About Us

Ameristar Exteriors, Inc. is a nation-wide construction firm specializing in insurance restoration and storm damage recovery and repair. We are a team of experienced professionals who work hard to maintain excellent relationships with customers, manufacturers, suppliers, insurance companies, and adjusting firms throughout the nation.

Ameristar Exteriors, Inc. is proud to assist communities throughout the nation as they repair storm damage to their properties and rebuild from natural disasters. We are licensed, bonded, insured, and maintain an "A" rating with the Better Business Bureau at all locations we have worked.

Roof Longevity

At Ameristar Exteriors, we truly believe in the power of knowledge.  The foundation and success of our company is highly credited to the knowledge and experience that our expertise has taught us throughout the years. We are committed to a standard of excellence in all that we do. As one of the top leading roofing, siding, and gutters contractors nationwide, we understand that it is our priority to spread the knowledge about how homeowners can protect their greatest investment and preserve the integrity of their exterior home systems, i.e. roof, siding, gutters, etc.

Occasionally, we come across articles that we feel will be beneficial to our readers. John D’Annunzio has written a series of articles for FacilitiesNet discussing factors that determine roof longevity. Below is a brief description and link to each article.

Part 1: Proper Design Improves Roof Longevity

This first article discusses key components to proper design that include wind uplift calculations, drainage design, thermal factors, perimeter edge design, and existing building conditions. It also discusses the selection of materials and systems that are compatible with existing building conditions. Proper design should always focus on providing a long-term roofing system.

Part 2: Focus On Roofing Materials And Workmanship To Improve Longevity

The second installment explains that not all roof materials are the same and not all materials are suitable for all buildings. Applied materials should be new, free of all excess moisture, and manufactured in compliance with ASTM standards. Proper material storage at the project site is also required.

In addition, the roof is one of the only major building components that is partially or fully constructed on-site. A large percentage of premature roof failures occur due to improper workmanship.

Part 3: How Weather And Maintenance Impact Roof Longevity

Finally, the third article describes how applications of roofing materials in conditions not suitable to the material’s constraints (too hot, too cold, in wet weather) will contribute to premature failure.

No matter the roof type, all roofs require a certain level of attention. Roofs are exposed to the elements 24 hours a day, every day of the year. One of the most important reasons to implement an annual roof maintenance program is to extend the service life of the existing roof system.

Severe Storms

How To Detect Roof Hail Damage

eHow recently featured an insightful article on How To Detect Roof Hail Damage. We recommend  clicking here to read the full article and to learn more about how you can protect your greatest investment from the damaging effects of hail.

To read the eHow article in its entirety click here.

Customer Evaluation Survey

"We understand that the trust and faith that our customers place in our company is not to be regarded lightly. Our objective is to provide impeccable honesty and integrity to all of our customers while surpassing their expectations."

-Owner, Anthony Chiovari

We value your opinion at Ameristar Exteriors. We kindly invite you to let us know how we are doing by taking a moment to complete our Customer Evaluation Survey. Please copy and paste the form below into Word and email to sales@exteriorsales.com. It is important for our team to maintain our goal of 100% customer satisfaction, therefore, if you feel there is any way we could have improved our service, please let us know. We are always interested in taking care of each and every customer as though they were a member of our extended family. 

Thank you for your feedback and referrals!

Customer Evaluation Survey

As a customer of Ameristar Exteriors, your feedback is very important to the success of our company.  Please take a few minutes to tell us about your experience with Ameristar Exteriors.

The project was for a: Home____  Business____

Initial Contact

~ How did you first find out about Ameristar Exteriors? Website____  Flyer/Handout____ 

Yard Sign____  Truck____  Referral- please list name____________________________

Other-please explain_________________________________________________

~ Was it easy to get information about our company and the services we provide? Yes____  No____

What could have been better:_______________________________________________________

~Were you pleased with the quality and professionalism of the company documents that were presented to you (i.e. folders, paperwork, business cards, yard signs, etc.)?
Yes____  No____

~ Who were you working with: Contact person:_________________________________________

~ Was the field representative courteous, prompt, and responsive to your needs and questions?_____

_____________________________________________________________________________

~ Were you given a clear idea of the installation process and material samples to facilitate your decision?

_____________________________________________________________________________

~ Any other comments about the information and sales process:_____________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Installation

~ Were your exterior improvements/repairs installed in a timely manner?

_____________________________________________________________________________

~ Did we deliver what you were promised in terms of materials and quality craftsmanship?______

_____________________________________________________________________________

~ Was your property left in clean and tidy condition after work was complete?__________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

~ Were there any problems during any part of the installation process?________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

~ If so, were they resolved to your satisfaction? _________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

~ Would you recommend Ameristar Exteriors to a friend, neighbor, or associate?________________

If no, why not?__________________________________________________________________

Any other comments:

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

May we use your name and/or comments in our publicity? Yes____  No____

(If no, your information will be kept confidential.)

Customer Name:                                          Dated:

______________________________        ________________________________

Address:

______________________________

Mail to: Ameristar Exteriors, 2605 S. Clearbrook Dr., Arlington Heights IL 60005

The Design Eye Visualization Experience

A new roof is one of the most important decisions you will ever make when upgrading your home. Before selecting a roofing contractor, you should carefully plan out your project from start to finish. Roof color is one of the most important choices you will need to make, as well as one of the most risky decisions you will have to take on. Risky because the color and style you select today could be with you for the next several decades. Fortunately, we understand first hand that it is difficult to visualize what a particular roofing shingle color will look like when installed on your home.  At Ameristar Exteriors, we offer our customers color selector charts that will help make the decision easier, along with our own knowledgeable, experienced, professional advice. Today's roofing color blends can be intricate, therefore we highly suggest looking at several shingles before advancing with a commitment.

Various roofing manufacturers offer customers Web-based tools to facilitate the process of selecting exterior products for your home.  We prefer the Owens Corning Design Eye Visualization Experience, which can be accessed by clicking here. Choose from a model home online, or upload a photo of your home and experiment with professionally designed palettes or create your own custom color combinations.

GAF/ELK Certified Weather Stopper Roofing Contractor

Ameristar Exteriors is proud to announce that we are a GAF/ELK Certified Weather Stopper Roofing Contractor.

The Good Housekeeping Seal

At Ameristar Exteriors, we pride ourselves on the products we deliver to our customers. In an industry where reputation is built upon every job, we understand the importance of high quality products and professional craftsmanship. Our most preferred products are GAF/ELK roofing shingles and roof materials.  GAF's quality roofing products are regularly recognized by leading industry experts and Ameristar Exteriors proudly stands as a GAF/ELK Certified Weather Stopper Roofing Contractor . While there are many reasons to boast the integrity of GAF materials, we find it important to note that GAF/ELK stands as the only roofing manufacturer to withhold the highly recognized and coveted Good Housekeeping Seal.

The GAF-Elk Smart Choice® Roof System Solution has earned the prestigious Good Housekeeping Seal, which means that Good Housekeeping stands behind the products in this system. (Refer to Good Housekeeping magazine for its consumer protection policy.)

To learn more about the specific GAF/ELK products that have earned the Good Housekeeping Seal, please visit the Good Housekeeping website by clicking here.

What You Should Consider When Replacing Your Roof...

A roof refers to the uppermost covering component or structure of a home or building.  The main purpose of the roof is to protect both the building itself and its interior material from the standard elements of weather, such as rain, snow, sleet and heat.  Roof renovation is referred to as the process of making vital changes to your roof, in order to do either preventive maintenance work or to make it more beautiful, more energy efficient and more valuable.  It is also done to upgrade your home from an investment viewpoint, so that your home's market value goes up.  Since a home's roof is the first line of defense against the different forces and elements that weather brings, it is imperative that a homeowner hires the best roofing contractor possible. At Ameristar Exteriors, we are confident that we are your #1 choice for your roofing, siding, and gutter repairs!

New roofing or upgraded roofing is something you should only need to do once, therefore we encourage our customers to choose wisely when it comes to making repairs to your greatest investment, your home.  Inclement weather cuts no slack for poorly constructed roofs, and over time will find and attack every weak point of an unprofessional construction.

Spring storms frequently blow through neighborhoods and towns leaving costly damage behind from high winds and large hail. You may have damage from recent storms and not know it.  As insurance restoration specialists, we will work directly with your insurance carrier to guarantee you receive the repairs you deserve.  Give us a call today for your FREE NO-OBLIGATION INSPECTION. We'll help you throughout the entire insurance claim process, we'll furnish all the details of our restoration plans, we'll furnish local references who will tell you we perform as promised, and we will install the best product possible for your investment.  Our professional field representatives will be able to educate you on the style and material options that are available to you.

Thank you for considering Ameristar Exteriors!

Reasons to Upgrade Your Roofing System:

• Improve the aesthetics and curb appeal of your home's exterior.
• Increase the re-sale value of your home by as much as 10% or more.
• Increase the resistance to future storm damage (i.e. thicker & stronger shingles, durable siding, etc.)

Helping Nashville Recover

The Home Depot Foundation recently announced it's $115,000 donation to Nashville Flood Clean Up and Rebuilding Efforts. 

If you are interested in making a donation to help the city of Nashville recover from recent floods, please make a donation to Hands On Nashville to support flood-related volunteerism. 

*To read the featured press release click HERE*

Making A Substantial Move Towards "Green"

According to the National Roofing Contractors Association, “Every year, an estimated nine million tons of asphalt roofing waste ends up in our nation's landfills — at a cost of more than $400 million in disposal fees alone. Yet most manufacturing and tear-off waste from asphalt shingles and roll roofing can be economically and effectively recycled into asphalt pavement for roads and highways.”

There is no doubt that recycling is taking prominence throughout the world with individuals and businesses alike. While world-wide industries and national associations are joining forces to build recycling programs to better our environment, we strongly believe that change must happen on a local level as well. At Ameristar Exteriors, we understand that we carry a high responsibility in giving back to our environment.  By taking a leadership stand within our own industry, we are making a  substantial move towards "green," as we actively research how we can properly discard our roofing shingles.

Who Is CMRA?

"Construction Materials Recycling Association (CMRA) promotes the safe and economically feasible recycling of the more than 325 million tons of recoverable construction and demolition (C&D) materials that are generated in the United States annually. These materials include aggregates such as concrete, asphalt, asphalt shingles, gypsum wallboard, wood and metals."

Finding A Recycler...

Click HERE to find local recycling locations.

Choosing a Contractor

At Ameristar Exteriors, we understand first hand that your roofing system is the most critical component of your home or business' structural building when it comes to watertight protection.  We are often questioned as to what important piece of advice we can recommend to anyone seeking to hire a roofing contractor for exterior repairs to their home or business.  Easy.  The most important advice we can offer to all property owners is:

-Make sure to hire a contractor who can be trusted to install the system correctly and stand behind their work.

As a general rule of thumb, you should consider choosing a roofer that has been established for at least three years. A business that has been established for at least three years tends to have overcome many of the obstacles that face newer companies.

It is always best to hire a roofing contractor who is knowledgeable on all aspects of the field, someone who can answer your questions, address your concerns and who completely understands the full range of your expectations.

 

Ask for their credentials and qualifications.  A reputable company will provide you with references, insurance verification, and a copy of their roofing license.

   

Finally, trust your intuition. If a roofer rubs you wrong, even at the contract stage, don’t be afraid to back out before signing and resume your search.  Remember, this is your roof and it protects everything inside your home. It is likely going to be a substantial investment, so make it a wise one.

Join Our Team at Ameristar Exteriors!

Ameristar Exteriors, Inc. was featured on OLX today!

*Click HERE to view our ad*

Nationwide, Ameristar Exteriors is one of the most successful insurance restoration companies specializing in repairing hail and wind damage.

If you are interested in joing our team, please contact us today at (630) 324-8589, or email Anthony Chiovari at achiovari@exteriorsales.com.

Attic Ventilation

A critical component of any good home design is proper attic ventilation. Improper attic ventilation affects energy consumption, and roof life. It also causes water damage, and mildew and mold problems.

Roofing contractors report that 56% of homes they check have poor ventilation, meaning if you are thinking of getting your roof replaced then you're likely to have poor attic ventilation.  The temperature inside a poorly ventilated attic can reach 165 °F during the summer. In the winter, a poor ventilated attic will fail at removing moister from the roof and allow mold and mildew to grow. In addition during the winter, it also increases the likelihood of an ice dam forming on your roof.

Proper attic ventilation on your roof will help you save money on your energy bill during the summer by keeping the attic temperature at about 105 °F. Proper Ventilation will extend the life of your roof while protecting it from algae and mildew damage.

Call Ameristar Exteriors at (630) 324-8589 for a FREE roof inspection.

Spring & Summer Roof Care Tips

 Maintenance Tips for all Roof Types:

• Check all gutters and downspouts to make sure water is flowing freely.

• Clean out all roof drains and gutters from spring time flower blossoms.

• If your roof is over 10 years old or you suspect that your roof is aging badly, call Ameristar Exteriors for a FREE inspection. Our trained field representatives will look specifically for shingle lift -- this is an indication that the shingle adhesive strip is no longer doing its job, exposing your roof to potential leaks and shingle blow off.

• Moss on your roof can be removed by either sweeping it off while it is wet or by first applying a roof moss killer product, available at local hardware stores, and then sweeping it off once the moss has been killed.

• Never walk or sit on your ridge shingles if you have continuous ridge ventilation.

• Pressure washing your roof: We do NOT recommend pressure washing asphalt shingle roofs. If you have asphalt shingles, pressure washing will potentially remove the granules, which serve as the shingles' "sunscreen" material. If you lose that sunscreen layer, you are exposing the asphalt shingle to harsh UV rays which will start premature aging and the shingles will become brittle.

Hail & Wind Damage...

Should I Be Concerned?

Damage caused from a severe hail and wind storm can easily go unseen by homeowners. Although hail damage can oftentimes be overlooked, it is critical, primarily for the longevity of your home’s exterior structure, that the potential damages are carefully inspected and repaired in a timely manner. In most cases, hail falling from the sky will make contact with your home with the help of strong wind currents, which greatly increases the damage to the exterior components of your home.

Cause and Effect of Hail:

Hail forms when frozen water drops are lifted within turbulent winds during thunderstorms. The frozen drops of water increase in size overtime and eventually fall out of the sky as hail. Combined with gravity and different wind conditions, hail can potentially cause severe damage to anything it comes in contact with. The size of a hailstone varies, from a modest size of 1/4″ of an inch {typically the size of a pea} to 3″ inches {the size of a baseball}.

Wind direction and force plays an important role in the outcome of damage on a roof, as well as a roof’s pitch {angle of the roof}.

Figure 1A

Figure 1A illustrates the dynamics of hail impact on two different roof pitches.

The home on the left would sustain more damage to the roof than the one on the right, since the hailstones are making more direct contact with the surface area of the roof. The house on the right would sustain less damage from the hailstones, due to the greater vertical plane of the roof.

Figure 1B

Wind conditions can distort damage to a home as illustrated in Figure 1B.

The house on the left has more glancing blows to the roof from the wind currents, while the windward wall comes under attack from direct hail impact as well. However, the right wall is protected and undamaged from the hailstones. The house on the right will most likely sustain roof damage on the windward side because of the more direct impact, despite the steep pitch.

Figure 2A

Examining the thin aluminum fixtures help verify the impact of hail. Figure 2A.

Assessing hail damage is accomplished by a roof inspection, which usually occurs several days to several months after the hail event. Determination of whether hail actually fell at a site can also be made through local news statements and national weather reports.

What sets Ameristar Exteriors apart?

Attention To Detail...

is what sets us apart from the pack. From the large commercial properties we work on to our homeowners' residential roofs, we are able to provide the same level of project participation to all of our customers. As dedicated professionals, we are intimate with each and every project we take on. Our philosophy is to embrace every exterior project with the same concerns and priorities a homeowner would have. This philosophy is one of the keys to our customer's satisfaction…and ours.

Photo Credits: Ameristar Exteriors

Click HERE to learn more about our residential roofing services.

Click HERE to learn more about our commercial roofing services.

Was Your Home Recently Damaged?

Click HERE to learn about our FREE INSPECTIONS!

Within the past few weeks, several severe storms have touched down throughout the Midwest region of the United States. Your home or business might have sustained hail or wind damage from recent storms without your knowledge. Contact us today at Ameristar Exteriors for your FREE INSPECTION! If your property has sustained recent storm damage, your insurance carrier is liable for the repairs.

Call us today (630) 324-8589!

Storm Damage in NW Suburbs of Chicago

As reported by the National Weather Service, large hail and severe winds brushed through the Northern Chicago suburbs on the late evening of April 5th, 2010 and the early morning hours of April 6th, 2010.

Hail forms when strong currents of rising air, known as updrafts, carry water droplets high enough in a thunderstorm for the water droplets to freeze. Once hailstones grow large enough to begin falling, despite the updraft that’s been holding them up, they hurtle toward the ground as fast as 90 mph.

Hail can damage your property in many ways. Hail damage to asphalt shingles can cause soft spots or bruising that may or may not be visible to the naked eye. Even small hail with high velocity crosswinds will produce dents large enough to cause significant damage to aluminum siding. Even small dents are considered cosmetic damage by your insurance carrier and in most cases are covered under your property insurance policy. Hail causes similar damages to your aluminum guttering system also. As insurance restoration specialists, we are highly trained and educated on siting hail and wind damage.  If you live in the Northwestern Chicago suburbs, it is likely that your home or property has sustained damage.  Ameristar Exteriors offers FREE INSPECTIONS with NO-OBLIGATIONS.

It is important to remember that your insurance company is liable for the damages your property has sustained from the recent storms.  Please note that you may have a limited claim period, some policies only have 6 months to a year to file a claim. Contact us today so we can help you!

Roofing*Siding*Gutters

(630) 324-8589

*Hail Damage Experts*

Severe Storms Strike

Ben Bradley of ABC Chicago 7 Reports:

April 6, 2010 (BENSENVILLE, Ill.) (WLS) -- Two lines of strong storms overnight and again Tuesday morning have left behind damage in a section of the Chicago area.

The storms brought heavy rain, strong wind and hail.

The first light of the day revealed remnants of the first wicked storm. The National Weather Service said overnight destruction in Bensenville is the work of a downburst. Mother Nature specifically targeted two Bensenville businesses that both lost roofs. Twisted and torn tidbits of roof littered County Line Road; some of the material wound up nearly two blocks away.

In Bensenville, one 50-year-old business was a casualty of the storm. Crews were expected Tuesday to see what they could do to restore parts of the roof temporarily. The owners say they have hundreds of thousands of dollars in precision equipment there covered from the elements only by tarps. The family-owned precision machine shop's factory floor was visible to the planes on final approach at O'Hare International Airport. A 40-foot section of brick wall collapsed and the roof was torn off. The owners were alerted when the alarm company called saying every single motion detector in the place was going off.

"It is a nightmare. I looked at it and thought, that can't possibly be. I still -- I'm looking at it now and still can't believe it," said business owner Penny Glabus.

Most of the storm damage reports came from the northwest suburbs, including Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates and Des Plaines. Quarter-inch hail was reported, along with downed trees and fences. About 10,000 ComEd customers were without power. Many of those outages were concentrated near Rockford.

Wood, rubber and metal from a nearby roof landed just 15 feet from an elderly veteran's home. For people in Bensenville, it was a one-two punch -- first the wind, then the rain.

"I hope I have good insurance. I think we do. I always try to cover everything, so I'm hoping. I'm concerned about my employees, too," said Glabus.

"We're making phone calls to see if we can record the damage. I have family to worry about," said Lucky Mordini, an owner whose building was also damaged. "Maybe I will change my name."

"The way this thing hit it is amazing it didn't cause more damage considering what happened to their building down there. We are definitely fortunate, no question about it," said Bill Scholla, Bensenville business owner.

Another Bensenville business also lost its roof. The worst of the damage was confined to a block-long industrial area. Nearby storms split tree limbs and frayed fences.

On Interstate 90, a 70 mph wind gust flipped over a tractor-trailer. Throughout the northwest suburbs, hail, some of it reaching the size of baseballs, rained down. There was also minor flooding that was already receding. ComEd crews were working to restore power to those left in the dark.

"All of a sudden, there was a large swoosh, and we noticed the tree across the street and our fence got damaged," said Bill Werner, Bensenville resident.

Inspectors from Bensenville were out with insurance adjustors looking over the damage and helping business owners.

To watch the official ABC 7 News report click HERE.