Tag: roofing contractors

A roof protects your home from rain, snow, sunlight, and extremes of temperature. It is constructed in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. The back side of a shingle is covered with a sticky material that helps it adhere to the sheathing. The sheathing is cut on-site from framing lumber or fabricated in trusses by factory workers and then craned into place.

Roofing protects your home’s structure, furnishings, and possessions from all that Mother Nature throws at it. Without your roof, snow, rain, and intense summer heat would wreak havoc on everything inside your house. Your roof keeps all that from happening, protecting your belongings and allowing you to live comfortably in your house.

Be sure to check the condition of your roof regularly and consider re-roofing when necessary. You should also check and trim any bushes or trees that hang over your roof. These can be a hazard during the winter months when heavy snow and ice build up and high winds during blizzards can cause them to break off. This can also lead to leaking or damage to your roof and shingles.

Many homeowners go to great lengths to keep their homes cool in the summer. They may install energy efficient windows, close their curtains when the sun is up or even have trees planted to provide shade to the house from the direct sunlight. However, most people do not realize that a cool roof is also a key factor in keeping the home comfortable.

Roofing materials are specially chosen to defend against rain, snow, direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Some roofing materials are more effective at keeping your home cool than others, and the color of the roof is a significant factor as well. If your roof is dark, it will absorb heat and quickly warm the inside of your home. A roof with a light color will reflect the heat instead and will help to keep your home cooler.

Proper attic ventilation is also a big factor in keeping your home cool. Make sure to talk to a licensed roofer about the type of attic ventilation that will work best for your home.

Whether you’re building from scratch or replacing your existing roof, an experienced roofing contractor can provide you with a range of options to suit your needs and the climate where you live. The material you choose, along with proper attic ventilation and insulation, will ensure that your home is comfortable all year round. The right roofing will help you to maintain optimal indoor temperatures and reduce energy bills significantly. It will also provide you with a durable and attractive protective layer that will add value to your property.

Adds Value to Your Home

There’s no doubt that an updated roof adds value to your home. This is especially true if you choose to reroof with premium shingles, energy efficient shingles or other roofing materials that are sought after by prospective home buyers.

While it’s true that a new roof won’t add the same resale value as an addition or a kitchen remodel, a new roof is often a valuable investment. According to a report by NARI, homeowners who completed a reroofing project in their homes saw more than half of the amount of money they invested back when they sold their houses.

Regardless of whether you plan to sell your house or not, an older or damaged roof will turn many prospective buyers away. If your roof looks worn out, a complete reroof may be necessary in order to maintain the integrity of your home’s exterior and prevent further damage from rain, hail or snow.

Prevents Mold and Mildew

Mold and mildew are one of the most common problems that homeowners have with their roofs. They can cause a lot of damage, and they can also lead to other problems within the home as well.

If you see that you have mold or mildew in your roof, it is important to have a roofing professional look at it right away. They can help to determine the best way to remove it and prevent it from coming back.

You may have seen black streaks on the roof of a neighbor’s house before. These are often signs of roof mold, which is caused by the growth of algae or a fungus called Gloeocapsa Magma. It grows in shady areas that remain wet throughout the day and can affect the health of your family if it isn’t removed promptly.

If the spores of mold or mildew are able to get inside of your roof, they can begin to spread throughout the house and cause serious problems with attic wood and the drywall in your home. This can even lead to the rot of the roof structure itself.

Leaks in the roof can encourage the growth of mold and mildew as well. This is because the water that gets into the attic and drywall can cause them to soften. It can also cause the paint around the windows to bubble or peel.

The best way to prevent the occurrence of mold or mildew is to have your roof regularly inspected by a roofing contractor. It is also recommended that you trim any trees overhanging your roof and keep it free from debris such as leaves.

You can also use a product to protect your roof against algae, moss, and mold growth. This spray-on product can be applied to your roof and is designed to kill the spores of these plants. You can find this product online or at most roofing supply stores. In addition to this, you can purchase roofing materials that are impregnated with chemicals such as copper or zinc, which will help prevent the buildup of these types of organisms on your roof.

Your roof protects you, your family, and your home from the elements. If it starts to wear out, it may be time to reroof.

The best roofing material depends on your climate and resale value. Metal offers durability and style; clay, concrete, or composite tiles fit elegant homes; and slate is the choice for upscale brick and stone houses. For professional assistance, call Roofing Company Near Me.

Slate

Slate is a metamorphic rock that has been used for centuries as roofing material. It is highly water-resistant and exceptionally durable, allowing it to last up to 100 years. It’s also quite expensive, but it is a beautiful roof option that can add a touch of class to your home. However, it’s important to hire a professional roofing contractor when installing a slate roof because it can be prone to leaks and major problems if not installed correctly.

A slate roof requires a layer of waterproof underlayment before the actual tiles are placed. The underlayment is usually a sheet of gypsum concrete or nailable masonry board. The slates are then attached to the underlayment with copper or stainless steel nails or screws, with some being nailed through the slate itself to help reinforce it. The nails are usually positioned over joints, valleys, and other areas where water might collect. It is important to properly install the slate and the underlayment to prevent damage and ensure that your roof is watertight.

While slate is a popular choice for homes in most climates, it is particularly good for snowy climes because the material is naturally insulating. It is able to keep warm air from escaping the house during the winter, and it will also reduce cooling costs in the summer. Additionally, it is highly resistant to fire.

It is also a favorite for homeowners in humid regions because it resists the growth of mildew, mold, and fungus. This means that you won’t have to worry about your roof needing to be replaced every 10–30 years like you would if it were made from an asphalt shingle.

The main drawback of slate is that it is fragile and heavy, requiring a great deal of skill to install. This is because it must be cut and fitted together to create the desired shape. This is a time-consuming process, and it’s essential to use a qualified roofing contractor.

Some people choose synthetic slate look-alikes as a cheaper alternative to natural stone roofing, but Rule cautions that these products have not been tested for longevity. He recommends choosing a roofer who can provide you with a slate sample from an existing installation and examining the color and thickness to make sure that they will not fade, curl, or deteriorate over time.

Clay

Known for their rich red coloring, clay tiles are used to add style and beauty to buildings. This roofing material has been around for hundreds of years and is known to have longevity. Clay tile roofs are also resistant to the elements, including heavy rains and strong winds. They can even withstand the dangerous ultraviolet radiation of the sun. This type of roof is an excellent choice for areas with harsh climates.

The process of creating clay tiles is similar to that of making bricks. The clay is molded into the desired shape and size and then burned at high temperatures in kilns. During this process, coloring admixtures are added to the clay to achieve different color finishes. The roof tiles are then finished with a natural clay plaster or coated with a silicone coating. This finish protects the tiles and enhances their beauty.

Although clay tile roofs are durable, they do require periodic maintenance. Regular inspections should be done to identify and repair damage. In addition, clay tiles can be brittle and may crack or break if they are walked on. It is important to hire a roofing contractor who has experience working with clay roofs.

In addition to their durability, clay tile roofs are energy efficient. They help to regulate the temperature inside a building, keeping it cool in the summer and warmer in the winter. This can result in significant savings on your energy bills.

Clay tiles are made of all-natural materials and are recyclable at the end of their lifespans. They are also fire-resistant, making them a good choice for homes in fire-prone areas. Moreover, they provide a range of aesthetic options that can increase the value and curb appeal of your home.

The disadvantage of clay tiles is that they are heavy, which can cause problems with your home’s structure and foundation. They are also not as suited to colder climates as other roofing materials. Moreover, they are not as easy to install as asphalt shingles. Hence, if you plan to replace your existing roof with clay tiles, you will need to have it reinforced and restructured to handle the additional weight.

Wood

Wood is a traditional roofing material that dates back to the earliest homes in colonial America. It remains a popular choice for modern, upscale homes and buildings where a rustic look is desired. Wood shingles and shakes are available in many tones of brown, gold, red, and amber to complement the style of the building. They may be sanded and stained or left to naturally weather into an attractive gray color.

The wood used for roofing must have high moisture and rot resistance. The preferred species are western red cedar (Thuja plicata), coastal redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum). These trees have a core that contains compounds that resist moisture. This helps the wood be more dimensionally stable, which extends its lifespan.

A wood roof will last longer when it is properly maintained and protected. The amount of rainfall and the temperature will determine how quickly a wood roof degrades. For example, a wood roof in warm, wet Hawaii will last only one-fourth the time that a similarly built roof would in cool, wet western Oregon. A roof that is exposed to heavy amounts of debris from overhanging vegetation will accumulate moisture more rapidly and experience accelerated degradation.

It is important that a wooden roof be sanded and treated with a preservative every two to three years to maintain its moisture resistance. This treatment can be done with a water-based wood preservative or an oil-based product. The latter is better because it is less likely to bleed onto the roof coverings.

A well-maintained wood roof will also have a high level of insect resistance. A spray-on fire retardant can be applied to the surface of a wooden roof to meet certain fire codes. This can be done as often as every two to three years, depending on the conditions of the roof and the application method.

A well-maintained wooden roof will require more maintenance than an asphalt shingle roof. It will need to be sanded and treated with an oil-based preservative or a water-based wood preservative every two to three years to prevent it from drying and cracking. It will also need to be sprayed with a fungicide every two to three years to kill the fungi that cause rot and mold on the roof.

Metal

Most people associate metal roofs with industrial or commercial structures, but this type of roofing is also used on homes. It’s a durable option with a long lifespan, and it can be designed to look very different from traditional asphalt shingles.

Most metal roofing starts out as coils or sheets that can be cut and formed to create a variety of shapes and sizes. This flexibility makes it a popular choice for architects to incorporate into residential buildings, as they can create roofs that are both functional and beautiful.

The most common metals for roofing are steel and aluminum. Both are easy to work with, incredibly durable, and come in a wide range of finishes. Aluminum is a green choice, as it requires less energy to manufacture than other metals and can be recycled when it’s no longer needed. Steel, on the other hand, has been a mainstay in building construction for decades because it is strong, affordable, and readily available. It can also be made to mimic more expensive options like copper or zinc through paint systems that allow the panels to fade and weather over time.

There are two main types of metal roofing: panel-based and shingle-based. Both have advantages, depending on the needs of a homeowner or business owner. Metal panel-based roofs can be prefabricated or formed on site and may have either exposed or hidden fasteners. Hidden fasteners, which have a female leg that snaps over the male leg to hide the fastener, are a more aesthetically pleasing option than exposed fasteners, which have protruding heads visible from underneath the roof surface.

A standing-seam metal roof has panels that are clipped together to form a projecting seam that runs along the length of the roof. This is a durable and attractive option, but it can be more difficult to install than a traditional shingle roof. Standing seam roofs can also be quite slippery when wet or covered in snow, which is a safety issue for anyone on the roof.

Another advantage of a metal roof is that it can be easily insulated to make a home or business more energy efficient. The insulation reflects radiant heat from the sun, which keeps a home cooler in summer and lowers energy bills.