Thinking about a new roof in Loves Park? Martin Exteriors Roofing & Siding replaces roofs across the city, from riverside ranches to the newer streets out toward Rock Cut State Park, and our Rockford office on Fincham Drive is a short drive away. We are a GAF Master Elite contractor (fewer than 2% of roofing contractors qualify) and we have been at it since 2006. The inspection is free. Call (815) 209-9054 any hour.
Three Building Waves, Three Kinds of Roofs
Loves Park took its name from Malcolm Love, the Rockford industrialist who bought 236 acres along the Rock River in 1901. When the city incorporated in 1947 it already had about 4,500 residents, many of them in houses built during the housing boom after World War II. It has kept growing ever since, and today’s housing reflects that.
Census estimates for 2020 to 2024 put the median Loves Park home at 1986, but the mix matters more than the middle. About one home in five was built before 1960. Another fifth went up in the 1960s and 1970s. The biggest stretch came from 1990 through 2009, when about 37% of the city’s homes were built. So a single street in Loves Park can hold a roof that has been replaced several times and one that is still on the builder’s first shingles.
What We Look For by House Age
Postwar homes near the river
Smaller ranches and story and a half houses from the late 1940s and 1950s often have low attics, few vents and decking that has seen several sets of nails. Mature trees along the Rock River shade these roofs and drop limbs and leaves into the valleys, so we check the edges and valleys closely for soft wood.
1960s to 1980s ranches and split levels
Homes from these decades can be on their second or third set of shingles. Split levels have short roof sections meeting walls at several heights, and each of those joints needs new step flashing, not reused metal.
1990s and 2000s two stories
Homes built in the 1990s and 2000s are now 17 to 36 years old, and some still wear the shingles they were built with. Curled edges, bare spots and granules in the downspouts are the usual signs. Bonus rooms over the garage and long roof to wall runs make flashing the main thing to get right.
Townhomes and Shared Rooflines
Only about 58% of Loves Park homes are detached houses, and about 11% are attached single family homes like townhomes and duplexes. When a roof is shared, we can price one unit or the whole building, put the plan in writing for every owner or the association, and match colors to whatever the association allows. On a condo association in Roscoe, we reroofed nine buildings in one day; see the Terramott Court condo roofs project.
How the New Roof Goes On
- Old shingles and underlayment come off down to the wood, and bad boards get replaced.
- Ice and water shield goes on every eave, in the valleys and around chimneys and skylights.
- A full GAF system follows: underlayment, starter, shingles and ridge cap built to work together.
- Intake and exhaust vents are balanced to the attic size. See attic ventilation.
- Flashing is new metal, and the yard gets a magnet sweep before we leave.
Most roofs are done in a day. Larger or steeper roofs can take longer, and we install year round.
Shingles, Warranty and Payments
GAF Timberline shingles fit most Loves Park homes, and Class 4 impact resistant shingles are an option if hail worries you. We are also a CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster. On qualifying roofs, we can register a lifetime GAF warranty with up to 30 years on workmanship (GAF eligibility rules apply); our GAF warranty page explains it. Payments can be as low as $149/month for qualified buyers through our financing options.
Why Loves Park Picks Martin
- GAF Master Elite, recognized by GAF with 2-Star President’s Club.
- Best Roofer 6 Years Running.
- Inc. 5000 Company, helping thousands of homeowners since 2006.
- A Rockford office minutes away, open 24/7.
- Free inspections, with photos of every problem we find.
Related Loves Park Pages
See our main Loves Park roofing page, roof repair in Loves Park and Loves Park siding. Close by, read about roof replacement in Roscoe and roof replacement in Belvidere, or the full roof replacement service. Schedule a free inspection or call (815) 209-9054.
Loves Park Roof Replacement FAQ
Can you replace the roof on just my townhome unit?
Yes. We can price one unit or the whole building. Either way, we put the plan in writing so neighbors and the association see the same details before anything is scheduled.
My house was built in the late 1990s. Is it time for a new roof?
Often, yes. Builder shingles from that era are now well past 20 years old. Curling, bare patches and granules collecting at the downspouts are the signs. A free inspection will tell you for sure.
Do the trees near the river change how you replace a roof?
They change what we check. Shaded roofs stay damp, so we look hard at the eaves and valleys for soft wood and replace it before the new roof goes on.
Will a new roof help with ice along my eaves?
Yes. Ice and water shield goes on every eave, and balanced attic vents keep the deck colder, so ice has a harder time forming.
What phone number should Loves Park homeowners call?
Our Rockford office at (815) 209-9054. It is answered 24/7.
