Dec
31
Joseph Feross asked:
When you hear about tin roofs, you may think of the 1958 classic film “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof”. Even the title seems ridiculous-who has a tin roof anymore? Well, studies show that the use of tin and other metals as roofing material is becoming more and more popular even in 21st century America! There are numerous benefits of having a metal roof on your residential home, and after reading this article you may just want to go to your Dallas or Fort Worth roofer and ask about getting a tin roof put on your own home.
One of the main reasons metal roofs are becoming popular is their low price, at least for a tin roof. While some types of metal roofing could cost as much as $650 per 100 square feet (including the material and installation), tin is far cheaper. Being one of the cheapest metals available, buying yourself a tin roof could cost as little as $70 per 100 square feet (including the material an installation). That’s cheaper than any other roofing material by over 30%!
A misconception about a tin roof (as well as other types of metal) will sound much louder during a rain storm than some other materials. This is not true, and will in fact be no louder than other materials. This is because the metal is installed on top of felt and plywood which muffle the sound greatly.
Another huge benefit of a metal roof is their resistance to the elements. Unlike asphalt shingles or wooden shakes, tin roofs are impervious to mold. They can’t be damaged by insects either. Water and salt do not corrode tin, and it won’t crack or break like slate or clay. If left strictly to elemental damaging, a metal roof can last 40 years or more which is nearly twice as much as most other roofing materials. And that kind of durability means less calls to a Dallas roof repairman. So while certain metal roofing may cost a little more for a Fort Worth or Dallas roofer to install, you’ll save in the long run thanks to the low maintenance.
You may also consider it a plus that you can easily change your roof from whatever kind of material you roof may currently be made of to tin. Most metal roofing weighs less than 1.6 pounds per square foot. This is so light that you can easily install it right over your current asphalt shingles without risk of weight damage.
Metal roofs are especially becoming popular in the southern states for their reflective and insulation properties. Metal roofs reflect about 70% of all direct sunlight. That causes the house to be a lot cooler during the hot summer months so you can have your air conditions running at a lower temperature. And it’s insulation keeps the cool air from your air conditioner in the house, as well as warmth from your furnace during the cold weather. Both these make for less energy use, and lower electric bills.
So with all these benefits, why not make the change to a tin roof? You’ll save on electric bills, maintenance costs, and you don’t even need to tear up your current roof to make the change!
Collectable Kitchen Plates
When you hear about tin roofs, you may think of the 1958 classic film “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof”. Even the title seems ridiculous-who has a tin roof anymore? Well, studies show that the use of tin and other metals as roofing material is becoming more and more popular even in 21st century America! There are numerous benefits of having a metal roof on your residential home, and after reading this article you may just want to go to your Dallas or Fort Worth roofer and ask about getting a tin roof put on your own home.
One of the main reasons metal roofs are becoming popular is their low price, at least for a tin roof. While some types of metal roofing could cost as much as $650 per 100 square feet (including the material and installation), tin is far cheaper. Being one of the cheapest metals available, buying yourself a tin roof could cost as little as $70 per 100 square feet (including the material an installation). That’s cheaper than any other roofing material by over 30%!
A misconception about a tin roof (as well as other types of metal) will sound much louder during a rain storm than some other materials. This is not true, and will in fact be no louder than other materials. This is because the metal is installed on top of felt and plywood which muffle the sound greatly.
Another huge benefit of a metal roof is their resistance to the elements. Unlike asphalt shingles or wooden shakes, tin roofs are impervious to mold. They can’t be damaged by insects either. Water and salt do not corrode tin, and it won’t crack or break like slate or clay. If left strictly to elemental damaging, a metal roof can last 40 years or more which is nearly twice as much as most other roofing materials. And that kind of durability means less calls to a Dallas roof repairman. So while certain metal roofing may cost a little more for a Fort Worth or Dallas roofer to install, you’ll save in the long run thanks to the low maintenance.
You may also consider it a plus that you can easily change your roof from whatever kind of material you roof may currently be made of to tin. Most metal roofing weighs less than 1.6 pounds per square foot. This is so light that you can easily install it right over your current asphalt shingles without risk of weight damage.
Metal roofs are especially becoming popular in the southern states for their reflective and insulation properties. Metal roofs reflect about 70% of all direct sunlight. That causes the house to be a lot cooler during the hot summer months so you can have your air conditions running at a lower temperature. And it’s insulation keeps the cool air from your air conditioner in the house, as well as warmth from your furnace during the cold weather. Both these make for less energy use, and lower electric bills.
So with all these benefits, why not make the change to a tin roof? You’ll save on electric bills, maintenance costs, and you don’t even need to tear up your current roof to make the change!
Collectable Kitchen Plates
Dec
28
4 Good Reasons to Have a Roofing Contractor Roof Your Home in the Winter
Filed Under roofing | Comments Off
Josh Johnson asked:
If you live in an area of the country, such as Massachusetts, with harsh winters you might be wondering why anyone would consider roof replacement in the winter time. Well, it’s not as uncommon as you might think. Many roofing contractors offer their services year round even in cold and snowy regions like Massachusetts, which is where I’m from. Roofing Massachusetts homes during the winter is no different for a roofing contractor than doing it any other time of the year, with a few exception, and some roofing contractors and there crews even say that they prefer it. First let’s go over what makes roofing more difficult this time of year and the arguments against having a new roof installed right now.
It’s too cold outside for a roof replacement.
This argument just doesn’t hold any water. It may be cold out now but who cares? Your roof doesn’t care. The crew installing your roof doesn’t care. Don’t worry about the guys doing the installation. If the cold weather bothered them that much they wouldn’t be up there installing your new roof in the first place, they would be working an indoor job. I know a lot of guys that prefer roofing in cold weather just because it is cold. Try roofing a black roof in the middle of the Summer. Lots of fun, let me tell ya. In the Summer if it is 90 degrees on the ground it feels like 110 degrees up on that roof (and sometimes is).
There is too much snow on my roof to have it replaced right now.
This, my friend, is why God created snow shovels. It is really not a big deal to shovel the snow off of a roof. It usually takes a half-hour to an hour to remove the snow and most roofing contractors don’t even charge you extra for this as long as they are there to replace the roof and not just shovel snow (a service which many roofing companies provide in the North East). Does the crew need to be careful while doing this to avoid falling? Of course. However, the crew needs to be careful in every regard when it comes to roofing a house, this is nothing new. These guys are professionals and safety should always comes first, and does always come first with a responsible roofing company.
Alright, I just gave you 2 reasons why many people think roofing shouldn’t be done in the winter and why they aren’t really very good reasons at all. Now let me give you the 4 best reasons you should consider having your roof replaced this time of year.
1.) Ice dams causing leaks.
The winter time in Massachusetts tests your home and roof in ways unlike any other time of year. The most common cause of roof leaks during the winter is the dreaded ice dam. An ice dam is formed over the eaves of a house from built up snow melting and running down the roof only to refreeze at the very edge of the roof line. Here in Massachusetts, as well as other cold climate areas, roofing contractors use a product called “ice & water barrier” together with proper drip-edge flashing techniques to prevent ice dams from damaging your home and causing leaks. This technique, when done properly, provides added protection for at least 3 feet up from all edges of the roof. Many older roofs do not have “ice & water barrier” installed. If your roof is leaking because of ice dams this could be a great time to have the roof redone properly and insure that ice dams will not be bothering you and your home again.
2.) Winter conditions, in general, make a bad roof worse.
If you had a bad roof before winter hit it is only going to be in worse shape once spring arrives. There are many factors that adversely affect your roof in the cold weather. I already discussed ice dams but there’s more. During the winter as the temperature fluctuates it makes your shingles expand and contract causing curling and cracking in older shingles. Now let’s say some of your old roof shingles curl a bit, then you get a nice wet, heavy snow and the weight of the snow causes some of those curled shingles to crack. Now you have a potential new roof leak. Also, when that wet, heavy snow then freezes it will possibly cause even more damage to your old roof shingles. The thawing and refreezing that occurs throughout the winter time is nothing but bad for old shingles. Old roofs hate the cold winters.
3.) Faster service on your new roof installation.
It’s a simple fact that Massachusetts roofing contractors, and roofing contractors in general, are not as busy during the winter. What this means for a homeowner needing a new roof is that the roof contractor you choose might be able to install your new roofing in a matter of days from the time that you sign the contract as opposed to waiting weeks, or even months sometimes, if you hold off until the spring, summer, and fall months. For many homeowners this reason alone should be enough to have your roof done in the winter time.
4.) Save money by taking advantage of a slow time of year for roofers.
Who doesn’t want to save as much money as possible especially when it comes to an expensive home improvement project such as re-roofing. For the same reasons that you may be able to receive faster installation service on a new roof from a roofing contractor during the winter, you will also probably receive a better price than you would during the warmer months. Most professional roof installers will provide you with the same labor warranty for a roof installed in winter time as a roof installed any other time of year. The material warranty is provided by the shingle manufacturer and will be the same regardless of what season the roof was installed. Roofing contractors want to keep their crews busy and will give you a better price just to avoid having to lay off employees during the winter slowdown.
So what are you waiting for? If you have a house with an older roof that needs replacing get in touch with a local roofing contractor and find out for yourself why roofing Massachusetts homes or a home in any other area is a perfectly viable option in the winter time and often a bargain!
Pine Scented Candles
If you live in an area of the country, such as Massachusetts, with harsh winters you might be wondering why anyone would consider roof replacement in the winter time. Well, it’s not as uncommon as you might think. Many roofing contractors offer their services year round even in cold and snowy regions like Massachusetts, which is where I’m from. Roofing Massachusetts homes during the winter is no different for a roofing contractor than doing it any other time of the year, with a few exception, and some roofing contractors and there crews even say that they prefer it. First let’s go over what makes roofing more difficult this time of year and the arguments against having a new roof installed right now.
It’s too cold outside for a roof replacement.
This argument just doesn’t hold any water. It may be cold out now but who cares? Your roof doesn’t care. The crew installing your roof doesn’t care. Don’t worry about the guys doing the installation. If the cold weather bothered them that much they wouldn’t be up there installing your new roof in the first place, they would be working an indoor job. I know a lot of guys that prefer roofing in cold weather just because it is cold. Try roofing a black roof in the middle of the Summer. Lots of fun, let me tell ya. In the Summer if it is 90 degrees on the ground it feels like 110 degrees up on that roof (and sometimes is).
There is too much snow on my roof to have it replaced right now.
This, my friend, is why God created snow shovels. It is really not a big deal to shovel the snow off of a roof. It usually takes a half-hour to an hour to remove the snow and most roofing contractors don’t even charge you extra for this as long as they are there to replace the roof and not just shovel snow (a service which many roofing companies provide in the North East). Does the crew need to be careful while doing this to avoid falling? Of course. However, the crew needs to be careful in every regard when it comes to roofing a house, this is nothing new. These guys are professionals and safety should always comes first, and does always come first with a responsible roofing company.
Alright, I just gave you 2 reasons why many people think roofing shouldn’t be done in the winter and why they aren’t really very good reasons at all. Now let me give you the 4 best reasons you should consider having your roof replaced this time of year.
1.) Ice dams causing leaks.
The winter time in Massachusetts tests your home and roof in ways unlike any other time of year. The most common cause of roof leaks during the winter is the dreaded ice dam. An ice dam is formed over the eaves of a house from built up snow melting and running down the roof only to refreeze at the very edge of the roof line. Here in Massachusetts, as well as other cold climate areas, roofing contractors use a product called “ice & water barrier” together with proper drip-edge flashing techniques to prevent ice dams from damaging your home and causing leaks. This technique, when done properly, provides added protection for at least 3 feet up from all edges of the roof. Many older roofs do not have “ice & water barrier” installed. If your roof is leaking because of ice dams this could be a great time to have the roof redone properly and insure that ice dams will not be bothering you and your home again.
2.) Winter conditions, in general, make a bad roof worse.
If you had a bad roof before winter hit it is only going to be in worse shape once spring arrives. There are many factors that adversely affect your roof in the cold weather. I already discussed ice dams but there’s more. During the winter as the temperature fluctuates it makes your shingles expand and contract causing curling and cracking in older shingles. Now let’s say some of your old roof shingles curl a bit, then you get a nice wet, heavy snow and the weight of the snow causes some of those curled shingles to crack. Now you have a potential new roof leak. Also, when that wet, heavy snow then freezes it will possibly cause even more damage to your old roof shingles. The thawing and refreezing that occurs throughout the winter time is nothing but bad for old shingles. Old roofs hate the cold winters.
3.) Faster service on your new roof installation.
It’s a simple fact that Massachusetts roofing contractors, and roofing contractors in general, are not as busy during the winter. What this means for a homeowner needing a new roof is that the roof contractor you choose might be able to install your new roofing in a matter of days from the time that you sign the contract as opposed to waiting weeks, or even months sometimes, if you hold off until the spring, summer, and fall months. For many homeowners this reason alone should be enough to have your roof done in the winter time.
4.) Save money by taking advantage of a slow time of year for roofers.
Who doesn’t want to save as much money as possible especially when it comes to an expensive home improvement project such as re-roofing. For the same reasons that you may be able to receive faster installation service on a new roof from a roofing contractor during the winter, you will also probably receive a better price than you would during the warmer months. Most professional roof installers will provide you with the same labor warranty for a roof installed in winter time as a roof installed any other time of year. The material warranty is provided by the shingle manufacturer and will be the same regardless of what season the roof was installed. Roofing contractors want to keep their crews busy and will give you a better price just to avoid having to lay off employees during the winter slowdown.
So what are you waiting for? If you have a house with an older roof that needs replacing get in touch with a local roofing contractor and find out for yourself why roofing Massachusetts homes or a home in any other area is a perfectly viable option in the winter time and often a bargain!
Pine Scented Candles
Dec
26
What company has the longest warranties on roofing, windows, and siding of any company in the United States?
Filed Under roofing | Comments Off
Dan asked:
When it comes to warranties, both material and labor. What company has the longest warranties of any company in the United States for roofing, windows, and siding.
You are right. Home Depot does not install slate. But we do offer Lifetime warrantee on material and 20 year on labor warrantee.
Triple Scented Jar Candles
When it comes to warranties, both material and labor. What company has the longest warranties of any company in the United States for roofing, windows, and siding.
You are right. Home Depot does not install slate. But we do offer Lifetime warrantee on material and 20 year on labor warrantee.
Triple Scented Jar Candles
Dec
23
How to replace low-slope metal roofing?
Filed Under roofing | Comments Off
JTT Properties asked:
I am purchasing a home that has 3 low sloped metal roofs. One over the front porch, one over the back, and one over an addition. The addition and the back porch are leaking and i would like to replace all three of them. The slope is probably 3or4:12.
I am purchasing a home that has 3 low sloped metal roofs. One over the front porch, one over the back, and one over an addition. The addition and the back porch are leaking and i would like to replace all three of them. The slope is probably 3or4:12.
Any websites or advice would be greatly appreciated.
I have done traditional shingle roofing in the past, but was under the impression that this slope was too low for it.
Ande Fishing Rods
Dec
20
What is that roofing material thats like a 6″ wide tape that’s like thin coat of black tar on aluminum foil?
Filed Under roofing | Comments Off
halenstone2 asked:
It’s sold in rolls. I’ve seen it 4″, 6″, and 12″ wide. It’s like a 1/8″ thick sticky black tar on aluminum foil.
It’s sold in rolls. I’ve seen it 4″, 6″, and 12″ wide. It’s like a 1/8″ thick sticky black tar on aluminum foil.
They sell it at roofing material stores and some lumber stores.
Thanks.
Painted Kitchen Cabinets
Dec
20
Roofing: Under the Shingles - What’s Under the Asphalt, Metal, Wood, Rubber Or Clay Tiles on a Roof?
Filed Under roofing | Comments Off
Eric Gilbert asked:
Imagine, you’re standing on the sidewalk, looking at an average house. You see the siding, the windows, the front door, and way up above, you see the roof. Does the roof have asphalt shingles? Wood shakes perhaps? Maybe it’s made of metal or rubber tiles? What you see is where the focus goes, but it’s what you don’t see that really matters. There’s more to roofing than meets the eye. So let’s talk about what goes on, under the shingles.
The Roof Deck
We learn to crawl before we walk, so when talking about roofing let’s start with square one, the surface area of your roof which is made of wood. Your wood roof deck is comparable to an automobiles metal body. It is installed on top of the basic house frame to give a surface area on which to install Shingles. Without a roof deck installed on your house, there would be nowhere to install your Shingles. And of course without the shingles, your roof deck would rot away due to exposure to the sun, rain, snow and ice and etc…not a comfortable home at all!
On Newer Houses, sheets of plywood or OSB boards are fastened on top of wooden trusses in your attic to form the roof deck. Plywood or OSB boards are installed in a staggered formation with small spaces between them to allow wood to expand and contract as the wood heats in the summer and cools in the winter. Older homes often have lengths of 2″ x 6″ installed instead of plywood or OSB board. When the time comes for you to replace your Roof System, remember to have your Calgary Roofing Contractor replace any and all damaged wood.
Remember, if your roof deck is rotting or damaged in any way, people walking on your roof could potentially crack or break through the wood, causing further damage to the roof system, such as to the shingles…and to the person who walked on it! However, most roof decks can withstand a little bit of exposure to water or ice before it needs to be replaced.
Metal: Drip Edge and Rake Edge
Drip edge and Rake edge is the first part of the Roof System to be installed. It is a long and narrow piece of metal which is installed along each end of your Roof Deck, ie: along the eaves trough and along the gable ends.
Some area local building codes require the installation of Drip Edge and Rake Edge and other building codes do not. Check with your local city building offices to find out. In Alberta for example, the Building Code does not require the installation of Drip edge or Rake edge. Therefore many new homes and/or low budget roof systems do not have drip edge installed in order to allow for more affordable roof prices. We recommend however that Drip edge and Rake edge be installed on every Roof System, no exceptions.
Drip and Rake edge is available in a variety of different colors and sizes and can be custom built for the needs of your roof system. Installing an appropriate drip edge often saves hundreds and sometimes even thousands of dollars when your roof system needs replaced.
If your Roof System does not currently have drip or rake edge installed, do not panic, you’ll survive well enough. Just be aware that when your roof needs to be replaced, the Roofing Contractor you may need to replace some of your wood Roof Deck on an as needed basis.
Metal: Chimneys and Skylights
Arguably the most important part of every complete roof system. The metal installed in the valleys, chimneys and skylights take the brunt of water flow on every roof. Poorly installed, a brand new roof system can make a waterfall out of your living room.
Every chimney and skylight needs what is referred to as “a back pan”, which consists of sheet metal folded at around a 90 degree angle (depending on the slope of your roof) and tucks under the shingles and up under the siding, stucco or counter flashing on the chimney or skylight. Every back pan needs a small 2” section of metal sticking out 1” or more from either side of the chimney or skylight to divert water away from the corners. Water should hit the metal back pan and be directed away on either side where it can continue its run into the eaves trough.
Metal: Valleys
In the same way water runs along the valleys between two mountains, water runs along the valleys on your roof peaks. Valleys generally receive the highest concentration of water flowing through them, therefore installing them correctly is extremely important!
As mentioned in the Leak Barrier section, valleys have leak barriers installed underneath them. Even though some Building Codes do not require such a leak barrier to be installed, we recommend installing one always in every valley.
A word of caution: Many roofing contractors install valleys in a style referred to as ‘closed’. A closed valley consists of Shingles woven inside the valley, as opposed to an ‘open’ valley which has sheet metal running from top to bottom. Both the ‘open’ and the ‘closed’ style of installation are acceptable by the most Building Codes and by most manufacturers, however, the ‘open’ style installation has consistently out performed the ‘closed’ style…and costs exactly the same price to install. Ask your Roofing Contractor to use the ‘open’ style of installation for your roofs valleys, this could save you from having to replace your roof system prematurely and also can avoid headaches in the long run. Typically, an ‘open’ valley is installed with a 30 gauge sheet metal, 4′ wide, coming in 10′ sheets. This metal can be ordered in any color to match the shingles on your roof system.
Leak Barrier
Think of a leak barrier as a “second layer” of protection for your Roof Deck. A backup plan, if you will, and also a protection against moisture build up. Leak barriers are nearly always installed on top of the Drip Edge and Rake Edge metal along eaves trough areas, gable areas and valleys because of the risk these areas pose for leaks, ice build up, shingle deterioration and water back flow.
If you’ve ever looked at your roof during winter, you’ll notice how ice and snow builds up along the length of your eaves troughs and inside the roof valleys. As with Rake Edge and Drip Edge, some Building codes require Leak Barriers to be installed and some Building Codes do not. In Alberta, the Building Code requires a leak Barrier to be installed on all eaves trough and valley areas of a Roof Systems because of issues related to such snow and ice build up. As an optional upgrade, some high end roof systems even have leak barriers installed on top of the entire Roof Deck (as opposed to only along the special areas we just mentioned) where normally a standard Roof Deck Protection would normally have been installed.
Virtually all roofs in Calgary, Alberta have leak barriers installed, and many different types of leak barriers are available in today’s market, each offering a different level of reliability, functionality and warrantee and produced by many different manufacturers.
Choosing an appropriate Leak Barrier and installing it properly is an important step in every Roof System. Speak with your Roofing Contractor to learn more about leak barriers, how to choose the right one and how to choose a Professional Roofing Contractor to install it.
Roof Deck Protection
Roof Deck Protection is very similar to a Leak Barrier. The difference is that Roof Deck Protection is installed on the entire Roof Deck area instead of only on “special areas” as we mention in the Leak Barrier section.
Typically, Roof Deck Protection is a step lower in quality than a Leak Barrier. As with Leak Barriers however, there are many different types of Roof Deck Protection available to choose from ranging from basic felt/tar paper to advanced plastic woven sheets of rip and wrinkle proof material. Choosing a reliable Roof Deck Protection is an important part of a quality Roof System.
A word of caution; most roofing companies use felt paper as Roof Deck Protection. Although using felt paper is a standard and acceptable practice, some issues can arise if the felt paper becomes wet during or after the installation. Ever notice how paper tends to curl when it dries after it was wet? In a similar way, felt paper can curl if water or excess moisture touches it. For this reason, and because the cost is quite small, we recommend installing a higher quality Roof Deck Protection such as a GAF/ELK Deck Armour. For a relatively small additional cost, you’ll be rewarded with a much more reliable Roof Deck Protection.
Ask your local trusted Roofing Contractor about which under-layer would be best for your Roof System any why.
Conclusion
So there it is, life beneath the shingles. See how much goes on behind the scenes? Professional roofing contractors know this stuff inside and out and can help immensely in ensuring a roof system is reliable for many years. Product suppliers such as GAF/Elk and IKO can help answer specific questions about products as well.
All the best with your roofing project, and remember, be proactive, make educated decisions.
Vinyl Log Siding
Imagine, you’re standing on the sidewalk, looking at an average house. You see the siding, the windows, the front door, and way up above, you see the roof. Does the roof have asphalt shingles? Wood shakes perhaps? Maybe it’s made of metal or rubber tiles? What you see is where the focus goes, but it’s what you don’t see that really matters. There’s more to roofing than meets the eye. So let’s talk about what goes on, under the shingles.
The Roof Deck
We learn to crawl before we walk, so when talking about roofing let’s start with square one, the surface area of your roof which is made of wood. Your wood roof deck is comparable to an automobiles metal body. It is installed on top of the basic house frame to give a surface area on which to install Shingles. Without a roof deck installed on your house, there would be nowhere to install your Shingles. And of course without the shingles, your roof deck would rot away due to exposure to the sun, rain, snow and ice and etc…not a comfortable home at all!
On Newer Houses, sheets of plywood or OSB boards are fastened on top of wooden trusses in your attic to form the roof deck. Plywood or OSB boards are installed in a staggered formation with small spaces between them to allow wood to expand and contract as the wood heats in the summer and cools in the winter. Older homes often have lengths of 2″ x 6″ installed instead of plywood or OSB board. When the time comes for you to replace your Roof System, remember to have your Calgary Roofing Contractor replace any and all damaged wood.
Remember, if your roof deck is rotting or damaged in any way, people walking on your roof could potentially crack or break through the wood, causing further damage to the roof system, such as to the shingles…and to the person who walked on it! However, most roof decks can withstand a little bit of exposure to water or ice before it needs to be replaced.
Metal: Drip Edge and Rake Edge
Drip edge and Rake edge is the first part of the Roof System to be installed. It is a long and narrow piece of metal which is installed along each end of your Roof Deck, ie: along the eaves trough and along the gable ends.
Some area local building codes require the installation of Drip Edge and Rake Edge and other building codes do not. Check with your local city building offices to find out. In Alberta for example, the Building Code does not require the installation of Drip edge or Rake edge. Therefore many new homes and/or low budget roof systems do not have drip edge installed in order to allow for more affordable roof prices. We recommend however that Drip edge and Rake edge be installed on every Roof System, no exceptions.
Drip and Rake edge is available in a variety of different colors and sizes and can be custom built for the needs of your roof system. Installing an appropriate drip edge often saves hundreds and sometimes even thousands of dollars when your roof system needs replaced.
If your Roof System does not currently have drip or rake edge installed, do not panic, you’ll survive well enough. Just be aware that when your roof needs to be replaced, the Roofing Contractor you may need to replace some of your wood Roof Deck on an as needed basis.
Metal: Chimneys and Skylights
Arguably the most important part of every complete roof system. The metal installed in the valleys, chimneys and skylights take the brunt of water flow on every roof. Poorly installed, a brand new roof system can make a waterfall out of your living room.
Every chimney and skylight needs what is referred to as “a back pan”, which consists of sheet metal folded at around a 90 degree angle (depending on the slope of your roof) and tucks under the shingles and up under the siding, stucco or counter flashing on the chimney or skylight. Every back pan needs a small 2” section of metal sticking out 1” or more from either side of the chimney or skylight to divert water away from the corners. Water should hit the metal back pan and be directed away on either side where it can continue its run into the eaves trough.
Metal: Valleys
In the same way water runs along the valleys between two mountains, water runs along the valleys on your roof peaks. Valleys generally receive the highest concentration of water flowing through them, therefore installing them correctly is extremely important!
As mentioned in the Leak Barrier section, valleys have leak barriers installed underneath them. Even though some Building Codes do not require such a leak barrier to be installed, we recommend installing one always in every valley.
A word of caution: Many roofing contractors install valleys in a style referred to as ‘closed’. A closed valley consists of Shingles woven inside the valley, as opposed to an ‘open’ valley which has sheet metal running from top to bottom. Both the ‘open’ and the ‘closed’ style of installation are acceptable by the most Building Codes and by most manufacturers, however, the ‘open’ style installation has consistently out performed the ‘closed’ style…and costs exactly the same price to install. Ask your Roofing Contractor to use the ‘open’ style of installation for your roofs valleys, this could save you from having to replace your roof system prematurely and also can avoid headaches in the long run. Typically, an ‘open’ valley is installed with a 30 gauge sheet metal, 4′ wide, coming in 10′ sheets. This metal can be ordered in any color to match the shingles on your roof system.
Leak Barrier
Think of a leak barrier as a “second layer” of protection for your Roof Deck. A backup plan, if you will, and also a protection against moisture build up. Leak barriers are nearly always installed on top of the Drip Edge and Rake Edge metal along eaves trough areas, gable areas and valleys because of the risk these areas pose for leaks, ice build up, shingle deterioration and water back flow.
If you’ve ever looked at your roof during winter, you’ll notice how ice and snow builds up along the length of your eaves troughs and inside the roof valleys. As with Rake Edge and Drip Edge, some Building codes require Leak Barriers to be installed and some Building Codes do not. In Alberta, the Building Code requires a leak Barrier to be installed on all eaves trough and valley areas of a Roof Systems because of issues related to such snow and ice build up. As an optional upgrade, some high end roof systems even have leak barriers installed on top of the entire Roof Deck (as opposed to only along the special areas we just mentioned) where normally a standard Roof Deck Protection would normally have been installed.
Virtually all roofs in Calgary, Alberta have leak barriers installed, and many different types of leak barriers are available in today’s market, each offering a different level of reliability, functionality and warrantee and produced by many different manufacturers.
Choosing an appropriate Leak Barrier and installing it properly is an important step in every Roof System. Speak with your Roofing Contractor to learn more about leak barriers, how to choose the right one and how to choose a Professional Roofing Contractor to install it.
Roof Deck Protection
Roof Deck Protection is very similar to a Leak Barrier. The difference is that Roof Deck Protection is installed on the entire Roof Deck area instead of only on “special areas” as we mention in the Leak Barrier section.
Typically, Roof Deck Protection is a step lower in quality than a Leak Barrier. As with Leak Barriers however, there are many different types of Roof Deck Protection available to choose from ranging from basic felt/tar paper to advanced plastic woven sheets of rip and wrinkle proof material. Choosing a reliable Roof Deck Protection is an important part of a quality Roof System.
A word of caution; most roofing companies use felt paper as Roof Deck Protection. Although using felt paper is a standard and acceptable practice, some issues can arise if the felt paper becomes wet during or after the installation. Ever notice how paper tends to curl when it dries after it was wet? In a similar way, felt paper can curl if water or excess moisture touches it. For this reason, and because the cost is quite small, we recommend installing a higher quality Roof Deck Protection such as a GAF/ELK Deck Armour. For a relatively small additional cost, you’ll be rewarded with a much more reliable Roof Deck Protection.
Ask your local trusted Roofing Contractor about which under-layer would be best for your Roof System any why.
Conclusion
So there it is, life beneath the shingles. See how much goes on behind the scenes? Professional roofing contractors know this stuff inside and out and can help immensely in ensuring a roof system is reliable for many years. Product suppliers such as GAF/Elk and IKO can help answer specific questions about products as well.
All the best with your roofing project, and remember, be proactive, make educated decisions.
Vinyl Log Siding
Dec
16
Roof Maintenance – What About Asphalt Shingle Maintenance?
Filed Under roofing | Comments Off
Chris Smitts asked:
Roof maintenance is something many people forget to do, but can be an important part of the upkeep of a home. There are several steps that you should go through before and during the maintenance of a roof, but these differ depending on the material it’s made of. In this article, we’ll go over how to clean and maintain an asphalt shingle roof.
The first thing you’ll want to do in any roof maintenance job is clean debris from the roof. This can be anything that has built up behind HVAC units, pitch pans or pipes, and other penetrations of the roof. Since this debris tends to soak up water, and water is one of the leading causes of deterioration of the roof (especially in roofs that are primarily asphalt), you’ll want to do this two or maybe three times a year.
If the roof is collecting moss and algae, zinc control or lead control strips should be installed. All the flashings should be checked for holes, and algae and moss should be removed. If there are any shingle tabs that are loose, a little roofing cement can be dabbed under either side to secure them. Damaged or broken shingles should be removed and replaced.
Keeping gutters debris free is an important part of roof maintenance, and is necessary for proper water flow control, and pour water down the downspouts to ensure that they are functioning correctly. If there are tree branches overhanging, they should be trimmed to prevent debris from falling on the roof.
Open valley metal should be checked for rust, and if there is rust then it should be wire brushed away, and then the metal should be primed and painted. Caulking and sealants should be checked, and if any is cracked or damaged it should be scraped away and re-applied. If you have a brick and mortar chimney, check the mortar on the sides and on top, and if it is damaged it can be repaired by a mason.
Roof maintenance is often a simple matter of knowing how the weather affects your home. If you have asphalt shingles that can be damaged over time, a periodic checkup and some mild repair work is likely all that is necessary.
Keeping up with your roof can help you find problems before they work their way into your home and cause you even more stress (not to mention money) than if you took care of them outside . . .
Find out more by reading the full article which explains what you need to know about roof maintenance.
Bamboo Water Fountains
Roof maintenance is something many people forget to do, but can be an important part of the upkeep of a home. There are several steps that you should go through before and during the maintenance of a roof, but these differ depending on the material it’s made of. In this article, we’ll go over how to clean and maintain an asphalt shingle roof.
The first thing you’ll want to do in any roof maintenance job is clean debris from the roof. This can be anything that has built up behind HVAC units, pitch pans or pipes, and other penetrations of the roof. Since this debris tends to soak up water, and water is one of the leading causes of deterioration of the roof (especially in roofs that are primarily asphalt), you’ll want to do this two or maybe three times a year.
If the roof is collecting moss and algae, zinc control or lead control strips should be installed. All the flashings should be checked for holes, and algae and moss should be removed. If there are any shingle tabs that are loose, a little roofing cement can be dabbed under either side to secure them. Damaged or broken shingles should be removed and replaced.
Keeping gutters debris free is an important part of roof maintenance, and is necessary for proper water flow control, and pour water down the downspouts to ensure that they are functioning correctly. If there are tree branches overhanging, they should be trimmed to prevent debris from falling on the roof.
Open valley metal should be checked for rust, and if there is rust then it should be wire brushed away, and then the metal should be primed and painted. Caulking and sealants should be checked, and if any is cracked or damaged it should be scraped away and re-applied. If you have a brick and mortar chimney, check the mortar on the sides and on top, and if it is damaged it can be repaired by a mason.
Roof maintenance is often a simple matter of knowing how the weather affects your home. If you have asphalt shingles that can be damaged over time, a periodic checkup and some mild repair work is likely all that is necessary.
Keeping up with your roof can help you find problems before they work their way into your home and cause you even more stress (not to mention money) than if you took care of them outside . . .
Find out more by reading the full article which explains what you need to know about roof maintenance.
Bamboo Water Fountains
Dec
15
To roofing contractors: how much difference is there between a 15lb felt, 30lb felt, and/or water+ice shield?
Filed Under roofing | Comments Off
dlee_theman asked:
I am re-doing my roof with a roofing contractor, but I’m not sure what are the best options available. I want to know if a 15lb felt can do the same as a 30lb felt or a water and ice shield. Or, is one option better than another? How effective is a water and ice shield? What is the best, yet cheapest option?
Used Vending Machines
I am re-doing my roof with a roofing contractor, but I’m not sure what are the best options available. I want to know if a 15lb felt can do the same as a 30lb felt or a water and ice shield. Or, is one option better than another? How effective is a water and ice shield? What is the best, yet cheapest option?
Used Vending Machines
Dec
4
Liquid Roof-features and Applications
Filed Under roofing | Comments Off
Webmaster liquidroof asked:
EPDM liquid rubber or liquid roof has a successful long history and superior repute in hoses, molded products, roof leaks repair, tires and roofing membranes. No doubt it is a product which is worth to use for roofing problems. It has many distinguishing features, characteristics and applications which makes it prominent among other roof coatings. This article is specially written with the aim of providing a complete insight to this remarkable product. Its composition, properties both physical and chemical along with its applications will be discussed in detail.
Liquid roof is a true EPDM rubber in liquid form. Therefore it possesses all the characteristics and features that are typical of EPDM coatings. Chemically Liquid Roof is a liquid elastometric copolymer rubber, based on a low molecular weight terpolymer of Ethylene and Propylene with a pendant group of Dicyclopentadiene. The cure mechanism of liquid epdm is determined by temperature and varies from active to inactive. Faster cures and slow cures over extended periods of time result in identical physical properties. Broad day-night temperature swings in spring and fall will not compromise the final physical properties of the Liquid Rubber Membrane.
The physical properties of liquid roof are countless. They combine all the benefits of EPDM rubber roofing with the flexibility of using a liquid. Liquid roof coatings are better than many the sheet form coatings commonly used in the roofing industry. It is highly waterproof and therefore is highly resistant to water penetration. It is highly elastic and has the capability of tolerating a very high temperature range i.e. from 300 degrees F to minus 62 degrees F. It is also very strongly resistant to many chemicals; acids, alkalis and polar solvents. It is also ozone and UV stable. Also it is highly reflective which gives it an upper hand over many other non reflective roof coatings because when applied over the roofs it delivers a cooling effect, decreasing cooling costs to a great extent. It is a very durable product and if properly applied, it can greatly increase the life of existing roof materials (particularly roof coatings) and reduce the amount of torn-off roofing waste going into landfills. Its weaknesses include oils, fats and waxes will swell the polymer.
Liquid rubber when applied over a cracked surface not only fills cracks and crevices but will produce an even film penetrating even the smallest cracks and irregularities. The slow curing and non-polar nature of EPDM Liquid Rubber give it outstanding surface wetting properties. This surface wetting feature enables the product to be applied in a single coat over non porous surfaces and still result in complete film integrity.
Liquid roof is highly adhesive in nature and its adhesion increases over time. Polar surfaces such as metal, concrete and wood result in stronger adhesion than non-polar surfaces such as asphalts and single ply EPDM sheet. It is compatible with a large number of surfaces like metal, rubber, fiberglass, concrete, fabric and foam. Liquid roof can be applied with a paint brush, roller or squeegee. It is a one coat application product that results in saving both time and money. It is available in colors like white, black and custom colors. Custom colors are available for orders over 100 gallons.
There are tremendous applications and uses of liquid roof. It is an ideal coating for various forms of roof repair like RV roof repair, metal roof repair, and many more. Liquid roof sticks to the entire types of facades- canvas, plywood, suds, cement, mass rubber, customized roofing, additional roof coverings, strengthen, timber, top tiles, genuine tiles and solids. It is also employed for coating the roofs of newly constructed buildings. It can also be used over decks, pool liners, underground room waterproofing, and channels. Liquid epdm rubber also provides protection to the concrete surfaces of fountains and fish ponds against both the fresh and salt water. Its nontoxic nature and safety for the fishes makes it best for waterproofing pond liners.
Liquid roof, no doubt, is among the best roof coatings available in the market.
Kitchen Decor Themes
EPDM liquid rubber or liquid roof has a successful long history and superior repute in hoses, molded products, roof leaks repair, tires and roofing membranes. No doubt it is a product which is worth to use for roofing problems. It has many distinguishing features, characteristics and applications which makes it prominent among other roof coatings. This article is specially written with the aim of providing a complete insight to this remarkable product. Its composition, properties both physical and chemical along with its applications will be discussed in detail.
Liquid roof is a true EPDM rubber in liquid form. Therefore it possesses all the characteristics and features that are typical of EPDM coatings. Chemically Liquid Roof is a liquid elastometric copolymer rubber, based on a low molecular weight terpolymer of Ethylene and Propylene with a pendant group of Dicyclopentadiene. The cure mechanism of liquid epdm is determined by temperature and varies from active to inactive. Faster cures and slow cures over extended periods of time result in identical physical properties. Broad day-night temperature swings in spring and fall will not compromise the final physical properties of the Liquid Rubber Membrane.
The physical properties of liquid roof are countless. They combine all the benefits of EPDM rubber roofing with the flexibility of using a liquid. Liquid roof coatings are better than many the sheet form coatings commonly used in the roofing industry. It is highly waterproof and therefore is highly resistant to water penetration. It is highly elastic and has the capability of tolerating a very high temperature range i.e. from 300 degrees F to minus 62 degrees F. It is also very strongly resistant to many chemicals; acids, alkalis and polar solvents. It is also ozone and UV stable. Also it is highly reflective which gives it an upper hand over many other non reflective roof coatings because when applied over the roofs it delivers a cooling effect, decreasing cooling costs to a great extent. It is a very durable product and if properly applied, it can greatly increase the life of existing roof materials (particularly roof coatings) and reduce the amount of torn-off roofing waste going into landfills. Its weaknesses include oils, fats and waxes will swell the polymer.
Liquid rubber when applied over a cracked surface not only fills cracks and crevices but will produce an even film penetrating even the smallest cracks and irregularities. The slow curing and non-polar nature of EPDM Liquid Rubber give it outstanding surface wetting properties. This surface wetting feature enables the product to be applied in a single coat over non porous surfaces and still result in complete film integrity.
Liquid roof is highly adhesive in nature and its adhesion increases over time. Polar surfaces such as metal, concrete and wood result in stronger adhesion than non-polar surfaces such as asphalts and single ply EPDM sheet. It is compatible with a large number of surfaces like metal, rubber, fiberglass, concrete, fabric and foam. Liquid roof can be applied with a paint brush, roller or squeegee. It is a one coat application product that results in saving both time and money. It is available in colors like white, black and custom colors. Custom colors are available for orders over 100 gallons.
There are tremendous applications and uses of liquid roof. It is an ideal coating for various forms of roof repair like RV roof repair, metal roof repair, and many more. Liquid roof sticks to the entire types of facades- canvas, plywood, suds, cement, mass rubber, customized roofing, additional roof coverings, strengthen, timber, top tiles, genuine tiles and solids. It is also employed for coating the roofs of newly constructed buildings. It can also be used over decks, pool liners, underground room waterproofing, and channels. Liquid epdm rubber also provides protection to the concrete surfaces of fountains and fish ponds against both the fresh and salt water. Its nontoxic nature and safety for the fishes makes it best for waterproofing pond liners.
Liquid roof, no doubt, is among the best roof coatings available in the market.
Kitchen Decor Themes