Roof Tiles – The Choice Of Centuries

Roof Shingles - Jul 30,2012 - No Comment

Roof tiles have been popular for several centuries. Over the years this beautiful roofing material has been roof that has been preferred by both royals and the common man. The clay tiles fired in brick kilns was a strong and tough roof that kept the occupants of the home safe and warm while keeping the rain and the sun out. The tiles were fashioned from readily available materials like clay, slate or wood. Modern materials that have made their inroads into this industry include concrete and plastic.

Geography, available materials, skills of the tile maker all played an important role in making of the tile which varied a lot in shape, size, design and weight depending on where they were made. Today, the variation and choice has exploded further making it difficult to make a particular choice. The evolution that started centuries ago continues today. Let’s take a lot at the some of most commonly used profiles.

The simplest form of tiles are the flat roof tiles that are installed while overlapping successive rows. These tiles are made of clay and are commonly found in Germany. These flat tiles are also made of wood, stone and in recent times of plastic. Another recent entry into the flat tile market is the solar tile. The most common flat tile is the Tegular. A flat tile it’s design allows for rain to flow off channels in the roof. The tiles are made with convex and concave patterns on either end. Those with flat middles are the roman tiles. The concave and convex parts interlock. Another popular tile pattern is the pantile with its s-shaped profile.

For more information on roof tiles, we present a detailed article on the subject here.

Steel Roofing Shingles – Enjoy a Lifetime of Beauty

Roof Shingles - Jul 29,2012 - No Comment

Steel roofing shingles provide the finest roof systems which last the lifetime of your building. Rated highly by Energy Star for efficiency, steel roofing shingles are manufactured to appear similar to slate, shake, tile and standing seam roofs. Advanced features such as solar shingles and membrane roofing are also possible with steel roofs.

As your home is among your most precious assets, protecting it and giving it a classy appeal are high priorities for most home owners. Steel roofing shingles go a long way to making this happen. With these installed, you won’t have to worry about having to re-roof again.

Steel roofing shingles are a great investment for your home. The goal with metal roofs is to deliver a product that lasts for very long and is extremely durable requiring practically zero maintenance. Steel roofing shingles achieve this happy goal. Interlocking shingles look just like traditional slate or shake shingles but are made of aluminum or steel. They come in many attractive designs and textures to match any home’s color and architectural style.

Steel roofing shingles have one major drawback – they can rust over time, especially in moist and humid climates. Aluminum roof shingles are advantageous in that they come coated with a system that includes teflon which makes them resistant to rust. The metal roofing shingles systems typically last for 50 years and longer, and most manufacturers will offer transferable warranty to cover this period.

Are steel roofing shingles noisy? That’s a common worry home owners have before choosing this roofing option. There is practically no noise, especially if a good lining system underlies the roof. The design and material itself is state of art and crafted to minimize sound transfer through the roof. And when you throw in the other benefits such as energy efficiency and durability, this becomes an attractive option despite the higher upfront price.

Why are steel roofing shingles a good choice?

They help save at least 25% on energy costs, and the lining of most shingle roofs reflects radiant heat lowering the temperature inside the building and reducing the need for air conditioning. Interlocking steel roofing shingles are environment friendly and can be recycled. There is no need for landfill waste which contaminates the neighborhood or any toxic material that needs safe disposal.

Steel roofing shingles provide a cool roof. Solar reflectance is high just as with most metal roofing systems, and both visible and infrared or UV radiation is reflected in large measure. This reduces the heat entering the building, which keeps the roof cool. White or light colored roofs help radiate much more energy than black or dark colored ones.

Steel roofing shingles are slightly more expensive to install but more than compensate for this cost by saving on energy expenses and being practically maintenance free.

Types Of Roofing Shingles – Pick From Asphalt, Wood, Slate Or Metal

Roof Shingles - Jul 29,2012 - No Comment

There are many types of roofing shingles to choose from in the roofing market. Literally, thousands of choices are available for a prospective buyer of roof shingles in terms of colors, styles, design, texture and material. Which roofing you pick is a matter of your choice and also more importantly your budget and your needs based on your local climate.

Here we discuss the various types of roofing shingles that are widely used in North America.

Asphalt Shingles – The most popular roofing option of course is asphalt shingles. In fact there is hardly any competition to asphalt with over 80 percent of homes and buildings sporting some type of asphalt roofing shingles. They are so many brands, makes and choices that it is hard not to find what you are looking for. The simplest form of asphalt shingles is the 3-tab shingles which is also the cheapest. It is available in wide choice of colors. When buying asphalt shingles make sure you get the shingles that have long warranty of 30 years or more and have the fire and impact resistance as needed by your local building rules.

Architectural Shingles – These are also asphalt shingles but thicker with more of the asphalt and filler material. It is of better quality and lasts longer because its thicker and of better quality. The costs are naturally higher for these shingles. Also, it has been found that installing architectural shingles is much easier than asphalt as it is more substantial in size.

One more addition to the stable of architectural shingles are the laminates. These are premium asphalt shingles and offer many more choices in texture and color. They have longer warranties too. They can last up to 50 years or more. They are designed to look like natural slate, natural tiles and natural wood. So, if you have an inclination for these but the high prices of natural products are unaffordable then go for there copies in asphalt. They offer the same looks with out the high prices.

Metal Roofing – Previously mainly used in commercial establishments and as roofing for barns and out houses, metal has a come a long way. Properly installed metal roof can last as long as your home and more. It is re-cyclable and hence a green roof. To make metal a more attractive option manufacturers offer metal both in sheets and also in shingles.

Metal shingles have been designed to look like slate, wood and tiles. Like asphalt shingles metal is also available in wide variety of choices, making them an ideal choice for your roof. Though the high initial cost is not to any home owner’s liking still, if you divide its life-span by its cost you will find that metal roof is much cheaper than asphalt or architectural shingles. The one reason why many homeowners shy away from metal is because of their memories of old days when it rained or there was a hail storm the noise was like machine gun firing on their roofs.

The felt and the plywood decking absorb all sound. So, there is absolutely no truth in this. If you want you can add an extra layer of foam under your metal shingles to dampen any sounds.

The other types of roofing shingles include wood, concrete tiles, clay tiles and slate.

Roof Repair Cost – Cost Of Repairing, Renovating Or Replacing Roofs

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Roof repair cost depends on several factors and can’t be estimated without due diligence. Many of these issues can increase your repair costs several fold. So, let’s check them out in detail to know what influences roofing costs.

Size

The first factor that makes a major impact on roof repair cost is the size of the roof and the area of roof that needs to be repaired. If the whole roof needs to work done on it the roof repair cost will be proportionately higher. A huge home with large roof area will cost a lot more than a small 2 bed room home.

Difficulty Of Roof

A roof that is very steep can make it tougher for the roofer. So, the more difficult your roof is to work on, the higher will be the cost of roof repair. A flat roof on the other hand will have the lowest roof repair cost which is understandable. The time taken to fix the roof also will be more for the more difficult roofs.

Difficulty Of Task

A simple roof repair job needing a few shingles to be nailed or old worn out shingles replaced will cost much lesser than replacement of whole sections of roof. Over time some shingles curl, warp or break. These need to be replaced to prevent major leak and water damage later on. But, these are as important to repair as when a typhoon blows away a part of the roof. The roof repair cost for each job will be different but they are equally important.

Materials

Bigger roofs naturally need more materials for roof replacement. So, larger roofs will cost more to fix than smaller roofs. To estimate your roof repair cost remember that roof area is about one and half times the floor area of your home approximately. So, you can make a rough estimate on the cost of materials to order.

Pitch

A steep roof will cost more to repair, as specialists and specialized safety equipment will be needed for working on difficult slopes. A roofer will charge extra to work on dangerous slopes as he needs to work slowly and with safety harness.

Openings, Vents And Conversions

If your roof has lot of vents, chimneys, skylight windows, converted loft windows, dormer windows, solar panels, turbines and other stuff your roof repair cost will go up as the roofer needs to work around these obstacles and has to seal them off properly to prevent leaks and water seepage around their edges. The time needed to work on the roof also goes up so, the roofer needs to be compensated for the extra time he puts in apart from the extra effort.

Whole or Part Replacement

Sometimes due to hail or a storm only parts of the roof are damaged. The roof repair cost for partly damaged roofs is much lesser than for a whole replacement.

Type Of Roofing Materials

If you are using roofing materials like slate, tile or metal the costs of roof replacement are higher. These materials need specialist knowledge unlike asphalt shingles which are pretty straight forward. Different manufacturers have their own roofing systems for which they train roofers. This specific methods give best results for particular roofing systems. So, if you are hiring trained roofers you will be paying more in roof repair cost. If you have limited resources to spare for your roof replacement then stick to asphalt shingles or whatever that is best suited for your local weather conditions.

Get A Quote

Whether it whole roof replacement or small roof repair job. Get a quote. For the bigger job get at least 3 quotes. For smaller jobs that would be overkill. So, go with whatever seems reasonable. You can get quotes online using the knowledge from above. They are pretty accurate and match quotes from real contractors. Your roof repair cost quote should give you the idea about your costs involved.

Location

It may seem strange but even where you live can have bearing on the cost of roof repair. As local building codes vary, there are different requirements as far as roof repair cost goes. So, you pay more or less according to the local needs. Some areas need hurricane proofing, other areas need to use specific types of roofs, there are codes for impact resistance, fire resistance and wind resistance. Some areas need homeowners to provide for ice and water shield to prevent ice dams and so on.

Roof Repair Costs – How high do they typically run?

Roof Repair - Jul 24,2012 - No Comment

Roof repair cost can run very high at times. Leaving aside total roof replacement, the typical roof repairs tend to be, new shingles over existing installations (there are regulations in some places on the amount of times this is permissible), replacing plywood and shingles in a small roof area and using cement to re-seal seams (‘patch’ work).

Also, replacing metal ‘flashing’ seals around skylights and chimneys, and also guttering work. The most common roof repairs include replacing plywood, shingles and flashing on development of a leak. The average roof area requiring work tends to be 10′ x 10′. With regard to roof repair costs, some homeowners try to patch the leak in the roof using cement. This is really not a cost effective approach.

Roof repair costs – Cost breakdown

The shopping list and prices for this project are:

Sheets of roofing-quality plywood measuring 5/8″ thickness – approximately $20 a sheet
4 sheets required = $80
A standard square of shingles measuring 100 square feet – $100
1 square required = $100
A standard roll of roofing nails for an air-powered gun
1 roll of 1 1/4″ galvanized nails = $65
Roofing cement – $22 per gallon

Roof repair costs: Labor

A roof repair project, although only requiring basic tools, can involve more than just basic labor skills. For example a structural issue causing a roof leak may only be detected as an underlying problem by a skilled professional. Also, more complex work involves chimneys, skylights, flashing or valleys. For these reasons homeowners consult professionals to get the job done. Depending on location and type of job, charges tend to be around $45-$75 per hour, and can take two full business days to finish.

Roof repair costs: Enhancement and improvement costs

Running all new shingles – a second and sometimes third course of shingles is requested by some homeowners to address the leak problem. The cost to install standard asphalt shingles over existing shingles or shakes, according to HomeInspectorLocator.com, will be around $1.25 to $2.00 per square foot.

Roof repair costs: Skylights

It is more expensive sorting out leaks developed in skylights. The bigger cost is a result of having to clear the entire surface around the skylight of shingles, and new flashing surrounding the fixture has to be installed before the new shingles are laid.

On average, roofing experts put the cost as $450 for materials and labor on this type of relatively small project.

Installing Roof Shingles – Pick Your Nailgun Carefully

Roof Shingles - Jul 23,2012 - No Comment

If you’re installing roof shingles, give careful consideration to the equipment you select. Here are some excellent choices based on 22 years of roofing experience…

Equipment for Installing Roof Shingles –Your Nailgun

There are thirty-some roofing nailers on the market, but here are seven reasons why many professionals like myself choose the Hitachi NV45AB2.

1. It’s quick and easy to load fasteners. One of the main improvements on this nail gun over previous models is the side-loading feature. You no longer have to put up with the awkward bottom-loading mechanism to enjoy the performance of a Hitachi.

2. It is fast and reliable. Firing three nails per second, the piston has pneumatic feed and return. That allows it to drive through tar build-ups on the feed mechanism, unlike some of the competition which rely on a spring return. That gives you a faster nailing cycle and less jamming.

3. The Hitachi has a long-lasting design. From the carbide tips on the nose of the tool, to the tough metal body and steel body shields, this gun has “body armor” to minimize wear from hard use and shingle abrasion. It also has rubber pads on the body shields to minimize slippage on steep roofs.

4. It has service available. As good as it is, nothing lasts forever. But Hitachi has a reliable service network to get you back up and running fast.

5. It’s infinitely adjustable. Unlike some other nail guns, which have a stepped exposure gauge, the Hitachi gauge can be set to any exposure. You can use it for installing roof shingles that perfectly match the exposure of shingles driven with other nail guns, regardless of the brand.

6. It’s easy on YOU. At just 5.5 pounds the Hitachi is one of the lightest roofing nail guns on the market. This model also has a durable rubber grip handle. These two features make a tough job a little easier.

7. It’s easy on your wallet. There was a time when the Hitachi was one of the most expensive roofing nail guns. Over the years, increased competition has driven the price down, while design improvements have improved the durability of the gun. The result is a long-lasting tool which is a great value.

You’ll find more about equipment for installing roof shingles in this article.

By John C. Bishop

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

http://EzineArticles.com/?Equipment-For-Installing-Roof-Shingles&id=1945628

Why are Metal Roof Shingles better?

Roof Shingles - Jul 22,2012 - No Comment

Metal roof shingles have become more popular as a choice for roofing solutions even if the overall base of installed metal roofs is smaller than other conventional material. The reason why metal roofs are not as widely embraced by home owners is their higher cost.

Another reason why metal roof shingles may not be as much in vogue as, say, asphalt shingles, is that in the eyes of many people, metal roofing is indicative of farms and outhouses rather than residential buildings. They are also wrongly accused of being noisy in rain. However, a nicely padded metal roof is no more or less noisy than any other material.

With one’s roof being a critical component of a home, every decision about it must be carefully and cautiously taken after gathering all relevant information. With asphalt and steel being the most commonly used roofing materials, it behooves every home owner to explore the utility of metal roof shingles before coming to a final decision.

You may find this report on metal roof shingles of some help in making that decision for yourself.

Roof Shingle Calculator Errors

Roof Repair - Jul 21,2012 - No Comment

Read the rest of this article on roof shingle calculator here.

2. Overhang

The basic area is not good enough for the calculation of overall roof coverage area. You will also need to add on an extra measure for the overhang of the roof that goes beyond the edge of the house. If you do not include this figure in your reckoning, you will be short on materials when you go to do the roof. It is best to include this roof replacement cost in the beginning rather than pay more for it later.

3. Pitch

The basic square footage and overhang are measurements of the roof if it were level. Assuming you are not replacing a flat roof, you will need to consider the slope or pitch of the roof in your calculations for roof replacement cost.

Pitch is described as the number of feet the roof rises for every 12 feet of distance. For example, a low pitch might be 3:12, a medium pitch might be 6:12, and a steep pitch might be higher than 9:12. These categories are important in determining the number of shingles needed.

By Shawn Michael Hickman

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

http://EzineArticles.com/?How-Measurement-Mishaps-Can-Increase-Roof-Replacement-Cost&id=5477273