Popular Asphalt Shingling

Asphalt is a popular roofing material throughout Michigan.   The advantages of asphalt shingle roofing are plenty maintenance, installation, look, cost and weight.  Below you will find details regarding the ever popular asphalt shingle from the view point of a professional roofing contractor.
Let us begin with the ease of maintenance.  Several types of roofing materials require constant maintaining to keep up their attractive appearance.  This is not the case with asphalt shingles.  They are easy and hassle free to maintain and can be easily repaired if damage.

One benefit for roofing contractors is the ease at which asphalt shingles install onto a home’s roof.  They are without a doubt the easiest type of roofing material to install on the market today. They are easy to install because they are super flexible, sturdy and are compatible with many different roof shapes and designs.

The look of asphalt shingles is also one of the major advantages of that this roofing material possesses. They come in many different textures and colors it makes things look much more consistent when replacing them as they become damaged.

Of course the cost of shingles is a major advantage.  They are relatively inexpensive to purchase and have installed in comparison to metal roofing or a variety of other roofing materials. This is the case because it is an easy material for manufactures to produce.

One final advantage that many people find when considering asphalt shingles is the fact that they are lightweight. This is important because some structures are not meant to hold the weight of heavier roofing materials such as metal, slate or clay.

These are just a few of the many advantageous that come along with asphalt roofing.  If you have questions or are looking to replace your roof contact a local roofing professional. They will come out to your home, evaluate the current state of your roof, structure and material and give you an estimate on repairing your roof or replacing the entire roof.

Winter Roof Repairs: Problems To Look Out For

The time is upon on us when we start to think about how the snow, ice and winter winds affect the exterior of our homes, leaving a mess of roof repairs in our futures.  To avoid expensive roof damages to your home this winter it is important to be aware of common roof issues that arise in the winter. The sooner an issue is fixed after it arises the more money and time you will save yourself in expensive repairs.

The first issue that is prevalent in winter is developing a leak where the flashing or drains are located. If your roof is on a slop you may notice a leak at the flashing as well.  The best way to combat leaks is with maintenance and an inspection prior to the winter weather.  Homeowners can hire a roofing contractor to come out and do a maintenance check on the roof.  They will inspect flashing, drains and vents to ensure that the roofing is sealed down properly and nothing is loose or coming up that would allow water to seep underneath the shingles.

Another thing to look for when it comes to your roof is structural damage.  This can happen so gradually that you don’t even realize damage has been done until it is too late. That is why it is so important to inspect the roof regularly so that you are familiar with changes.  When ice or snow builds up on your roof it keeps the heat from efficiently heating your home this is why it is so important that a professional inspects the roof to ensure you have plenty of properly ventilation spots throughout the attic.  Proper roofing and attic ventilation can eliminate structural damage to the roofing structure of your home.

The last issue to address when it comes to winter roof repair is ice damming. Ice damming is the problem that exists when water freezes along the roof line and in the gutters.  The problem is when the ice starts to melt and the water is not able to properly drain.  This leaves the water searching for a place to go which inevitably is under the shingle roofing which causes major damage. Keeping the ice from occurring is the best way to stop this issue and can be done using a roof rake.

A regular inspection of your roof will have you avoiding major expenses and roof repairs down the road.  Becoming aware of common issues and consequence that arise with harsh winters can prevent minor inconveniences from turning into major catastrophes.

Bring Winter On With A Roof Free Of Damage

Michigan homeowners cannot anticipate what the winter weather will bring.  Some are predicting warm and mild while others are predicting we will pay for the warm and mild winter we had last year.  While we can’t predict the weather on thing we can do is prepare for it.

It is important to realize the importance of having roofing contractors come out to the home and inspect the roof.  The gutters should be checked for clogs as well as proper soffit ventilation to prevent ice from building up and freezing in the gutters as well as dagger icicles. This will prevent damage to your roof and gutters as well as improve the energy efficiency of your heating system.
Call us for a winter inspection today.  The temperatures keep dropping. We service and repair metal roofs as well as being expert shingle roofing contractors.

Okemos 517-349-3144
Brighton 810-225-9080
Rochester Hills 248-852-5170
Farmington Hills 248-324-5733

A Roofing Contractor Can Ensure You Have The Quality Roof You Need

Roofing is an important part of keeping up your home. Rain and snow storms can wreak havoc on the rooftops of your home, so it is a good idea to contact a Roofing Contractor when you want to shore it up or conduct maintenance and repair. Shingle Roofing Contractors can diagnose any problem you may have with your roofing, provide you with an immediate quote, and conduct the need work.

Roofs are designed to keep the elements out of your home. Over time, however, those same elements can eat away at the material structure of your roof and comprise it. To avoid the risks associated with this natural process it is a good idea to hire experts who can come in and do the work necessary to get your roof in good shape.

Of course, some people may think of doing the job themselves. But you already lead such a busy life, why add such maintenance to the list of things to do? Besides, in the case of roofing especially, safety is important. Not everyone is qualified to spend hours working on a roof; and you don't want to risk life and limb doing a job that can be done by qualified professionals.

Rather than trying to do it yourself or avoid it all together you should look for a roofing contractor who can come in and take of your roofing needs, and do so at a reasonable price. Using the services of a shingle roofing contractor is an effective way to restore your roof to an acceptable condition. Hiring a roofing contractor can help you get the service and results you need to keep your roof in top condition.

Fortunately, it is not difficult to find such vendors in the Michigan area. You can begin your search on the worldwide web. The web allows you to bring all of the vendors that do roofing to your computer screen. You will be able to browse through each firm and compare price and value. This is an important part in deciding which professional cleaning service you want to work with. The web also enables you to find out the reputation of the service you're think of using. Past performance is the best predictor of future performance. And the roofing contractor service that has a proven record of high customer satisfaction is the one most likely to meet your needs and expectations.

You can call a roofing contractor anytime to get the work you need done efficiently and effectively. Avoid the chance of your roof leaking from the fierce wind and rain storms of the fall and winter. Call the experts who can come out and ensure that you have the roofing that you need to be safe and secure in your own home. If you have not had roofing done in some time, you may want to think about doing it in the next few months. Delaying won't work. Get the work you need done now, and get it done at a price you can afford.

Choosing The Best Roofing Material For Your Climate

When it comes to replacing your homes roof the first decision usually is regarding the type of roofing material that will be used.  This article will give you tips on different materials you can choose from for your new roof to ensure you get something long lasting and durable that will stand the test of time.

The first consideration to make when choosing a material to use for your roof is the temperature and climate that you live in.  If you live in a place where the climate is mostly hot asphalt shingles will not hold up well whereas a variable climate with four seasons they are one of the most durable options.  The other nice thing is that asphalt shingling comes are offered in a variety of grades that also come with warranties to back them.  This is something you will want to look into with the roofing contractor that you hire to install the new roof.

Another thing to consider when choosing material for your roof is how you might make your home more energy efficient and eco friendly.  One option that lends itself to energy efficiency and eco friendly is wood shakes.  Wood shakes are a material that will help hold the heat in your home.  While this feature is attractive one con to consider is the durability and fact you will do much maintenance and have more roofs replaced when using this material.  No matter what material you use make sure that you examine the how environmentally friendly the material used is along with the roofing contractor.  

If you live in an area where heat is extreme and insects are an issue a good choice in roofing material for your home is clay tile.  Tile roofing is often a pricier option and can be difficult to install because the tiles break easily.  Clay tiles though are considered environmentally friendly and are otherwise an incredibly durable option for homes where freezing temperatures are not an issue.  

If you are looking for a low maintenance, easy to maintain, long lasting option in roofing consider a metal roof.  This option is costly however the benefit is that your roof is basically maintenance free and last two times longer than traditional asphalt shingling.  Once metal roofing is installed it will be a long time before you need to worry about it again. This material also holds up well in a mixed climate and can handle drastic changes in temperature. 

Make sure you take into consideration the look and style of the home when choosing roofing material options as well.  Color is another thing to consider with the style of your home and roofing material choice you make.  Shingles come in a variety of colors as well as architecturally deep textures and layered looks.  Metal roofing comes in a few colors and the selection is growing as the popularity of the product continues to grow.  The main goal is to make sure you are informed about the materials being installed on your roof in regards to maintenance, upkeep and long term product and labor warranties.  An informed consumer is the best kind of consumer.

Hiring A Professional Saves Time and Money In The Long Run

When it comes to building a new home or having home improvements done on your home it is important to research before you jump into the project.  This also refers to project on the exterior of the home such as the roof.  Whether you are putting on the homes first roof or replacing an existing roof you will want to educate yourself fully on the process.  This way if you realize that there is much more involved than you thought, you can save time and money and hire a professional roofing contractor.  

You may ask why it is important to have a well-constructed roof installed.  Is it really that important to the home?  Yes, the roof is the most important component of your home.  Without care and proper installation homes can experience water damage or a variety of other issues.  A new shingle roof, installed by a professional will cost you more than doing it yourself however without proper knowledge homeowners can easily forget valuable steps in installing the roof in order to save some money upfront.  Consider that if an error is made to have it fixed is sometimes more costly than having it done by a professional from the start. However if you are set on going it alone here are some steps to follow.

·         If you are replacing an old roof remove the asphalt shingles.  Much has been written about leaving the old shingles on the roof and applying the new roof on top of it.  This is not necessarily the best option.  When you strip away the layer of shingles you are able to assess the condition of the current foundation before adding on shingles. 

·         When looking at the roof foundation check the plywood out and look specifically for any water damage that may have occurred.  Any damage should be repaired by replacing the affected boards and applying all new materials for the damaged section of roof.

·         Examine the drip edges that are in place on the current roof.  If there aren’t any to be found install them, if the ones installed are in rough shape replace them.  They need to be place all along the roof line including on the bottom and sides of the roof.  They can easily be kept in place with roofing nails.

·         The next step is to install a felt paper to the plywood foundation of the roof.  A fifteen pound felt paper can be put in place using a simple staple gun.  This helps to protect the roof from building up moisture.

·         The first step when it comes to the actual asphalt shingles is to place a starter strip of shingles in place.  This will be unseen and provides a strip to prevent water from seeping in between the notches in the shingles.

·         The installation should begin in a bottom corner of your roof moving to the right and then up.  Each shingle should be put into place with a roofing nail just below the tar strip.  You will want to stagger the shingles not allowing them to line up perfectly. If they line up they will leak damaging the roofing below.  

·         Any obstructions should have the roofing tiles cut around them and then tar will need to be used to seal them.  

·         Shingles should be nailed in until you reach the top.  A ridge cap will be applied to the top. Tar needs to be applied to the corners of all of the ridge cap shingles to hold them in place properly.

As you can see there is a lot to installing an asphalt shingle roof.  Consider the pros and cons of any home improvement project before you embark on the adventure.  There are times when doing it yourself makes sense.  Other times though you will find in the long run you could have saved time and money hiring a professional. Installing a new roof might just be one of those times when hiring a professional is cheaper in the long run.

Building Comfort Into Your Home

Looking for a house to call home often leaves many people stressed out, confused and fed up.  It is such a difficult puzzle to work out.  When you are purchasing a home you are buying so much more than four walls; you are buying your future happiness.  If the space does not make you happy pass right on by.  Because your home will take up so much of your time and money, the way you feel in it will affect how you feel outside of it. Also consider this if you spend any amount of time working from home. This could affect your work performance as well.  When you find a home that speaks to you make the purchase.  Every improvement in making the home yours will in turn boost your happiness. 

Making your home comfortable is the first part in home improvement when you purchase a home.  The first rule to remember is that home imperfections are part of home ownership.  The goal is to minimize those imperfections in each f your home improvement projects to in turn maximize the enjoyment you get out of your space.  Of course imperfections that surround the structure or could lead to larger issues should be the first home improvement projects that are considered.

When looking at homes it was easy to envision a home on the water.  Looking for solitude in a world full of neighborhoods and busy roads limits your choices of homes.  So when we found one that was in the perfect location it was easy to decide that we could make any home comfortable however the location was not something we could improve upon.  Immediately comfort was felt when we stepped into the home, imperfection, flaws and alls. 

The first thing to improve the comfort of our home was to make sure the home was sound structurally.  This started for us with the quest for a new roof.  The roof on our new river home was old, covered in mildew and ready for an update.  My first thought went to cedar shakes for roofing materials.  However that was not the maintenance free roof my husband had envisioned.  Instead of settling for asphalt shingles and blending into society I decided I would go for a metal roof to appease my husband’s need for maintenance free and by need for something different that feels like a cottage on the water.

Now that the structure was taken care of and the home was sound the next step was flooring and paint.  These two things, floor coverings and color can transform any environment. Comfort to me is maximized when I think and feel a beach space.  I decided to include this in my home to get this feeling all the time.  I didn’t want to go to the point where the house was filled with shells and fishing nets but I wanted the feel and comfort I find on the water. 

The color choices were easy.  I adore beige, greens, blues, yellows and maroons.  The choice was a no brainer for me, the walls were going to be the color of sand and I would accentuate the home with the other colors. It was starting to feel more comfortable immediately with the walls transformed into a sandy beach, next is the flooring. I love dark wood and I love frieze carpet.  I decided to combine the two so that I could enjoy the best of all worlds.  The flooring in the kitchen was transformed by adding a nature colored hardwood floor with rustic planks in various sizes. The goal was to take away the monotony that a perfect wood floor brings.  It was amazing! 

Next was the addition of extra plush, high grade frieze carpet.  This added a feeling of warmth to the space that words cannot even begin to describe.  It was as if I was walking on sand.  The colors in the carpet were all the colors that made me feel comfort.  The base was a light sand color followed with traces of green, blue, yellow and hints of maroon.  When the carpet was installed and our belongings in place I knew there were upgrades to still make but overall I knew this space would provide me with a peace and clam that would forever bring the best out in me.  The home was not perfect to begin with, that is true.  However, given the setting and some minor upgrades to establish comfort our house was quickly a home.  

Ideas In Roofing Material When Replacing Your Homes Roof

It is time to replace your roof.  You have been dreading it which led to putting it off and now there is no denying that the roof needs to be replaced.  It is time to make some key choices in regards to the new roof.  Homeowners need to consider the type of material to use for the new roof, commonly shingles or metal roofs here in the North. They also will need to check into the style, color and cost of the new roof they are looking to install.  If the homeowners are on a limited budget the choices become a bit clearer than those that can choose based on likes not costs.

The first and most commonly used roofing material for homes in the North is composite asphalt shingles.  Although asphalt shingles have very low insulation value and perhaps a shorter lifespan then other material they remain a favorite because they offer a low cost alternative, they are easy to install and are incredible resilient with the changing seasons. You can find shingles in a variety of colors, longevity options and price points. Although shingles are always the most cost effective way to go in roofing one thing to consider is environmentally they are the worst option.

Another common material is metal.  You can choose from a steel roof, aluminum roofing, metal tile roof or copper.  Metals roofs usually come from recycled content so are the most environmentally friendly option in roofing.  It offers a high insulation value and is solar reluctant, durable and lasts twice as long as asphalt shingle roof.  Another bonus with metal roofing is that it is lighter than most roofing options and resistant to a variety of seasons.  The one drawback is that metal roofing material tends to be pricier than other options.

Wood shingles and shakes are another option available in roofing materials.  They are offered in cedar, southern pine and redwood.  Wood shingles are cut from a machine where as shakes are handmade and have a more rustic rough look. The drawbacks with wood shingles are that they are not a good material against fire or water damage.  The natural material is environmentally friendly however not good against mold and dry rot. You will find the maintenance for this type of roof is high. 

For a more durable option with the same look as wood shingles opt for a rubber or plastic shake shingle.  These are made to resemble the style of the shakes shingle however offer more durability against the natural elements.

Choosing a material for your new roof should not be taken lightly.  Homeowners are often quick to settle for the exact same roof that was on the house to begin with which is not necessarily the best fit for their family.  Most of the time homeowners are looking for a maintenance free way to maintain their roof, one less thing to be concerned with.  Metal and shingle roofing materials offer this to homeowners.  However if maintenance is not a concern wood shakes and shingles offer a stylish way to set your home apart from the neighbors.  As with any decision around the house you need to consider your personal preferences along with the look of your home. 

Take A Look At These Great Home Improvement Tips

A collection of tips on how to begin improving your home makes the perfect starting point for a beginner to emerge and hopefully begin improving their own home much easier. Below is just such a collection that will hopefully assist the eager novice into eventually becoming a pro when it comes to home improvement.

Do not panic if you scuff the corner of a wooden piece of furniture, trim or cabinetry. Instead, grab your iron and a damp napkin. Wet the damaged corner lightly, and then apply the heated iron to restore the finished color and grain of the wood to the area that was scratched.

Plug in some motion sensing night lights. At a minimum, you should consider plugging in one in every strategically located outlet between your bedrooms and the bathroom. You can now obtain these lights at the dollar stores for very reasonable prices. Think of the reassurance they will provide!

Many home builders save money on construction costs by installing only solid wood or particleboard cabinets that do not have any type of hardware. Fortunately, you can purchase cabinet knobs, drawer pulls, and handles online or at any home improvement store. You can opt for vintage-look pulls, modern knobs, or designer accents that can be installed in minutes.

Installing carpet can be a daunting task if done yourself, or an expensive task if you pay a professional to do it. Fortunately there is an alternative. Much like vinyl floor tiles, there are carpet tiles that exist. These too have adhesive backing that allows you to install them easily, and they look just like real sheet carpeting when installed.

Update your decor and save money at the same time by changing your window treatments to energy-efficient varieties. Thermal drapes are made from heavy fabrics that act as insulation to minimize drafts, and blackout curtains block sunlight, keeping your home cooler in the summer months. Many window treatments perform double-duty, combining blackout effects with thermal fabrics.

Make sure you have a thorough understanding of your home improvement projects. This prevents you from underestimating the cost involved or the time necessary to complete a project. By making a list of the necessary steps and materials, you can ensure you are well-prepared, and you can also use the list to seek a second opinion to avoid missing any steps or overlooking any potential road blocks or complications.  This is especially true with exterior renovations. 

Did you know that you can install your metal roofing right over top of old asphalt tiles? This will save you time and money because you will not have costs involved in the removal. But if there are more than two layers they will have to be removed first.

Landscaping is another exterior home improvement that often turns costly and leads to wasted resources.  One major tip is to purchase landscaping native to the area in which you live.  Also make sure you purchase plants that are perennials.  This is much easier and cheaper than spending the time and money to re plant each and every year.

Well, hopefully the aforementioned collection of tips were enough to give you a great start on what to do and expect when it comes to improving your own home. This collection was carefully constructed to be an aid in your arsenal so that you can begin to hone your home improvement skills into doing great and safe improvement jobs.