QUESTIONS
ANSWERED.

The 7-step process

1. Get a free professional inspection before calling your insurance company. A roofer can tell you if damage is claim-worthy.
2. We document everything. Date-stamped photos of the storm, dented gutters, downed limbs, hail on the ground. The more recent evidence, the better.
3. Call your insurance carrier and open the claim. They will ask for a storm date and if it is wind or hail related. They will give you a claim number.
4. Your insurance carrier will schedule the adjuster to come inspect the damage. Let them know that you want Force 5 Roofing to be at the inspection. They will accommodate you. This single step changes outcomes more than anything else.
5. Once you get your adjuster's scope of loss, make sure Force 5 Roofing receives a copy.
6. Sign your contract with the roofer. In Colorado, reputable contractors will work directly with your carrier on supplements if items were missed.
7. Your carrier issues an actual cash value check minus your deductible. We negotiate an Agreed Upon Price (AUP) with them, replace the roof, and once the final invoice is sent, the carrier releases the remaining balance.

The 5 mistakes that kill claims

• Waiting more than a year after a storm to file. Most policies have a strict one-year window.
• Letting the adjuster inspect alone, without your contractor present.
• Accepting the first scope of loss without a second opinion. Adjusters miss things — especially flashing, vents, and matching code upgrades.
• Signing a contingency contract before the claim is approved (puts you on the hook even if insurance denies).
• Hiring a storm chaser. Out-of-state crews disappear before warranty issues surface.

If you're not sure whether your roof has claim-worthy damage, we'll climb up, document it with photos, and tell you straight. Free, no obligation.

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Impact-resistant (Class 4) asphalt shingles

The default choice for 90% of Denver Metro homes, and for good reason. Class 4 shingles are rated to survive a 2-inch steel ball dropped from 20 feet — real-world hail equivalent. Most Colorado insurers will discount your premium 10–30% if you install them.

• Best for: Suburban homes across Denver, Aurora, Parker, Castle Rock, Lakewood.
• Lifespan: 30–50 years.
• Trade-off: Higher upfront cost than standard shingles, but the insurance discount usually pays back in 5–7 years.

Standing seam metal

The gold standard for hail country and for any roof at altitude. Vertical seams shed snow, panels won't crack from impact, and a metal roof installed correctly will outlast the house. Increasingly popular in Summit County and on modern Denver homes.

• Best for: Mountain homes, modern architecture, anywhere with extreme snow load or wildfire risk.
• Lifespan: 50–70 years.
• Trade-off: 2–3x the cost of asphalt. Worth it if you're staying in the home long-term.

TPO & EPDM (for flat / low-slope)

For commercial buildings and modern flat-roof residential. TPO reflects UV (a big deal at our altitude) and stays flexible in cold. EPDM is the cheaper, longer-tested alternative — basically a giant rubber sheet.

• Best for: Commercial properties, modern flat-roof homes, additions and dormers.
• Lifespan: 20–30 years.
• Trade-off: Installation quality matters more than the material itself. Seams are where failures happen.

What we don't recommend in Colorado

• Standard 3-tab asphalt shingles. They're cheap and they hail-damage instantly.
• Wood shake. Beautiful, but a wildfire liability and most insurers now refuse to write policies on it.
• Cheap stone-coated steel from unknown manufacturers. The good versions are great; the bad versions rust at the seams in five years.

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