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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.

 

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.