Roof Replacement Ferndale MI | CertainTeed Landmark PRO Espresso by Level Up Improvement
Roof replacement Ferndale MI rental property owners need is not always the flashiest job on the block, but it has to be done right. A rental property has a landlord depending on it to perform without callbacks, a tenant depending on it to keep water out, and an investment that takes a hit every time something goes wrong with the structure above it. This Ferndale roof replacement, completed yesterday by Level Up Improvement, checked every box. CertainTeed Landmark PRO in Espresso, proper Lomanco Deck Air intake ventilation, and a 50-year material and labor warranty through CertainTeed’s SureStart PLUS program.
Here is a look at the project and what went into it.
The Project: Landmark PRO Espresso on a Ferndale Rental Property
Ferndale is a dense, walkable Oakland County city with a housing stock that skews older. A lot of the homes and rental properties here were built in the mid-century and have roofs that have been replaced once or twice since. When a roof goes on a property like this, it needs to be durable, clean-looking, and installed in a way that is not going to create problems for the next owner or the next tenant.
Brad brought this job in for a rental property owner who wanted the work done right without a lot of back and forth. That is exactly what happened. Ivan’s crew handled the install and the job was completed in a single day, start to finish.
The shingle is CertainTeed Landmark PRO in Espresso. Espresso is a deep, rich brown that reads almost black in certain light and adds a sharp, finished look to a property without requiring any changes to the trim or siding to make it work. On a rental in Ferndale where the exterior is already established, Espresso drops in cleanly and upgrades the curb appeal without asking anything else of the owner.
The Landmark PRO is a two-layer laminated architectural shingle with a lifetime limited transferable warranty, a 15-year 110 mph wind resistance warranty, and a 15-year StreakFighter warranty against algae discoloration. For a rental property in metro Detroit where the owner is not going to be on site every season to monitor the roof, that algae protection matters. Ferndale gets shade from mature street trees on a lot of its blocks, and shaded roofs are where algae streaking shows up first.
Ventilation: Lomanco Deck Air Intake Done Right
Every roof replacement we do includes a ventilation assessment, and this Ferndale project was no different. The attic ventilation system on a rental property is one of those things that gets ignored until it causes a problem, and by the time it causes a problem the damage is already done.
We installed Lomanco Deck Air for intake ventilation on this project. Deck Air is a continuous eave vent that runs along the low edge of the roof and pulls fresh outside air into the attic across the full width of the structure. It works in combination with ridge ventilation at the peak to create a balanced airflow system where cool air enters at the bottom, moves across the attic space, and exits at the top carrying heat and moisture with it.
Getting this balance right does two things. It extends the life of the shingles by keeping the attic from overheating in summer, which degrades the shingle adhesive and backing from below over time. It also reduces the risk of ice dams in winter by keeping the roof deck temperature consistent, which prevents the freeze-thaw cycle that causes water to back up under the shingles at the eave line.
CertainTeed requires proper ventilation as a condition of the SureStart PLUS warranty. That is not a suggestion. If the ventilation does not meet the standard, the warranty does not hold. We do it right on every job because cutting that corner costs the homeowner or landlord far more than it saves.
The 50-Year SureStart PLUS Warranty
This project is covered under CertainTeed’s SureStart PLUS program, which provides 50-year coverage on both materials and labor. That means if something goes wrong with this roof due to a product or installation defect within that window, CertainTeed backs the repair, not just the shingle replacement.
SureStart PLUS is only available through credentialed CertainTeed contractors. It is not a warranty you can get from every company that sells CertainTeed shingles. It requires that the installer meet documented installation standards and maintain that credential in good standing. For a rental property owner, this is the kind of coverage that protects the investment across multiple ownership and tenancy cycles, and it transfers if the property is ever sold.
A standard lifetime shingle warranty covers the material. SureStart PLUS covers the whole system, including the labor to fix it. That distinction matters when you are the one writing the check.
What the Photos Show
The job photos from this project capture Ivan’s crew mid-install, somewhere between half and three quarters of the way through the tear-off and replacement. That is the part of a roofing project most homeowners and landlords never see, and it is the part that tells you the most about how a contractor actually works.
What to look for in those images: a clean deck once the old material comes off, proper staging on the roof, and systematic progress across the field of the roof. A crew that works clean mid-job installs clean. A crew that works sloppy in the middle of a project is cutting corners somewhere you are not going to notice until later.
Ivan’s crew runs a tight job site. The photos back that up.
Roof Replacement Ferndale MI: What Rental Property Owners Should Know
Owning rental property in Ferndale means managing a structure that generates income and carries liability at the same time. A roof failure is not just a repair expense. It is a potential habitability issue, an insurance claim, and a tenant relationship problem all at once. Staying ahead of the roof is one of the highest-leverage things a landlord can do to protect the property.
Here is what we tell rental property owners before they hire anyone for a roof replacement in Ferndale or anywhere else in Oakland County.
Get the ventilation addressed in the same project. A new roof installed over a poorly ventilated attic is going to underperform from day one. The shingles will age faster, the warranty conditions will not be met, and you will be back to the same conversation in fifteen years instead of thirty. Do it right the first time.
Make sure the warranty is manufacturer-backed and transferable. A contractor warranty is only as good as the contractor’s continued operation. A manufacturer-backed warranty like SureStart PLUS follows the property, not the relationship with the installer. If you sell the property, that coverage transfers to the next owner and adds real value at closing.
Ask whether the contractor is credentialed. CertainTeed’s SureStart PLUS program requires credential verification. Any company claiming to offer that warranty without holding the credential is making a promise they cannot keep.
Roof Replacement Ferndale MI: The Finished Product
This Ferndale rental property now has a CertainTeed Landmark PRO Espresso roof installed over a properly ventilated system, covered by a 50-year SureStart PLUS warranty. The job was completed in a day by Ivan’s crew. Brad sold it. We built it to last.
If you own a rental property or a primary residence in Ferndale, Hazel Park, Oak Park, Royal Oak, or anywhere in Oakland County and you need a roof replacement, contact Level Up Improvement for a free estimate. We will assess the existing system, check the ventilation, and tell you exactly what the job needs before any work begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Level Up Improvement do roof replacements in Ferndale MI? Yes. We recently completed a CertainTeed Landmark PRO Espresso installation on a Ferndale rental property. We serve Ferndale and surrounding Oakland County communities including Royal Oak, Hazel Park, Oak Park, and Berkley.
What is CertainTeed Landmark PRO Espresso? Espresso is a deep, dark brown color in the CertainTeed Landmark PRO shingle line. It is a two-layer laminated architectural shingle with a lifetime limited transferable warranty, a 15-year wind resistance warranty, and a 15-year StreakFighter algae protection warranty. It works well on rental properties and established homes throughout metro Detroit.
What is the CertainTeed SureStart PLUS warranty? SureStart PLUS is a manufacturer-backed warranty that covers both materials and labor for up to 50 years. It is only available through credentialed CertainTeed contractors and transfers to a new owner if the property is sold. It is the strongest warranty coverage available on a CertainTeed roofing system.
Why is attic ventilation important on a roof replacement? Poor attic ventilation traps heat and moisture that accelerates shingle failure, contributes to ice dams in winter, and can cause rot in the roof deck. CertainTeed requires proper ventilation as a condition of the SureStart PLUS warranty. Level Up Improvement installs Lomanco Deck Air for continuous intake ventilation on every project.
Does Level Up Improvement work on rental properties? Yes. We work with landlords and rental property owners throughout metro Detroit. We handle roof replacements, siding, and windows and can coordinate full exterior packages under one crew.