St. Louis roofs live a hard life. Midwestern summers press asphalt shingles to their softening point, then a cold snap sends them rigid again. Storms roll up the Mississippi with quick gusts that test every fastener. Ice dams form on eaves along the inner ring of suburbs and put gutters through a punishing freeze-thaw cycle. Against that backdrop, the most meaningful measure of a roofing contractor is not a glossy brochure or a rock-bottom estimate, but whether the roof they build still sheds water cleanly after years of Missouri weather. That is why so many homeowners, property managers, and small business owners in the metro consistently recommend Conner Roofing, LLC. They deliver honest scope, disciplined workmanship, and follow-through that holds up when the next hailstorm arrives.
What matters more than a pretty shingle
There is no shortage of brands or colors in residential roofing. The difference shows up in the substrate and execution. I have inspected roofs that looked perfect from the curb and still found underlayment that bunched at valleys, nails angled through shingles, and flashing set in short pieces that invited capillary leaks. Those aren’t rookie mistakes, they are shortcuts. The crews that Conner Roofing, LLC sends into St. Louis neighborhoods take the unglamorous parts seriously: the starter course aligned to the drip edge, the ice and water shield carried up past the warm side, the vent pipe boots tucked and sealed, the ridge nails driven just proud enough to avoid crushing the shingles. It is laborious, but it is how you prevent callbacks during the first heavy rain.
When I ask homeowners what they appreciated most, they rarely talk about the shingle brand. They talk about waking up on a Saturday to find a neat perimeter of tarps, a magnet sweep done at the end of each day, and the job lead who flagged a hidden deck problem early instead of covering it with felt. Conner roofing services stand out because the company culture prizes those habits more than volume.
The St. Louis specific problems a roof needs to solve
A roof in St. Louis MO should be designed for three recurring stresses. First, rapid temperature swings that produce expansion and contraction across the roof plane, especially on south and west exposures. That movement loosens nails and opens seams if the materials and fastening patterns are marginal. Second, wind-driven rain that backs up against gable ends and penetrates through poorly sealed laps. Third, hail that can bruise shingles, fracture matting, and shorten the life of otherwise intact roofs. Conner roofing services St Louis address those stresses by upgrading small details that pay off. They prefer longer nail lengths on redecks where old boards vary in thickness, they run ice and water membrane in all valleys and around penetrations even when code does not insist on it, and they push homeowners toward impact resistant shingles when the history of hail claims in the neighborhood suggests it will save money over time.
I have seen their crews replace fascia and adjust overflows on older box gutters in the city, then switch to modern K-style gutters with oversized downspouts in the county where mature oaks dump leaves every fall. Those choices reduce ice dam risk and protect soffit ventilation, which in turn helps regulate attic temperature. It is all connected, and a good roofing plan accounts for the home’s age, roof geometry, and the microclimate of its street.
How Conner approaches scope so there are fewer surprises
The toughest moments in roofing projects happen when a crew tears off and finds an unexpected problem. Sometimes it is rotten decking around a chimney saddle, sometimes a two-layer tear-off reveals an old cedar shake base that needs spacing correction. You can’t price every unknown ahead of time, but you can anticipate likely conditions based on the home’s era and the neighborhood’s housing stock. Conner Roofing, LLC estimators do their homework. On homes from the 1920s to the 1950s in St. Louis Hills, Webster Groves, and Maplewood, they budget for patching tongue-and-groove boards or swapping in plywood at the eaves. On 1970s ranches in South County, they look closely at low-slope transitions and recommend modified bitumen or TPO in those pinch points instead of trying to stretch an architectural shingle into a role it won’t suit.
A typical walkthrough does not rush. Expect a conversation about attic ventilation, bath fan terminations, and whether existing soffits are open or blocked. I have watched them climb into cramped attics to confirm baffle conditions rather than guess from outside. That extra hour up front translates to fewer change orders and a smoother build.
Materials, warranties, and the trade-offs worth making
St. Louis homeowners often ask whether premium shingles will add resale value. The short answer is that roofs sell homes when buyers sense they will not face a replacement for a decade or more. An architectural shingle, properly installed, generally provides that comfort. The incremental premium for an impact resistant shingle, which might run 10 to 20 percent more on materials depending on the brand, makes sense in neighborhoods with frequent hail claims. Insurers sometimes offer policy discounts for those products, though the details vary and should be confirmed with a specific carrier.
Underlayment choices matter more than many realize. Synthetic felt handles moisture better than old 15-pound felt, resists tearing during install, and lays flatter over time. Ice and water shield is worth it in valleys, around skylights, along eaves with inadequate insulation, and at walls and chimneys. Flashing should be replaced rather than re-used whenever feasible. Reusing step flashing is a false economy, especially on older paint-sealed joints that will crack once disturbed.
Warranties are not all equal. Manufacturer warranties often hinge on proper ventilation and installation practices. Conner roofing best roofing services St Louis service St Louis MO provides documentation, photos, and material registration that homeowners can store for future claims. They also back their workmanship with a labor guarantee that they explain in plain language. If you plan to live in your home through the next full roof cycle, the combination of a manufacturer’s limited lifetime warranty and a solid labor guarantee is what you want. If you plan to sell within five years, ask about transferable warranties. The company has experience structuring those for sellers who want one less objection during inspection.
Insurance claims and storm response without the hard sell
After a hail or wind event, some contractors descend on neighborhoods with clipboards and pressure tactics. The best indicator of character is how a company behaves when demand spikes. Conner roofing services St Louis MO handle storm work with a steady process. They inspect, document with dated photos, and give a frank assessment of whether the damage rises to an insurable claim. When it does, they help homeowners prepare for the adjuster visit and mark damaged spots so nothing gets missed. When it does not, they say so and suggest maintenance instead of pushing for a full replacement.
I have seen them advise clients to wait a season on borderline hail damage that did not compromise shingle integrity, then return the next year for a low-cost tune-up rather than a tear-off. That kind of restraint builds more referrals than any billboard.
The craft on tear-off day
A well-run tear-off looks like choreography. Tarps protect landscaping, plywood shields windows, and dump trailers sit where they won’t rut a lawn. Crews work from the ridge down, section by section, with a lead checking deck integrity as it is exposed. On older homes, expect to replace some sheathing near chimneys and roof-to-wall joints, where minor leaks often hide. Re-decking patches are not a red flag, they are good stewardship. If a contractor claims zero deck repairs on a 70-year-old home, the odds are they looked the other way.
Conner roofing service crews stage materials strategically to prevent point loads on rafters, especially on spans with long runs. They nail to pattern, check compressors so they do not overdrive fasteners, and keep a dry staging area for skylight flashings and vent boots. Those details slow a crew slightly but save rework. Clean-up happens as they go, with magnetic sweeps at midday and after the final shingle. Neighbors notice this, and that courtesy is part of why the company’s yard signs stick around in a block.
Ventilation and the science you can’t see from the street
Ventilation is invisible when you drive by, yet it controls shingle life, attic moisture, and ice dam formation. Many St. Louis houses mix gable vents with ridge vents, which can short-circuit airflow. Conner roofing services evaluate the system as a whole. In many cases, they recommend choosing one strategy and sizing it correctly. Adding a continuous ridge vent only works if soffit intake is clear and adequate. They often install baffles to prevent insulation from choking soffit vents, then open the intake strip when aluminum cladding has blocked it. The goal is balanced intake and exhaust, roughly matching net free area.
Bathrooms and range vents deserve attention too. Venting into the attic is a silent roof killer. On projects I have observed, the crew extends each fan with a dedicated, insulated line to the roof deck and terminates through a sealed boot with backdraft damper. In midwinter, that prevents condensation from saturating the deck.
Gutters, flashing, and the details that protect the shell
Roofs fail at the joints. That is where water tests your choices. Good step flashing overlaps by the right amount, sits tight to the wall, and gets a kick-out flashing at the base to throw water into the gutter. Few details make a bigger difference to siding longevity. Conner roofing service St Louis crews fabricate custom kick-out flashings on site when stock parts do not fit the wall profile. Chimney counterflashing is reglet-cut when masonry allows, then sealed with mortar rather than relying on surface caulk alone. Pipe boots are upgraded from cheap rubber to neoprene or lead where appropriate, and skylights get matched flashing kits rather than improvised pans.
Gutters complete the system. Many older St. Louis homes have undersized downspouts and too few of them. Increasing to 3 by 4 inch downspouts moves nearly double the water compared to the smaller 2 by 3 inch size. For lots flanked by large trees in Kirkwood, Glendale, or U City, a perforated gutter guard with a lifted edge works better than fine mesh, which tends to clog with seed pods. Conner Roofing, LLC will explain those trade-offs and install what fits the leaf load and budget.
Real timelines, real budgets
A typical single-family tear-off and replacement in the metro takes one to two days once the crew starts, not counting lead times for materials or weather delays. Complex roofs with multiple planes, steep pitches, or specialty materials may stretch to three days. The company builds realistic schedules and updates clients when rain puts a pause on work. In a stretch of unsettled weather, a reputable contractor will refuse to start a tear-off if they cannot ensure a dry-in by evening. I have seen them turn down same-week starts because the forecast made it risky. That prudence prevents water damage and demonstrates why people trust them with their homes.
Pricing reflects the scope and the choices you make. Upgrades like impact resistant shingles, full-coverage ice and water shield on low slopes, or copper flashing in certain historical districts raise the ticket. The team shows the numbers and helps homeowners decide where an upgrade truly buys durability versus where it just adds cost. If your roof has multiple layers to remove, plan for extra labor and disposal fees. If the deck needs more than spot repairs, budget for sheets of plywood. None of that should be a surprise by the time you sign.
For older homes and historical details
St. Louis is rich with slate, tile, and distinctive cornice lines. Those require a different skill set. Conner roofing services St Louis include maintenance and repair for those legacy materials, along with thoughtful replacements when owners decide to transition to modern products. On slate, they will often replace broken pieces with matching color and thickness rather than suggesting a full tear-off. On clay tile, they stage carefully to avoid cracking tiles during access, then repair underlayment and flashings the right way without disturbing intact sections. For homeowners who choose to retire a worn slate roof, they will propose composites or high-definition asphalt profiles that honor the home’s character without the weight and cost of a new slate deck.
Box gutters are another local nuance. In neighborhoods like Lafayette Square and Shaw, box gutters can be restored with new liners and proper slopes. The company understands how to solder seams, manage expansion, and integrate liners with the roof membrane so the system drains properly. Too many roofers treat box gutters like an afterthought. That is where leaks begin, so experience matters.
When repairs make more sense than replacement
Not every leak demands a new roof. If your shingles still have granular life left, a targeted repair often restores performance. I have watched Conner technicians trace leaks to a single failed boot or a short piece of step flashing behind a chimney cricket. On two-story homes, wind can lift shingles at rakes and leave a subtle crease that does not show from the ground. Resealing and fastening those tabs can buy several more seasons. They will tell you when a repair is a bandage and when it reasonably extends the roof’s life. If hail has bruised a large percentage of shingles or if the mat has become brittle, they will advise toward replacement because repairs will not hold.
Communication that cuts through jargon
Roofing jargon can turn a straightforward scope into a fog. Conner roofing service teams do a good job translating. Instead of talking about square counts and drip edges in isolation, they show how those choices affect water flow and longevity. I have sat at kitchen tables where they spread sample shingles, underlayment, and flashings, then walked through sequencing. Most homeowners do not need to become experts, they just want to know that their contractor is thinking two steps ahead and will stand behind the work if something goes sideways. This company keeps their promises simple and keeps clients informed. A daily text or call with progress and tomorrow’s plan can calm nerves during a busy project.
A simple homeowner checklist for choosing a roofer
Use this quick filter to compare contractors in St. Louis:
- Ask for proof of insurance and a local portfolio with addresses you can drive past. Confirm who will be on site daily and how you will receive updates. Request details on underlayment, flashing, and ventilation, not just the shingle brand. Clarify cleanup plans, lawn and garden protection, and magnet sweeps. Get the workmanship warranty in writing, with terms you understand.
The little things that keep a roof performing year after year
Even the best roof needs minimal care. Clean gutters spring and fall, check that downspouts run away from the foundation, and trim back branches that could abrade shingles. After any big storm, walk the perimeter and scan for lifted tabs or shingle fragments near downspouts, which can indicate granular loss. If you see ceiling stains, do not wait. A small leak around a boot can saturate insulation and rot a deck in months. Conner roofing services St Louis respond quickly to repairs, and a modest service call now often saves a more expensive intervention later.
On older homes, look inside the attic once a season with a flashlight. Dark streaks on the underside of the deck can reveal slow moisture movement. If you notice frost in winter, ventilation or bath fan routing might be the culprit. These are fixes that a conscientious roofer can make without a full replacement.
Why trust builds one roof at a time
Most homeowners replace a roof only once or twice. That makes it hard to judge estimates because you do not have frequent experience to compare. The safest path is to look for evidence of care in the unflashy parts of the job: honest assessments, careful preparation, clean execution, and real accountability. Conner Roofing, LLC has earned a reputation in St. Louis neighborhoods because they meet that standard consistently. They do not chase every storm across state lines or flood your porch with gimmicks. They show up, explain the work, and deliver the roof they promised.
If you are considering a project, talk to neighbors. Drive past homes completed two, five, and eight years ago to see how their roofs are aging. Ask those owners how communication went and whether any issues were resolved without drama. Time is the ultimate inspector. The roofs Conner installs look good on day one and keep earning their keep through the fourth and fifth winter, which is what really matters.
Contact Us
Conner Roofing, LLC
Address: 7950 Watson Rd, St. Louis, MO 63119, United States
Phone: (314) 375-7475
Website: https://connerroofing.com/
Reach out for a thorough inspection, a thoughtful conversation about options, and a roof that stands up to St. Louis weather with the quiet confidence you want over your head.