A New Roof – How Much Will It Cost?

Roof Repair - Sep 08,2012 - No Comment

It’s difficult to estimate how much a new roof will cost without knowing many more things. For instance, a look at your home or building will help arrive at a rough prediction. But apart from the size or state of your current roof, there are other factors at play that can affect the rate you will pay for a new roof.

Are you replacing an old leaky roof or will you be installing a brand new roof in a new building? New roofs will cost less than re-roofing projects primarily because the extra labor of taking down the older roof and disposing off the debris is saved. How much is a new roof going to cost when your building is new? A gross approximate would be $200 per 100 square feet, though other elements will influence the actual figure.

What type of roofing you are planning to install will also impact the cost of a new roof. But there are still many nuances. For example, if I asked you what a new car will cost, that’s impossible to answer correctly without knowing several other things. The cost for a new car would depend on the brand, make or model.

In just the same way a new roof will cost a variable amount depending upon other factors. To learn more about what impacts a new roof cost, check out this article.

Replace Roof Shingles Yourself – By Following This Guide

Roof Shingles - Sep 07,2012 - No Comment

As per the doityourself.com, it is a basic operation to replace a shingle and takes approximately 5 minutes. I tried it and as it turned out, it was not so simple. First, it requires some expertise to align at the right angle on the roof to do a good job.

This is a very important aspect of the repair as the person attempting the repair has to be positioned comfortably and securely. A drop from the roof is not the best of things to happen! Once the person has secured himself or herself to a respectable and comfortable position, it is time to start handling the tools. The tools required for replacing a shingle are as follows:-

· Flat pry bar to lift the shingle

· Hammer

· Nails

· Razor Knife

· Adhesive

That’s it!

You can learn more about how to replace roof shingles, and any other necessary tools and instruments to help with it.

By Steven Briesemeister

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steven_Briesemeister

http://EzineArticles.com/?Replace-Roof-Shingle—Roofing-Tools-and-Procedures&id=257769

How to Install Roof Shingles – Three Valley Tips

Roof Shingles - Sep 07,2012 - No Comment

If you’re serious about learning how to install roof shingles, you’ve come to the right place. But first let me tell you about a job I was on many years ago in Cape Coral, Florida…

It was a brand new house with a shingle roof. It also had a complicated roof design and six valleys. The builder went a little too far cost-cutting and hired a couple of day-laborers to shingle the house. He had paid them just $10 per square for 30 squares, a total of $300. All was fine and dandy until the first rain… when all six valleys leaked!

Of course the day laborers were long gone by then, which is just as well according to Einstein. He said that some problems can’t be solved with the same mentality which created them in the first place! This was one of those problems.

That’s when the builder called the small, but reputable roofing company I worked for.

The valley errors were all pretty obvious… and typical of the ones that rookies and poorly-trained roofers make. I will say this for them… they were consistent. All six valleys had exactly the same problems. And all six had to be completely re-laid, costing the builder more much more than he paid for the entire roof.

One of your biggest challenges when roofing your own home is the valleys. After repairing hundreds of them over the years, I see the same mistakes over and over. Here are the three most common problems… and how to avoid them!

How to Install Roof Shingles – Valley Tip #1

Valleys fill up with water during a big shower and some water ends up under the shingles. If the shingle nails are too close to the center of the valley, you can get a leak. That nail pattern you see on the shingle wrappers doesn’t apply to the valleys. Keep your nails at least 12″ away from the center of the valley.

How to Install Roof Shingles – Valley Tip #2

Shingle seams can also leak when they fall right in the valley. Keep the seams at least 12″ away from the center of the valley by adjusting the length of the adjacent shingles on both sides.

How to Install Roof Shingles – Valley Tip #3

When cutting the top layer of shingles in a “half-weave” valley, many roofers cut into the bottom layer. Over the years, those cuts can open up, causing leaks. Make the cut carefully with some old tin snips, or use a hook blade and a scrap shingle to protect the bottom layer.

Of course there’s a lot more involved in learning how to install roof shingles. To make the job easier and help you avoid big mistakes, go to: http://www.roofingsecrets.com

John C Bishop is the author of “Roofing Secrets: How to Avoid Leaks and Save Thousands of Dollars!”

By John C. Bishop

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_C._Bishop

http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Install-Roof-Shingles—Three-Valley-Tips&id=1489181

Metal Roofing Prices – Brief Overview

Roof Repair - Sep 05,2012 - No Comment

Homeowners who refused metal cited the high metal roofing prices as the reason for their refusal to use it for their homes. The more realistic reason is that they were not too thrilled to be using a roofing that usually adorns fall buildings, barns, garages and sheds in the past. Assaulted by such childhood images of roofs peppered with holes that generously let in sunlight and rainwater in equal measure. But, people miss the point entirely as metal roofs have gone through a drastic makeover. No, longer are they the poor cousins in the roofing industry with one only choice in color and design.

Today, modern metal roofs are elegance personified. They are sound-proof and affordable too as they are a long lasting roof giving years of trouble free life. They come in designs that imitate wood, slate or cedar shake shingles. Asphalt roofs may be cheaper but comparing against metal roofing prices is not at all valid. Metal roofs last several decades longer than asphalt. While asphalt roofs need frequent changes over the the lifetime of the homeowner, metal roof might be the only roof they will ever install. So, even if you pay high prices initially over its long time the cost will surely work out much cheaper.

People also tend to associated metal roofing prices with that of the most expensive roofing like copper. There are range of more affordable metal roofs available like steel an zinc alloys. Copper is truly expensive but it’s life-span is around 150 years.

For a detailed look at metal roofing prices for different types of roofs click here!!

Roofing Tiles – Different Designs In Tiles

Roof Shingles - Sep 05,2012 - No Comment

Different designs in roofing tiles are availalbe. Roof tiles have been a popular choice of people around the globe and have stood the test of time. The essential design and form have survived without change down the ages. It just goes to prove how well this simple design has worked for people of all cultures and regions. The roofing tile has served man well. Made from locally available, environmentally sustainable methods the basic ingredient of the roof tille is clay and it is fired in kilns to make it tough and durable.

The tiles industry has come a long way from simple, sun-baked or kiln-fired tiles of the past. New materials and new methods are being tried to make the tile more glamorous and up to date. Concrete, plastic are just few of the materials being used. These roofing tiles come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. The finishes also vary, so do textures and designs to cater to every whim and fancy of customers.

Inspite of the wide number of choices and designs on offer a close inspection will reveal that the basic design and style remain the same. The basic four designs of the past are the basis of all new roofing tiles. They have withstood the impact of nature, time and man and stood up to all the challenges thrown at them.

This is just a short primer on roofing tiles, for more details click here!

Types of Roofing Shingles – Your Options (Part 2)

Roof Shingles - Sep 04,2012 - No Comment

Wood Shakes

With a higher budget you can choose wood shakes. These offer a natural look and add character to your room. No two wood shakes are the same. Each has its own color, thickness, width and grain. They are great as insulating materials. Wood does not absorb heat easily. The nature of wood allows the house to breathe and keep the air in circulation. The heat is not trapped in the attics as with other types of roofing. This is high maintenance roofing in places where there is rain and moisture all for long periods of time. Wood is vulnerable to mold, rot and insects find it a happy hunting ground. It is also not resistant to fire. Usually fire-retardants are sprayed on wood shakes to make them resistance to fire but this needs to be repeated often over the life of the wood shake. Some types of wood shingles are pressure-treated with fire retardants and these last longer. Installation is also complicated and needs skilled roofing contractors to do the job.

Clay Tile

The classic clay tiles are favored choice among many communities in southwestern part of the country. Also, homes with Spanish or Italian designs also go well with clay tiles. These are some of the best types of shingles as they are suitable for both cold and hot climates. They do great in medium weather conditions. The clay breathes and keeps the home cool in summers and warm in winters. The tiles don’t have the problems of wood shake like rotting, burning or insects boring holes in them. They need least amount of maintenance and available in range of colors, styles and brands too. They last a long time but as they are heavy they might need extra support on the roofing frame. Tiles that are baked in kilns have permanent colors. They are brittle and break if people walk on them, so cleaning is little difficult and so,is initial installation. The clay tiles are quite expensive.

Buying Roof Shingles Online – How Long Will YOU Wait?

Roof Shingles - Sep 01,2012 - No Comment

Most people who buy roof shingles online are willing to wait only an hour for a response, says an interesting study conducted by Harvard Business Review. The study found that 37% of all roof shingles companies and retailers responded to online queries within an hour. A further 16% got back to the prospective customer within 24 hours.

But nearly half of the companies only responded longer than a day later – and they were 60 TIMES less likely to speak to the customer. That’s because people like you who are looking for roof shingles and conducting research on the Web are not likely to want to wait too long to hear back.

That’s not surprising at all. Given the speed at which the Web moves, we want answers and we want them now. On this website, you can find answers to most general questions by simply studying the archives. When you contact someone, you are looking for specific answers – and need them urgently.

So when a roof shingles company replies to you almost immediately, calls you to talk about your requirements, and guides you towards solving a vexing problem about your roof repair or replacement, you are many times more likely to end up buying your roof shingles from them.

At this point, price and other variables become less important than the important fact that you’re working with a company or person that cares about your roof. That’s magical when you can find the right roof shingles manufacturer or roofing contractor.

The Harvard study went on to find that whenever there was a meaningful conversation with the customer, the probability of making a roof shingles sale was higher. This goes far beyond just an impersonal email, or a link back to an FAQ page. After all, you can already find that information by clicking on a few links on this blog – on the sidebar to the right, the most popular sections are listed for your convenience.

So buying roof shingles online has grown quicker, simpler and easier. Enjoy. And until you need to talk to someone, you can find all you need about roof shingles in this special report – click here.

Atlas Roofing Shingles – For Algae, Hail Storm And High Wind Protection

Roof Shingles - Aug 29,2012 - No Comment

Atlas roofing shingles are trusted brand name in the many parts of the country. These shingles are blessing in areas which suffer from tornadoes, storms and strong winds. Atlas offer some of the best rated shingles for protection against strong winds, prevention of algae damage and protection against hail storms.

Shingles that light weight or badly installed can be blown away in strong or even moderate winds. Roofing shingles are especially designed to resist high winds. In this category falls the atlas roofing shingles. They reduce the threat that winds pose to roofs. With Atlas shingles your roofs have a better chance of surviving the next storm.

Damage due to high winds is another problem that homeowners face often. Especially those who live in the areas where strong winds are normal and routine. You need to buy roofing shingles that have the appropriate high wind resistance ratings. The following Atlas roofing shingles – StormMaster® Slate, StormMatster® Shake, & Pinnacle® shingles offer wind resistance as high as 130 mph. They are all tested to Class H wind resistance, uplift resistance and Class F wind resistance. You can go to bed at night peacefully and not be afraid that when you wake up in the morning you will not see a roof over your head.

Every type of Atlas roofing shingles is tested to most rigorous standards so, that they can withstand all the stated wind speeds and more. When buying shingles remember that you should look for products that meet your local weather and climate needs. If you live in places like Iowa or Florida where tornadoes and hurricanes are the norm you should pick up shingles that have high wind resistance like the ones mentioned previously. They all offer complete protection against most wind speeds.

Another factor that mars the beauty of roofing shingles is the growth of algae on shingles. Most homes have these blackish streaks that make them look jaded and unattractive. If fact even a newly laid roof looks old and faded. This reduces your home’s value if ever you wish to sell it. It’s curb appeal is reduced even though you have spend thousands of dollars re-laying a new roof hardly a few years ago.

Atlas roofing shingles has come up with a solution. They have coated their shingles with Scotchgard Protector that prevents growth of algae. This is algae resistant technology which keeps your shingles as pristine as ever. This also protects your roof from staining frequently seen in other types of shingles. You don’t have to worry about black streaks on green or whatever color of shingles you have chosen for your roof. They will retain their color for a their life-time.

Algae streaks are not just a problem in one or two states, it is universal problem seen all over the country. Even if you are not currently facing any such problems you will soon be. Algae spores are carried by wind and they plant themselves on any roof that offers them the right conditions. Only Atlas roofing shingles which are coated with copper fortified granules across shingles with Scotchgard Protector technology prevents this problem.

Another problem that Atlas Roofing Shingles successfully deal with are hail storms. they have high enough impact resistance which helps preserve the integrity of the shingles and your roof. So, as a homeowner you needn’t worry next time you hear a hailstorm warning in your local area. The StormMaster shingles from Atlas is a superb protection against hailstorms. Designed with Styrene Butadiene Styrene technology the shingles combine great performance with durability. They have a class 4 rating against hailstorms, which is the highest rating in terms of impact resistance.