Curb appeal is such an important aspect of homeownership. When considering the atheistic value of your home how often do you consider the color of the shingles on your roof? It is definitely not the most exciting aspect of your home. Choosing the color of your shingles may seem intimidating when you first begin the hunt to find the right color however below you will find four tips to narrow the selection down.
Consider Your Home's Color When Choosing the Color of the Shingling
What color is the home's vinyl siding, brick or stone? This is the most important thing to take into account when selecting the color of the shingle. It is too expensive to change the color of the exterior of your home. So naturally this is the first thing you should consider when choosing a shingle color to compliment your home's roof. Contact a local roofing contractor to get shingle samples to find one that works with your home. A few colors that shingles come in might be absolutely out of the question for your home so ditch them from the selection process right away.
The Home's Trim Should Compliment the Shingle Color
Although the trim and home's siding should ultimately coordinate with one another already sometimes they don't. Shingles should be a color that complement and enhance both the trim and the home's exterior coloring. If the roofing shingle color doesn't work for both the siding and the trim then it is not a contender for your roof unless you are willing to repaint all the home's trim. Which seriously, are you even considering that at the point in which you already are in need of a new roof?
The Location of the Home Is a Large Element in Picking A Shingle Color
The last thing you want is for your home to be known as "that home" when choosing the color of the shingling. You don't want your home to stick out like the sore thumb of the neighborhood. Consider the shingles that you have narrowed your choices down to and then look around to see which best compliments the shingles on the neighbor's roofs as well.
Contemplate Shingle Coloring with the Style of your Home
Look at the style of your home when you are choosing a roof shingle color. Different styles warrant different colors. For instance if you have a Spanish style home blue shingles are not the best option. If the shingles compliment the exterior trim and siding but don't fit the homes architecture then that is not the color for your home.
Find some ideas using the internet and looking in different home improvement magazines. Find homes similar in style, color and location as yours and see what has worked in the way of shingling color for them. The perfect shingle will soon be found and installed, by a professional roofing contractor, accentuating your home's exterior. Hiring a professional roofing contractor will save you tons of money, time and energy no matter what color shingle you choose in the end.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Ensure Your Are Hiring A Quality Roofing Contractor With The Tips Below
When hiring any type of contractor to work on your home we are all
looking to get the biggest bang for our “buck”. This is especially true
when it comes to larger projects such as kitchen or bathroom
remodeling, roof replacement, basement transformation as well as
landscaping. The more money we are about to put the better the deal we
are looking to get. On top of this we are looking to hire a
professional who is in it to give us a great deal while completing the
job in a timely fashion and correct the first time. How can a homeowner
ensure they are hiring the best roofing contractor for their roof
replacement or roofing repair?
One thing to look for when hiring a roofing contractor is their licensing. The required licenses that are needed for a roofing contractor in each area of the state and country are going to be different. To determine what is needed when doing work in your area, on your home, it is best to call the local building department.
Insurance is another area of concern when it comes to hiring a contractor that will be working on your home. Without proper insurance, if someone gets hurt or materials are broken, you as the homeowner will be responsible if the contractor does not have proper business insurance. Always get a copy of the insurance policy before any contracts are signed or work is done on the home.
Some local municipalities will require that you have permits pulled for work within or around your home. If they are required you or the contractor will need to pull permits before the job is begun. This is information that can be acquired at your local building department.
Roofing contractors vary on the warranties on their products and services along with warranty offers from the manufactures. All guarantees and warranties should be in writing when the contractor gives you the original estimate.
Finding a reputable, reliable roofing contractor can be difficult. One of the best ways to tell if you are hiring someone trustworthy and dependable is to talk to previous clients. This will be a good way of determining how the contractor you are hiring does business and the results of their work.
When receiving an estimate for job needed on your roof the best way to ensure you are getting what you are paying for is to ask for a breakdown list of materials and labor costs. Take all of the bids that you have received and compare them side by side to see if the quotes you are getting are all on the same playing field. If there are drastic differences find out the reasons. Maybe one contractor offers extended warranties on labor or materials. This may be worth a few extra dollars for you.
If everything is even with the contractors that you are looking into consider the outside factors. Pay attention to the details like how the contractor presents him or herself. How the bids are presented and how prompt they were in their communication with you. This is helpful in determining how communication will be in future dealings as well.
One thing to look for when hiring a roofing contractor is their licensing. The required licenses that are needed for a roofing contractor in each area of the state and country are going to be different. To determine what is needed when doing work in your area, on your home, it is best to call the local building department.
Insurance is another area of concern when it comes to hiring a contractor that will be working on your home. Without proper insurance, if someone gets hurt or materials are broken, you as the homeowner will be responsible if the contractor does not have proper business insurance. Always get a copy of the insurance policy before any contracts are signed or work is done on the home.
Some local municipalities will require that you have permits pulled for work within or around your home. If they are required you or the contractor will need to pull permits before the job is begun. This is information that can be acquired at your local building department.
Roofing contractors vary on the warranties on their products and services along with warranty offers from the manufactures. All guarantees and warranties should be in writing when the contractor gives you the original estimate.
Finding a reputable, reliable roofing contractor can be difficult. One of the best ways to tell if you are hiring someone trustworthy and dependable is to talk to previous clients. This will be a good way of determining how the contractor you are hiring does business and the results of their work.
When receiving an estimate for job needed on your roof the best way to ensure you are getting what you are paying for is to ask for a breakdown list of materials and labor costs. Take all of the bids that you have received and compare them side by side to see if the quotes you are getting are all on the same playing field. If there are drastic differences find out the reasons. Maybe one contractor offers extended warranties on labor or materials. This may be worth a few extra dollars for you.
If everything is even with the contractors that you are looking into consider the outside factors. Pay attention to the details like how the contractor presents him or herself. How the bids are presented and how prompt they were in their communication with you. This is helpful in determining how communication will be in future dealings as well.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
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Friday, April 26, 2013
The Benefits Of Asphalt Shingling When It Comes To Installation and Repair
For roofing contractors
the most common roofing shingle type to install is asphalt shingling.
The material is the durable, relatively low priced and easier than other
common roofing materials to install. With any roofing material there
will be options in design, composition and warranties. Asphalt shingling
is no different.
1) Shingle roofs are easy to maintain and simple to repair.
2) Asphalt shingling is the least expensive material when in co
mparison to other roofing materials such as slate, wood, metal and tile. Not every roofing material is practical for all climates either.
3) Shingles are offered in a diverse number of styles and colors. It is easy to find a shingle that will go well with every type of exterior housing style.
4) Composite asphalt shingles are environmentally friendly and easy to recycle.
5) When it comes to fire rating most shingle roofing comes with a Class A fire-resistance rating.
Shingle compositions are basically a rectangular material, known as a mat. The rectangular mat is then coated with several layers of asphalt and ceramic granules are embedded. Shingle mats are mainly made out of fiberglass which resists breaking and tearing. The ceramic granules are also an important component. The granules are embedded within the shingle during the last coat of asphalt.
This is what gives the shingle the grainy appearance associated with asphalt shingles. The granules come in a variety of colors and help protect the shingle from the harsh UV rays of the sun.
The most common type of shingle due to affordability is the three-tab shingle. This style is a strip shingle divided into three distinct sections. This is what is on most homes currently. Steadily the use of laminated shingles is growing as the price to install has come down significantly over the course of time.
Laminated shingles are found when on homes when you are able to see dimension in the roofing. The dimension or architecture are made the same way as three tab shingles however they add that 3-d effect, a sort of layered look in shingling. Laminated shingles are incredibly durable. Basically a laminated shingle is multiple shingles within one another. They are incredibly hardy when it comes to four seasons of weather and easily with stand the sun, cold and wind that comes with our ever changing seasons.
When it comes to the longevity of your shingle roofs your installer will detail how each shingle company sells shingles warranted for a defined amount of time. Brand by brand the shingle warranties are different anywhere from ten to thirty years. Most asphalt shingles last longer in locations where the weather is not drastically different from one day to the next. The potential for cracks and water leaks is more prevalent in areas of diverse weather patterns. This is something to consider when looking at purchasing shingles and the shingles warranty.
Roof replacement is an expensive endeavor for most homeowners to embark on. Make sure you do research not only when it comes to the material that you use on your home but also on the roofing contractor. Make sure you hire a contractor that is licensed and comes with references. Previous work done is the best way to judge the quality of one’s work.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Spring Time Roof Maintenance
Taking care of your home is super important as everyone knows. Often
times there are things we miss or deem unimportant. One of the items we
often take for granted is our homes roof. The fact is that for most of
us the roof is out of site out of mind. The reality however is that the
roof is one of the most important pieces of the homes architecture and
structural components. In theory your roof should be inspected at least
once a year by a qualified roofing professional or at least someone with
experience that knows what to look for as far as roofing wear.
Roof Inspection Tips For Spring Roofing Maintenance
1) In the fall and spring it is important that you ensure your gutters are clean and free of debris. Debris comes in the form of pine needles, tree leaves and roofing granules. In order for the gutters to work properly and to ensure the water flows freely the gutter and downspouts need to be clean and clear.
2) Spring is the perfect time to have roofs that are older, ten years and above, you will want to inspect the roof during an intense wind/storm. With shingle roofs you will want to look for individual shingles lifting. This would be a good indicator of that the roofs adhesive properties are no longer working as they should. If the adhesive is no longer working your roof becomes prone to exposure that leads to leaks and shingles that blow off.
3) If your home is located in high moisture are you will want to keep moss from your roofing. This can be achieved using a moss killer product specially designed for roofs and sweeping the moss off. You can also try wetting the roof and sweep it off for smaller amounts of moss. Be careful that you are not scrubbing off the shingle roofing granules.
4) Never use a pressure washer on your homes roof. With asphalt shingles a pressure washer will remove the granules which in turn lose the shingles built in sunscreen. Asphalt shingles exposed to UV rays will allow the roof to age faster and your shingles to be brittle. The same is true if you power washer cedar shake roofs. It will lose the water repellant on top of the shingle causing you to have to reseal the entire roof.
It is important that you use caution when inspecting your roof. Professional roofing contractors have the equipment to ensure their safety while doing work on or inspecting the homes roof. Execute the same type of caution when doing roof repairs if you have decided not to pay a professional contractor to come in and do the repairs. The best reason I can give you to hire a professional is that they know exactly what they are looking for and can spot minor issues with your roof before they become major roofing issues. This can save you time and money in the long run. If your roofs lifetime is extended even a few extra years with general maintenance it is worth the little bit of outlay once a year to keep the roof maintained.
Roof Inspection Tips For Spring Roofing Maintenance
1) In the fall and spring it is important that you ensure your gutters are clean and free of debris. Debris comes in the form of pine needles, tree leaves and roofing granules. In order for the gutters to work properly and to ensure the water flows freely the gutter and downspouts need to be clean and clear.
2) Spring is the perfect time to have roofs that are older, ten years and above, you will want to inspect the roof during an intense wind/storm. With shingle roofs you will want to look for individual shingles lifting. This would be a good indicator of that the roofs adhesive properties are no longer working as they should. If the adhesive is no longer working your roof becomes prone to exposure that leads to leaks and shingles that blow off.
3) If your home is located in high moisture are you will want to keep moss from your roofing. This can be achieved using a moss killer product specially designed for roofs and sweeping the moss off. You can also try wetting the roof and sweep it off for smaller amounts of moss. Be careful that you are not scrubbing off the shingle roofing granules.
4) Never use a pressure washer on your homes roof. With asphalt shingles a pressure washer will remove the granules which in turn lose the shingles built in sunscreen. Asphalt shingles exposed to UV rays will allow the roof to age faster and your shingles to be brittle. The same is true if you power washer cedar shake roofs. It will lose the water repellant on top of the shingle causing you to have to reseal the entire roof.
It is important that you use caution when inspecting your roof. Professional roofing contractors have the equipment to ensure their safety while doing work on or inspecting the homes roof. Execute the same type of caution when doing roof repairs if you have decided not to pay a professional contractor to come in and do the repairs. The best reason I can give you to hire a professional is that they know exactly what they are looking for and can spot minor issues with your roof before they become major roofing issues. This can save you time and money in the long run. If your roofs lifetime is extended even a few extra years with general maintenance it is worth the little bit of outlay once a year to keep the roof maintained.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Roof Rakes: Should You Use One?
It is SNOW season in Mid-Michigan! This time of year can be a lot of
fun. Sleds are in use, people are skiing and snowmen are abundant.
The one thing people forget to talk about is how the winter weather can
wreak havoc on your home, especially shingle roofing.
When it comes to shingle roofs it is important that access snow is removed before it is allowed to thaw and refreeze creating ice dams. For this many homeowners choose to purchase and use roof rakes. As a roofing contractor there are benefits and pitfalls when using them.
Before using a roof rake consider the age of your shingle roof. Older roofs could easily be damaged using a roof rake. Damage could include removing shingles, the grit on the shingles being removed and roof leaks/ceiling damage if not properly fixed.
Roof rakes should not be used to remove ice form your roof. Roof rakes should be used to avoid ice form building up by removing the white fluff before it becomes solid ice. When using a roof rake start by removing the snow at the corners of the roof and then proceeding to the middle.
Consider safety when getting the snow off the roof. Walking on a snow covered roof is never considered a safe option. When using a roof rake add an extension to the rake to reach higher on the roof. Don’t use a ladder either as you can easily be thrown off balance. Snow makes roof tops and ladders slippery. Clearing your roof of excess snow is not worth risking a fall or damage from slipping and tearing the shingles.
If you find while using a roof rake you have loosened a shingle call a roofing professional to come out and repair the area as soon as possible to prevent any damage to the underlayment and in turn the interior roofing materials.
When it comes to shingle roofs it is important that access snow is removed before it is allowed to thaw and refreeze creating ice dams. For this many homeowners choose to purchase and use roof rakes. As a roofing contractor there are benefits and pitfalls when using them.
Before using a roof rake consider the age of your shingle roof. Older roofs could easily be damaged using a roof rake. Damage could include removing shingles, the grit on the shingles being removed and roof leaks/ceiling damage if not properly fixed.
Roof rakes should not be used to remove ice form your roof. Roof rakes should be used to avoid ice form building up by removing the white fluff before it becomes solid ice. When using a roof rake start by removing the snow at the corners of the roof and then proceeding to the middle.
Consider safety when getting the snow off the roof. Walking on a snow covered roof is never considered a safe option. When using a roof rake add an extension to the rake to reach higher on the roof. Don’t use a ladder either as you can easily be thrown off balance. Snow makes roof tops and ladders slippery. Clearing your roof of excess snow is not worth risking a fall or damage from slipping and tearing the shingles.
If you find while using a roof rake you have loosened a shingle call a roofing professional to come out and repair the area as soon as possible to prevent any damage to the underlayment and in turn the interior roofing materials.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Is It Time For A New Roof?
How do you know when it is time to replace your roof instead of just
repairing it? Below you will find common roofing issues and how to
handle them. A roof should last upwards of twenty years with proper
care and maintenance.
Algae: Algae is a nuisance. It will discolor your shingle roof making it look dirty. Often times people mistake algae for dirt or tree droppings. Algae often occur in the southeast where temperatures are warm and humid. It is best to purchase algae-resistant shingles to prevent issues from arising. The good thing to note is that an alga does not cause the service life of your shingle to decrease however it is an eye sore.
To get rid of algae it is best to hire a professional roofing contractor to treat the issue. Using a gentle solution they will work to decrease the discoloration of the roofing while taking special care to not loosen or remove the granules covering the shingles.
Flashing: Flashing on a roof can become damaged from improper installation or settling of the structure. If you find this is the case with your roofs flashing it is good to know that this can be repaired. The roof does not need to be replaced. The flashing can be removed and replaced only needing to repair the flashing and asphalt shingles that had become damaged.
Buckling: Roof buckling is a common issue with roofing. It can be caused because of several different issues such as improperly laid felt, poor roofing ventilation or a wrinkled underlayment. The process to fix the buckle is a bit more complex than fixing algae or flashing.
In order to correct the issue with your roof buckling it is best to call in a professional roofing contractor. You will need to allow the moisture that has built up in the roofing to escape and return to the proper moisture level. This should allow the roof to lay flat again. Next the shingles and felt where the wrinkle has occurred will need to be cut out and replaced adding extra roof ventilation as well. Roofing contractors will be able to properly vent the attic if it is not adequately done so to begin with.
Ceiling Spots: When a leak occurs in your roof you can get occurrences of ceiling spots. This is a roof repair issue in most cases although if the issue has gone unnoticed for some time you could be looking at issues with mold and mildew along with the ceiling spots. If enough damage has been done and several spots of water entering have been noticed a new roof may be in order.
A professional will come in and determine if there is a leak in the attic, they will check the chimney and flashing for cracks, will look for a travel source for the leak from the original spot and will check the roof for shingle damage.
These are just a few issues that can occur with your roof. Other things to keep an eye out for are missing shingles. If a shingle is missing the area underneath is not protected. Be sure to have this fixed ASAP. Roof blistering can occur when too much moisture is allowed to build up within the shingle area. Missing granules can occur as the shingles age. If you find many shingles are becoming bare or the granules thinning it may be time for a new roof. Rotting as well is an issue that can lead to a new roof. Consult a professional roofing contractor if you suspect any issue with your roofing material.
Algae: Algae is a nuisance. It will discolor your shingle roof making it look dirty. Often times people mistake algae for dirt or tree droppings. Algae often occur in the southeast where temperatures are warm and humid. It is best to purchase algae-resistant shingles to prevent issues from arising. The good thing to note is that an alga does not cause the service life of your shingle to decrease however it is an eye sore.
To get rid of algae it is best to hire a professional roofing contractor to treat the issue. Using a gentle solution they will work to decrease the discoloration of the roofing while taking special care to not loosen or remove the granules covering the shingles.
Flashing: Flashing on a roof can become damaged from improper installation or settling of the structure. If you find this is the case with your roofs flashing it is good to know that this can be repaired. The roof does not need to be replaced. The flashing can be removed and replaced only needing to repair the flashing and asphalt shingles that had become damaged.
Buckling: Roof buckling is a common issue with roofing. It can be caused because of several different issues such as improperly laid felt, poor roofing ventilation or a wrinkled underlayment. The process to fix the buckle is a bit more complex than fixing algae or flashing.
In order to correct the issue with your roof buckling it is best to call in a professional roofing contractor. You will need to allow the moisture that has built up in the roofing to escape and return to the proper moisture level. This should allow the roof to lay flat again. Next the shingles and felt where the wrinkle has occurred will need to be cut out and replaced adding extra roof ventilation as well. Roofing contractors will be able to properly vent the attic if it is not adequately done so to begin with.
Ceiling Spots: When a leak occurs in your roof you can get occurrences of ceiling spots. This is a roof repair issue in most cases although if the issue has gone unnoticed for some time you could be looking at issues with mold and mildew along with the ceiling spots. If enough damage has been done and several spots of water entering have been noticed a new roof may be in order.
A professional will come in and determine if there is a leak in the attic, they will check the chimney and flashing for cracks, will look for a travel source for the leak from the original spot and will check the roof for shingle damage.
These are just a few issues that can occur with your roof. Other things to keep an eye out for are missing shingles. If a shingle is missing the area underneath is not protected. Be sure to have this fixed ASAP. Roof blistering can occur when too much moisture is allowed to build up within the shingle area. Missing granules can occur as the shingles age. If you find many shingles are becoming bare or the granules thinning it may be time for a new roof. Rotting as well is an issue that can lead to a new roof. Consult a professional roofing contractor if you suspect any issue with your roofing material.
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