Sellers Roofing Company handles Columbia Heights’ older bungalows and post-war ramblers with careful tear-off technique, deck repair where needed, and ice-and-water shield installed to code minimum on every eave — a methodical approach for a city where the housing stock demands respect for what’s underneath the shingles. We are a Brooklyn Park-based, Black-owned, family-operated contractor approximately 6 to 8 miles northwest, and we hold a State of Minnesota Master Roofing Contractor license, GAF and Owens Corning certifications, and full insurance coverage. Call (651) 560-6355 to schedule a free inspection.
Roofing in Columbia Heights, MN
Columbia Heights is a small, dense Anoka County city sandwiched between Minneapolis to the south and Fridley to the north. Its commercial backbone is Central Avenue — Minnesota Highway 65 — running from 37th to 52nd Avenue NE, anchored at the northern end by the restored Heights Theater, a 1926 movie palace that is one of the community’s defining landmarks. Huset Park in the southern end of the city and LaBelle Park near Sullivan Lake provide green space within a tightly built residential grid.
For Sellers Roofing, Columbia Heights is approximately 6 to 8 miles southeast of our Brooklyn Park headquarters — a routine service distance. We hold a State of Minnesota Master Roofing Contractor license (MN DLI), BBB Accreditation, GAF Certification, and Owens Corning Certification. We are fully insured for general liability and workers’ compensation. The city’s housing stock — predominantly 1940s through 1960s construction with older worker cottages on the southern blocks — is exactly the type of inventory our crew works in regularly across the northwest metro.
Roughly 58% of Columbia Heights homes are single-family detached, with a median value around $300,000. That is a community of real homeowners who need roofing advice they can trust — not upsell pressure, not a quick sale, but an honest assessment of what their roof actually needs and what it will cost to do right.
The Houses We Work On in Columbia Heights
Columbia Heights is primarily a post-World War II community, but the older southern blocks near Huset Park and Columbia Heights High School have 1910s and 1920s worker cottages and bungalows that predate the post-war wave. These structures may have original or very early-replacement roofing systems — sometimes with board decking rather than plywood sheathing — and a careful tear-off is essential before new materials go down.
The dominant stock through most of the city is 1940s through 1960s minimal-traditional ramblers and mid-century split-levels on modest lots with dense tree coverage. These homes share common characteristics: low-to-moderate pitch rooflines, original ventilation systems that are inadequate by current standards, and aging pipe boots and flashings that were installed 50 to 70 years ago. Neoprene pipe boots from this era are almost always cracked or hardened beyond their functional lifespan, and they are one of the most common sources of active leaks we find in Columbia Heights.
The Highland area along the bluff above the Mississippi River floodplain has some larger homes and more varied construction, but the mid-century character dominates. Northeast Columbia Heights bordering Fridley and the Sullivan Lake area to the northeast have similar 1950s–1960s housing profiles. In all these neighborhoods, careful tear-off technique matters — removing old shingles cleanly without damaging aged decking, then inspecting and replacing any compromised sheets before the new system goes on.
What Columbia Heights Roofs Are Up Against
Columbia Heights sits in the northeast Minneapolis corridor that receives the heaviest hail from southwest-tracking storm cells — a geographic reality that makes it one of the more storm-exposed communities in the northern metro. The city was listed among those hit by the August 11, 2023 hailstorm, and the May 19, 2022 storm series also affected the broader north-metro area with significant hail.
Ice dams are a consistent threat on the post-war ramblers and split-levels that dominate the housing stock. Low-pitch rooflines and original ventilation systems — both features of 1950s and 1960s construction — allow heat to escape through the deck, melting snow at the ridge while the eaves stay frozen. Water backs up under shingles and into the building envelope, damaging insulation, drywall, and framing. Ice-and-water shield installed at code minimum is a non-negotiable element of every eave detail on these homes.
Dense residential tree canopy along Central Avenue and University Avenue corridors creates a persistent debris-and-moisture problem on aging shingles. Leaves and seeds lodge in roof valleys and around pipe stacks, holding moisture that accelerates granule loss and biological growth. North- and east-facing slopes in shaded yards often show moss and algae growth years ahead of more sun-exposed sections.
Our Services for Columbia Heights Homeowners
Full tear-off replacements with thorough deck inspection on Columbia Heights’ bungalows, ramblers, and split-levels. We replace compromised decking, install ice-and-water shield at all eaves and valleys, and apply new GAF or Owens Corning architectural shingles with new pipe boots, ridge vent, and drip edge.
Pipe boot replacement, chimney and stack re-flashing, valley seam repair, and wind-lifted shingle patching. On older Columbia Heights homes, targeted repairs are often the right first step — we give you a straight read on whether repair or replacement makes more sense for your specific condition.
Written inspection covering shingle condition, granule coverage, flashing integrity, ventilation adequacy, and hail impact evidence. Useful for real-estate transactions, insurance documentation, and routine planning.
Storm damage documentation for insurance claims — photos, written summaries, soft-metal evidence, and on-site presence during adjuster meetings when requested.
TPO, EPDM, and modified bitumen systems for flat-roof commercial properties along Central Avenue and surrounding commercial corridors.
Seamless aluminum gutter installation and repair. On Columbia Heights’ modest-lot homes, properly sized gutters that drain effectively are a meaningful ice dam and foundation protection measure.
Our Process — Inspection to Final Walk
- Free Inspection & Scope — On-surface and ground-level assessment, documenting shingle condition, flashing integrity, ventilation, decking concerns, and any storm damage. For older bungalow-era homes, we note potential board-decking conditions at this step.
- Written Estimate — Itemized estimate with clear material specs, labor, decking allowance, and no surprise line items. Insurance-claim scopes are aligned with adjuster approvals.
- Material Selection — Walk-through of GAF and Owens Corning shingle options, colors, and warranty tiers. For Columbia Heights homeowners working within a budget, we identify the best value option that still meets code and performs well in Minnesota’s climate.
- Installation Day — Full tear-off, deck repair, underlayment, ice-and-water shield at all eaves and valleys, new shingle installation, and magnetic roller cleanup at the end of each shift.
- Final Walk-Through — We confirm all work is complete, all debris and packaging materials are removed, and walk through your workmanship warranty before we leave.
Storm & Hail Damage in Columbia Heights
Columbia Heights was among the cities listed as receiving hail damage on August 11, 2023 — the “happy hour” storm that became a NOAA-certified billion-dollar disaster. The city’s position in the northeast Minneapolis corridor places it directly in the path of southwest-tracking storm cells that historically carry the heaviest hail through Anoka and Hennepin counties. The May 19, 2022 storms also hit the broader north-metro area, producing quarter- to golf ball-sized hail with $2.6 billion in regional damage.
For Columbia Heights homeowners with aging shingles, even moderate hail can trigger granule displacement sufficient to justify an insurance claim. The thinner asphalt mat on 1960s and 1970s shingles is more susceptible to impact damage than current architectural grades. If you have not had a professional inspection since either storm, the time to act is now — claim filing windows vary by insurer and policy.
Sellers Roofing Company is a contractor, not a public adjuster. We document the damage accurately and support your claim with professional documentation — but we do not take a cut of your settlement or manage your policy relationship. Call (651) 560-6355 for a free storm inspection.
Why Columbia Heights Homeowners Pick Sellers
We are a licensed, certified, and insured contractor whose owners have personal accountability for every job we put our name on. Our State of Minnesota Master Roofing Contractor license, BBB Accreditation, GAF Certification, and Owens Corning Certification are independently verified credentials — not self-awarded claims. We carry full general liability and workers’ compensation insurance, protecting homeowners and our crew on every project.
As a Black-owned, family-operated company based in Brooklyn Park, we serve Columbia Heights as a real neighbor — not a franchise dispatching crews from across the metro. Our enhanced warranty programs through GAF and Owens Corning provide coverage beyond what non-certified contractors can offer. Learn more on our About page.
Neighborhoods & Areas We Serve in Columbia Heights
We work throughout Columbia Heights, including:
- Sullivan Lake area — northeast residential near LaBelle Park
- Northeast Columbia Heights — bordering Fridley
- Central Avenue corridor — adjacent residential to the commercial spine
- Huset Park neighborhood — southern end near Columbia Heights High School
- Highland area — along the bluff above the Mississippi River floodplain
Nearby service areas include Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, and Robbinsdale.
Frequently Asked Questions
My Columbia Heights bungalow from 1922 may have board decking — is that a problem?
Board decking (individual planks rather than plywood or OSB sheets) was the standard before the 1950s. It is workable and often still structurally sound, but a tear-off is the only way to verify condition. We inspect every board, replace any that are cracked, rotted, or improperly fastened, and in some cases may recommend a plywood overlay for a flatter nailing surface. We discuss what we find and what it costs before proceeding with any additional scope.
What does “ice and water shield to code minimum” mean for my home?
Minnesota code requires ice-and-water shield membrane — a self-adhering waterproof layer — at roof eaves extending at least 24 inches inside the warm wall line. On low-pitch rooflines common in Columbia Heights, we run this further than the minimum to reduce ice dam infiltration risk. This membrane is the last line of defense if water backs up under shingles during a freeze-thaw event.
How do you handle the deck repair process if you find rotted wood under my old shingles?
We document rotted or delaminated sections with photographs and measurements, then present the additional scope and cost to you before any replacement work begins. Deck repair is billed per sheet of plywood and is never added to an invoice after the fact without your prior approval.
Can I schedule a roof inspection without committing to any work?
Absolutely. Our inspections are free and come with no obligation. We give you a written report and a scope of work. What you do with that information is entirely your decision.
Do you serve commercial properties on Central Avenue?
Yes. We install and repair TPO, EPDM, and modified bitumen flat-roof systems on commercial properties throughout Columbia Heights. We work with property owners and managers on everything from targeted repairs to full re-roofs.
Free Roof Inspection in Columbia Heights
Talk To A Real Roofer
One business-day response. No high-pressure sales pitch. Just an honest look at your roof.