Metal Roofing Shingles

Roof Shingles - Jan 23,2012 - No Comment

Installing Metal Roofs

If you believe it is the ideal solution for your home, we here at Roof 101 provide the experts that will help you choose the exact material and install it for you. Our contractors are professionals, and will install the metal roof with care, avoiding any scratches or dents caused during installation.

Energy Benefits of Metal Roofing

One of the greatest benefits of it is its astounding energy efficiency. The source of metal roofing energy efficiency lies in its finish – an unpainted will reflect majority of the solar radiation that is absorbed by a roof and attic in a regular asphalt roof. Painted and granular coated metal roofing system both reflect solar energy and re-emit absorbed radiation such that it can also cool your home.

In warm climates, a highly reflective surface is capable of re-emitting up to 90 percent of absorbed solar radiation, and in doing so, greatly reducing energy consumption. It has been calculated that the installation of a reflective metal roof can save approximately 40 percent of cooling costs throughout summer, and that a metal roof can reduce the air temperature in your home by about 12 degrees Fahrenheit.

Read the rest of this article about metal roof shingles here.

By Eldad Levi

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

http://EzineArticles.com/?Metal-Roofing-Materials&id=3070946

Roofing Shingles Colors – Options Unlimited

Roof Shingles - Jan 20,2012 - No Comment

Every roofing brand offers tons of choices when it comes to roofing shingles colors. From blacks and greys roofing shingles have come a long way. Today, they are available in every color imaginable from blues, greys, whites, blacks to greens and browns. In each color there are so many options to choose from that is sometimes confusing to pick one.

You might think that roofing shingles colors are not an important aspect of picking roofing shingles. But, the opposite is true. For shingles to truly last picking the right color of shingles is a major factor. In fact the very longevity of the shingles can be affected if you make a wrong choice of color.

Consider you local weather and climate. If you live in hot areas it makes sense to pick roofing shingles colors that have lighter shades. these lighter shades don’t absorb as much heat and light as dark colored shingles. Picking dark shingles can be a huge disaster for hot areas as the heat absorbed can raise the temperature of the shingles causing the asphalt to deteriorate. The shingles will be turn brittle and get damaged sooner than if you had picked lighter shades. It has been noted that shades of grey shingles with white flecks are the best for hot areas. The whites reflect and deflect light completely diffusing and preventing the heat build-up on the roof which is so detrimental to them.

For colder regions darker shades are preferred as the they absorb heat and help melt the ice faster. Even here darker shades flecked with white are more suitable as they help diffuse the light and prevent heat build-up. Roofs are the single-most noticeable feature of any home. Any visitor or passer-by looking at your home will notice it’s roof. So, it’s important to pick roofing shingles colors that complements your home’s exteriors. Clashing colors are a bad choice. Having attractive roofs increases the curb appeal of your home and if ever you put it up for sale it will find ready buyers.

Roofing shingles colors are not the only deciding criteria, the style and type of shingle also make an important difference to your home’s attractiveness. Fortunately, even in this there are many options to choose from. Asphalt roofing shingles of better quality and thickness called architectural shingles have dimensions and extra features unlike 3-tab shingles which appear flat and plain. There are laminated shingles which are premium shingles. These extra thick last longer than 3-tab shingles and more attractive too. They cost more than plain and simple asphalt shingles but compensate for it by their durability.

Most shingles manufacturers will offer online tools that help prospective homeowners to feed pictures of their homes into the tool and add different types of shingle and roofing shingles colors to see how your home appears in different styles and colors. With the help of this visual aid it is easier to make the right choice of color and style for your home. With so many choices on offer it is easy to find something that you like.

Roofing Contractors – How To Hire One?

Roof Shingles - Jan 17,2012 - 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 workspot 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.

Roofing Shingles Price – Don’t Get Cheated!

Roof Shingles - Jan 15,2012 - No Comment

With such diversity and variation in roofing shingles prices, you can get scammed by unethical contractors or by misleading advertising.

I found a simple but helpful guide to homeowners that explains a lot of techniques to use in evaluating roofing shingles prices.

“To make certain that you get the best deal on your roofing shingles price, you need to understand some essentials about roofing. There are 2 major factors that govern the expense involved in roofing – labor or people, and the roofing materials you need.

Roofing products are simple to contrast and compare against each other. Most of the contractors who take on such projects tend to favor similar products. That’s how you’ll find it easy to match quotes from one against another, even if they are based in a different state or county from where you live.

GAF roofing systems are excellent in this regard, as they provide high value for money and are incredibly efficient.”

Learn more about this on the
Roofing Shingles Prices Guide.

Roof Shingle Prices – What To Expect?

Roof Shingles - Jan 12,2012 - No Comment

Roof shingle prices vary widely based on your choice of material. Asphalt shingles fall in low cost category while natural slate and wood shingles fall in the high cost category. Again the cost of laying the shingles varies with the type of shingle. Slate and other shingles need special expertise and so the roofer charges more for such roofs. Some roofs are heavier and need strengthening of the roof structure and naturally the cost is more for any such modifications. Factors like pitch, the slope of the roof, projecting windows, dormers, skylights, chimneys all affect the roof shingle prices.

A home with few complexities, angles, low slope will cost on the lower end of the roof shingle prices band. If the roof is very complex, lot of angles, skylights, vents, chimneys, dormers and so on then the price will be naturally more. The price difference can be several thousand dollars more. If you need to remove old tattered and torn shingles then that will cost from $500 to $1000 dollars or more.

A simple price guide to help you – installing asphalt roof shingles on your own can cost from $700 to $4,000. The cost of installing the roof by a professional can cost around $1,500 to $9,000, for costlier wood shingle the roof shingles prices for a self-installation cost around $2,000 dollars to $6,000 dollars. A professional installation cost anywhere between $7,000 dollars to $15,000 dollars. Metal roofs cost $5,000 to $17,000 dollars for professional installation and self-installation is not recommended as it is little more complicated. Corrosion resistant steel costs $12,000 to $20,000 dollars for aluminum or other high-end metal roofs the cost can be $25,000 to $40,000.

Roof shingle price are much lower when compared to tile roofs. Tile roofs are heavy and your home might need extra structural support which can add to roofing prices by another $1500 dollars. The cost of self-installation will be lower but not recommended as the task is complex. The professional installation of this roof will set you back by $12,000 to $21,000 for clay tiles. For the really top quality ceramic and other tiles the cost can be as high as $65,000.

Compared to slate, roof shingle prices are much lower in cost. But, slate is very elegant and high-end roofing solution that brings a touch of class to your home. The prices can be as high as $23,000 to $46,000 dollars. Self installation can slash the price to $12,000 dollars for the higher end slate shingles but it is not recommended as installation of slate is difficult and specialized task.

Asphalt roofs are the easiest in terms of installation and most homeowners can manage on simple and low slope homes. But, if you don’t want to there are good roofers who will do it for a reasonable price. In order to get the best possible roof shingle prices and labor charge it is recommended to get as many quotes as you can to get handle on the costs prevailing in your area. Make sure that the contractor you are hiring has insurance, license to do roofs, is in a permanent place of business, has positive references from past clients, is professional and does top quality of work.

Here are factors that a roofer will look at before quoting roof shingles price and labor costs

The roofer will give the quote only after a inspection of your roof first. They will look at

1. Number of layers of shingles that need to be removed.
2. Any damage to decking under the shingles?
3. Water damage around chimneys, turbines, skylights and other structures
4. Extent of roof area.
5. Wastage will be calculated based on roof type, its complexity and size
6. Removal of old roofing layers, shingles costs
7. Disposal of removed shingles to designated landfills
8. Transportation and labor costs

Getting to know the breakup of costs will help you better appreciate the quote from your roofing contractor. The roofing company will put a markup on the roof shingle prices and other materials as they have to cover their overheads. You can make a comparison of the prices quoted with actual prices in your area by doing a search on Internet. Most often the prices quoted are pretty reasonable. The roofing industry is very competitive and no roofer can quote exorbitant rates and get away with it.

If you are so concerned about the roof shingle prices and have the time and patience you can order the materials yourself and get the roofer to do the job of roofing and removing the old shingles. If you have a big enough truck you can also haul away the old and damaged shingles to the dump yard and pay the fee for its safe disposal. Make sure you are taking it to the designated landfill as the council has special locations for these. But, most home owners are too busy to do all these. Also, professional handle these things better than newbies.

How Much Is a New Roof Likely To Cost?

Roof Repair - Jan 08,2012 - No Comment

How much is a new roof going to cost you? It’s hard to tell without looking at your home or building, but there are some general factors that impact what the cost of a new roof is, and we’ll discuss them in this report.

1. Is this a new building or an older one where you need to replace the roof? With all other things being equal, a new roof on a new building will cost less than doing a re-roofing job on an existing construction. So how much is a new roof in a new building going to cost? A rule of thumb would be $200 per square, with other variables having an influence on this figure.

By the way, the reason older roofing costs more is because the cost of tearing down the worn out roof and disposing the waste is added on to the expense of laying a new roof.

2. The type of roof being installed will affect your cost. If I asked you how much a new car would cost, how can you answer?! It would depend upon the brand, make and model, as well as several other features. In the same way it is hard to say how much a new roof could cost because it depends upon the type of roof.

Whenever the slope is too steep, the cost of a new roof goes up. The type of material used for roofing will also affect your budget. Thicker shingles which are higher quality will cost more per square foot than cheaper alternatives.

3. What brand or manufacturer will you buy from? The better known brands of roofing supplies like GAF are a little more expensive because their quality is perceived well in the marketplace.

4. One more factor that affects how much is a new roof will be the method used to install the roof. With shingles, you have few options other than nailing them in. But for flat roofs there are many choices and some of them can save you a lot of cash. Just the choice of installation will have a spin off effect of saving you on materials and the other incidental expenses of laying a new roof.

5. Will your old roof be torn down, or is the new roof going to be laid over it? An overlay roof is less costly because you’re saving on the replacement cost of the older roof, as well as the expense involved in disposing off the waste.

6. Related roofing materials are an additional cost. Under-layment with felt, insulation material, framework, plastic sheets, plywood and other region-specific things that need to be used in strengthening or creating the support for your roof (some are mandated by laws and regulations) will affect the overall cost of your new roof.

7. A cluttered or busy roof is one more factor. If your roof has projections in the form of chimneys, vents, skylights and dormers, roofing it becomes more difficult. This affects how much is a new roof likely to cost.

8. Is your roof relatively smooth and level, or does it have multiple valleys and gutters intermixed with hips and crests? In the latter case, labor costs will be much higher.

9. The height of your building is one more factor because safety equipment and special instruments may be required while working on very tall buildings.

So the next time someone asks how much is a new roof likely to cost, you can smile and answer “It depends” – and then know the factors to list when called upon to elaborate.

Shingles Roofing – Important Points To Consider

Roof Shingles - Jan 05,2012 - No Comment

Shingles roofing is a economically viable and effective option when you decide to replace your old roofing. It happens that with time your old roofing suffers the ill effects of aging, gets damaged due to exposure to sun’s ultraviolet rays, cracks and warps due to the prolonged exposure to elements, get broken due impact, curls up as the glue comes off or gets blown away in strong winds or hurricane. Either you or your roofer has to take a call on roof repair or roof replacement. The first option is a lot cheaper but if you roof has lived out its life then replacement may be the way to go.

Once the decision to go in for shingles roofing has been taken in it is time to educate yourself. There are number of roofing terms and definitions that you need to know like hip, gable, dormer window, mansard, flashing, drip edge, underlayment, starter shingles, ice shield, ice dam, decking, plywood sheets, sheathing, felt, roofing nails, valley, ridge cap, ventilation, attic vents, ridge vents, 3-tab shingles, architectural shingles, laminated shingles, 3-dimensional shingles, roofing gutters and so on. Your roofer will be using these terms and it will helpful for you to know about these so, you are not all at sea.

There are other terms used in shingles roofing industry called square and bundle which you need to buy when you shopping for shingles. A roofing square is equal to 100 square feet and roofing shingles are sold in bundles. Each bundles usually has enough shingles to cover one roofing square. The bundles are packed so, a person can easily lift them. Heavier shingles are packed less in number in a bundle and 3-tab shingles are just enough to cover one square of roof. So, if you plan to purchase the heavier shingles like architectural shingles or laminated shingles you will need more bundles to a square. Also, with more complex features on the roof like chimneys, skylights, dormers etc you will need extra materials. You should also factor in wastage due to breakage or cracking while working with shingles.

You might be under the impression that the best brand or make of roofing shingles is the most important factor in a roofing durability. Yes, they are crucial factor but the more important point is installation of roofing. Bad installation can cut your roof’s life by several years. Faulty shingling can cause more damage to the roof. So, it is imperative that you choose the right roofing contractor who has years of experience, has the requisite expertise and training and who comes with right references. It is also important that the roofer follows all the norms and guidelines set down by the roofing manufacturer for installation of their roofing systems. Failing to follow them leads to voiding of the warranty. It means if your roof has any defects the maker might refuse to replace them.

Before installation it is important to plan a checklist of the tasks to be done and verify that the roofer is doing all that is required to be done like laying of starters, applying flashing around chimneys and valleys etc, installing the ice and water shield, overhang of the shingles overs the drip edges, ridge vents, installation of ridge caps and so on. You should be able to get a thorough checklist from any roofing website or experienced roofer. You don’t need to be a busy body and interfere in the work of the roofer but at the same ensure that they are doing a good job.

Roof Estimating Software – A Powerful Tool For Contractors

Roof Repair - Jan 03,2012 - 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.