Go Big Or Go Home: From A One-Crew Roofer To
A Regional Midwest Exteriors Powerhouse
How A Housing Crash, A Bold Pivot, And A
Promise Built Apex Exteriors
In the 1980s, Ken Girard was a Chicagoland roofer with a good crew and a growing reputation. His company—Top Side Roofing—made a name for itself installing roofs on new homes across the region. It was hard work, but steady. Reliable. Safe.
Until it wasn’t.
In 2007-2008, the housing market experienced a significant collapse. New construction dried up almost overnight. Builders vanished. Phones stopped ringing. For companies like Ken’s (fully tied to one industry), it could’ve been game over.
Instead, it was the beginning of something bigger.
From Crisis To Reinvention: When The Market
Tanked And Apex Was Born
Ken had a choice: downsize and hope to survive… or evolve. He chose the latter. And not just by branching out a little. He tore up the old playbook.
In 2009, he shut down Top Side Roofing and launched Apex Exteriors as an all-new exteriors company with a bigger mission: to serve homeowners, builders, and businesses across every corner of the local exteriors industry.
He didn’t just send a press release.
He addressed every customer personally. Here’s what he told them:
“I believe that when people put trust into Top Side Roofing, they put trust into me. And while Top Side’s chapter is coming to a close, I’m proud to announce that Apex Exteriors has been launched. Full steam ahead! Under this new banner, we will continue to deliver the same exceptional service and results our team is known for.”
That mindset has guided Apex ever since.
Built For Scale: What Apex Looks Like Today
Over the years, Apex Exteriors has grown from a roofing crew into a full-service exterior force. We’re trusted by homeowners, HOAs, developers, and businesses across Illinois, Wisconsin, and the Northern Lakeshore of Indiana. Today, our team operates in five core divisions:
Residential Exterior Replacement & Repair
Full roof replacements, siding upgrades, windows, gutters — protecting and beautifying existing homes across the region.
New Construction Homes & Remodeling
Partnering with homebuilders and developers on new residential construction, leveraging decades of expertise.
Multi-Family Developments
Providing complete exterior systems for large-scale apartments, condos, and townhome communities, in close coordination with developers and HOA boards.
Commercial New Construction
Serving businesses, mixed-use developments, and retail projects with fully integrated exterior solutions.
Commercial & HOA Exterior Replacements
Offering large-scale replacement, repair, and maintenance services for commercial buildings and HOA-managed communities.
Over 300 Years Of Combined Experience (Yes, Really)
We don’t just sell jobs—we build them. In-house. With people we know and trust.
Our team brings a ridiculous amount of expertise. Most have been with us for years. Some, for decades. From asphalt shingles to composite cladding, fiber cement to stone veneer panels—we know the materials and process, and NEVER cut corners.
That’s why we keep most projects in-house. Subcontractors can be unpredictable. We’d rather own the result—and your satisfaction.
We’re Not Going Anywhere – Neither Is Our Promise
Apex Exteriors was built to last. We’ve weathered industry crashes, labor shortages, and material spikes. We’ve expanded, adapted, and delivered through it all…
And we’re not slowing down.
But through every shift, one thing has stayed the same: that promise Ken made in 2009.
Trust us once. We’ll earn it every time after.
Start Your Exterior Project With The Suburbs Finest!
Meet the Chicagoland exterior team that can handle your project with the expert finesse that ONLY ample training and experience can provide. Schedule a discovery meeting with one of our seasoned Exterior Consultants today. We’re happy to give you all the information you need and explain the value we bring. Talk soon!
