Tile Roof Repair – A Beginner’s Guide

Roof Shingles - Jul 22,2013 - No Comment

Tile roof repair is an unavoidable aspect of any tiled home. Most experts and manufacturers assure you that tiled roofs work well without any problems for up to 15 years. But you might find that your tiles have started leaking within 10 years of installment. Tiled roofs are vulnerable to rain and heavy winds. Eventually these tiles get broken or cracked due to these weather conditions.

The damages may cost you in thousands of dollars. Home owners usually prefer tiled roofs because it gives their home a classic and trendy appearance. Tiles come in various colors, sizes and shapes. They also add an elegant touch of detail to even the simplest houses.

Tiles are one of the most common materials used for roofs. Unlike the shingles, the tiles are heavier and require extra materials for installment. Tile roof repair is an expensive process since it involves a lot of extra materials and labor other than just the tiles. Usual problems with the tiled roofs are that cracks keep appearing on the tiles. These cracked tiles should be removed immediately since it will put the entire roof in danger of collapsing.

Replacing or repairing a single tile is not a problem and can be done easily with minimum costs. But the replaced tiles won’t have the same color as the rest of your roof since it depends on the length of exposure to the sun and other weather conditions. There are many options available for repairing the tiles like filling a sealant inside the cracks of the tiles. The choice of replacing or repairing is left to the home owner. If the tile has very bad cracks, then it is best to replace them.

Maintenance of tiled roofs is important since it can help you avoid any problems before they turn into a bigger expense. Always keep checking your tiles every day. Best place to inspect your tiles is from the attic or from the roof. From the attic check the tiles and look for any cracks or water straining.

Tiles, like steel sheets and other corrugated material, deteriorate over time and hence looking for cracks on a regular basis is important. Use a flashlight and look for cracks across all the tiles and if you find any tile with hair line cracks, then get them replaced immediately. You can also inspect your tiled roof from the ground level. Tiles that are broken or shifted can be found and replaced.

Once you are done with checking the tiles, estimate the damage. If there are too many broken tiles, then it is best ask for professional help. If there are only a few and the damage is not too much then, it can be done easily. Just try to replace them yourself. Be very careful while doing the replacement because you might have to walk on other tiles and might end up breaking them as well. Consider the weather conditions and decide if doing the replacement is suitable at that time. Have the necessary materials ready for immediate replacements should the need arise.

Tile roof repair is a delicate process and depending on the situation must be done by the right people or accredited members of associations, who are experienced and qualified. Repairing the damaged tiles immediately is necessary and will help prevent further damages to the roofing and other parts of the house.

Architectural Roofing Material – You Are Spoiled For Choice!

Roof Shingles - Jul 15,2013 - No Comment

Architectural roofing material is so diverse and varied, choosing the right one for your home roofing needs is fast becoming a subject better handed over to professionals. Steel roofing material does cost a little more than other options like wood shave or asphalt roofing, but saves you a lot on homeowners insurance. That’s what makes interior roofing material choices so important for everyone who owns a home.

Before going into the architectural roofing material choices you have, let’s take an overview of the different kinds of roofing available and see what factors impact your decision to use one over any other. The important issues to consider are lifetime, durability, expense, protection and fire resistance.

Metal roofing or composite shingle roofing is equally effective when it comes to durability and protection, with minor regional variations determining which option will be better. Composition shingle roofs are more economical and have varied options, while architectural roofing material is more costly. Installation costs and fire resistance are essentially the variables upon which a final decision will hinge.

So what is the best architectural roofing material to use? Is it architectural asphalt shingles? Or are you better off with an art roofing material? Or will decorative roofing material better fit your needs? It all depends. But mostly architectural shingles will be your best bet. Slate is a higher priced roofing material, and there are homes all over the country with slate roofs that have lasted almost a century. But expense is a serious drawback, with costs running to close to $1,000 a square installed.

A standard asphalt shingle roof, by contrast, is only one-third as expensive. And that’s why architectural roofing material is back in vogue, starting from the early 1990s. Interior roofing material known as dimensional shingles are now being replaced by 3-tab shingles for home roof construction all across the industry. These architectural asphalt shingles have an appearance similar to laid brick, and arranged in a basket-weave patter. Each vertical seam overlies the layer below it.

Art roofing material like architectural shingles are similar in appearance to wooden shake shingles, having a red or white color. These are frequently used as siding, and gives a nice touch to the roof construction. If you’re a DIY roofing enthusiast, you may prefer architectural roofing material even if it is more expensive because they are a labor saver. You can get the job done more quickly and with lesser trouble.

When it comes down to making a decision about what kind of architectural roofing material to use and choose, you’ll realize that this is more labor intensive than complex. Do it yourself enthusiasts can enjoy the process, and may find the range of options available a delight.

On the other hand, if you plan to outsource the job to a contractor, don’t trouble yourself too much with the intricate nuances and instead focus on finding a professional who will guide you to selecting the best architectural roofing material for your needs. And then, respect their expertise rather than trying to second-guess them with your limited knowledge and experience to the detriment of your roof!

What Are Rubber Roof Shingles?

Roof Repair - Jul 08,2013 - No Comment

Rubber roof shingles is one the new latest options available for roofing your house. Normally people use wood shingles and other materials for their house. But wood is a vulnerable material and in areas that have frequent bad weather like heavy rains and strong winds, it is not a good option. Rubber is very durable and lasts for a very long time. They are suitable for any weather conditions and also provide good insulation in colder weather. Rubber roof shingles are becoming very popular and lots of people are going for it.

Rubber roof shingles are primarily made up of recycled material. If you are an environmentalist and is looking for a greener option for your roof then rubber is the best option. Getting rid of rubber shingles is also easy since it can be recycled and reused. Quality of the material is good and be can easily replaced for any ceramic or cement roof since it is equally durable. Most people do not use rubber shingles because they see rubber to be a cheap material and don’t want it on their roof. This thought must be completely avoided since rubber is one of the most reliable materials out there. Besides this you can also paint your rubber shingles any color thus giving it an added charm.

Roofing is one of the most expensive services and companies which render these services are often calculator to be very profitable. Whether it is having a new one or renovating the older one, it requires a huge budget. With rubber roof shingles the cost is very less compared to other materials. Rubber is cheap and is readily available so home owners need not worry about finding material. These roofs also come with a warranty of over 30 to 50 years depending on the manufacturer. Rubber roofs bring many other benefits along with being inexpensive. They are resistant to insects, moulds, etc. They are a natural insulator and hence prevent extreme heat or cold inside the house. They have the ability to expand and contract so you need not worry about the temperature conditions. Cracks and crumbles are completely avoided.

Installation of a rubber roof is also easy and prices are low. The unique ability to contract and expand makes it one of the easiest to use roofing materials. It will easily fit in bends and is one of the most flexible materials available in the market. Maintenance costs of rubber roof shingles is almost zero. If required they are easily done and finding a replacement is also very easy. Rubber roofing is fire proof, water proof and also take the shocks of hail storms.

Rubber roof shingles also come with a few disadvantages. Rubber, being an inflammable material requires extra fire protection. While installing a rubber roof the weather conditions need to be considered. Newly installed roofs come with an odour which can last for a few weeks. For someone looking for inexpensive roofing that is long lasting, rubber roofing is still the best option. If you are looking to install a new roof then try rubber shingles since it comes with a large number of benefits added with low maintenance costs.

Architectural Metal Roofing – A Renaissance in Roofing Technology

Roof Shingles - Jul 01,2013 - No Comment

When a home owner might consider architectural metal roofing in the past, it was typically for a simple, cheap solution for the shed or garage or outhouse. Metal roofs were tinny, looked ugly and met a purely functional need at affordable cost.

Not today, when architectural metal roofing has improved by leaps and bounds to become a high-end solution that only upscale and style conscious home owners with a bigger budget are flocking towards. Architectural metal shingles are available in different shapes, colors and styles to match any kind of building and neighborhood. You can pick designs that match the shake or shingle look, or even tile and slate looks.

Architectural metal siding matching in color and design gives that elegant and classy look to any metal roof that makes it increasingly desirable in upscale neighborhoods. The different architectural metal roofing components like siding, shingles and caps come in various kinds of metal and with varying degrees of durability.

Steel is the cheapest, while aluminum is a bit more expensive and copper is the costliest architectural metal roofing material. Steel is heavy, but comes with granules that give your roof a nice appearance. Aluminum is rugged and sturdy, but quite light in weight, making it a popular choice for decorative metal roofing. It too comes in various shakes, shingles, tiles and slate patterns to match the rest of your building.

Copper architectural metal roofing shingles are the most expensive, and because of the rarity of this semi-precious metal you rarely see new copper metal roofing. The price is exorbitant and other metal roofing is just as attractive and versatile.

So what about the drawbacks of using architectural metal roofing? It used to be that people worried about the noisy home roofed with metal whenever there was rain or hail, but not any longer. Modern decorative metal roofing not only is quieter, it also offers high resistance ratings to fire and so can end up lowering your insurance expenses.

Also metal roofing is protected against mold and mildew, and it is incredibly fire resistant. Snow slides off and you don’t have any higher risk of a lightning strike. The only major drawback is the price, and aluminum and steel roofing material even circumvents this problem.

It isn’t surprising any more that people looking to invest $50,000 into a new roof for their homes are taking a closer look at a choice like architectural metal roofing that they might have rejected out of hand just a few decades back for being “too tinny” or “ugly looking”.

Architectural metal roofing is the ugly duckling that has turned into an attractive swan! And as we arrive upon a renaissance in roofing technology, architectural metal roofing materials that neighbors are using will begin to influence the minds of home owners, leading to an increasing trend towards metal roofing solutions.

There’s a growing demand for well applied roofing materials that meet rigid quality standards, and metal roofing fits the bill nicely. That’s why you’ll see metal roofs more often than other conventional roofing materials in areas like historic Georgetown.

Roofing Estimate Template – Making It Easier To Get Roof Estimates

Roof Repair - Jun 22,2013 - No Comment

A roofing estimate template would be very helpful for any roofing job. Repairing a roof or constructing a new one: both involve a lot of money. First step in any such work is to prepare an estimate of the cost. Roof estimates help the home owner to understand the amount of budget he needs for his work.

There are a lot of ways to do a roof estimate for work like replacement or upgraded roofing, especially when using commercial contractors. Hiring a roof estimator is the best way to proceed. A professional would know about the current market prices, labor costs etc. His estimate would be very accurate. Often homeowners make an improper estimate because they do not have enough knowledge about roofing and end up taking wrong decisions. The contractors take advantage of this and the homeowners end up overspending for their roof. If the homeowner has a proper estimate then he need not worry about over exceeding the budget.

If you cannot hire a professional roof estimator you can use other means like roof estimating software. This software is specifically designed for making such estimates. The various parameters like length, width and other dimensions are provided as input and the software makes the corresponding estimates. This software is also updated with latest market prices and they also calculate the accurate the pricing depending on the quantity and also the quality of the material.

A metal roofing estimate template is like a predetermined calculator for your estimate. The contractor and the homeowner use this template to explain the costs and negotiate the pricing. Often people take the trouble for having an estimate, but do not formalize it and hence their estimate gets neglected. A roof estimate template is like a tool that helps in better communication between the contractor and the homeowner as far as the numbers go. This results in proper implementation of your estimate. This also removes any confusion between the contractor and the homeowner.

A roofing estimate template is useful for both the homeowner and the contractor. A contractor is often complained about over exceeding the budget or using cheaper material. By using the template all the contractor has to do is use only the materials mentioned. Since he has already got an accurate estimate for the project he need not worry about needing more money for completion. He can also complete the job within the given time. These templates can also be used for his future projects and also for getting new projects. Using a roofing template he can communicate with the customers about his pricing and also convince them that this is the best deal they can get.

Roofing estimate template will act as a bridge between the contractor and the homeowner. This will help remove misunderstandings and it’s a win-win situation for both. Having a proper estimate template is very important. The estimate will decide the outcome of your roof. Any mistake in making the estimate would result in huge losses and hence the estimate must be perfect. Also every detail and the process involved must be mentioned. The best part is the homeowner can relax and assure himself that the project will be completed on time and without any extra budget.

Architectural Asphalt Roofing – Why Is It So Popular?

Roof Shingles - Jun 16,2013 - No Comment

Architectural asphalt roofing has grown remarkably in popularity in recent times. Rarely do home owners think about their roofing well in advance, and when the time comes, people go with whatever their neighbors or advisers or contractors suggest. And for many years, building contractors have favored architectural concrete roofing or architectural metal roofing for various good reasons.

The growing trend towards architectural asphalt roofing is because people are realizing better than the surface of a house’s exterior is really important in keeping the building dry as well as retaining heat and saving on energy costs. Another important consideration is the appearance of a house which can be greatly enhanced by the kind of architectural bitumen roofing solution you employ.

Another factor in choosing architectural asphalt roofing over any other is that when adding-on to your building or re-roofing the house, you have many options that are simpler and less expensive. The choices can be confusing, and time and again I’ve had home owners contacting me about the best option to go with.

You have multiple options for roofing including architectural paving roofing and architectural aggregate roofing. You can pick from asphalt shingles, wood shakes and clay tiles for roofing material. And there is a significant shift towards using engineered roofing materials because of the cost savings, higher durability and elegant appearance.

Also, other options like wood have become too expensive for most owners. And there are fire safety and other codes that need to be met by buildings, making architectural roofing solutions a smart choice. And home owners concerned about their house looking good are picking art asphalt roofing and decorative asphalt roofing solutions over others.

Architectural Asphalt Shingles – A Smart Choice

Most homes in America are now covered with 3-tab asphalt shingles. Even the preferred choice for interior asphalt roofing, this variety of architectural asphalt roofing is least expensive as asphalt shingles are available in different colors and sizes, solid and blended.

Architectural asphalt shingles are incredibly durable, with 20 years being typical and most homes roofed effectively for closer to three decades or longer. This makes commercial asphalt roofing economical and popular. The one drawback is that this is too ‘common’ to stand out from the other buildings in a neighborhood.

And that’s where the next upgrade becomes attractive. Architectural asphalt roofing shingles are twice as thick as regular shingles. The layers can be staggered so that they appear more substantial and durable, lending an ‘architectural’ look to your roof. They come in different colors to mimic a shale or wood shake pattern. The cost is only slightly higher than regular architectural concrete roofing, which is another plus.

For looks, this kind of roof is hard to beat. Of course, it doesn’t look the same as a wood shingle roof, but the appearance and aesthetic appeal when contrasted against any other engineered roofing solution makes architectural asphalt roofing shingles a preference of a large number of contractors and home owners alike.

So home owners looking for an affordable, durable and attractive roofing solution that won’t break the bank are thrilled by architectural asphalt roofing and flocking towards it in droves. Something to keep in mind the next time your roof comes up for repairs or replacement?

Roofing Contractors – How To Hire One?

Roof Repair - Jun 08,2013 - No Comment

Roofing contractors are experts you think about when you’re in need. Just as you don’t spend much time thinking about doctors when you’re healthy, roofing contractors are furthest from your mind – except once every 15 to 20 years, when you notice the roof leaking or damaged in some part!

Typical roofs last for a long time. Often many decades will pass before you need to repair or replace your roof. Usually, the older your building, the higher the likelihood that you’ll need to replace the entire roof when there’s a problem rather than being able to get away with a shingling or repair job.

Employing roofing contractors is usually a smart choice, unless you’re a die-hard do-it-yourselfer with the requisite experience and skill in repairing your roof. Apart from being skilled with the job itself, roofing contractors can add value in many other ways like knowing where to source quality roofing material and order them at preferential discount rates available only through them (because of the volumes in which they do business with dealers).

But no matter when or where you’re looking for roofing contractors, be sure to do your research. Search the yellow pages for roofers listings. Ask your local better business bureau for referrals. The BBB is a relatively unbiased rating agency who handles thousands of agents and can vouchsafe for a roofing contractor’s skills and reputation.

Also be sure to interview the roofing contractors before you hand over a job. Ask about their experience and previous jobs they’ve done. See where they are based and even ask for a physical address. Reliable roofing contractors need licences and registrations in specific states where they practice. If you’re looking for roofing contractors Houston, don’t search in the listings of roofing contractors Atlanta or San Diego!

Ask for references and check on them before even ordering roofing materials or roofing shingles. Your roofing costs will depend upon the quality of the work carried out and by taking care to review the person doing your roof repair, you’ll end up saving a lot of money in wasted roofing materials or re-do of shoddy work.

Roofing repairs require some specialized materials that may not be readily available in your area. Procuring and shipping them to your work spot may be expensive in such cases. Having these issues ironed out in the preliminary discussion will also save you some serious money as the project rolls out.

Before hiring roofing contractors, get a contract that lists the details of the project including when it will be finished. Ask for a roofing price quote that outlines payments, materials and incidental expenses. Specifically detail any warranties. Be sure that you’re protected in case things go wrong. Make sure it covers issues like who will clean up after the job is completed and dispose off any waste.

In the final analysis, don’t rush to hire a roofing contractor. Be cautious and pick the right person for the job, after verifying credentials and getting references. Roofing repairs and roofing estimates can be expensive things and are a major investment. Be sure you’re protected by having a contract – and hiring roofing contractors who will live up to it.

Roof Estimating Software – A Powerful Tool For Contractors

Roof Repair - May 22,2013 - No Comment

Roof estimating software is one of the marvels of modern technology. Gone are the days where home owners are completely dependent on the contractors for their roofing and their flat cost. The use of this software is helping thousands of people every day.

Users can understand and know how roofing estimates work using software. The major problem with roofing contractors is that they take advantage of people by using their ignorance and overcharging them. Since most of us won’t know the cost of construction materials we just pay off whatever the roofing contractor has asked for. With the roof estimating software we can stop worrying about being overcharged.

Using roof estimate software, we can calculate the exact amount required for building or renovating your roof. This automated tool estimator accepts the quantity of the materials used and multiples it with the price of the units required for the project and produces the estimated price for the project. The prices vary along with the quality and type of the material and company, this software is capable of taking that into consideration when estimating the price. This essentially helps the renovator to understand the amount he needs to spend even before the project starts. He can then negotiate with the contractors and reach agreement for the amount without being overcharged.

The software is programmed to accept the parameters required for any roof job. The major factors that are required for the software are the type of material and its quantity. Other than that it also requires many other factors like height and width of the project. Roofing varies with different homes. The dimensions and the type of your roof are also important. By providing all the data accurately you will be able to obtain the accurate estimated price of the project. This also enables the home owner to work out his budget. Normally people start out with a budget and often they end up overspending for their project. But with this tool home owners will be able to make estimates and also determine where he can cut costs and reduce the budget. This is one of the best tools for a roofing job because other than providing all the estimates, the individual will also be relieved from stress of over exceeding the budget.

Roof estimating software is not just for the home owners. Contractors can also use this software for their own uses. The process of selecting and choosing the materials can be taken as a combined approach with both the home owner and the contractor together. The type of materials used will be left to the owner. Contractors lose a lot of clients because clients do not trust them. To build up that trust contractors can show the estimates by the software and convince that the price they are asking for is fair.

With the roof estimating software the trust gap between the contractors and the home owners for repairs has reduced a lot. Both sides can now work together towards building a better roof within the right budget. Before you proceed with any roofing work it is best to have this software.