Machesney Park is mostly single family houses, and many of them are on their second roof or older. Martin Exteriors Roofing & Siding replaces roofs all over the village from our Roscoe office, just up Route 251. We are a GAF Master Elite contractor, a level fewer than 2% of roofing contractors reach, and we have served the area since 2006. Inspections cost nothing. Call (815) 624-6278, 24/7.
Older Than the Village Itself
Machesney Park only became a village in 1981, when residents of the unincorporated North Park area voted to form their own government. The name came from Machesney Airport, which aviator Fred Machesney opened in 1927 along North Second Street. The airfield closed in 1974, and the land became Machesney Park Mall, now the Machesney Park Town Center.
Most of the houses here are older than the village. Census estimates for 2020 to 2024 put the median home at 1978, and about 45% of homes were built between 1950 and 1979. The 1970s were the single busiest decade, with about one home in five. Nearly 9 in 10 homes are detached houses, and about 80% are owner occupied, so most roof decisions here are made by the family that lives under it.
Ranches, Split Levels and Raised Ranches
That building boom left Machesney Park with a lot of one story ranches, split levels and raised ranches. Their roofs are simple compared with a new two story, which is good news: many can be torn off and replaced in a single day. But they have their own weak spots.
- Low slopes. Some 1950s and 1960s ranches have gentle pitches, where water moves slowly and ice and water shield matters even more. We run it on every eave and in every valley.
- Attached garages and breezeways. Where a garage roof meets the house wall, old flashing can be bent, short or patched. We replace it with new step flashing.
- Split level joints. Short roof sections stepping up the side of the house create several roof to wall joints, each one a leak point if the flashing is reused.
- Tight attics. Many attics from these decades have little intake at the soffits. Balanced intake and exhaust helps the new shingles last and reduces winter ice. See attic ventilation.
Second Roofs Coming Due
A house built in 1972 may already be on its second roof, and a second roof put on in the 1990s is now 25 to 35 years old. Some of those went right over the original shingles instead of replacing them. Homes from this era can have two layers of shingles and soft wood at the eaves where ice has backed up over the years. Both get fixed before the new roof goes on, and the estimate spells out decking prices in writing first.
Shingle and Color Choices
We lead with GAF Timberline shingles, which come in colors that work with brick, vinyl siding and the earth tones found on many ranches. Class 4 impact resistant shingles are available if you want more hail protection, and metal roofing is available on request. Martin is a CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster and a CertainTeed 5-Star Contractor too.
Coverage and Financing
Qualifying roofs can carry a lifetime GAF warranty with up to 30 years on workmanship (GAF eligibility rules apply). Read our GAF warranty page for details. Payments can run as low as $149/month for qualified buyers; see financing options. Our roof replacement cost guide explains what moves the price.
What Sets Martin Apart
- Thousands of homeowners helped since 2006, and hundreds of roofs every year.
- GAF Master Elite with 2-Star President’s Club recognition.
- Best Roofer 6 Years Running.
- Inc. 5000 Company.
- Most roofs done in a day, with installs year round.
Machesney Park Links
Our Machesney Park roofing page covers everything we do in the village. You can also read about roof repair in Machesney Park, hail damage roof repair in Machesney Park and Machesney Park siding. Next door, see roof replacement in Roscoe, or our general roof replacement page. Get a free inspection or call (815) 624-6278.
Machesney Park Roof Replacement FAQ
Can you replace a ranch roof in Machesney Park in one day?
Usually, yes. Most one story ranch roofs are torn off and replaced in a single day. Extra layers, a lot of soft decking or bad weather can stretch it.
My roof has two layers. Do you tear both off?
Yes. Every layer comes off so we can see and fix the wood underneath. The second layer and any decking work are priced in writing before we start.
Is a low slope ranch roof a problem for shingles?
Not if it is built right. On gentle pitches we pay extra attention to ice and water shield on every eave and in the valleys, and we confirm the pitch suits shingles before we recommend them.
Why does the roof over my attached garage keep leaking?
A common cause is flashing where the garage roof meets the house wall that is short, bent or patched. A replacement is the time to put in new step flashing along that wall.
Which Martin office serves Machesney Park?
Our Roscoe office at 11704 Main St, just up Route 251. Call (815) 624-6278 any time.
