Discover 5 Important Things About Your Roof: What 7+ Years Of Colorado Roofing Has Taught Us

You probably don’t think about your roof until something goes wrong. We see it daily as we do home roof replacement projects across Broomfield and Westminster. Minor problems get ignored, then expensive disasters hit. Here are five warning signs we find repeatedly when inspecting roofs throughout Broomfield, Westminster, and the Front Range—signs your roof is failing and what you need to know to protect your home.

1. Warning Signs Your Roof Is Approaching End-Of-Life

Asphalt shingles don’t last forever. Salespeople claim otherwise, but don’t believe them. In Colorado’s extreme climate, we see 25-year shingles lasting 18-22 actual years. 30-year shingles last 22-28 years. Even 50-year premium architectural shingles only deliver 35-45 actual years in real-world Colorado conditions.

Why the difference? It’s Colorado’s intense UV exposure at high elevation. Brutal temperature swings, hailstorms we deal with constantly, and wind that never stops all accelerate aging. Shingles rated for 30 years in mild climates fail faster here. We work at a mile high with thin atmosphere. UV damage that would take decades at sea level happens in half that time here.

We watch for warning signs before complete failure. Granule loss is the first indicator. Check your gutters for asphalt granules that look like coarse sand. When you’re seeing granules wash into gutters around Flatiron Crossing, near Interlocken Loop, or along Sheridan Parkway, we know your shingles are degrading. You’ll see curling shingles and cracked or missing pieces. Visible wear on south-facing slopes. We see all these indicators that your roof is approaching the end of its life.

Catching these signs early means you plan roof replacement in Broomfield on your timeline instead of emergency repairs during the next storm. We work in older Broomfield neighborhoods regularly. Properties built in the late 90s and early 2000s around Anthem Ranch, Wildgrass, Broadlands, and McKay Landing are entering the 20-25-year window when original roofs need our attention. Throughout Westminster, homes near Legacy Ridge, The Ranch, and Westminster Hills face the same timeline. We are experienced in managing teh city of Broomfield’s specific guidelines on permitting.

The cheap contractor solution? Tell you the roof is fine when it’s not. Then disappear before problems surface. The expensive solution means emergency replacement at premium prices during storm season, when everyone needs roofing work simultaneously. Our smart solution is regular inspections that catch degradation early. Plan your replacement before failure forces your hand.

2. Poor Ventilation Destroys Roofs From The Inside

Inadequate attic ventilation destroys roofs from the inside. We see this constantly. Most homeowners have no idea it’s happening. Summer heat builds up in poorly ventilated attics. Bakes your shingles from underneath. Accelerates degradation. Winter moisture accumulates. Causes ice dams at eaves and condensation that rots the roof decking.

We’ve replaced roofs where shingles failed early due to poor attic ventilation, which raised attic temperatures to 150+ degrees. The roofing materials were fine. The installation we found ignored ventilation requirements that matter in Colorado’s climate. Your roof can literally cook itself from the inside if we don’t set up your attic to breathe properly.

Proper roof ventilation includes intake vents at eaves (soffit vents) and exhaust at the ridge through ridge vents or other high-point exhaust systems. We design air to flow in low. Pick up heat and moisture. Exit high. This natural circulation we create protects both your roofing materials and the attic structure itself.

We regularly work on homes across Boulder County—particularly older properties near Legacy Ridge, in Historic Old Town Arvada, and throughout Superior and Erie. Often, ventilation is blocked by insulation pushed against the roof decking during energy-efficiency upgrades. The insulation is excellent for your heating bills. Terrible for your roof’s lifespan. Both situations cause expensive problems that our proper roofing installation prevents.

Most contractors focus on shingles and ignore ventilation because it’s invisible work that doesn’t show from the street. But inadequate ventilation cuts your roof’s lifespan by years. Creates moisture problems that cost you thousands to repair. When we handle your roof replacement Broomfield projects, proper ventilation is mandatory. We’ve seen what happens when contractors skip it.

3. Flashing Failures Cause Most Roof Leaks

Flashings are metal pieces that seal roof penetrations and transitions. Chimneys. Vent pipes. Skylights. Valleys. Where roofs meet walls. Most roof leaks originate at flashing failures, not damaged shingles. If your roof is leaking, there’s probably a 70% chance it’s a flashing issue, not the shingles themselves.

Here’s where cheap contractors cut corners. They reuse old flashing during roof replacement to save time and money. This is where corner-cutting literally causes leaks. Flashing degrades with age. Develops weak spots from temperature cycling. Loses sealing capability. Reusing 20-year-old flashing with new shingles often causes leaks within a few years. You just spent $15,000 on a new roof that could leak because someone saved $300 on flashing.

We replace all flashing during home roof replacement projects in Broomfield and Westminster. New step flashing at walls, new valley flashing, and new pipe boots (the metal pieces that seal penetrations). Proper installation techniques that seal penetrations permanently. Whether you’re near The Orchard in Thornton, around Rocky Mountain Arsenal, or along Highway 36 in Broomfield, your roof installation should protect against Colorado weather without leaking the first time it rains.

Valley flashing deserves special mention. This is where two roof planes meet and water concentrates during runoff. Open valleys with metal flashing visible outperform closed valleys with shingles woven together in Colorado. They shed water faster. Handle our heavy snow loads better. Closed valleys might look cleaner, but they trap debris and snow, which can cause problems.

The difference between a roof that protects your home and one that leaks comes down to flashing quality and installation technique. Shingles get all the attention. Flashing does most of the actual waterproofing work around the areas where water naturally concentrates.

4. Ice Dams Signal Poor Installation And Insulation

Ice dams form when heat escaping through your roof melts snow. That melted snow refreezes at colder eaves. Creates ice barriers that trap water. Trapped water backs up under shingles and leaks into homes. Causes ceiling stains. Insulation damage. Structural rot you won’t see until it’s serious.

The solution isn’t as simple as better shingles. It’s stopping heat loss. Proper attic insulation. Air sealing between the living space and attic. Proper ventilation. These prevent ice dams by keeping roof surfaces uniformly cold during winter. When your whole roof stays cold, snow doesn’t melt and refreeze.

Ice and water shield, a self-adhering waterproof membrane (basically a sticky waterproof barrier), at eaves provides backup protection when installed during roof replacement. It prevents water infiltration even when ice dams form. We install ice and water shield on roofs across Colorado because winters guarantee that ice dam conditions eventually occur. Properties in Superior, Erie, Louisville, Lafayette, and Adams County all face Colorado’s freeze-thaw cycles. Homes throughout Broomfield Heights, Aspen Creek, and Northmoor Estates see the same winter conditions.

Most contractors skip this step or only install the minimum code requirements. We go beyond code because we’ve seen what happens when you don’t. Water intrusion from ice dams causes thousands in interior damage that proper roof installation would prevent.

If you’re getting ice dams, your roof replacement needs to address the root cause. Heat loss and ventilation. Not just install new shingles. Otherwise you’re replacing materials without fixing the problem. Ice dams continue damaging your new roof just like they damaged the old one.

5. Storm Damage Often Goes Undetected Until It’s Too Late

Hail damage often isn’t visible from the ground. We climb roofs finding impacts that create bruises in shingles. These compromise your waterproofing without creating obvious holes. Wind can break seals between shingles without tearing them off completely. Both situations mean your roof is failing, but looks fine during casual inspection from your driveway.

After major storms hit Broomfield, Westminster, or Aurora, the kind that send hail bouncing off cars near Paul Derda Recreation Center or along 120th Avenue, we recommend professional roof inspections. Even if everything looks okay to you. We find damage regularly that you couldn’t see. Especially on back slopes not visible from street level. Or on low-slope sections above your porches.

Your insurance claims have time limits. Colorado law gives you one year from the damage date to file roofing insurance claims. But waiting months means adjusters question whether the damage is really from the storm you’re claiming. We recommend roof inspections within weeks of major hail or wind events. Get your claims filed promptly when we find damage.

The difference between a denied claim and full roof replacement approval often comes down to documentation timing. We work properties around Cherry Creek State Park, near Fitzsimons in Aurora, and throughout every Broomfield and Westminster neighborhood. They get hit hard by hail every few years. Homeowners who wait too long lose coverage they already paid for through premiums.

Storm damage that goes undetected continues compromising your roof’s waterproofing. Small problems we could catch become major leaks. By the time water shows up inside your home, you’re looking at interior damage costs on top of roof replacement. We do professional inspections after storms. Catch damage while your insurance claims are still viable. Before hidden problems become visible disasters for your family.

What Quality Roof Replacement Should Include: 5 Important Things About Your Roof

When we handle roof replacement projects in Broomfield, Westminster, and across the Front Range, here’s what’s included in every job:

Proper Underlayment: Synthetic underlayment that won’t deteriorate, not cheap felt paper that rots in Colorado’s moisture cycles.

Complete Flashing Replacement: New step flashing, valley flashing, pipe boots, and chimney flashing—nothing reused from the old roof.

Ice and Water Shield: Self-adhering waterproof membrane at eaves and valleys for leak protection against ice dams.

Proper Ventilation: Correct intake and exhaust ventilation to protect your roof from inside and prevent premature failure.

Quality Materials: Premium architectural shingles like Owens Corning Duration with transferable warranties that hold value if you sell.

Experienced Installation: Crews who know Colorado building codes and proper techniques for our climate.

Complete Cleanup: Magnetic sweeps for nails, debris removal, and your property left clean.

The difference between a roof that lasts 20 years and one that lasts 40+ years comes down to installation quality, not just shingle brand. These seven components are mandatory. Cutting any of them creates failure points that compromise the entire roofing system.

Why Cheap Roof Replacement Costs More Long-Term

The temptation to choose the lowest roofing estimate is strong. We get it. The reality is that cheap roofs fail faster, require more repairs, and need early replacement. Roofing contractors bidding significantly below competitors are cutting corners somewhere. Usually materials quality. Proper underlayment. Complete flashing. Or experienced installers who know what they’re doing.

We’ve built our Broomfield roofing business on doing work correctly instead of cheaply. Proper synthetic underlayment. Quality flashing. Correct ventilation. Experienced installation. These cost more upfront but deliver decades of reliable performance. The math always favors quality roofing over cheap shortcuts when you look at total cost of ownership.

Colorado’s weather reveals every shortcut within a few seasons. Homes in Westminster near Standley Lake Regional Park, across Louisville and Lafayette, throughout Broomfield Country Club and Brandywine, or near Midway Boulevard all face the same harsh conditions. Invest in proper roof installation now or pay significantly more for early replacement and interior damage repairs later. Your roof protects everything you own. It deserves better than the lowest bid from some guy in a truck who showed up after the last hailstorm.

A quality roof replacement costs $8,000-35,000, depending on size and materials. A cheap replacement that fails in 10 years instead of 30 means you’re replacing it twice. Once in a decade. Plus interior damage from leaks in between. The cheap option actually costs more. It just spreads the pain out over time while destroying your home’s value and livability.

Why Choose ATS Exteriors for Roof Replacement

ATS Exteriors has served Broomfield and Westminster for 7 years, bringing over 15 years of combined roofing experience to every project. We’re Owens Corning Preferred contractors, James Hardie Elite Preferred for siding, and LP SmartSide Preferred installers. These aren’t just badges—they’re extended warranty options and manufacturer backing that most contractors can’t offer.

Rebecca and Jeff Stakes personally oversee every roof replacement project because they know shortcuts today become leak calls in five years. Most contractors send crews you’ve never met. We’re involved from inspection through final cleanup. Our office is located 500 feet from the Westminster border, making us truly local to both Broomfield and Westminster communities.

Seven years of working in Broomfield means we know which neighborhoods are hitting their roof replacement window. What insurance companies serve this area. How Colorado’s unique climate affects roofing materials differently than mild climates. When you need roofing work done right, we’re local. We’re staying. Our reputation depends on quality installations that actually last.

Schedule Your Free Roof Inspection

We provide residential roofing services across Broomfield, Westminster, Aurora, Thornton, Boulder County, Louisville, Lafayette, Erie, Superior, Arvada, Northglenn, Firestone, Frederick, and surrounding Colorado Front Range communities. From roof inspections to complete roof replacement projects, we handle every aspect of keeping your home protected from Colorado weather.

Ready to find out if your roof is failing? Contact us today for a free professional roof inspection. We’ll identify problems before they become emergencies and give you honest recommendations based on what your roof actually needs, not what makes us the most money.