From Frontier Fort to Insurance Capital — We Know Every Roof in This City

Des Moines was founded in 1843 at the confluence of the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers, became Iowa’s state capital in 1857, and grew into one of the world’s leading insurance centers. That financial strength created stable, high-value residential pockets across every era of construction — from the grand Victorians of the 1880s to the mid-century brick Tudors of the 1940s to the modern builds going up on the south side today. Every era built differently, and every era needs a roofing contractor who understands the differences.

Waterbury & the Salisbury House Corridor

Des Moines’ most exclusive residential pocket sits along the Waterbury corridor near Salisbury House & Gardens and Terrace Hill (the Governor’s Mansion). These historic, high-end estates feature intricate brickwork, steep multi-faceted roof pitches, complex flashing details, and custom architectural trim. Roofing and siding work on these homes demands precision — every valley, dormer, and chimney transition has to be right. We bring the Owens Corning Platinum Preferred standard of installation to every Waterbury project.

Sherman Hill Historic District

Sherman Hill is Des Moines’ oldest neighborhood and a National Register Historic District — 80 acres of late-1800s Victorian, Queen Anne, and Italianate architecture with steep roof pitches, ornate dormers, and detailed cornice work. Restoring or updating exteriors here means matching historic aesthetic guidelines while modernizing thermal protection and weather resilience. Hoyt Sherman Place, the neighborhood’s performing arts landmark, anchors the district.

Beaverdale

Built predominantly in the 1920s through 1940s, Beaverdale is famous for its iconic “Beaverdale Brick” Tudor Revival homes — steep gabled rooflines, arched doorways, and original brick chimneys. Roofing these homes requires expertise in steep-pitch gables, historic dormer integration, and precision flashing around masonry that’s approaching 100 years old. The neighborhood’s mature tree canopy traps moisture and debris, making regular inspection critical.

Drake, Union Park & Waveland

Surrounding Drake University (founded 1881) and extending through Union Park and Waveland Park, these neighborhoods feature classic Craftsman bungalows and two-story homes with grand front porches. Common exterior projects include replacing aging original lap siding, upgrading soffit ventilation, and installing heavy architectural shingles that match the period character of these early-1900s homes.

Downtown, East Village & Capitol District

The East Village — immediately east of the 23-karat gold-domed Iowa State Capitol — blends Italianate and Romanesque commercial architecture with loft conversions and modern mixed-use development. Nearby, the Pappajohn Sculpture Park anchors the western gateway with a 4.4-acre, $40-million collection of world-class contemporary art. The Court Avenue District rounds out downtown’s core with restaurants, breweries, and live venues.

South Side & Easter Lake Area

South of Grand Avenue and extending to the Easter Lake area, Des Moines’ south side features a blend of mid-century ranches, split-levels, and newer construction. These homes have high demand for durable, low-maintenance siding — James Hardie fiber cement, LP SmartSide, and vinyl — paired with impact-resistant shingles. Our Owens Corning Duration FLEX Class 4 shingles are engineered exactly for this, qualifying homeowners for up to a 20% insurance premium discount.

River Valley Weather & Storm Exposure

Des Moines’ geography at the confluence of two rivers creates weather patterns that shorten the life of poorly installed roofs and siding. Homes near the Raccoon and Des Moines River valleys experience high humidity in summer and severe freeze-thaw cycles in winter, accelerating ice damming along eaves and moisture intrusion behind aging siding. Dense urban roofs absorb massive heat in July and August, aging asphalt shingles prematurely when attic ventilation is inadequate.

Severe storm cells coming off the western plains frequently track along the I-235 corridor, delivering heavy hail and high winds across central neighborhoods. The August 2020 derecho — the costliest thunderstorm in U.S. history at $11.2 billion — hit the Des Moines metro with 70–80 mph winds and 100+ mph gusts between the city and Ames. Polk County has logged dozens of additional hail events since, including quarter-size hail in April 2026. Many pre-2020 roofs still carry unrepaired damage.

Superstorm Roofing & Siding was born after a 2011 hailstorm damaged founder Chandler Steffy’s own family home in Urbandale. When we say we understand what Des Moines homeowners go through after a storm, it’s personal. We provide free, detailed inspections of your roof, siding, gutters, and full exterior. We document every finding so you have the evaluation data you need when working directly with your insurance company — though we are not public adjusters. FNBO financing is available for projects not covered by insurance.