Your Roof Shingle Guide

Roof Shingles - Jun 21,2012 - No Comment

It is a relatively simple and direct process to install roof shingles and the steps to lay shingles follows a standard routine. The important step is to make sure you have enough support and help when starting out on a roof shingle project.

The first step is to dismantle the old roof and get rid of the older roofing materials and strengthen any damaged or weakened roof frames. You can hire the necessary tools if you’ll only be doing this occasionally. Removing the old roof shingles and nails, trimming any irregular surfaces, and filling any gaps with a sealant.

Membrane and flashing is attached to the edges and slits are made on them for chimneys, vents and other projections. Reference lines must be drawn as guidance when you lay roof shingle rows. The actual work of roof shingle laying then begins in earnest. For a detailed guide on the process, check out this report.

Replace Roof Shingles With Minimum Delay

Roof Shingles - Jun 21,2012 - No Comment

To replace roof shingles as soon as possible a homeowner needs to be alert and committed to their responsibilities. If the damaged shingles are not replaced as soon as you notice them then you might end up replacing the entire roof, the cost of which will be several thousand dollars more. Maintenance is the key here.

Homeowners needs to makes annual inspections and also at other times like after a rainstorm, hurricane or blizzard. If you notice anything amiss like shingles missing, any sign of damage like broken shingles, cracked shingles, curled and warped shingles, then as a homeowner you should take immediate steps to mend them. Water can seep through even the slightest cracks in the roof.

Water seepage can ruin your interiors, your decking, the plywood sheets, paint job, insulation and much more. The damage can be expensive and extensive if neglected or ignored for long. It is important to replace roof shingles that are damaged in a timely manner.

Roof Replacement Cost Estimator – Get Accurate Estimates

Roof Repair - Jun 20,2012 - No Comment

Using a roof replacement cost estimator it is easy to arrive at almost accurate assessment about the cost to either replace or repair a roof. The tool is useful for both new home and old homes. They help in finding the cost for replacing roofs that are leaky or worn out due to age. The tool will take into considerations a number of variables like cost of roofing materials, the slope of the roof , the size of the roofing area and the cost of labor.

Remember that roofing is an simple or easy to do project. It’s takes effort and planning. The cost of repairing or replacing the roof is a huge sum. The decision to go for roofing repair and replacement must be done after considering all aspects with care and caution. A impulsive decision will set you back by several thousand dollars.

An important step before we get down to using the roof replacement cost estimator tool is to collect all the required pieces of information.

To find out how to and what pieces of information to collect for roof replacement cost estimator – click here!

Types of Roofing Shingles – Your Options (Part 1)

Roof Shingles - Jun 18,2012 - No Comment

Usually, you pay more for better quality shingles. The roofing industry is highly competitive and generally lower end types of roofing shingles are not very long lasting. The weather and maintenance also play a significant role in reducing the life of roofs. Roofs also have to meet stringent roofing standards and be resistant to wind, fire and impact. Each state has its own requirements on this front depending on local conditions and before you make your roof purchase it is better to check your local needs and standards in order to be fully compliant.

Let’s check out the choices available and types of roofing shingles to pick from:

Asphalt Shingles

By far the most popular type of roofing shingle, asphalt is most favored because it is the least expensive of all the roofing materials. It is easy to install and lasts about a decade, it would last longer if it is maintained really well. They are manufactured by sandwiching fiberglass in between layers of asphalt and ceramic granules. It is light weight and durable. These are also known as compositional shingles. These types of shingles are available in large selection of brands, colors, textures and much favored because of their versatility. They can be laid on top of an existing roof. It is susceptible to heat and can get ripped off by heavy winds. They do offer fire resistance and impact resistance. Ventilation vents are important on asphalt shingle roofs as they dissipate the heat absorbed by it.

Architectural Shingles

A more expensive version of asphalt shingles are the architectural shingles or laminated shingles or dimensional shingles. These are thicker and layered and look a lot like slate or wood shingles. The 3-TAB asphalt shingles is one more version that is widely used. They are thinner than laminated shingles and come in strips of 3.

Roofing Shingles Colors – Attractive Colors Make Great Looking Homes

Roof Shingles - Jun 17,2012 - No Comment

Is it time to replace your roofing shingles? Are you looking for attractive roofing shingles colors that will not only instantly raise your home’s curb appeal but also, its resale value. Shingles come in the most attractive colors and shades. They are available in both modern and traditional colors and styles. The textures and grain of the modern roofing enhance any coloring scheme you have in your mind. The latest offering in roofing shingles are the top of the line 3-dimensional designs.

When choosing attractive roof shingles colors bear the following points in mind:

Lighting

When choosing roofing shingles colors remember lighting plays an important role. A particular shade might look different under varying light conditions. As the light exposure changes so, will the appearance of the roofing shingles. A particular shade of shingles may look lovely under bright sunlight but quiet different under cloudy conditions. So, make a choice based on where you live, the local climate and your own preferences.

Pitch Of The Roof

Sometimes, the sloping roof or the design of the roof also will make a significant impact on the way the shading appears. At different angles the slope of the roof will catch the light differently and you will notice roofing shingles colors looking significantly altered at different places of the roof.

Energy Efficiency

Darker shades absorb a lot more heat and makes the homes hotter by about 20 percent or more. That’s a lot. For people living in cold areas the darker shingles help in snow removal. For people living in cold climates dark shades are best as they absorb the most heat and keep the home warmer during the cold months and also aid in the melting of snow. Choose from dark blue, deep green, dark gray or any other darker shade you like.

For those living in hotter climates the best way to cut energy costs is to choose white as it absorbs very little heat and keeps your home cool in summer. If you are planning on cutting your energy costs for cooling your home then choose lighter shades from the available roofing shingles colors.

The classic clay tiles work well in both cold and hot weather. Even the imitation clay tiles work great. Also, these are some of the best looking roofs in any neighborhood. Another option is the cedar shingles. They gives a classic look. These also work well in both hot and cold climates but they are lot more expensive than asphalt shingles and you won’t see them on many homes

Dark Shades Vs White

The darker colored shingles help make a very tall building look less taller. White roofs give off a classic touch to any home and make it look at once light and airy. They can also help a low slung roof appear taller and brighter. The flip side of white roofs is that they soon start looking grimy and dirty unless very religiously maintained. Unless you live in very clean and mild weather conditions whites may not be ideal. Darker shades also deteriorate faster. If you choose dark colors then make sure that you have proper ventilation to prevent overheating of the roofs as this cause damage to the shingles. Also, white roofs are not that attractive even if they are energy efficient. So, go for light shades or shingles that have flecks of white in them. This have excellent reflection and are elegant too.

Exteriors

Match your roof shingles colors to your home’s exteriors. If you planned out a color palette for your home then choose shingles color patterns that will go well with your overall home’s color scheme. There are several classic colors that complement each other and you can never go wrong with them. Take your car and cruise along your neighborhood and find roof colors that you love. Make a note of the colors and go shopping. You could go for contrasting color patterns or complementary colors.

Screen Limitations

If you are trying to choose roofing shingles colors by browsing the net, remember that there will be significant differences between what you see on your computer screen and what you finally see physically. It is better to order for samples to be sent to you in order to make a more informed choice. Even better than that would be to see an actual application of the full roof shingles in a location closer to your home conditions. This will give you a very clear picture of how the roof would look in the real life conditions.

Shingle Roofing Prices – The Cost Of An Asphalt Roof

Roof Repair - Jun 15,2012 - No Comment

Shingle roofing prices are estimated to cost around $2,300 dollars to $12,000 dollars for an average sized home. Asphalt is the most commonly used roofing material in the world of roofing. These asphalt shingles are either made of single layer or multiple layers of fiberglass and asphalt embedded in them. The surface of the shingles is then coated with granules of minerals which can be rock or slate.

Here we will explore in detail shingle roofing prices and how it works out for various situations and conditions. If you are planning on laying the roof yourself the cost works out to around $680 to $3700 dollars for a single story home that has around $1,800 square foot of roofing area with a medium pitch roof. If you are looking for the cheapest shingle to install then the 3-tab shingles offer the best bet. But the price of shingles can not be your sole deciding factor. The lowest priced shingles won’t last long and you will end up spending more in trying to replace them. The thicker shingles will last longer but they are more expensive. The trade-off is between price and durability.

When you are planning on a new roof, the old roof has to be either pulled down or firmly bound to put on the new layer of shingles. Depending on a number of factors a decision will be taken to either tear down the old shingles or just put in the layer on top. If the older layer needs to be torn down then it costs extra money of $1000 dollars. This will go up or down depending on how steep your roof is, how far the debris has to be hauled and what fee is charged by the local landfill for taking in the old shingles.

It costs from $1 to $5 dollars to remove old roofing shingles and install new shingles. If you want specific colors, different style of shingle or thicker shingles then the price goes up. Shingle roofing prices also go up if the roof is high pitched and there are lot of complex features on the roof. Chimneys, air vents, skylights, dormer windows are some of features that add to the cost of roofing. More work and time is needed to fix the flashing and roofing around these complexities on the roof and this naturally costs extra money.

A flat roof will have same area as the flooring area of a home with a little overhang on the sides. But, if the roof is sloping then you have to figure higher shingle roofing prices for the larger area caused by the slope. Also, slope makes working on the roof tougher, so the cost is higher. The contractor will usually add extra 10 to 15 percent for complicated roofs as the material cost and time involved increases and also the wastage. As the shingles have to be cut to fit around the chimneys, dormers etc.

The popularity of asphalt roofing shingles is because of it is the most affordable. The shingle roofing prices are the lowest of all roofing options. They are easy to install and last a long time. The shingles are nailed or locked into place. The overlap allows for this. You can also opt for thicker and more expensive roofing shingles that will last longer. These roofing materials are flexible even in cold climates where they tend to get brittle and easily crack. Organic shingles are not allowed in many states as they are a fire hazard. Fiberglass based shingles are preferred as they fire-retardants.

There is also more choice in better quality shingles in terms of texture, designs, colors and shades. They are made to look like slate or wood or ceramic tiles. These are called architectural roofing shingles or dimensional shingles. They add an extra dimension to roofing shingles which is admired by many homeowners. They don’t lie flat on the roof like 3-tab shingles.

Some additionals apart from shingles roofing prices that will need to be provided for include extra roofing support in case you are using heavier shingles or if the previous old rafters and decking has rotted or damaged. Repairs to the basic roofing structure can set you back by thousand to ten thousand dollars.

Roof Shingles Calculator – How To Determine Roofing Area

Roof Repair - Jun 15,2012 - No Comment

A roof shingles calculator can help you compute the roof area in square feet that require replacement using roof shingles. The conventional measure for roof shingles is the ‘square’, which refers to a 10’x10′ area (or 100 square feet).

Different types of roof shingles calculators are needed for gable roofs and shed roofs. The length, width and vertical height of the roof, in feet, is measured and entered into the appropriate fields in a roof shingles calculator. The computation of slope is described in more detail in the article about roof shingles calculator on the roofing blog.

Hip roofs are harder to calculate area for because of the height variability. The slope method of calculating roof area may be used and replaces the height measurement on the calculator. Mixed roofs are growing more common with architectural styles and designer homes becoming the norm. These intersecting roofs create some difficulty when it comes to calculating roof areas.

Dimensions can be taken for a roof shingles calculator from the ground itself, or may be recorded from a ladder. Any measurements must take into account the extra requirement for overhang at eaves. Heights are easier to measure from the end wall in the middle of a gable.

Complex roofs are even harder as they have more than one such variation. Each section of the roof may then need separate computation using a roof shingles calculator. The total of each section is then added together to arrive at the total surfacing area. Other geometric formulae can be used to more accurately estimate the size of roofing area in some of these complex roofs.

In a roof shingles calculator, when you enter the dimensions in feet (or slope as inches rise per running foot), you will get the computed area of the roof. The areas of specific sections of a complex roof are added together to arrive at a final figure. The advantage of using a roof shingles calculator is that it will not only carry out these calculations easily, but also subtract any hidden areas and display only the exposed roof area which needs to be shingled.

A typical roof shingles calculator will help you streamline the estimates for your roof, order the right amount of shingles, and create reasonably accurate budgets for the roofing project.

5 Factors That Influence Roof Shingles Price

Roof Shingles - Jun 12,2012 - No Comment

The prices of roof shingles range over a wide array depending upon what you use to build your roof. Economical choices include asphalt shingles. More expensive tastes are based on slate and other shingles. These materials need special expertise to lay. Labor is costlier because of the nature of work involved.

If the roofing material you select is heavy and requires adaptation of the roof’s frame before installation, the cost will be higher. Other variables influence your roof shingles price including the slope, pitch and accessories like dormers or skylights in your roof. All these have an effect on the overall expense you’ll incur from roofing repairs or replacement.

Learn more about it in this article titled Roof Shingle Prices – What To Expect?