Blogs, Insights and Tips | Northwind Exteriors
Your Trusted Resource for Certified Excellence in Roofing, Siding, and Exteriors
Welcome to the Northwind Exteriors Learning Center—your essential guide for protecting and enhancing your home's exterior in Park Ridge, Glenview, Des Plaines, and the surrounding suburbs.
We don't just provide exterior services; we provide certified expertise. Northwind Exteriors holds the highest credentials in the industry:
Siding: James Hardie Alliance Elite Contractor
Roofing: Malarkey Certified Premium Contractor
This dual certification ensures you receive superior workmanship and the industry's best warranties on both major components of your home's envelope.
What You'll Find Inside Our Expert Guides:
Premium Roofing Expertise: Transparent guides on Malarkey products, the value of Certified Premium Contractor installation (including the enhanced warranty), proper ventilation, and the necessity of Ice and Water Shield.
Elite Siding Clarity: Localized cost guides, including the real price of James Hardie siding, and the importance of hiring an Elite Contractor for a valid 30-year warranty.
Weather Defense & Solutions: Urgent solutions for local threats like ice dams (from our division, Ice Dam Liquidators of Chicago) and proactive steps to prevent storm damage.
Home Value: Tips on maximizing curb appeal, improving energy efficiency, and boosting your home's resale value through strategic exterior upgrades.
Start exploring our latest articles below to secure your home's investment with certified quality.
Chicagoland Hail Alert: Is Your Home Damaged After the Historic March 10th Storm?
The destructive hailstorm that swept through the Chicagoland area on March 10, 2026, was one for the record books. With reports of a potential state-record 6-inch hailstone in Kankakee and "softball-sized" chunks hitting Darien, the damage to local homes is significant—and often hidden from the naked eye.
At Northwind Exteriors, we are already on the ground in Darien, Woodridge, Downers Grove, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, and Kankakee, helping your neighbors assess the aftermath. If your home was in the path of this supercell, here is what you need to know and how we can help you recover.
The Reality of the March 10th Storm
This wasn't just a typical spring shower. The National Weather Service confirmed "destructive" hail sizes across the western and southern suburbs:
Kankakee: Historic 6.0" hail (larger than a grapefruit).
Darien: 4.8" hail (softball-sized).
Woodridge & Downers Grove: 2.75" to 3.25" hail (baseball-sized).
Bolingbrook & Romeoville: 1.5" to 3.0" hail (ping pong to golf ball-sized).
Hail of this magnitude doesn't just dent gutters; it fractures the fiberglass mat of your shingles and cracks siding, leading to "silent leaks" that can cause mold and structural rot months later.
How Northwind Exteriors Protects You
Navigating a major insurance claim can be overwhelming. We specialize in Storm Damage Claim Assistance, acting as your advocate from start to finish.
1. Expert Storm Inspection
We don't just look for missing shingles. Our team performs a forensic-level inspection of your roof, siding, and "soft metals" (gutters, vents, and flashing) to document the impact marks that insurance adjusters require.
2. Full Claims Guidance
We guide you through the entire process. We’ll meet your insurance adjuster at your home to ensure they see every bit of damage we found. Our goal is to ensure your claim is settled fairly so you can restore your home to its full value.
3. Upgrading Your Protection
If your home requires a replacement, we don't just put back what was there before. We install systems designed to withstand the next storm:
Malarkey Roofing Systems: We install Class 3 and Class 4 impact-rated shingles. These are engineered with NEX® Rubberized Asphalt, which acts like a shock absorber to "bounce" hail off your roof rather than cracking under pressure.
James Hardie Siding: Unlike vinyl, which can shatter or hole during a hailstorm, James Hardie fiber cement is non-combustible and impact-resistant, providing a "fortress" level of protection for your exterior.
Why Choose Northwind?
We are a James Hardie Alliance Elite Contractor and a Malarkey Certified Premium Contractor. This means you aren't just getting a local contractor; you’re getting a team recognized by the manufacturers for the highest level of installation excellence and service in Chicagoland.
Don’t wait for a leak to tell you there’s a problem. > Most insurance policies have a limited window for filing hail claims. Getting an inspection now ensures your home remains protected and your claim is documented while the evidence is fresh.
Schedule Your Free Storm Damage Inspection & Claim Assessment or Call 773-998-4000
www.northwindexteriors.com
