves to the ground, set plywood shields against fragile shrubs, and position dump trailers on boards to prevent driveway indentations. They remove loose items from attic spaces near the eaves, or at least advise you to cover them. Nail control is not optional. A magnet sweep at lunch and end of day keeps tires safe and pets safer.
Inside the house, expect a little vibration and some dust. If you have a nursery or a home office under an active slope, plan accordingly. Move vehicles out of the garage so installers can protect the driveway and have room to work. These small adjustments turn a loud day into a productive one.
How to compare bids without getting lost in jargon
Most homeowners collect two or three quotes. Price alone will not teach you the difference between okay and excellent. Read each scope line by line. Does it include full tear-off and replacement of damaged decking at a stated per-sheet cost? Is the underlayment named, and is ice and water shield coverage specified beyond the code minimum? Are flashings around chimneys and walls being replaced with new metal, or reused? What ventilation changes are included? What is the workmanship warranty length, and is it written?
Ask the contractor to point to recent installs in your neighborhood. Drive by in the evening when the light is low, and look at the ridge lines and valleys. A straight, clean ridge and crisp valley cuts tell you a lot about discipline on the roof.
Timelines and what “one day” really means
Many St. Louis roof replacement jobs finish in one long day, but that definition varies with roof size and crew count. A three to four bedroom ranch with a simple layout can be torn off and re-shingled by an eight to ten person crew between 7 a.m. and late afternoon, weather permitting. Add complexity, multiple layers, or decking repairs, and you might see a second day. That is not a failure, it is often a sign that the crew refused to rush critical details like valley metal or step flashing.
If a midday storm appears on radar, a responsible team will dry in the open areas first. That means underlayment and ice and water shield are in place, with temporary seals at ridges. I have watched crews save living rooms from disaster by prioritizing the vulnerable slopes when thunderheads build over the river. Planning for the unexpected is part of the craft.
Warranties that matter after the shingles go on
You will encounter layered warranties: manufacturer material coverage, enhanced system warranties if all components are from the same brand, and the contractor’s workmanship warranty. In practice, workmanship is the one you call on first. Flashing errors, ventilation miscalculations, or poor nail placement reveal themselves in the first few seasons. Choose a roofer whose local reputation is tied to honoring those calls.
Manufacturer warranties have a lot of fine print. Some require registered installation by a certified contractor. Some pro-rate after a decade, while others keep a stronger non-prorated period if you used the full system components: shingles, underlayment, starter strip, ridge cap, and venting. Ask your contractor to put the registration confirmation in your closing packet. When you sell the home, transferable coverage can reassure buyers.
What to do in the months after your new roof is installed
A new roof should not be a set-it-and-forget-it asset. Walk the perimeter after the first heavy rain and look for overflow points at gutters. If your gutters clog easily, consider covers or schedule seasonal cleanings. Inspect the attic after a sustained downpour to confirm dry decking around penetrations. In fall, watch for leaves building up in valleys. In winter, after a snow, see how quickly the snow melts on different slopes. Uneven melt can hint at ventilation or insulation differences worth addressing.
If your home sits under big oaks or maples, a gentle rinse once a year helps remove organic matter that holds moisture against shingles. Avoid pressure washers, which can accelerate granule loss. Your roofer can recommend safe maintenance practices that fit the material you chose.
How Conner Roofing, LLC fits into a smart plan for roof replacement St. Louis
The reason homeowners keep calling Conner is not a single flashy feature. It is the steady quality across the small steps that make up a proper roof replacement. Clear scopes. Respect for site and schedule. A St. Louis-centric eye for weather, ventilation, and flashing. When a homeowner asks about the trade-offs between impact-rated shingles and standard architectural lines, they get a nuanced answer that weighs insurance discounts, upfront cost, and the neighborhood’s real hail history rather than a sales pitch.
The company’s team treats documentation as part of the build, not an afterthought. That helps on storm claims and helps you if you refinance or sell. A well-documented St. Louis roof replacement becomes a selling point, not a question mark.
A simple planning checklist you can keep on your fridge
- Confirm roof age, layers, and any known leaks with a photo-documented inspection. Choose materials and underlayments suited to St. Louis weather, including ice and water shield coverage in key zones. Align your schedule with likely weather windows and coordinate gutters, solar, or other trades. Compare bids by scope details and workmanship warranty, not just price. Set the site up for success on installation day: move vehicles, cover attic items, and communicate any interior sensitivities.
When to act now vs. when to monitor
Not every worn shingle requires immediate replacement. If you see isolated curling on a rear slope, good flashing, and no attic moisture, you can often plan for a replacement in the next season, maybe budgeting for ventilation improvements to extend life. If you see widespread granule loss, active leaks, or soft decking at the eaves, waiting risks interior damage that quickly dwarfs the cost of early action. After hail, let a local roofer provide a plain-english report and decide whether to involve insurance. Filing a claim without functional damage can be counterproductive.
Ready to talk? Here is how to reach Conner Roofing, LLC
Contact Us
Conner Roofing, LLC
Address: 7950 Watson Rd, St. Louis, MO 63119, United States
Phone: (314) 375-7475
Website: https://connerroofing.com/
A conversation costs nothing and can save you weeks of uncertainty. If you are planning a roof replacement in St. Louis, ask for a walk-through of your roof’s condition, a line-item scope that includes ventilation and flashing, and a realistic schedule. Whether your home sits in the city, the inner-ring suburbs, or farther west, setting the plan correctly is what makes the rest almost easy.
Final notes from the field
The most satisfied homeowners share a few habits. They pick a local partner with a track record, give that partner room to sequence the work around weather, and insist on a system, not just shingles. They ask for photos at each stage and keep a folder with warranty registrations and material labels. They resist the temptation to save a little by reusing old https://connerroofing.com/#:~:text=to%20offer%20complete-,roofing%20services,-in%20the%20Saint flashings or skipping ice shield on a north eave. And when the crew finishes, they make a point to walk the site with the project lead and ask questions while the details are fresh.
Roof replacement St Louis projects are not just about stopping leaks. They are about protecting the biggest investment most families make, improving energy performance, and preserving curb appeal that will matter in five or ten years. With the right plan and a capable team such as Conner Roofing, LLC, the process can move smoothly from first inspection to the quiet satisfaction of a watertight home through our next round of seasons.
If your roof is approaching the end of its service life, take a measured, informed approach. Evaluate, plan, schedule, and execute with care. St Louis roof replacement done well is about craftsmanship and judgment, supported by materials that match our climate. You can get that balance right, and it will show every time the rain drums and your house stays calm and dry.