What Are Roof Shingles?

Roof Shingles - Mar 23,2010 - No Comment

Roofs are usually covered by roofing materials called roof shingles which are generally placed side by side to overlap and cover the whole top of the house. Normally roof shingles referred to wood which was the most commonly used roofing material for a long time. But, now we have a wide array of products used to make roof shingles like asbestos, composite, cement, asphalt and even metals. Wood is just one of the choices. The roofing shingles are rectangular and are placed row-wise starting from the bottom of the roof. As you go up the shingles are always placed with overlap on all sides. A lot of overlap is the most important lesson to be learnt in roof installations. This way misture and water can’t get through the top layer of roof into the underlayment and down into home below.

At the top of the roof, at the ridges roofers used to place metal caps made of copper or zinc. But, this used to stand out and mar the appearance of the homes though they performed an important task of preventing leaks into the home. But, today modified shingles with plastic backing are available which placed in place of metal roof caps perfrom the same task without damaging the homes appearance in any sense.

Asphalt, wood, cement, slate, metal are just a few choices when it comes to roofing shingles choices. Rated for fire resistance, wind resistance and imapct resistance these shingles come with variety of standards. As each state and local area have their own standards and requirements for safety you have a choice to pick the products that comply with your local council requirements. These standards have been arrived at with the safety of the citizens and community in mind. It is best to follow these stands for your own safety and security.

Wood and paper based shingles are largely out of favor now because they pose a serious fire hazard. The risk of accidental fires is high with these materials which can destroy life and property. Some manufacturers do offer wood that has been coated and impregenated with fire proof materials which makes is quite safe to use. If they meet the fire safety standards of your area then you can use this type of shingles.

Wood shingles are protected by natural oils in their cellulose structure. As the years go by and it is constantly exposed to sun, the oils get softened and leach out when it rains. This gradually corrodes the wood. Where this is more water flow there is more erosion which can be seen in valleys and gutters of the roofing area. Eventually, when oils get washed out the wood starts to rot, warp and curl. The nails underneath get exposed and rusted. This causes the water to seep through and leaks are detected on the underside.

While wood has its natural oil, asphalt has long chain hydrocarbons which keeps the asphalt protected. The sun and rain over long period of time cause the breakdown of this bonds and eventual shrinking damage to the asphalt shingles.

In the United States the most popular roof shingles are the asphalt roof shingles which are made by sandwiching asphalt between layers of fiberglass. This is safer when it comes to fire. It is affordable and durable. It is also easy to install. They are many different brands of asphalt roofing shingles to choose from. The wide array of colors, textures and designs make this one of most sought after shingles. Different asphalt based shingles have different

Roof Calculator – Make An Accurate Assessment Of Roofing Needs

Roof Repair - Mar 20,2010 - No Comment

A roof calculator makes life’s easy for homeowners when they need to find out how much roofing material they need in order repair or replace their roofs. Roofing has take into consideration lot of factors and not including in your calculations will lead to erroneous conclusions.

If you check out the online roof calculator applications you will find that they have many simple set of boxes to fill in. You need to enter the details after measuring the roof and arriving at the area. To calculate the area of the roof you need to reduce the complex roof pattern into simple squares, rectangles and triangles. Using simple area formulas calculate the areas of individual components. The total area is the sum of the all these components.

Once you enter the area the script in the application will automatically make the calculations and let you know how many bundles of shingles you need for the roof. If you are planning to put roofing felt then the calculator will also let you know the number of rolls you need for this.

Let’s investigate how this system works in a little more detail. The area is presented in squares. One square is 100 square feet. Each shingle bundle will cover about a third of a square. So, you will need three shingle bundles per square. For 10 you will need 30 shingle bundles. The roof calculator gives you this information. Roofing felt is available in rolls of 3 width by 36 feet length and will cover one square.

Even if the roof calculator gives only a rough estimate of the cost of roofing it is still better than shooting in the dark. If you just get into repairing or replacing an old roof with out any idea about costs you might run serious trouble with finances particularly if you overrun the budget you had in mind. If you are sure about the costs and how many shingles you need then contact an expert.

People with experience will be able to guide you. If your friends or neighbors have had their roofs replaced or repaired then seeking help from this another option. You can also fill roof estimate forms on websites with this facility. You get clarity in your thinking by asking for help on discussion boards and forums related roofing, home construction and other DIY forums. The Internet is a vast resource and you can tap into it to get as much information as you want.

Also, professional contractors will get more discounts on materials than you as an individual buyer. As regular buyers of shingles and other roofing materials they build a relationship with the wholesalers and retailers and get special prices which may be much lower than what you will get. If they pass on even a part of the savings you might be able to employ for just a little bit more than what you pay in material costs alone. So, the estimates you get with your roof calculator will be of great help in making these decisions.

Roofing Material Estimate – What Is The REAL Cost of Your Roof?

Roof Repair - Mar 15,2010 - No Comment

A roofing material estimate will help determine the cost of a installing a new roof or repairing an old one. It will be also helpful when you need to replace an existing old roof. With the help of the estimated cost you can determine how to budget your resources in order to lay a new roof.

It’s important to know that there are avenues open to you when it comes to roof replacement. You can either replace only the surface of the roof or the entire roof and its underlying base. The first option is undoubtedly easy and less expensive. But, the second option is advised if the underlying surface is either damaged or if you have implemented the first option before. It may be time now to change the whole roof.

Once you have decided on either option, it doesn’t mean you have to call in contractors to start laying the roof. You need to do some homework and get the roofing material estimate. When you are researching you will be able to gather information that will stand in good stead when you call in the experts later to get to the next step. If you are ignorant of important information concerning roofs and material costs and your needs you may be taken for a ride.

In order to asses whether you need to replace the roof an visual assessment is important. Are they any damp spots on the wall close to the ceiling or the ceiling itself. Is the paint peeling off? Are they any stains or bulges on the roof or ceiling? If there is discoloration of the roof or you see your wall paper peeling off, it may be time to replace the roof sooner than later.

Another point to consider is the cost of maintaining the current roof. All roofs need maintenance and this needs to be kept in mind. But, if the cost of maintaining the present roof seems to be more than roofing material estimate and cost of laying the new roof then it is time to change the old one.

The third point to think about is if the roofing shingles are older than 20 years, especially the asphalt shingles then it’s future is limited and it may be better to get roofing material estimate and fix up a new roof then trying to prolong the older roof’s life by repairing it in bits and pieces.

Here is another option for people who are still in two minds and can’t make up their mind about whether to repair the old roof or replace it. Get two roofing material estimates quotes from roofing contractors – one for repair and one for replacement. When the repair cost is higher than you don’t have to think too much and can go in for replacement.

It’s time to gather information about different types of roofing materials, the cost of laying, the roof type suitable for your local weather conditions and so on. Once these are decided you can make your own roofing material estimate from information available on the Internet or pick up the phone and talk to a few retailers and wholesalers to get an ideas about the costs involved.

Get advice from roofing contractors, building experts and friends or neighbors who have recently replaced or repair their roofs. Make a final call only after getting all the information you can from different sources.

It’s time to choose a roofing contractor. The same people who helped earlier in your research can be your sources for getting recommendations on the best roofers in your area. Get at least 3 quotes for roofing material costs and cost of laying the roof and whatever other cost involved. With the help of a roofing calculator compare the prices given in the quotes with the information you have collected. Evaluate the pros and cons of each quote and contractor. Choose the best of the lot who does the job for reasonable rates and is licensed to work on roofs.

If you follow the above steps you should be able to do an effective roofing material estimate and costing of the roof. This will help you plan better in either replacing or repairing your roof.

Metal Roof Estimate – Pick From Several Choices

Roof Repair - Mar 04,2010 - No Comment

It helps to get a metal roof estimate if you planning for metal roof. The choices available are varied and many. Unless, you get an estimate you will be left wondering if you made the right choice. There are choices of heavy or light metal roofs. Choose from rust-proof roofs, ordinary roofs, maintenance free metal roofs and roofs that need a little care. Unlike other type of roofs metal roofs last a long time around 50 years or more, they are resistant fire and water. The cost of the roof will depend on the color, type and material selected.

Metal roofs are available in a wide range and this makes them suitable for any type of building in any type of weather and local conditions. These roofs are highly reflective and deflect two thirds of the heat away from the building. This is a definite plus point when choosing metal roofs for buildings which need cooling as the energy savings will be substantial. A metal roof estimate will help you determine the cost of this roof against other types and weight against an estimate of the savings on energy bills.

Metal roofs can be recycled and so it is the first choice of the environment conscious consumers. No trees need to be cut when making these roofs and when the time comes to replace it the metal in the roof can be reused.

Here is an estimate of different types of metal roofs:

Aluminum is a light-weight and rust-proof metal and highly suitable for coastal areas. It is a great alternative to roofing shingles. This can be used to replace roofing shingles without any major structural changes. The metal is highly malleable and can be adapted to any irregularities in roof. The metal roof estimate of aluminum is around $10 per square foot.

Steel metal roofs are strong and resistant to corrosion when coated with zinc or aluminum. Galvalume is the name of such steel. This can be painted in a color of your choice. It lasts for several years and almost maintenance free. It is a light-weight material and easy to install. It is strong and stable roof and suitable for a variety of buildings including commercial and residential ones. Steel metal roof estimate is slightly less than aluminum and costs about $9.50 per square foot.

Copper is another metal that is highly popular for roofs. But, it is an expensive choice. Metal roof estimate for copper is around $20 dollar per square foot. It is suitable for expensive homes located near the sea. The copper over time acquires a greenish hue due to oxidation. It is a low on maintenance and high on strength. It lasts more than a 100 years.

The question now arises – which metal roof is best? All the metals are comparable when it comes to performance and strength. They are long-lasting, light-weight, give years of service and low-maintenance. Based on your budget and your needs, a suitable metallic roof can be selected.

The above metal roof estimate and costs mentioned are based on figures from the around the country. It might vary from place to place. But, it can be used as rough guide and used to negotiate prices or check if rates are not too high.

Roof Coating – A Critical Element of Waterproofing Your Roof

Roof Shingles - Dec 29,2009 - No Comment

Roof coating is very essential and convenient, as they provide the much needed waterproofing and protection barrier against moisture and leakage that your roof surface requires. A good roof coating offers great shield for your roof whether it is made of metal, wood, or concrete. As applying these coating materials can be accomplished by painting with a brush, spraying them on, laying or spreading them on roof flat surface, or even troweling them on for a much thicker coating.

There are varieties of roof coating materials available on the market today that caters to every types or kinds of roofing surface such as metal roof coating, asphalt roof coating, membrane and shingle roof coating, and more. All of these roofing materials for coating are very effective and efficient for any specific types or kinds of roofing, as they provide great barrier and protection against any weather condition and the elements.

Some coating materials are efficient and convenient, as they can make any home cooler during the summer and warmer during the winter seasons. In addition, these types of roof coating greatly lower your homeâs electric bills by reducing or minimizing the utilization of air condition.

Before purchasing roof coating materials or hire a professional contractor to work on coating your roof, there are a few things that you should consider first to determine if the coating materials you are eyeing is good. Like finding out how long the roof coating material will last, is the coating material appropriate for the architectural design, shape, and style of the roofing structure, and how much it will going to costs you to procure and install the roof coating material. You should bear in mind to choose the coating material that works great for roof pitch combining with great cost, style and longevity.

In applying roof coating material on your roof, primer is required, as the type of primer greatly depends on the type of roof coating material and the roof location, as well as it helps the roof coating stick firmly on the roof surface. For example, for asphalt roof coating, an asphalt primer is required. Acrylic roof, metal roof, and concrete roof likewise need primer; on the other hand primer is not required for cool tar roofs. It is also advisable to properly clean the roof membrane surface before applying on the primer. In addition, make sure that the primer dries first before applying the coating material.

Roof repairs should also be considered and recommended prior to applying the primer and roof coating material, such as repairing cracks, taking care of loose screws, patching roof tears, and other roof damages. Roofs are constantly subjected to an array of temperature conditions, from the subfreezing degrees during winter to intense heat during summer seasons, as around 70 degrees is the ideal temperature for applying roof coating. Preferably coating material should be applied on a clear sunny day in the afternoon, although, there are some roof coating products that are designed to set and cure even in much wetter or colder temperatures.

EPDM Rubber Roofing – Waterproofing Your Roof Was Never This Easy!

Roof Shingles - Dec 15,2009 - No Comment

EPDM rubber is a type of rubber roofing material that is efficient and effective in providing waterproofing on flat surfaces of roofs. Ethylene propylene diene monomer or EPDM rubber is a thermoset roofing membrane material, as it is the most commonly used roofing material that is basically derived from natural gases and oil.

EPDM rubber roofing is widely popular in construction for residential and commercial applications alike. This type of roofing material has been widely utilized for more than 40 years and at present, there are about more than a billion of square feet of EPDM rubber roofing material installed every year. And because of recycling laws, EPDM rubber are mostly reused or recycled in order to keep the material out of existing landfills.

When installing EPDM rubber roofing, you have two choices to consider, the whole rubber roofing system and the shingled rubber roofing system. In whole rubber roofing system, a single EPDM rubber sheet or membrane is spread or installed whole without any seams or cut that covers the entire roof surface.

While in shingled rubber roofing system utilizes layered EPDM rubber roof shingles like other layered roofing shingles that basically provide a protective barrier against moisture and leaks between the elements and the house roofing. Although, the whole rubber roofing system is much more convenient than the shingled rubber roofing system, they however are both economical and dependable options for commercial and residential rubber roofing applications, as they are likewise durable, efficient, and very flexible that can withstand any weather condition.

Among the most popular and widely used synthetic rubber due to its high-density, durability, flexibility, and wide applications range are ethylene propylene diene monometer or EPDM rubbers. Other synthetic rubber types are silicone rubber, acrylic rubber, nitrile rubber, butadiene rubber, fluoroelastomers, and butyl rubber, just to name a few.

EPDM rubber is a great roofing material since it is considered to be the most water resistant compared to all synthetic rubber types and their utilization is not only limited to roofing and construction, as EPDM rubber material is also much in demand in automotive and mechanical goods applications.

EPDM rubber is employed in many applications such as in electrical insulations, tubing and hoses, radiators, RV roofing, gaskets and seals, washing machine belts, and a lot more. The advantages and benefits of EPDM rubber in many applications includes excellent steam resistance, great resistance to ozone, weather, and heat, excellent electrical properties, compatibility with most alkalis, cold and hot water, hydraulic fluids and ketones, and so much more.

Being very versatile and among the fastest growing synthetic rubber polymers, EPDM rubbers demands for various applications are undeniably great. However, compared to other roofing materials used these days, EPDM rubber roofing are not that really attractive to look at. In addition, rubbers are likewise prone to cracks and shrinkages due to various temperature changes and improper drainage that can cause leakages or failures in the long run.

Roof Repair Estimate – Your Simple Guide To Analyzing Costs

Roof Repair - Dec 10,2009 - No Comment

A roof repair estimate can give some home-owners gray hair! The process of trying to figure out how much a roof repair will cost can seem complex, messy and inaccurate. But it doesn’t have to be. You can easily estimate the cost to replace roof decking or shingles if you follow a process.

If you follow recommendations of national associations such as the NRCA, you must be inspecting your roof for wear and tear twice a year. If you notice any, then depending upon the severity of the damage, you may require minor repairs or major re-working or even replacement of the broken roof. A roof repair estimate can help you assess the cost you will incur and also help you plan out a way to afford it or come up with enough money.

The first step in making a roof repair estimate is to compute your roof’s area. This can be difficult to do if your roof is of an unusual shape, while it is easy with square or rectangular roofing. Once you’ve calculated the area in square feet, you must convert it into a metric called ‘squares’ by diving the figure by 100.

Next you must identify the quantity of roof decking. The area of your roof, when divided by 32, will give you an estimate of how many plywood sheets you will require. Knowing how much plywood costs per sheet or plank, you can now calculate the roof repair estimate for your roof.

Another element to estimate is labor. This cost will vary from place to place, and even at different periods of time. You must find out how much labor costs are in your area, and then multiply that by the number of man-hours you figure it will take to finish your roof repair. Adding the two costs together, you will get a ballpark figure for roof repairs.

Once you have a roof repair estimate, you must take the next step and contact a licensed contractor about carrying out the repairs. They will be able to guide you on whether or not a repair is a better option than a full replacement, which is usually reserved for severe damage or for roofs that are older than 20 years.

To make sure you are not cheated by an unscrupulous contractor, you may want to seek out at least 3 different opinions from reputable builders (ask for referrals). That way you will be more certain of any recommendations. If all the 3 experts say the same thing (or agree on certain fundamentals), then you can move ahead more confidently.

Emergency Roof Repair – What To Do When Disaster Threatens?

Roof Repair - Dec 02,2009 - No Comment

Emergency roof repair can be a scary situation. The roof is perhaps the most essential part of your home and acquiring damage to this important part of your home requires prompt action. Emergency roof repair is basically a temporary solution for your roofing problems like leaks and tear. Since the roof is constantly hampered by various weather and the elements, it is really unavoidable that it may incur damage in the long run.

If your roof has suffered or acquired damage due to storm or hurricane damage, tornado like situations, hail, heavy rains, or just because itâs already too old, emergency roof repair is always necessary. As extreme weather condition is basically the most often reasons why you need emergency roof repair, as proper care and planning should be considered in the place and time to start your roof repair.

If emergency roof repair is warranted, the task should be left in the hands of experienced emergency repair roofing contractors or skilled roofers in order to appropriately address your roofing problems. In addition, it is well recommended to wane down first the extreme weather outside until the situation is perfect to initiate an emergency roof repair rather than fixing the damage right away, as you might be doing more damage and harm to the roof than repairing it. Likewise, the tendency to be swept away by the strong winds, slippage, or even being struck by lightning is great.

The installation or setting-up an emergency roof repair tarp will be your temporary measure in reducing or minimizing excessive rain water damage to your home âs interior, as placing an emergency tarp can help reduce rebuilding costs and overall recovery. Repairing any roof damage or roof leaks with an emergency tarp is best short-term solution, as it will greatly help to prevent and avoid future damage cause by rain water to your roof and home interior.

Before installing the emergency tarp, an inspection of the roof should be done first prior to starting the emergency roof repair and it must be made under favorable weather conditions and lighting.

During rainstorms and heavy downpours, it is fairly tough and challenging to fix the roof damage or roof leaks. However, you can temporarily stop the roof leakage and avoid further damage inside you home interior by employing an emergency repair roof leaks utilizing a good quality tarp. Since it is basically difficult and hard to pinpoint the exact location of the leak, a good quality tarp is often the fastest and best emergency roof repair solution, as it can completely cover the leaking area or section of your roof.

Other good materials employed for doing an emergency roof repair aside from a good quality tarp includes rubber sheets, patches, sealants, and duck tape. These emergency roof repair materials stops and patches the roof leaks for the time being in order to do permanent repair and maintenance at a later date and time by a professional roofer. Moreover, when hiring an experienced roofing contractor to make emergency roof repair, be certain that they are fully qualified, reliable, insured and licensed. Likewise, they should be able to reach your home within a short time period and are available at any time.