What are the New Fortified Roofing Guidelines for Withstanding Natural Disasters?

What are the New Fortified Roofing Guidelines for Withstanding Natural Disasters?

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What are the new fortified roofing guidelines for roofs to withstand natural disasters? How do you fortify your roof to withstand the worst of storms? It doesn’t take much of a storm to affect your roof. It’s much better to learn if your roof can meet the new standards well before you ever need it to.

There are new roofing guidelines presented by FEMA and go over any hazards that may impact or damage roofs causing significant risk to those living in the home. FEMA divided the standards into wind hazards, flood hazards, and fire hazards.

Natural Hazards and Roofing Standards

There are various natural hazards and the new roofing standards to withstand these natural hazards target three specific and common hazards. It all starts with the roofing installation.

Roofing Installation

The new roofing codes address requirements for roof coverings most often used on high and low-sloped roofs. For high-sloped roofs this is usually roofs made of asphalt shingles, clay, concrete tile, wood shakes, and shingles. For low-sloped roofs this is single-ply, thermoplastic single-ply, sprayed polyurethane foam and liquid applied coating roofs. There are requirement codes for the roofs underlayment, flashing, structure performance and materials.

Flood Hazard Event

You already know about the adaptive roof technology, which can help your roof reduce wet weather flow by 80% by diverting the water to a combined sewer system. But what do you do if your area is being affected by a flood? Will your roof be able to withstand the constant downpour or rush of water in a flood hazard event?

FEMA has one specific flood-related design consideration standard listed, and that is to document your home’s elevation. FEMA mentions green building practices that encourage reducing the building of homes outside the code-minimum elevations. But, sometimes moving to a higher elevation is something you can’t or don’t want to do. When that’s the case, the best thing you can do for your roof to be able to withstand the water is by using water-resistant framing and roofing materials that are adaptive and use technology-driven reduction of water.

Wind Hazard Event

If your home or business is involved in a wind hazard event, you want your roof to be able to withstand not only the major breaches to your roof but also the minor ones. It is the minor breaches to your roof that can result in significant water and economic loss to your home or business. Your roofs sheathing is a good place to start because they help withstand high suction forces. You also want your building and roof to have a roof to wall connection capable of resisting wind forces. FEMA has listed through their ASTM D 7158 three classes of shingles recommended.

The three classes of shingles apply to Category 1 and Category II building which means the non-critical or non-essential facilities like homes. These homes and buildings are less than 60 feet tall with wind range from 90 – 150 mph.

  1. Class D shingles need to pass basic wind speeds up to and including 90 mph.
  2. Class G shingles need to pass basic wind speeds up to and including 120 mph.
  3. Class H shingles need to pass basic wind speeds up to 150 mph.

Basically, if you live in what FEMA calls a high-wind area, you will need to follow the new guidelines for meeting roofing material that meets the wind speed by class.

Wildfire Hazard

For your wildfire hazards, you need a building to lessen the potential of becoming more vulnerable if it’s in or around a wildfire. Roofs can be designed and built, so they help prevent the spread of fire. The roofs may not be able to stop the spread of fire, but they can help prevent it from being more rapid. These codes are in areas where buildings and homes are subject to urban-wildland fires, so the urban-wildland codes detail what you can use as a material on your roof and how you install the roof. It’s the layout of the roof that sometimes influences the performance of the roof in a wildfire event.

The roof must be made of a material that is fire resistant and is covered in FEMA Section R902 with the roof’s insulation covered in Section R906. Most of the wildfire hazard protection lies in the requirements of the individual roof coverings like asphalt shingles, clay or concrete tiles, etc.

What are the New Fortified Roofing Guidelines for Withstanding Natural Disasters?

The roofing guideline standards shift and evolve depending on what section of the country you live in and the materials you use on your roof. You want to make sure you take the FEMA links above as a guideline for your roofing design considerations and best practices when building your roof.

In addition, any regulatory compliance is done at mostly the local level, so be cognizant that the property insurers and reinsurers, as well as your community, will want you to use safety research as your foundation in building a safe, compliant roof. If you need proof that a strong roof is needed for you and your family’s protection you need look no further than the natural disasters over the past fifteen years. In the past fifteen years we’ve been impacted by Katrina, Sandy, Ike, Irene, and more. It’s no longer an option to build a safe and compliant roof it is a critical need.

You should never accept anything less than the best when it comes to maintaining the safety of you and your family. When you need to find a roofing contractor who can give you what you need, check out Roofing Architects. Roofing Architects can help you find a contractor who cares as much about you and your family’s safety in case of natural disasters as you do.

Seven Warning Signs Your Roof Needs to Be Replaced

Seven Warning Signs Your Roof Needs to Be Replaced

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There are seven warning signs that let you know that indicate it’s too late just to repair your roof. It’s now time to replace your roof. The problem with roofs is most people never stop to think about what’s over their head until it springs a leak. If you’ve waited until your roof springs a leak on top of you, you’ve waited too long. The best time to replace your roof is when you can plan and schedule a roof replacement and have time to find the best. It’s when you have time to compare contract prices for labor and materials that you should be looking to replace your roof. The information below will give you the seven warning signs and way forward once you do need to have your roof replaced.

You can use smart technology roofing applications to figure out how to design and build your new roof if you find you need to replace it. But before you start using the latest and greatest smart technology applications to design your new roof there are things you should check first. For instance, there are seven warning signs to look for that can help you not be in a state of emergency when you’re replacing your roof. These seven warning signs let you know may not be able to repair your roof anymore. It’s now time to replace your roof.

1. Water Spots on Your Ceiling

Water stains on a ceiling in your home is an obvious sign there’s a problem with your roof. If you deal with it sooner rather than later, you may be able to ward off having to replace your whole roof. There are so many things that can cause a roof leak, and sometimes you need a roofing expert to help you pinpoint where the real issue is. When you use a roof inspection professional you want to make sure they tell you where they think the leak is coming from and what you need to do about it.

2. Shingle Granules

You’re not alone if you’ve never heard of shingle granules. But, when shingle granules start filling up your gutters, you already have an issue with your roof. Shingle granule loss is very common with asphalt shingles. A little bit here or there doesn’t mean much. When you start noticing a significant amount of granules in your gutters or downspouts, you need a professional roof inspection expert to visit you. Sometimes a severe storm may cause some granule loss, and the older your shingles are, the more storms start ripping roofing granules off in bits and pieces. It may be time to replace your roof before the next big storm comes your way.

3. Dark Spots on Your Roof

You may think you see a few dark spots on your roof when you drive into your driveway and look at it. The next time you look, you think the sun is playing tricks on you. Chances are you’re noticing a dirty looking spot or fungus that’s now growing on your roof. Sometimes the spots are caused by a roof retaining moisture, and sometimes it’s because your roof doesn’t get enough sunlight to dry out completely. But. if after an inspection with a roofing expert they tell you your roof is retaining moisture, then it’s time to replace your roof.

4. Roof Flashing and/or Damaged Chimney

Roof flashing almost always happens around the base of your chimney if you have a chimney on your roof. The flashing is usually made up of roof cement or even tar. There are times when you can just fortify your flashing area with more durable metal. There are times when you need to have the whole roof replaced due to the water damage that is occurring. The water damage is making your roof more vulnerable to failing.

5. Buckling Roof Shingles

You’ve probably noticed it on someone else’s roof from time to time. It’s when you see shingles buckling or curling. When you think you see it on your roof you need to go to the side of the house that receives the most direct sunlight. If you notice any shingles that are curling or frayed at the edges in that location, there’s a problem with your roof. Again, a professional roofing contractor can let you know if you need your entire roof replaced.

6. Daylight Through the Roof Into Your Attic

When you go up into your attic, and you see daylight streaking in from the roof, there’s an issue. If your home or roof is new, there could be a roof defect. You need to have the people who installed your roof, come back, and fix the defect. If your roof or home is older, then there’s something else at play that may require you to replace your roof. Especially if when you climb on the roof and feel a bounce when you walk. There’s moisture in the roofing insulation or the roof boards. Either way, it’s time to get your roof replaced.

7. Your Roof is Old

The average lifespan of a roof is about twenty to twenty-five years. If you’ve already had certain parts of your roof replaced, it may now be time to replace the whole thing. If a new roof was installed over older roof layers then you may have to gut your roof and start from the beginning.

Replacing Your Roof Today Gives You Peace Tomorrow

No one wants to have to replace their roof. But, it’s better to replace it now while you still have some life and functional components in your roof. It’s never a good thing if you wait until the roof is falling in all around you, or you have any of the above seven warning signs come alive while the roof is over your head every day and night.

There’s no time like today to have your roof inspected by a professional roofing expert and perhaps replace your entire roof. When you want to find the best roofing experts near you, we have the place you can go and find them.

The Twenty-Five “C’s” of Roofing

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It’s hard to believe, but there are well over twenty-five roofing industry words that start with C. A more important fact is all twenty-five words are important roofing terms. But what do the words mean?

#1 – The Council of American Building Officials

A commonly used roofing “C” word is the acronym CABO which stands for The Council of American Building Officials. CABO merged with The International Code Council (ICC) not too long ago, and the ICC is now a nonprofit association that provides building safety solutions. These solutions are in product evaluation, accreditation, certification, codification, and training. Just as important, ICC develops the codes and standards that worldwide construction projects are held to in safety and sustainability.

#2 – Cant

Cant strip is a piece of wood that is shaped like a triangle, or it is beveled. It is designed to serve as a gradual transitional plane between the flat surface of a roof deck. It can also used in rigid insulation and on vertical surfaces. In other words Cant is a support roofing material and prevents gaps.

#3 – Cap Sheet

Cap sheet is a proprietary coated sheet with granules used as the top ply of roof membranes. Basically, cap sheet protects against UV, weathering and physical damage.

# 4 – Cellulose

Cellulose is a newer roofing component used in the manufacturing of organic roofing material. It is a complex carbohydrate that is composed of glucose units. It is more commonly known as the main constituent of the plant’s cell wall.

#5 – Chalking

Chalking is used to show the degradation or migration of paints, coatings, or any other material.

#6 – Cladding

Cladding is a material used on exterior wall enclosures. Cladding can make weathered buildings look vibrant again and save in electricity when thermal or insulation issues are used with it.

#7 – Cleat

A roofing cleat is used to secure two components together. It is a metal strip, plate, or metal angle piece.

#8 – Closed-Cut Valley

There are two kinds of closed valleys. There is cut valleys, which are less expensive to install and are the most common; and woven valleys. The closed-cut valley is an application method where shingles on an adjacent slope are cut parallel and trimmed back two inches from the valley centerline. The woven valley shingles run from both roof slopes onto the adjacent slope, alternating with each course.

#9 – Coating

Coating is used with various products, but its use in roofing is to be spread over the surface for protection or decorations. Coatings are generally liquids, semi-liquids, or mastics. They can be applied as a spray or with a roller and cured to an elastomeric consistency.

#10 – Cohesion

Cohesion is the mutual attraction by which the elements or particles of a body or substance are held together.

#11 – Cold Process Built-Up Roof

Cold process built-up roof occurs with a continual but semi-flexible roof membrane. The ply or felts are laminated together with alternate layers of liquid-applied roof cement or adhesive. Then it’s surfaced with a cold-applied coating.

#12 – Combing Ridge

The combing ridge is the finished slate at the ridge of the roof, where the slates on one side stick out beyond the apex of the ridge.

#13 – Composition

Composition roofing is sometimes called asphalt shingles. It is the most common roof used on houses. Composition roofing is one of the lowest in cost and easiest to install.

The roofing uses for composition roofs run from home roofs to apartment buildings and church roofs. Composition roofing is available in many colors, has a flat profile, is algae-resistant, and has cellulose or fiberglass mats coated with asphalt and granules.

#14 – Concealed-Nail Method

This is when you use your asphalt roll roofing application to drive all the nails into the roof and cover with an adhered overlapping course. That way, the nails are not exposed to the weather.

#15 – Conductor Head

The conductor’s head provides direct runoff water through this transition component place between a wall scupper and downspout.

#16 – Coping

Coping is the covering that sits on the top of the wall. It is always exposed to the weather and made with metal or stone. It helps shed water back onto the roof through its sloped design.

#17 – Copper

This is the same type of copper used in cookery, but in this case it provides a natural weathering that is used in metal roofing. Most of the time, it is used in 16 or 20 ounces per square foot in thickness.

#18 – Cornice

The cornice is one of the most decorative roofing pieces. It is a horizontal molding or projected roof overhang.

#19 – Cove

The cove is a sealant material installed where vertical and horizontal planes meet. It helps to get rid of the 90º angle.

#20 – Cricket

A cricket diverts water around chimneys, curbs, and other roof elements. It is raised as a roof substrate or structure.

#21 – Cross Ventilation

In roofing, cross ventilation occurs when the air moves through the roof cavities. This happens when the air moves between the air cavity vents. What’s unique about cross ventilation is the airflow must be uniform. Otherwise, the roof will have hot spots develop in its sheathing, which reduces its efficiency.

#22 – Cupola

A cupola is at the edge, ridge, or peak of the main roof area. It is a small roofed structure.

#23 – Curb

A curb is a raised member that helps support roof penetrations. This includes being used in skylights, mechanical equipment or hatches needed on the roof. It is above the roof’s surface but relatively low in height.

#24 – Cure

Curing a roof means you are processing roofing material to form permanent molecular linkages by exposure to the chemicals, heat, pressure, or weathering.

#25 – Cut-off

A cutoff is a permanent detail that seals and prevents water movement in an insulation system. It basically isolates sections of the roofing system to help disperse the weight of water in one area.

In the end, all of the roofing terms listed above mean you now know what makes up superior roofing products and services. You also know the above materials need to be backed by the finest expert roofing services. When you’re ready to find the roofing professionals near you, we have a secure, fast, and easy way to help you.

Five Smart Technologies You Can Use in Building Your Roof

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The future of roofing is here, and it’s all about digital tech and digitization. Digital tech roofing is helpful through its smart technologies that can be used in almost every phase of your roof’s construction. Digitization helps you design, build, and even maintain your roof. You no longer have to wait until your roof is built to see what it’ll look like. You can preview it using digital technology. In the world of roofing and construction, companies use drones, robots, 3D printing, and various other forms of smart technology roofers and construction companies are beginning to use. This is the smart technology you’ve seen in movies or read about in books. Many smart technology roofing applications are here now!

Five Smart Technologies in Roofing Construction

There are five smart technologies the information below will present. These five smart technologies can be used to design and build your roof, making the contract for a new roof for your home or business much easier.

1. Solar Solutions

Progressive solar solutions are gaining in popularity and use every day. It is a cost-effective measure for home and business owners that have helped drive down energy prices. From 2010 to 2014, prices for solar installers and products have gone down 45%. The reduced pricing and innovative financing give rooftop solar panels a wider and broader market. A market where the customers come from very diverse economic backgrounds.

The most digital advantage to solar panels is net metering. Net metering gives ‘virtual’ credits for generating electricity through roof solar panels. Most of the time, it gives these credits at full electricity retail rates. It’s technology and energy meeting up to save those who use it money while they give back to the community by using clean energy.

2. Self-Regulating and Connected Heating Technology

Roofing materials and construction can use self-regulating and connected heating technology systems to help roofs melt snow and ice away. The cables can be connected and used at the exact length you need on your roof. Most of the time, there are no burn-outs due to overlapping. When snow and ice start accumulating on your roof, heating cables controlled by a digital system sensor increases its heat output. It then decreases its heat output when the snow or ice melts away.

You never have to worry about freezing roofs loaded with ice and snow collapsing again. The crankcase heaters control downtime. The parallel circuit design lets installers cut your cables to the exact length needed. As the technology goes through its own on-off cycle, it can maintain the roofing cable equipment with temperatures set for what provides you the most energy savings. In addition, the heating cables can create runoff paths if needed and internally trace water and storm drain lines.

3. Continuous Monitoring and Adaptive Control (CMAC) Technology

CMAC roofs, through the use of compact sensors and outlet control technologies, can almost double stormwater retention and the treatment capacity of existing BMP. This adaptive roof technology of the cisterns by reducing the wet weather flow on a roof diversion to a combined sewer system by 80%. The system runs a cloud-based decision software that uses intelligent irrigation logic that releases from the cistern to real-time sensor readings.

This green infrastructure roof system captures and treats its direct runoff. CMAC is a promising solution to stormwater issues concerning health benefits to both water quality and availability.

4. SAM (Semi-Automated Mason), The Bricklaying Robot

Not many people in the roofing industry know if SAM is a good thing or a bad thing for roofers. But SAM is here, and it’s working its way through the construction of various roofs at amazing speed. SAM100 is a semi-automatic mason. SAM can build walls and roofs six times faster than the average roofer or bricklayer. SAM is part technology, part conveyor belt, part robotic arm, and also has a concrete pump.

At this time, SAM’s technology still needs human collaboration. SAM can get the roofing materials to the worker, lay them, seal them but it still requires a human to oversee its work. In other words, SAM’s technology may be top of the line and futuristic, but right now, in the roofing industry, SAM is one of the newest smart technologies that is only doing the heavy lifting.

5. Robotic Autonomous Track Loader (ATL)- Using LIDAR, GPS, and Digital Files

The ATL is powered by a rooftop cargo carrier that’s filled with the latest and greatest in technology and electronics. ATL has a light detection and ranging system to measure distance and range from objects around it. The ATL is designed to withstand high-vibration and high-impact environments like high-rise roofs or irregular and dangerous roofs. It can only match the speed of humans in its work capacity, but it can work the hours most roofers and construction workers can’t work. At this time the ATL is cutting and filling as needed at various construction and roofing sites.

While the roofing construction industry has usually been slow to change based on technology, there are several around today that are ushering in a new era of smart technologies whether the industry is ready for it or not.

Tomorrow’s Future in Roofing is Here

Technology, for anything, doesn’t need a lot to take hold and change the way an industry does business forever. From green construction roofing materials to 3D printing where you can design your roof before laying the first stone, it’s all about adapting to the technology and using it to your industry’s benefit.

When you’re ready to use the latest and greatest roofing technology or just want to find a roofer who can see your vision, we’re the best place you can start your project. We’ll find a roofer who shares your vision while using the technology you want.

 

Differences Between a Manufacturer Warranty and a Workmanship Warranty

Differences Between a Manufacturer Warranty and a Workmanship Warranty

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When you need to get a new roof, you need to know as much as possible about the manufacturer’s warranty and the workmanship of the roofing services. Any roofing company you select should provide detailed coverage of both. It’s hard for most people to sit back and enjoy their new roofs until they understand the various limits of coverage. You don’t want to be surprised or upset if something happens to your new roof. Before you’re rocked by an incident, event, or defect, find out what’s covered by the manufacturer or the workmanship service.

Three Different Types of Roofing Warranties

The roofing industry uses three common types of warranties. They are:

  1. Manufacturer Material – this warranty is useful if your roofing material has defects.
  2. Manufacturer’s System – this warranty is for when your roofing material has defects, and there were labor defects during the installation.
  3. Contractor’s Workmanship – this warranty covers material and labor defects as a guarantee.

Under the three different types of warranties listed above, you have five provisions you want to look for to determine if this is the roofing company and warranty you want to hire.

Consider These Five Provisions in the Different Types of Warranties

The five provisions represent the coverage in each type of warranty. In other words, after reading what your roofing company is providing you, you will know what to count on having or eliminate as a covered material or service. The key provisions are:

  • Applicability – Does the event or circumstance apply to this warranty?
  • Contractor Workmanship – Is the roofing service work guaranteed?
  • Monetary Limits – How much are you given, and when if there is an issue?
  • Exclusions – What isn’t included in your warranty contract?
  • Nullification – What coverage would be null and void due to your actions? What actions cause the nullification of the warranty?

The differences between the manufacturer warranty and a workmanship warranty have even more differences and crossovers you need to know.

Manufacturer Warranty

It’s important to understand that a typical manufacturer warranty covers you for about 20-50 years. But, be aware the 20-50 year coverage is only if there are defects in the roofing materials. In other words, the roofing materials used are breaking off, falling off or failing. What’s even more concerning is your manufacturer’s warranty can be voided if you can’t prove you provided periodic maintenance. Most of the time, manufacturing defect warranties are rarely used. Warranties are needed when your dealing with poor roofing installation. That’s why it’s important to hire a reputable roofing company that consistently provides excellent workmanship for their roofing installation projects.

Read and Understand Your Manufacturer’s Warranty

One article after the other warns consumers the warranty you get for any product or service needs to be read and understood before you sign a contract for anything. Something most people don’t realize is that even if the manufacturer warranty doesn’t cover what’s wrong with your roof, all 50 states give you implied warranties. The implied warranty is covered under the Uniform Commercial Code. These unwritten guarantees for your product state the product must be free of defects and function correctly for a reasonable amount of time. It is the word, reasonable, that may result in you having to go to court to prove your case. The hardest thing to fathom for new roof owners is even if your manufacturer’s warranty is excellent it will only cover the prorated value of the material. You will still have to pay for the re-installation yourself.

Manufacturer System Warranty

Because this warranty covers both defective material and some labor and service provided by your roofing company, people think this is as good as the Contractor Workmanship Warranty. But, it’s not. The Manufacturer System Warranty is very narrow in scope and by definition. These warranties last about two years for the quality defects. So in essence, it excuses your contractor from any workmanship liability after two years. Something else you want to look for is the roofing material under this type of warranty excludes certain things like; edge metal, pitch pans, flashings, etc.

It is the third warranty you want to try to get because it guarantees the workmanships the contractor provided installing the roof and the materials used. But the warranties are short in length and only last between one to five years most of the time. You do need to review and understand the contractor’s list of exclusions under this contract.

Roof Warranty Provisions

You may think it should be in your roof warranty provisions, but there’s no roofing contractor that will replace your roof system. Material costs and sometimes labor is included, as we listed above. But there are many key items listed in the warranty you need to understand to obtain those provisions.

One of the provisions listed in all roofing warranties is applicability. That’s when the manufacturer contends they have the right to determine whether or not your roof is covered under warranty based on their determination of the situation’s applicability. Another provision is the contractor workmanship guarantee. This guarantee provision allows the consumer to enforce the warranty provision covering flawed workmanship the contractor provided — however, its only good for the length of years stated in the warranty.

Monetary limits is another provision you want to keep your eye on because most roofing warranties don’t include a limit as to how much money they’re covering their work. That type of warranty is called a no dollar limit warranty and is the best kind to have. You also need to pay attention to the exclusions listed in any warranty. Exclusions are what manufacturers use most to fight back against any claims of the defective material.

Nullification and Warranty Process

Nullification is also in every roofing warranty. Nullification gives manufacturers and contractors a lot of leeway to use if they need to fight a claim. Most of the time the items of events or items that nullify a warranty are as long and as wide as the roof itself. You can avoid the aggravation of dealing with the bottom of the barrel roofing contractors by using the listing services provided by Roofing Architects. When you want the best roof, at the most reasonable price Roofing Architects, provides the information and details to keep you informed.

The Ten Must Ask Questions to Your Roofer

The Ten Must Ask Questions to Your Roofer

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Almost everyone eventually needs a new roof. When you need a new roof, you are usually already dealing with a roof that has issues. So, you begin to scour the internet to find a reliable roofing company. If that isn’t bad enough, most people know little about how to build or repair a roof and have to rely on a roofer’s expertise. It can be a very unnerving issue. It helps if you know what to expect or what questions to ask.

Is there an internet resource you can use that can help you find roofing contractors in your area? Or are there common questions about the roofing materials and process you need to ask? The answer is yes to both those questions. Learn more about the questions you need to ask a roofing company before hiring them in the informational guide that follows.

How Long Has Your Company Been in Business, and Are You Licensed?

The first question to ask roofing companies is about the experience the roofing contractor has. The roofing company should be licensed in your state as this is a requirement in most states. If your contractor has a licensed roofing company you know they are held to the state’s standard and must meet codes, rules, and regulations. Having a licensed roofer install or repair your roof also allows you to use legal recourse, if and when needed.

Is There A Warranty on The Work You Perform In Addition to The Roofing Material You Install?

You should never hire a contractor who doesn’t warranty their work and the products they are installing on your roof. Most roofing material and products carry at least a twenty-five-year warranty. Every roofing contractor has different warranty policies, but it behooves you to use a roofing contractor who does warranty the quality of their installation work.

Do you Have Workman’s Comp and General Liability Insurance?

Every roofing contractor should have a workman’s comp for the employees or subcontractors. There are roofing contracting companies who don’t carry General Liability Insurance as they believe nothing will ever happen. However, you can’t afford to believe that. You will need to make sure your homeowner’s insurance is up to date and only hire a roofing contractor who has both workman’s comp and general liability insurance. Make sure they give you a copy of both policies.

Is Drip Edge Metal Installation Part of my New Roof Contract?

There may be nothing worse than installing a new roof, and finding out the drip edge metal wasn’t part of your roofing installation package. The next time it rains you’ll have no system in place to guide your runoff into the gutters. Drip edge metal also helps protect your wood or your roof’s fascia. Many roofers don’t include it, so you almost always have to ask for it to be installed if you want it.

Ask to Speak to and See Some of Their Past Roofing Projects

You should never hire anyone for any project without checking their references. You need to start with a quick online check and notice any comments or reviews listed underneath the company name. Then look up the roofing company to see if they’re listed on the Better Business Bureau.

You also want to speak to a few past customers on the phone, and if you have time, drive-by their house to review the roofer’s final product.

What Measures do You Take to Protect the Driveway, Lawn, Home, and Property from Damage While You Work?

There are have been many recorded instances where roofing contractors damage a home or property while they work, and the homeowner is left footing the bill to fix the damage. You want to ask how the roofers will access your roof, what kind of ladder stabilizers they use, and where they store their equipment as they work.

Who Do I Communicate With About the Project When There Are Issues, or I Have Questions?

There are times you may have questions about what you see the roofing workers doing as they install your roof. Or you may have questions about the amount of time it is taking for them to finish your job. No matter what your issue or reason, you need a roofing company liaison to communicate so, you can have peace of mind. There are always last-minute issues and its best to avoid serious headaches by having a designated person to go to for your concerns.

Get a Written Estimate

No roofing job or contract should begin without you holding an agreed upon written estimate. You want to know how they bill you, and you also want to know what can result in the written estimate deviating from the final price.

How Long Will It Take to Finish My Roof And When Can You Schedule It?

When replacing a roof, it can take anywhere from a couple of days to a week or so. Replacing a roof is a labor-intensive project that requires several workers at a time. Roofing contractors have to deal with weather delays. The time it takes to finish your roof installation project has many moving parts, so it’s important to be aware of things out of your control when you schedule a roofing project. Also reputable roofers may have full schedules. Make sure you find out when they can firmly fit you in and try not to accept any tentative start dates.

Eco-Friendly Company and Materials

Many people want to know if the roofing company they are hiring is eco-friendly. You may want to save your last question for asking if the company uses recycled content material in your roof? You also may want to find out if the roofing product used is recyclable at the end of its life when the roof needs replaced again in 20 or 30 years?

You’ve asked your roofing contractor all the questions you need to, and you’re ready to move forward with your roofing project. Be alert to any hidden costs you see in the bill you were not given in your estimate. Accept nothing less than what was agreed upon because your roof is one of the most important aspects of your home. When you need to check out roofing contractors in your area, reach out to us. Roofing Architects will help you every step of the way.

 

The Five Most Common Roofing Materials and Their LifeSpan

The Five Most Common Roofing Materials and Their Lifespan

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Some of the most important considerations you have when replacing or building a roof is what material to use, how much will it cost, and the roof’s lifespan. Quality materials used in roofing usually lead to more expenses. But, a better way to look at your roofing project is quality materials lead to a roof’s long lifespan.

Almost every weather condition nature throws at roofs has an impact on the roof’s lifespan. The roof’s color, material, design, and location all play strong roles that can affect the roof’s durability. Even when you use maintenance-free roofing material, you may still need to perform maintenance, and even do small repairs on it from time to time. But there are roofing materials that have long lifespans and reasonable costs. The guide below gives you information on the five most commonly used roofing materials.

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are one of the most common roofing materials used on buildings and homes because of their low cost. Asphalt shingles usually offer a guaranteed life span, which also makes them very popular. Asphalt shingles are used by countless major corporate buildings and on residential homes throughout the United States and Canada. There are also three different types of asphalt shingles you can use on your roof.

  • Dimensional shingles – these are called laminated shingles most of the time
  • 3-tab shingles
  • Luxury shingles

The added characteristic wanted and needed the most with asphalt shingles is lamination. Laminated asphalt shingles are engineered to resist storm winds, rain, sleet, snow, sun, and natural degradation caused by being outside exposed to weather elements. The cost for asphalt shingles ranges from $65 square foot to over $300 square foot. On average, to install the roof you will pay around $2.25 per square foot.

Composite

Manufactured composite shingles can be reinforced with recycled materials or fiberglass, and will still look the same. The recycled process makes composite shingles eco-friendly, which is very popular. Composite shingles last about twenty years, but you should never use composite shingles as your roofing material if you live in a high wind impact area.

Composite shingle roofing is the most popular of all roofing materials, found on more than 80 percent of all homes. Composite shingle’s popularity comes from its relatively low cost and long lifespan. Remember, these are engineered shingles, so no matter what color or material you want your roof to look like it can be done. Their fifty-year long lifespan adds to the roofing materials’ popularity. Composite shingles’ average cost ranges from $5.75 to around $14.00 per square foot installed.

Tile

Sometimes it is puzzling as to why people want tile roof material due to its high-cost. Tile roofs are known for their beauty. They can last up to 100 years, so their durability and lifespan are without question one of the best roofing materials you can use. But it’s important to take note that tile roofs use mortar bed systems most of the time. By being set on mortar bed systems they tend to fall and gap.

The component that makes up tile roofing material is made of terracotta most of the time. The terracotta is very heavy and also fragile. But terracotta is popular because they retain their color for decades or sometimes a hundred years or more. Tile roofs are fire resistant and in the world of roofing, are considered at only a mid-level cost roofing product. Tile roofs can cost anywhere from $800 per square foot to install. They sometimes can go as high as $1000 per square foot. Because they require expert installation your installation costs will be between $100 – $150 per square foot.

Slate

When slate is used correctly as a roofing material there is not much that can compare to its beauty. Slate roofing material’s lifespan can be as high as seventy-five years. Slate is a more sophisticated roofing material than tile but similar in weight constraints. Slate needs sturdy and expertly installed fasteners and nails. Slate roofs are eco-friendly and come in any color you want. Unfortunately, slate roofing material is known for its expense. It will cost you five times over what an asphalt shingle does. What’s more, finding an expert slate roof installer can be challenging depending on where you live.

The average cost of an experienced slate roof installer charge is around $5.00 per square foot. The slate tile material has an average cost of about $5.00 – $6.00 per square foot depending on if you are using a popular or rare color and pattern. Slate roofs are a worthy investment because it adds value to your home and is one of the most beautiful roof styles.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass is common and popular as a roofing material because it is versatile. Once your fiberglass roof is glazed, it’s also water and shatterproof. Fiberglass roofs remain strong and have a long lifespan. Fiberglass roofs are sold in sheets or panels. Uniquely, they are resistant to rust or mildew and should last about thirty years.

Fiberglass shingle costs average around $40 – $200 per square foot, and for installation, an additional $80 – $200 per square foot is needed. It’s important to note, fiberglass and asphalt shingles are very similar, but there are characteristic cost and durability differences. Fiberglass is more sturdy than asphalt shingles, and you can see the difference between the two through their cost.

Final Consideration Before Getting a New Roof

Your final consideration before getting a new roof should be in what kind of climate will it be in? You want your roof to fit in with the weather factors which surround you. Some other things to remember before you purchase a new roof needs to include:

  • Expert and experienced roof installation
  • The roof’s life span
  • The roof’s cost per square foot
  • Maintenance demands for the roofing material selected
  • Roof warranty

When you need answers for the above questions or more information about the roofing material you’ve selected, reach out to Roofing Architects. They have the experience, knowledge, and information you need to make your roofing selection one that brings you comfort and satisfaction for many years.

Five Innovative Roofing Designs You Need to Know

Five Innovative Roofing Designs You Need to Know

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You may be an artist, an environmentalist, a roofer, or a business person. It doesn't really matter what you do because it's always been about how you believe in and do your work. You want an innovative roofing design that's different, but functional. You want a roof design that looks great but doesn't cost a fortune. Most of all, you want an innovative roof design others may want once they see what you've created.

What Is Innovative Roofing Design?

Innovative roofing design is defined by where you live in the world. For instance, if you live in Malaysia, an innovative roofing design delivers cool natural light from a roof built to help deflect and reduce heat. That's the crux of the problem in describing innovative roofing design. Because innovative roofing design is all about who is defining it and not what it firmly is. Some people think of innovative roofing design as sustainable roofs that help give your home or commercial building heat when its cold or coolness when it's hot outside. Also, sustainable roofs are innovative sometimes because they are capable of producing clean energy.

History of Innovative Roofing Design

Innovative roof designs were once dependent on what region they were in. The Southwest became famous for the clay tiles used in Spanish Colonial innovative designs for homes and roofs. The Appalachians were partial to innovative roofing designs using slate. Anywhere in the northern states showed creativity in their innovative design roofs made of wood shakes that were cut from their own trees.

In today's market, premium roofing materials need to be able to conserve energy, have reduced weight, and embrace green construction methods if at all possible. That's because roofing material sees 11 million tons of waste generated in the U.S. per year. Re-roofing jobs using recycled roofing material account for 10 million tons, and roofing has one of the highest recycling rates of any industry.

Five Innovative Roofing Designs Today

There are as many innovative roofing designs available as there are ideas. But some of the most beneficial and interesting are listed below:

1) Stone Coated Metal Roofs

Stone-coated metal roofs look like shingles, wood shakes, clay tile, and almost anything else you need for them to look like. They have what's called a deep, architectural profile. Deep architectural profiles mean something meets what the architects want or need but also meets the need of the environment or health. This roof is innovative in look, style, and design, and what's more the warranty lasts up to fifty years. This roof can withstand wind, hail and even fire. The stone-coated metal is corrosion free, and most of the time, it is installed over wood or battens, so air channel pockets exist between the roof deck and roof itself. A benefit to the air pockets is it keeps your home or building cool in the summer and contains heat in the winter.

2) Solar Shingles

Solar shingles look like tempered glass and perform like conventional shingles. Solar shingles are even installed the same way as regular shingles most of the time. Not only do solar shingles look sleek and tight, but they also create electricity for you. If there's a sun in the sky, solar shingles are storing and creating electricity for you to use when needed. It is literally the only roof material that pays for itself from the day it's put on your roof.

3) Asphalt Shingles

One of the most economical roof materials to produce fiberglass asphalt shingles are one of the most popular roofing materials around. The asphalt shingles are made of a woven fiberglass base mat that's covered with a waterproof asphalt coating. On top of the coating you put ceramic granules that deflect UV rays. One of the coolest options about asphalt shingles is they are available in almost any style and color. It doesn't matter what your home's architectural look is or will be; there are asphalt shingles with your name on it.

4) Composite Shingles

You get the best of both worlds when you have composite shingles because they combine the look of slate, tile, or wood shake. Composite shingles are far more affordable than slate, tile, or wood shake roofs because they're made from poly-based products. The poly-based roofing product is lightweight and doesn't fade. It's also warrantied up to fifty years and is fire safe. There's even been historic homes and commercial buildings that chose to use composite shingles due to their low cost and great quality.

5) Clay or Concrete Tiles

Tile roofs made of concrete or clay can last centuries. The roof is made up of individual tiles molded into barrel shapes. The barrel shapes interlock to each other as you install them. The only concern you should have is can your commercial building or house withstand their weight? Because these tiles can last for centuries there is nothing not made to last in them so they can be very heavy as an aggregate amount of weight for a building.

When you're ready to move forward with the roof you are creating with your innovative design, or if you use a roof design listed here there is a great place to start. Reach out to the Roofing Architects that can make your roof come alive with the innovation you want, the color you create, with a price you can afford.

Almost every roof today can deliver benefits in energy efficiency and helping the environment. Today's market offers so many options, and everyone should consider alternative roofing material with conventional materials when making their roofing decisions. You never know when you might be more impressed with the unconventional product over the been there and done that conventional material roofs that are available.

Ten Ways You Can Build Your Next Roof Using Green Construction Methods

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The next time you have to have your roof re-done or have to build a new one for your home, think green. By using green construction methods when building or redoing your roof, you give back to the environment in so many ways. The informational guide below will let you know about ten ways you can build your next roof with green benefits.

What is Green Construction?

When you’re using green construction on your roof, it’s so much more than using dark tile roofs to keep in the heat and light tile roofs to deflect the sun. Green construction is defined as finding a balance between high-quality construction and low environmental impact. It’s about you making a light footprint with your roof, your home or your business building design.

So when the design becomes a construction project, your roof and building are made sustainable by using green materials. Green construction is integrating the materials with the process. This method not only maximizes efficiency like with those light and dark roof tiles but also enhances durability and cost savings.

Ten Ways to Build Your Roof Using Green Construction Methods

In the 22nd century, building a roof using green construction methods has ten clear green processes and benefits.

1 – The 40 Percent Rule

If you integrate green principles into your roof’s planning and design, you will generate 40% more savings and receive 40% better results in your roof’s performance measurements. This is true with your roof, your home, and any commercial building you want to build if you use green construction. You need the best green team that can focus on your green-sustainable roof design. A green construction team may consist of:

  • Architects
  • Engineers
  • Contractors
  • Consultants

All of the above team members will be knowledgeable about green building and roof designs. They will also know about the technologies that provide green benefits from construction materials with their overall cost savings.

2 – Recycled Materials

When you’re using recycled materials for your roof’s green construction material it needs to include:

  • Long-life material like polymer roofing systems
  • Protected-membrane roofing systems that allow for reuse of rigid insulation in future re-roofs
  • Light-colored roofing materials for reducing thermal heat
  • Using roof tiles made of recyclable materials, and more

Every material you consider involves the bigger question of the health, environmental, and energy considerations of that particular roofing material.

3 – Tile

The beauty of using roofing tile is it comes in a wide range of colors that incorporates thermal mass. It is this thermal mass that helps keep the cool air inside on hot days. Also, your roof can last for a century. If you add tile with curved shapes, you’ve helped your home’s ventilation.

4 – Single-ply Thermostat

A single-ply thermostat roof is made of membranes consisting of roof oil and natural gas. The roof oil and natural gas are cured and bonded to the material used on the roof. This gives the roofs their insulated abilities over the building. The single-ply thermostat roof material is not constructed on-site, so they have consistent quality.

5 – Single-ply Thermoplastic

You may think you just read about single-ply above, but there’s more than one kind. Single-ply thermoplastic is at the top of the green construction material pyramid because it’s made of material that absorbs ultraviolet light. The membranes in the roofing material are highly resistant to bacteria and come in rolls of glossy plastic in cool gray or white.

6 – Shingles

Shingles are by far the most popular of all roofing materials. When you want to make the shingles more green and eco-friendly, shingles can be treated with reflective pigments. Once you treat them with reflective pigments, you paint them a bright white. Because the reflective pigments help bumpy shingles reflect light, but it reflects light all over the place in every direction. Because you want to keep the house cooler by reflecting the light where it needs to go, the roof is made using green construction methods. The green construction method is painting them white.

7 – Pavers

Pavers pretend to be roofing tiles, but they’re actually paving tiles designed for a roof. They are over 2 inches, so they are very thick, and they reflect 78% of all ultraviolet light on your roof. Pavers are thick and heavy, so when serving as a roof they need a building that can support their roof weight. You can install pavers in special small areas like a balcony on the roof if your house can’t handle the intense weight of pavers.

8 – Metal

If there’s one green construction method that surprises people, it is the use of metal. But it’s not just any metal. It is a coated metal that’s painted in light colors or with light-reflecting pigments. You now have a treated metal roof that reflects ultraviolet rays and keeps your home cool. The fact that you get to make a statement with the color of your metal-coated roof is a side benefit.

9 – The Living Roof

This is not the cheapest roof to build or maintain, but it is green. You first have to seal up your entire roof. Then you pick the plants of your choice but make sure they can withstand the intensity of direct sunlight, pouring rain, and hot or cold winds. Plants on the roof are a new green construction method, and because it has to come with a structural evaluation it’s not cheap either. But it is popular.

10 – Philadelphia Style

Philadelphia was able to lower its summer heat by one degree by applying highly reflective white coatings to the roofs of an entire city block. This coating can be applied to almost any roofing material, and it will make the material become part of the green construction method. The pigment in the white coating can reflect the infrared. Which makes this green construction method one of the most interesting ones.

All you need is one person to start a green construction roofing project, and most people will see all the benefits of green construction methods. Green construction methods help in passive cooling in buildings and give ecological benefits integrated with cost savings. When your ready to build your roof using green construction methods, reach out to a professional close to you with your questions or ideas. We are ready to help you find green construction benefits with your next roof.

Seven Different Ways The Color of Your Roof Make a Difference

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When you are getting a new roof, it can be quite an exciting purchase for your home. Getting a new roof sometimes takes careful consideration of what type of tile you need to use or what color the tile should be. Did you know the color of your roof can make a statement? Sometimes the color of your roof needs to fit in with your neighborhood rules and regulations. No matter what you need to factor into getting a new roof, there are seven different ways the color of your roof makes a difference to your cost and home benefits.

Dark Roofs Keep in Heat, and Light Roofs Deflect the Sun

It is the dark color of your roof shingles that will help warm your home and affects the temperature in your attic. Sometimes that effect can be anywhere between 20 degrees to 40 degrees warmer. The same holds true with keeping your house cooler when you use light shingles that help deflect sunlight.

In California, all roofs must be Title-24 compliant, which is energy efficient. On new construction, roofers have to use radiant barrier sheathing as your roof deck. When you are re-roofing a home, you can use Title-24 compliant or bring your attic insulation up to R-38 code, which is 13 inches of loose-fill.

Color Coordination with Your Home

When you use a roof tile that has a color found elsewhere on your house like the stucco, or trim, you set up a color coordination win. The matching color schemes between your window shutters and the tiles on your roof give your home dream-like color coordination. For instance, brown shingles look amazing with roof tiles that are cream and brown.

It’s always good to remember dark colors make your home look cozy and smaller. Light colors on your roof make your home look more open and larger. Many people want their roof material color coordination to blend in harmoniously with their natural surroundings.

Gives Your Home Curb Appeal with Higher Resale Value

A roof color that blends in harmoniously with the natural environment around it can give your home more curb appeal. Up to 40% of your home’s exterior is the visual you give to everyone who passes by it. You should be paying as much attention to how your roof looks from the curb as how your interior design is rated by people who come inside your home.

The higher the pitch or slope of your roof, the more roof shingles passing people see from the street. Color has a psychological effect, and if your home is on the beach where calming waves of stillness and water is what you seek, you may not want a roof sloping towards you in bright purple. Curb appeal is important in the communities in which the home is located. Curb appeal can sometimes be what makes or breaks a home selling so choose wisely.

Highlighting Your Homes Features is a Win-Win

If your home has a wrap-around porch, you want everyone to notice and appreciate it. But sometimes, people can look right at a house and not notice something as extraordinary as a wrap-around porch. If you highlight the wrap-around porch with complimentary roof colors, you create a showcase that attracts the eye. Your roof colors should contrast with the porch or window trim to make the wrap-around porch pop.

If you have any stone on your home, you never want to distract from the stone and masonry with a patterned roof. Instead, you want a dark, neutral color that plays on the variances of colors contained within the stonework of your home.

Architectural Style and Accentuating Colors

Your roofs accentuating colors should flow into the architectural style of your home. Ranch houses that are close to the ground typically look better with a combination of colors to help make it pop. Colonial homes are more reserved and traditional, so one solid color is better for their roof design.

Design Your Roof Shingles and Make a Statement

When you’re ready to make a statement to others about your home, you don’t need to look any further than creating a design into your roof shingles. This can be as simple as alternating different warm colors. You might want to raise it a notch, and try to scallop or layer your roof alterations. A rule of thumb is high-contrast colors highlight features of your home while low-contrast colors hide the exterior flaws.

You can design your roof shingles and make a statement with the color through the type of material you use for your roof. Clay, slate, and wood shingle roofs add a unique look to a home with wonderful personality. But slate and clay can break easily. Always be aware of the good and the bad of your unique color roofing designs.

Last, But Not Least – Customize

Customize your roof and make your home one of a kind. There is a virtually limitless variety of colors and profiles you can pick from for your roofing style and color. To create the sophistication you seek, you can order custom levels of color with a gloss or shine added to it. You can use new technology and produce two-tone, variegated colors.

Every roof is different, and no matter what material you use on your roof, or color you choose, before you hire anyone, get to know the dimensions and issues of your roof. If you have a sloped roof or need your new roof to deal with all the dormers and skylights you have, you want to make sure you include that information when you’re speaking to roofing companies.

You also want to know your roof’s square footage. Knowing what you want to do with your roof and what color or design you want is a good place to start. Everyone needs a bit of peace and mind when it comes to replacing or building a new roof. To find out more information about the different ways the color of your roof makes a difference to your home’s value, find a professional close to you and make them your go-to company.