Questions and Answers

Some things are meant to be free. That includes zero-cost inspections from Fidler on the Roof KC. This is no scam or bait-and-switch. If it's not true, we promise to eat a box of roofing nails. At your request we arrive, observe, take notes and then share the results. If there's nothing to fix, we're done. If there is something to fix, we can still be done unless you want us to schedule a repair. But there's no obligation. Really. Why free? We believe that when you experience our transparency and fair approach, you’ll be persuaded to call us when and if your roof needs service. But hey, that’s totally up to you.

Fidler on the Roof KC has three (totally free) ways to inspect your roof. Options are:

• Ladder up, hands-on inspection.

• Drone inspection.

• Thermal imaging inspection.

Questions about which approach is best for your roof? Please give us a call!

We’re firm believers in living within a budget. However, we understand some customers may benefit from financing roof repair or replacement. If this is the case with you, we recommend Service Finance Co. In our experience, the company has proved to be prompt, courteous and honest. They also offer competitive rates. We receive no commission from any business you do with Service Finance Co. We share this information only as a courtesy.

Fidler on the Roof KC’s Equipter debris removal system intercepts construction rubble and dust before it leaves the rooftop. Then it’s transferred to a trailer and removed from your property. Any particles or components remaining are picked up by magnets and swept up. We leave your property like we found it.

Roofing is truly a visual product, so seeing is necessary for believing. We’ve published some of our favorite projects on our Gallery page. However, we have many (thousands!) more images of our work and are happy to provide them if they are important to your roofing decision.

Fidler on the Roof KC provides a full range of roofing styles for residents and businesses in Greater Kansas City and beyond. Styles include:

• Composition roofing

• Metal and standing-seam roofing

• Clay tile roofing

• Slate tile roofing

• Concrete tile roofing

• Wood shake roofing

• Synthetic, polymer-based versions of clay, slate and shake roofing

• Stone-coated steel roofing

• TPO commercial roof coatings

When it comes to choosing a roof, there are three basic considerations: budget, personal preference and engineering.

Most roofing types can be equally impact resistant. There are multiple durability grades for each surface, ranging from 1 to 4, with 4 being the most durable. That means a grade 4 composition roof is more durable than a grade 3 tile roof. So it’s not a matter of materials, it’s a matter of the durability rating of the type of roofing you choose.

With all things being equal, you can have the type of roof you want. Budget is a factor for everyone, of course, or we’d all have gold-plated roofs. In general, composition roofs are the most economical. However, we encourage you to price out the options. You may be surprised.

The engineering of your home is another factor. Not every home can support every material. Slate and cement materials, for example, can weigh 10 pounds per shingle. A house must have been constructed with this weight in mind. Fidler on the Roof KC can assess your home’s ability to support the weight of differing roofing materials.

If your house cannot support the type of roof you want, there are a couple of options. We can send a structural engineer to bid on upgrading your home’s roofing support system. If this is not possible or desired, we can recommend alternatives. For example, faux tile and slate roofing (made of durable plastic instead of stone) are options, as is stone-coated steel. It’s not often that your make decisions about roofing, so take time to explore the possibilities.

Kansas City homeowners have multiple options to choose from. Here’s a short tour of the different options and the value they bring:

COMPOSITION ROOFING
If you're looking at homes around Kansas City, chances are you're seeing a lot of asphalt shingles – they're America's go-to roofing choice. The "composition" nickname refers to how these shingles blend multiple materials together. Today's asphalt shingles come in an impressive range of colors, profiles, and thicknesses that can make your roof stand out.

Quality asphalt shingles hold up remarkably well against whatever Mother Nature throws at them. They resist moisture (keeping mold and algae at bay) and meet fire safety standards. Budget-conscious homeowners often choose them because they deliver great value without requiring your home's structure to be reinforced – unlike heavier materials such as slate, clay, or cement tile.

We carry an extensive selection of asphalt shingles, and you can even test-drive different colors using Owens Corning's DesignEyeQ tool, which lets you visualize options on a photo of your actual home.

Why homeowners choose asphalt shingles:

• Among the most affordable roofing materials available

• Recyclable when it's time for replacement

• Proven performance against hail, high winds, and heavy rain

• Myriad possibilities for colors and textures

CLAY TILES
Clay tiles have protected buildings worldwide for hundreds of years and remain the standard in many countries. In Kansas City, homeowners typically choose them to achieve a specific architectural look – think Mediterranean villa or Spanish colonial. Modern manufacturing has replaced hand-making these tiles, ensuring consistent quality and precision. The result? A distinctive roofline that can be tailored from historical to contemporary styles.

We partner with respected manufacturers including Ludowici to provide barrel, flat, French, and Spanish tile styles.

Why homeowners choose clay tile:

• Exceptional longevity – properly maintained clay tiles can protect your home for 100+ years

• Natural insulation properties help regulate your home's temperature year-round

• Superior durability against sun damage, storms, and temperature swings, plus fire resistance

Important note: Clay tiles require structural support. Your home needs to be engineered to handle their weight. An engineer can assess whether your roofing structure has adequate capacity. If not, don't worry – lightweight alternatives such as synthetic tile are viable options.

CONCRETE TILES
Concrete tiles combine natural materials through precision engineering to create beautiful, hardworking roofs. You've definitely seen them around – they're often mistaken for slate or stone. These tiles span the style spectrum from vintage to ultra-modern, with virtually limitless design possibilities thanks to manufacturing precision. The color palette is equally diverse.

Beyond looking great, concrete tiles rank among the toughest roofing surfaces you can choose. They're also environmentally responsible since they're made from sand, cement, water, and iron oxide (which creates the color). Their decades-long lifespan means they won't be filling landfills anytime soon.

Why homeowners choose concrete tile:

• Impressive lifespan of 50-100 years, impervious to pests, hail-resistant, and able to handle 125 mph winds, plus fire resistance

• Manufacturing flexibility creates unlimited design options – flat, interlocking, barrel, Spanish, French, mission styles all deliver striking curb appeal

• Eco-conscious choice made from natural ingredients that can be recycled eventually

SLATE TILES
Slate brings organic, natural beauty to your home. This quarried material offers various colors, thicknesses, and textures. Slate isn't manufactured – it's mined from the earth and naturally splits into thin layers. Heat and pressure transformed the original rock over geological time. Chemical variations create its color range: black, grey, green, red, and even purple shades.

Why homeowners choose slate tile:

• Outstanding longevity – expect 100+ years with proper care. Weather-resistant, mold-proof, pest-proof, and fire-resistant

• Diverse colors and styles that can be mixed on a single roof for unique patterns

• Environmentally friendly since it's quarried, not manufactured

Can't support slate's weight?
Slate delivers timeless appeal and natural texture reminiscent of Old World craftsmanship. However, its weight limits installation to homes structurally designed for heavy roofing. Good news: Synthetic slate offers an alternative. Made from durable composite materials (including products from local Lenexa-based DaVinci Roofscapes, where Fidler holds Master Installer status), synthetic slate mimics quarried stone's appearance without the weight restrictions.

Synthetic slate advantages:

• Lightweight construction makes it suitable for virtually any home

• Impact-resistant and durable

• Maintains its appearance and weathers beautifully

• Class A fire-resistance rating

• Available in multiple colors and textures

• More economical than quarried slate

STANDING SEAM (METAL)
"Metal roofing" might make you think of industrial buildings, but standing-seam systems are sleek and stylish for residential use. This interlocking system uses hidden clips for attachment, keeping all fasteners protected from weather exposure. Homeowners appreciate the clean, minimalist aesthetic. Standing-seam roofing comes in varied colors and textures, lasts approximately double the lifespan of asphalt shingles, requires minimal maintenance, and improves energy efficiency.

Fidler on the Roof KC's on-site standing-seam equipment lets us custom-fabricate panels at your location, reducing both time and costs.

STONE-COATED STEEL
This roofing material does exactly what the name suggests: permanently bonds a stone finish to a steel base, creating lightweight yet durable tiles. It's perfect for homes lacking the structural capacity for cement, slate, or clay tile. Stone-coated steel lets homeowners achieve the appearance of these premium materials without weight concerns. Manufacturing flexibility provides extensive options for appearance, color, and texture.

Why homeowners choose stone-coated steel:

• Works with any home – no structural modifications needed. Unlike concrete, clay, and slate, it doesn't require engineering for weight support

• Remarkably durable with about twice the lifespan of asphalt roofing. Most carry the highest Class A fire-resistance rating

• Low upkeep, energy-efficient, and recyclable at end of life

• Customizable to numerous colors and styles for outstanding curb appeal

TPO COMMERCIAL ROOFING
TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) is a manufactured surface commonly used for commercial and institutional buildings. Light-colored TPO reflects heat, reducing energy expenses. Produced in large, rolled sheets, it's ideal for flat applications. Seams are heat-welded for watertight integrity. TPO installs over an insulated membrane and can sometimes serve as an alternative to full roof replacement.

SHAKE SHINGLES
Traditionally, "shake" meant thick, textured wooden shingles split from redwood or cedar blocks. This splitting process created the characteristic fibrous texture.

Nowadays, genuine wood shake isn't universally permitted – some communities and HOAs restrict it due to fire concerns. But the warm, organic aesthetic hasn't disappeared. Synthetic shake shingles deliver equally appealing results. These durable tiles use polymers and recycled materials to match or exceed wood shake's visual appeal.

Synthetic shake also offers:

• Better value than natural wood

• Color stability (unlike cedar, which fades over time)

• Durability and fire resistance

• Customization for color, texture, and cut

• Recyclability and lower carbon footprint compared to traditional shingles, per the National Park Service's Sustainable Building Implementation Plan

The Park Service recommends synthetic roofing for its historic properties, noting that "with proper planning, careful specifications and supervision, substitute materials can be used successfully in the process of restoring the visual appearance of historic resources."

Fidler on the Roof KC earned Master Contractor designation from DaVinci Roofscapes, a leading synthetic shake manufacturer based right here in Lenexa, Kansas.