Roofing News

Hire local

HIRE LOCAL!

At Great Lakes Roofing and Insulation, we know that home improvement projects can be costly ventures, so we realize the importance of choosing the right contractors.

Whether it’s roofing or insulation you’re looking to renovate, we bring a highly qualified workforce and extensive expertise in understanding local needs.

With the problematic winter and spring months we’re so accustomed to in Northern Michigan, we know that many homes/businesses face complications with a leaking roof. These leaking roof problems might lead to insulation problems, and before you know it, you are faced with numerous tough decisions as a building owner.

Recognizing that references are an important part of the decision-making process, we have multiple references for many kinds of projects ranging from residential/commercial Duro-Last, to fiberglass, cellulose, or open/closed-cell spray foam insulations.

We are here to ensure you that Great Lakes Roofing is the most trusted local roofing and insulation company to help make your decision easier.

Our extensive knowledge is not the only benefit of hiring local, we also pride ourselves on our accountability. Our office doors are always open (Monday through Friday, 8-5) for customers to stop in with any questions or concerns.

Since 1985, our family has been committed to our community and we are confident that we can provide you with the services you’re looking for in a local business! Choose Great Lakes Roofing and Insulation Systems, Inc!

GLR Family Feel

Family Feel

Taking ownership of a company that was originated so deeply rooted within the community comes with great responsibilities and co-owners Kevin and Craig and staff were wholeheartedly prepared to take on those responsibilities when they transitioned into Great Lakes Roofing and Insulation Systems, Inc. in 1999.

With the business remaining local for close to 35 years, we have built quite the family within our community and surrounding communities as well.

Whether it’s homeowners who’ve trusted us to insulate their homes or commercial projects looking for Duro-Last installation, our number one priority is to provide industry-leading products paired with unparalleled customer service to our community.

Creating a family-oriented culture within the workplace is something that we believe is extremely important, not only in the process of forming relationships with clients but to our employees as well.

 

There are so many advantages to a family-oriented approach to business including:

  • Respect within the crew
  • Increased trust
  • Boosted morale
  • A positive atmosphere to work in

What we do is hard work, and seeing crew members working together to accomplish the time/labor-intensive tasks each job requires is something that we take pride in.

Providing top-of-the-line service as efficiently as possible fosters the beginning of a lasting family feel! Give us a call if you have any questions at 989-575-0190.

 

Prefabrication vs Roll Goods

Why We Choose Pre-Fabricated Roofing

At Great Lakes Roofing and Insulation Systems, Inc. we believe that part of the Duro-Last difference is the prefabrication process that takes place to ensure the highest quality product is being used for every job.

When considering what material to use for a low-slope roofing project, the leading drawback is the up-front cost of prefabricated roofing compared to roll goods but considering the LONG TERM advantages, Duro-Last provides the lasting efficiency building owners are seeking.

Reduced Labor Costs

After we finish the free estimate, the measurements of the project are carefully considered and just under 90% of all seams are finished in a closed environment prior to installation. This results in less time spent on the roof, therefore, reduced labor costs.

Fewer Callbacks

The measurements include all structural protrusions or panels that need to be included in the installation to ensure there are limited “surprises”. Since prefabrication means a reduced number of seams, and a reduced number of seams means a lower chance of leaks, this process is designed to reduce the number of callbacks and to increase the overall effectiveness of the product installed.

Energy Efficiency

Duro-Last’s benefits extend beyond the installation process, but in increasing energy efficiency as well. The classic style of Duro-Last’s PVC membrane is bright white and reflective which aids in keeping the cooling costs low throughout the year. It’s important to keep these long-term savings in mind!

Unparalleled Warranties

Offering top of the line warranties, Duro-Last puts the DRY in our Warm and Dry slogan! There are different coverage options for all scenarios and the warranties coincide with the building regardless of any transfers in ownership.

Recyclability & Reduced Waste

The environmental impact is significantly reduced through the “Roof Take Back Program” and cost-effective in decreasing the disposal costs. The prefabrication allows for exact amounts of material to be used whereas roll goods roofing oftentimes produces a high amount of waste during the installation process.

At Great Lakes, we have always been committed to the products we use and Duro-Last never fails to impress.  Call us to learn more about the advantages of the Duro-Last Single-Ply Pre-Fab benefits.  (906) 647-2916

 

Distinctly web

Distinctly Duro-Last

If you are following Great Lakes Roofing and Insulation Systems, Inc. on social media*, you’ll recognize the Duro-Last brand from a majority of our posts.

We’ve been working with Duro-Last for over 30 years to install commercial roofing across the state of Michigan and using top of the line products is a necessity to us at GLR due to the high-quality services we strive to provide to each of our clients.

Being the commercial roofing industry’s leader in custom-fabricated PVC roofing manufacturing, Duro-Last has positioned itself at the top of an extremely competitive market. The level of warranty coverage Duro-Last offers is second to none, and with the harsh weather that we receive in Michigan, there is a coverage option for all types of incidents.

Regarding the warranty aspect of Duro-Last, we can guarantee that any Duro-Last commercial roof we install will have a 15 or 20-year warranty. This warranty will last the full duration of the 15 or 20 years, regardless of any transfers of ownership. This is one of the countless reasons we love working with Duro-Last.

Since we not only aim for the highest quality products and services but also a family feel, customers can find comfort in the close relationship Great Lakes Roofing has developed with our Duro-Last manufacturer/company. We were extremely motivated for another great year after hearing from Duro-Last Chairman of the Board, Jack Burt, in January.

“I am continually amazed by the ingenuity and drive of our contractors, and Great Lakes Roofing is no exception. Duro-Last is honored to recognize the hard work and commitment that our network of authorized contractors has provided over the years. Great Lakes Roofing has consistently gone above and beyond for their customers with high-quality work and integrity. We are proud to work with such a professional team and are excited to see what they accomplish in the next year.” – Jack Burt

Duro-Last has been our primary roofing manufacturer for years and we will continue to work with them to provide lasting service for years to come! Let us work with you and show you the Duro-Last difference!
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Cellulose Insulation

A Guide to Cellulose Insulation

At Great Lakes Roofing and Insulation Systems, Inc. we specialize in 4 main types of insulation:

  • Fiberglass
  • Cellulose
  • Open-Cell Spray Foam
  • Closed-Cell Spray Foam

In our latest blog post, we featured a piece about open vs closed cell but now we’re turning our focus to cellulose. Cellulose is one of the oldest forms of insulation and is primarily sourced from recycled materials such as newspapers or denim. For this reason, it is coined as the most environmentally friendly form of insulation.

 

PROS

With this composition, a common misconception is that cellulose increases the risk of fire, but the borate treatment prior to installation increases the fire resistance and makes the material unappealing to pesky insects. The structure of cellulose is also favorable in scenarios where there are objects like wiring or pipes in the walls that need to be insulated around. Cellulose is also a great option to soundproof space.

 

CONS

On the other hand, in comparison to other forms of insulation, cellulose has a lower R-value rating at about 3.5 per inch. A disadvantage of cellulose includes a potential decrease in R-value over time (as much as 40%) due to the settling of the particles in walls. Wet spray cellulose is applied during new construction to prevent the settling at the bottom of the wall that comes with the dry pack method, so attics or retrofitted walls are the only scenarios that dry cellulose would be utilized.

 

Retrofitting

As previously mentioned, a convenient aspect of cellulose is that it can be installed in not only new homes but existing walls as well (retrofitting). During this process, a piece of siding (typically above or below windows) is removed and a 1-inch hole is cut into the exterior of the wall. Then, the cellulose is blown into the existing wall, the hole is closed, the piece of siding is replaced, and your older home has BRAND NEW insulation!

 

Whether you are looking into insulating a new space or working on a home improvement project, Great Lakes Roofing and Insulation Systems, Inc. has you covered. If you would like a free estimate, call (989) 575-0190!

 

OC web

Open Cell vs Closed Cell Foam Insulation

When it comes time to insulate your home or business, there are numerous varieties of insulation to choose from and at times it might feel overwhelming to decide. The two types that tend to cause the most confusion are open cell and closed cell spray foam insulation. Both products work in different ways, therefore having different strengths and weaknesses.

These products are called open and closed cells because of differentiation in the structure of the foam. The little bubbles (cells) that make up the foam are either purposely left open or closed. Closed cells prevent air/moisture from getting inside the foam which makes it more stable and gives it a higher density than open cell. The R-value of closed-cell foam is also significantly higher than the open cell. The definition of R-value regarding insulation is “a measure of how well a two-dimensional barrier resists the conductive flow of heat,” so overall it’s how well a layer of insulation insulates your space.

Open-cell has an R-value of about 3-3.5 per inch whereas closed-cell is valued at around 6-7 per inch. This is significant because of its direct correlation with the expansions of these products. Closed-cell only expands about an inch and while delivering a higher R-value, allows for more layers to be applied. Comparatively, open-cell typically expands 3 inches (which usually allows for only 1 layer of application), but only provides about half of the R-value per inch. With a 3-inch expansion, open-cell is more efficient in insulating those tiny hard to reach areas that closed-cell would most likely miss, and its thickness makes it a more effective sound barrier.

Ultimately, the specific needs of your home or office space, budget, and location of the home should all be carefully taken into consideration when choosing closed or open-cell foam insulation and here at Great Lakes, we have team members with years of experience to help you make those tricky decisions! Call 989-575-0190 or send us an email for your free estimate today!