Tag: Roofing Contractors - page 4

The exterior features of your home are super important to curb appeal.  Your homes roof contributes to forty percent of the overall look of your home.  When you are having a new roof installed it is important that you choose a wisely.  It is important to have a roof that protect the home for the long term and enhances the aesthetic value as well.

As a homeowner it is important to understand that a sound roof is the key to protecting your investment.  Proper roofing maintenance is crucial to ensure the longevity of your new roof.  Roofing contracts suggest regular roofing maintenance including: removing waste from gutters, repairing missing shingles, fixing leaks as they occur and regular checks to ensure a proper seal around flashing and roofing vents.

With proper maintenance, quality roofing materials and proper installation by a professional roofing contractor your homes new shingle roof can last upwards of twenty plus years.  When installing a new roof there are two options for homeowners: one is to install a new roof over the old one or tear off the old roofing and replace it entirely.  No matter what you choose it is a chance to update and change the exterior look of your home.

When you are considering a new roof there are a number of roofing materials to consider.  The most popular choice for homes here in the north are asphalt shingles and metal roofing but other materials including wood, tile and slate are also available.  Asphalt shingles are a relatively light and flexible option in roofing.  A fiberglass mat is covered in asphalt and then coated with colored mineral granules.  This helps to provide protection from damage from the sun’s rays.

Asphalt shingles also come in a number of styles including a standard three tab shingle, dimensional shingling and artisan crafted shingles.  Homeowners should consider the architectural style of the home before becoming set on a certain style.  It is important to look at your homes specific roof in regards to the surface area to be covered as well as the pitch and angle of the roof.  These factors will all help you determine what style shingle is best for the overall appearance of your home.

Another consideration is the color of the roof.  The roofs coloring should enhance and compliment the home’s exterior palette.  It should create a balance between the colors within the environment.  For instance a brick or stone home that already has a lot of dimension should opt for a subtle roof to enhance an already busy exterior element.

Home Pro Roofing contractors offer a variety of roofing services throughout Brighton, East Lansing, Ann Arbor, Fenton and Commerce Township, including installation of shingle roofs, metal roofing and roof repairs.  You will find them at http://www.homeproroofingmi.com today.

There are many deciding factors when choosing a new roof for your new or current home. A few of these not only look pleasing, but also too are cost, weight, and installation necessities. If building a home from scratch or choosing a roof for an existing home there are many of materials that you can choose from ranging from asphalt, wood, and even composite shingles such as slate, concrete, and clay tiles. Many people are most concerned with style but it is not the only important factor to include. A few other key points are shown below:

The Square

A term that roofing contractors use instead of talking in “square feet” they use is called squares. A square is the basic unit for measuring and is 100 square feet in a given area. For example if a home is 2,500 square feet it would consist of approximately 2,000 square feet of roofing area or by using this new term about 20 squares.

Cost

There are many of factors that will affect what the general cost of a roof will be. The beginning point would be the price on materials. Another factor that would affect cost would be the condition of the existing roof if has one at all. If remodeling a current home and the old materials have to be stripped off sometimes repairs need to be made to the supporting structure. The physical shape of the roof will also contribute to the cost. A house with no breaks in its planes like chimneys, skylights, intersecting rooflines or other structural enhancements will cost less than the house with the additions.

Materials

When deciding on materials, unfortunately not every kind can be used on each roof. Roofs with a flat or low slope may require different materials than one with a steeper pitch. Slate and tile can be very heavy and some homes will not have a structure that will be able to sustain them. Be sure to talk with your designer and get estimates for the job at hand. The most frequently used roof material is asphalt shingles. This is most likely because they are the least expensive choice and does not require as much skill to install. There are two configurations of these to choose from; the standard type and the laminated products. The standard cost half as much but the laminated are more appealing with a texture appearance.

Another choice of material is wood. Through history wood was the main choice and still a good option however fire codes sometime will forbid it. They are typically made form cedar, redwood, or southern pine and have life expectancy in 25- year range but are on pricier side, about double of asphalt shingles. Metal roofs made from aluminum, steel, copper- and- asphalt, and lead are among the most strong and yet very expensive of roof choices. A common style on Spanish Colonial and Mission styles use tile and cement which again is very durable, very heavy, and again a costly decision. Lastly, slate is a great choice and is not all the same and it will outlast the fasteners that hold it in place but will come at a very high price starting $800 a square.

Making a Choice

In most cases, if as person is doing a remodel on the home, the current roof material is the deciding factor of a roofs replacement. If wanting to decide a different material than the existing, keep in mind not only cost but color, weight, durability, texture or each option as well as what other homes in the area have chosen similar to yours.

Installation Notes

After making a decision on material, in most cases you will also need flashing. Flashing is a very important part of any exterior work on both a roof and siding. Flashing is made from metal or plastic film. It is installed in strips to areas where the materials are connected. The main reason for flashing is to keep structure watertight since water is most likely to leak through cracks wear the materials meet just a word of caution when using a contractor who relies on tar for joints.

Home Pro Roofing contractors offer a variety of roofing services throughout Brighton, East Lansing, Ann Arbor, Fenton and Commerce Township, including installation of shingle roofs, metal roofing and roof repairs.  You will find them at http://www.homeproroofingmi.com today.

Spring is the time many homeowners begin to consider all of the renovations that they hope to accomplish during the warm summer months.  If you are thinking about a new roof consider metal roofing.  In this installment on roofing for your home we will look into the advantages and disadvantages of metal roofing.

There are so many ways that metal roofing outweighs other conventional roofing materials from the expected life expectancy to fire resistance.

• Life Expectancy: When metal roofing is installed correctly by a professional roofing contractor should last as long as the house does.  Metal roofing installed properly seals out the water and endures high winds that other conventional roofing fails to do.  Metal roofing is also resistant to mildew, mold, fire, rot and insect infestation.  Most metal roofing suppliers will warranty their product for anywhere between twenty to fifty years.  The paint finish on a metal roof is most often under warranty for upwards of thirty years.
• Weight: The weight of a metal roof ranges between fifty to one hundred and fifty pounds per square foot. It is possible that your metal roof can be installed right over your old shingle roof without the roofing material being taken off or additional support being added.
• Installation: Metal roofing comes in multiple shingle sections or as large wide panels which make for easy installation by professional roofing contractors.  The process of installing a metal roof usually takes about two days less than it takes to install other conventional roofing materials.
• Fire Resistance: Metal roofing has a class A fire resistance rating because metal is a non-combustible material.
• Conduction: Metal reflects heat from the sun minimizing the amount of heat that enters or exits the house. Metal roofing is perfect for cooling the house in the summer while keeping heat in during the winter.
• Roof Pitch: Even roofs with the slightest roof pitch can be installed with metal roofing and still not present a potential for leaking.  The minimum pitch should be three inches of rise per twelve horizontal inches.
• Maximum Shedding: Metal roofing is designed to interlock which makes it resistant to rain and snow accumulation.  The hard, slippery surface allows the snow and rain to gently flow off the surface.

The drawbacks of metal roofing hardly outweigh the benefits but should be considered before investing in a new roof.  It is important to look into drawbacks such as cost, noise, denting and care.

Home Pro Roofing contractors offer a variety of roofing services throughout Brighton, East Lansing, Ann Arbor, Fenton and Commerce Township, including installation of shingle roofs, metal roofing and roof repairs.  You will find them at http://www.homeproroofingmi.com today.

There are a number of materials available for homeowners to use when installing a new roof.  From asphalt to synthetic there are a number of reasons for choosing one roofing material over another.  In this installment on roofing we will explore a number of universal materials that are popular within the industry along with the pros and cons of installation.

Asphalt Shingling  

Asphalt is the most commonly used material in roofing.  Roofing contractors choose asphalt shingles more often over other types of materials in new roof installation for a number of reasons.  Roofing contractors prefer asphalt shingles mainly because they are economical and easy to install.

Pros:  Asphalt shingles are available in a number of colors to choose from.  They are a widely available material that is inexpensive, easy to install and repair.

Cons: One of the disadvantages with using asphalt shingles is that they often have a shorter lifespan then other roofing counterparts.  The lifespan of asphalt shingles can range from ten years to twenty five years before it is necessary to consider replacement.

Home Styles:  Another major advantage of asphalt shingles is that they are appropriate to use on many different architectural home styles.

Cost and Life Span:  Asphalt shingling is one of the least expensive materials to install in roofing ranging from seventy to one hundred and twenty square feet.  With proper installation and maintained properly asphalt shingle roofs can last up to twenty five years.

Metal Roofing

Metal roofing is the second most popular roofing material due to its life expectancy and durability.  Roofs constructed using metal is more tolerant of extreme weather conditions.  Roofs made out of metal come in either panels or shingles.  They are made from metals such as aluminum, copper, stainless steel and zinc.

Pros: Metal roofing stands the test of time.  It is outlasts both asphalt shingling and wood while offering high solar reflective qualities.

Cons: The biggest thing metal roofing has going against it happens to be its cost.  Metal roofing can be more than double the cost of asphalt.

Cost and Life Span:  Metal roofing between one hundred and three hundred dollars per square foot although some styles have been known to cost upwards of eight hundred bucks per square foot.  The best thing about installing a metal roof is that they can last upwards of forty to seventy five years.

There are many types of materials to choose from in roofing however asphalt and metal are the most common materials seen on homes in the north.

Home Pro Roofing contractors offer a variety of roofing services throughout Brighton, East Lansing, Ann Arbor, Fenton and Commerce Township, including installation of shingle roofs, metal roofing and roof repairs.  You will find them at http://www.homeproroofingmi.com today.

Winter is here; fortunately for homeowners here in the north it isn’t too late to protect their roofs against the damage the season can bring.  Below is a simple guide for homeowners to follow in order to protect their roofs from damage while helping to lower overall energy bills.

One of the most important things that you can do for your home during the spring and fall seasons is to clean out the gutters around the home.  The gutters will take a thorough beating throughout the winter if accumulated debris builds up.   Not only will the gutters crack, split and start to peel away from the roof the winter weather can wreak havoc on the trim and siding because of damage being done to the homes gutters.

Gutters that become clogged are not effective in letting water runoff drain from the roof.  The most often resulting in ice dams which if left untreated can turn into leaks within the interior of the home.  It is crucial during the winter season that the gutters stay free of debris to allow the water to flow and divert the water away from the home protecting the home inside and out.

Debris doesn’t only wreak havoc with the homes gutter it also can cause damage to shingling.  Extra fall leaves left building up on the roof retain moisture and then will freeze and thaw throughout the season.  This process will eventually lead to cracking and a reduced life expectancy to the asphalt shingling on the roof.  It is important to trim trees that hang over the homes roof. The constant back and forth of branches scraping on the homes roof can lead to wear thus wearing away the materials that the roof is composed of.  This can lead to roof damage and leaks.

It is important that homeowners take time to repair damage to a home’s roof before the winter weather strikes.  Small cracks in shingling will only become extreme issues if left to go through the freeze, thaw, and melt cycle that occurs throughout the winter.  These issues turn from small, minor repair issues into expensive full roof replacements depending on the strength of the winter storms that occur throughout the season.

Another aspect of maintenance to perform on roofing before the winter season is in full swing is to re-caulk joints and flashing that is showing signs of wear.  These areas on a roof are already highly susceptible to leaking.  The winter weather adds another element of wear to an already fragile point on the roof.

Home Pro Roofing contractors offer a variety of roofing services throughout Brighton, East Lansing, Ann Arbor, Fenton and Commerce Township, including installation of shingle roofs, metal roofing and roof repairs.  You will find them at http://www.homeproroofingmi.com today.

It is important that homeowners don’t neglect the exterior of their homes during the winter season, especially the homes roof.  Winter weather is particularly hard on a home’s roof.  From heavy snow to ice dams there are many warning signs for homeowners to look for to prevent damage to the homes roof.  Small roofing problems can easily be repaired before they turn into an expensive new roof needing to be installed.  Continue reading for information on what you should be looking for to avoid winter roofing hassles.

Damage Ice Storms 

After your area has gone through the experience of an ice storm it important to have the homes roof inspected by a professional roofing contractor.  It is hard for the inexperienced eye to spot the damage that occurs from hail and ice but for a roofing contractor it is pretty evident.  Ice damage occurs in many forms including deep dimples in the roof surface, cracked shingles, loose asphalt granules and missing roofing aspects.

Ice Dams and Heavy Snow Buildup

Snow always appears so light and fluffy as it falls from the sky.  The reality however is that after snow has settled on your roof and had time to thaw from any temperature difference the melted snow is incredibly heavy.  This weight puts a great deal of pressure on the roof which can lead to pressure cracks and in turn leaks.  A similar concept occurs when snow melts and refreezes around the edge of the roof creating ice dams.  Water that would normally run off of the roof has nowhere to go and in turn continues to freeze along the edge.  This leads to weight damage on the roof or interior leaks.

Failing Flashing

Harsh winter weather is notorious for the damage that it does to the roofs flashing.  Flashing is the metal that is applied over the roof joints to help direct the flow of water.  It is also used around skylights, dormer windows, vents and such.  Although it is a durable material the winter weather can take a toll on it.  If flashing damage goes untreated homeowners can expect to experience leaks and interior water damage.

Winter weather varies a great deal from location to location.  Winters here in the north alone vary a great deal.  One day we are dealing with temperatures in the upper forties and the next we are experiencing two feet drifts of snow.  With this in mind it is important that homeowners get into a routine.  Roofing contractors can be hired to do bi-yearly screenings of your homes roof, during the spring and fall to pinpoint problem areas before they become bigger issues.  Homeowners should become familiar with their roofs as well in order to perform periodic checks for damage that is above and beyond normal wear and tear.

Home Pro Roofing contractors offer a variety of roofing services throughout Brighton, East Lansing, Ann Arbor, Fenton and Commerce Township, including installation of shingle roofs, metal roofing and roof repairs.  You will find them at http://www.homeproroofingmi.com today.

A popular material to use in roofing here in the north is asphalt shingles.  In this installment on roofing our contractors will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using composite shingles for your new or replacement roof.

Two types of shingles are available on the market, organic and fiberglass.  Fiberglass shingles are created with a bottom layer mat that is created out of glass fiber.  The mat is then coated with a mixture containing asphalt and mineral fillers to create a waterproof barrier. Fiberglass is more widely used because they offer excellent protection against fire.  Organic shingles on the other hand use a mat created from recycled paper, covered with asphalt and a top layer of bonding salt and ceramic granules implanted on the top.  Organic shingles are incredibly durable however highly flammable.

Shingles have many advantages over other materials used in roofing.  Shingle roofing is incredibly affordable.  It is comparatively inexpensive upfront and is the most affordable option in the short term.  When properly installed a shingle roof can offer a solid level of protection against a wide range of climates for at least twelve to fifteen years.

Even though shingle roofing is inexpensive does not mean that it lacks in variety.  The most common and cost effective is the three tab shingle followed by architectural and premium.  No matter what style your home is there is a shingle roofing option to complement and enhance the exterior.  Another benefit is the vast number of colors and patterns to choose from.  Shingle roofs can be used to create an alluring custom look that can greatly enhance the overall appeal of your home’s exterior.

Professional roof contractors appreciate the next benefit, ease of installation and repair.  Asphalt shingles are light weight and can be easily installed without requiring any added structural supports, special tools or without any major prep.

This isn’t to say that asphalt shingles are without fault.  Some disadvantages of having roofing contractors install asphalt roofing are:

• If the roof needs to be installed and temperatures fall below freezing shingles are more apt to be damaged.
• Asphalt damage can occur without proper attic ventilation.
• Extreme heat causes cracking and color loss in shingles.
• Bi-yearly maintenance and regular repairs are essential to ensure shingle roofing keeps its integrity.
• Asphalt shingles, for the most part, are not environmentally friendly.

Overall however shingle roofing is the most preferred material by roofing contractors to install on home in areas where the climate varies substantially between seasons.

Home Pro Roofing contractors offer a variety of roofing services throughout Brighton, East Lansing, Ann Arbor, Fenton and Commerce Township, including installation of shingle roofs, metal roofing and roof repairs.  You will find them at http://www.homeproroofingmi.com today.

Residential roofing contractors are encouraging more and more homeowners to consider metal roofing over other options in roofing such as asphalt shingles, clay tiles, slate, wood shingles and more.  Why you ask?

Advantages of Metal Roofing

• Durability – A metal roof can last upwards of forty to fifty years whereas homeowners can only get about twelve to fifteen years out of asphalt shingles. Metal roofing lasts. It maintains its integrity in aspects of both strength and appearance.
• Eco-Friendly – Metal roofing is the king of recycled roofing materials. At least twenty five percent of the contents in metal roofing come from recycled materials.   Metal roofing itself is one hundred percent recyclable when it is time for your homes roof to be replaced.
• Impact Resistance – Roofing needs to protect homes from damage that can occur due to weather. Metal roofing does just that.  In climates where the weather doesn’t only change between seasons, but also from day to day, can benefit from metal roofing.
• Fire Resistant – Metal roofing has a higher fireproof rating than any other material in roofing. Let’s face it metal is near impossible to set on fire.
• Energy Conservation – Reflective materials such as metal aid homeowners in helping to keep their homes interior cool when the air is running throughout the summer. Metal roofing will help you save on air conditioning bills.
• Steep Pitch –Metal roofing is ideal for all pitches and slopes that can be found on homes. From the steepest roof to the flattest roof metal roofing is ideal.  During the winter months snow easily glides off.

With all the benefits of metal roofing it is hard to imagine that all homeowners living where the climate changes don’t install metal roofs.  However, there are some drawbacks to purchasing metal roofing over other traditional materials available in roofing.

Drawbacks of Metal Roofing

• Cost – One major disadvantage of metal roofing is the cost. Up-front metal roofing is tremendously expensive in comparison to composite asphalt shingles.  Metal is a long lasting, heavy duty roofing solution however the initial investment could end up lasting longer than most homeowner’s desire.
• Noise – Many homeowners enjoy the pit-pat of rain on metal roofing but consider hearing it day after day. It is true that the peaceful sound or rain or hail can get a bit tiring after awhile especially for homeowners with sensitivity to sound.

When deciding between metal roofing and other options consider the above while also taking a long hard look at the exterior of your home.   Metal roofing enhances the exterior of almost all homes but perhaps to you aesthetically it just isn’t what you are looking for.  Only you as the homeowners will truly know if a metal roof is ideal for your home.

Home Pro Roofing contractors offer a variety of roofing services throughout Brighton, East Lansing, Ann Arbor, Fenton and Commerce Township, including installation of shingle roofs, metal roofing and roof repairs.  You will find them at http://www.homeproroofingmi.com today.

• What type of weight can your existing roof framing hold? Are you prepared to add special framing if the material you want to use outweighs the existing frame source?
• Is the material you are considering available in multiple colors and style that will ultimately compliment your home?
• Do the materials meet local area fire specifications?
• Are there special requirements in maintenance or installation to consider?
• Is the material good for the climate that the home is located in? Will it offer peak performance for the weather?  If you have changing seasons will it adjust to each?
• Also compare the material cost, life span, warranty, and labor expense; is one roofing material clearly better than all the rest?