Comparison of Different Roof Materials

Construction, Roofing Materials

When your roof must be replaced, this is a good opportunity to upgrade the roofing materials you choose for your house. It’s highly likely that if your home is old or you can’t remember the last time your roof was replaced, only basic and old materials were picked. There are many actions to take when you are picking the proper material for your new roof. You ideally want to look for a solid roof as well as one that looks great and matches your home’s style. Tar shingles are the most common roofing material chosen, but we’ll also discuss some other roofing choices so you can make a thoughtful decision. Even asphalt roofs come in several subcategories.

Asphalt Shingle Roofs

Asphalt shingles are also another common roofing option. 80% of the houses across the nation employ asphalt shingles. The primary reason they are used by most roofing contractors is their cost. Asphalt shingles are the lowest cost option when it comes to getting a new roof. Asphalt shingles typically fall into two types: asphalt shingles, strip shingles, dimensional shingles, and architectural ones. 3tal shingles are the most fundamental kind of asphalt shingles. They are commonly used to control roofing costs and they come in a wide range of shades and finishes. However, they are not as durable as other materials and won’t protect your house much from harsh weather conditions. Architectural shingles are of better quality and appearance compared to common asphalt shingles. Architectural types are multi-dimensional, something that adds to their durability and good looks as well. They are more costly compared to other asphalt shingle types but they last more and look more appealing. Architectural shingles are slowly rising in popularity among homeowners today.

Metal Roofs

Metal roofs are also another roofing material option. Like other materials, these come with their pros and cons. Metal roofs can look very appealing but they make noise when struck by a heavy storm. They are also more costly compared to common asphalt shingle roofs. Their biggest strength is their high durability as they typically last anywhere from 40-75 years. A downside of metal roofs is that in the San Diego region which is often hit by hail storms, small dents may appear on the roof’s surface and make it look less appealing–however, most dents that may form will not look so obvious provided that the hail storm damage is not extended. You may choose between metal roofs that resemble clary barrel tiles, slate tiles, and wooden shake.

Natural and Artificial Slate

Slate is a choice that was traditionally used several decades ago but now it has become a luxury roofing material. Additionally, the weight of slate shingles generates the urgency of keeping a solid framing structure. Slate roofs look very appealing and are highly long-lasting. Because of the heavy burden of shingles and the high cost of picking a slate, it has become a less common roofing option today except for rich homes.

Artificial slate is typically fabricated from recycled rubber and plastic materials and is very durable. It’s also more lightweight than natural slate. Additionally, while it looks identical to natural slate, it’s a less costly option. With fake slate, you can enjoy high durability and appealing looks at a lower cost than its natural counterpart.

Wooden shakes and shingles

Wooden shakes and shingles were once a roofing option that looked very appealing but they aren’t so widely used today because of their low fire tolerance. Many local authorities impose limitations that ban the use of wooden shingles on roofs. However, if you like their look, you can get fake wooden shingles.

Concrete & Clay Tiles

Concrete tiles are a quite solid choice. They weigh more than others and will require a more powerful framing system to tolerate the weight of the tiles. They look very attractive and are fire-proof. You may find these in the form of barrel-type shapes over a roof but many of these can also resemble a compact form of roofing that resembles a slate shingle. Clay tiles are generally highly durable but they are costly.

Skylight Installation Tips

Construction, DIY Tips

Common Considerations Before the Installation of a Skylight

Do you have any spaces in your house that could be illuminated more? Installing a skylight is a great idea to shed some natural light into a murky area. Before you choose to get a skylight, keep reading to find out more about its installation procedure and how to pick the best spot for a skylight.

How to Stop Skylight Dazzling

It’s best to apply skylights with caution to mitigate the odds of a solar flare. This doesn’t only add excess light to a space but it also raises the heat to uncomfortable levels. Glaring also fades out shades of materials. You may control its effects by installing a shader or filter to your skylight.

Control Light’s Direction

Not many homeowners are aware of this but the skylight determines the direction of light in a space. If you wish the light to diffuse to other areas, get a skylight that glares in place of a type with straight sides. The straight-line types are a better choice only if you want the light to be concentrated in a single solace in a straight direction.

Generate the illusion of spaciness

Does your house appear small and crowded? Rood extensions are quite costly but getting a skylight won’t hurt your pocket much. Rooms and spaces typically appear smaller than they are when they are not properly dimmed. It only takes a single skylight in the right spot to make an obvious difference in the space.

Minimize Heat Accumulation

Heat accumulation can make you feel as if you are in a sauna. In warm and sunny states like Georgia and Florida, installing a skylight is not a good idea as it will produce more heat. To prevent the accumulation of heat, you can get a skylight that is fabricated from 2X insulated glass that is mixed up with low-E layers. Experts also suggest bronze-shaded skylights, particularly if the skylight is an apple on the south or west corner of your house.

You may also control heat accumulation by attaching a skylight at a lower level. According to U.S Department of Energy recommendations, it’s best to attach a skylight at a slow that is 5-15 levels lower than your home’s slope.

Consider Skylights With Venting Properties

Another trick to control heat while enjoying the benefits of natural sunlight is to get a skylight with venting properties. This will enable fresh air to circulate through the room and release the heat outside. For your convenience, select skylights that come with a motorization unit and not those that turn on manually.

Use Automatic Skylights

If you have the budget, consider upgrading to auto skylights that come with rain and heat detectors. The detectors will sense any heat and humidity levels and expose the skylight when it becomes too hot then shut it off when rain is detected. Many of these auto types also have adjustable remote control units.

How To Install Solar Panels

DIY Tips, Solar Roofing

Things To Bear In Mind Before Installing Solar Panels On Your Roof

Throughout the nation, an increasing number of homeowners are choosing to invest in solar energy panels. They are furnishing their roofs with solar units and we can’t find a fault in this. Solar energy systems have been proven to be very beneficial investments over the past few years as they lead to significant cost and energy savings. The installation of solar energy systems is also a great way to create more electrical power for your house or business together with the grid, without leaving a harsh environmental footprint.

However, it would be wise to bear a few things in mind first before you decide to begin with their installation. Acknowledging all the several aspects involved in a job like this is vital. You should also check out some common installation misconceptions.

To help you make a thoughtful decision on whether solar energy is a suitable option for your home or commercial building, we have collected an array of the topmost important considerations before applying solar panels on your roof.

1. Does your roof need fixes?

Before you even think about getting a solar system, consider how old your roof is. If you need a roof replacement soon or a significant area of your roof is damaged, it’s not the wisest decision to install solar systems. If possible, have an expert do all the necessary fixes before the installation. This way, you won’t have to spare extra money to cancel the installation and start all over again.

Another important consideration is your roof’s warranty against that of solar panels. If you get solar panels that will last you for two decades and roofs that will go through 10 years at best, the cost for maintenance will be higher. Make sure that both warranties last the same or nearly the same so you can save some time, effort, and money in costly maintenance work.

2. How is your roof shaped?

Roofs are available in all sorts of forms and sizes. Before you proceed with the installation, ensure that your roof has sufficient space to accommodate the solar units. If there is not sufficient space, you’ll most probably fail to get a return on your investment.

3. Which is the orientation of your roof’s slopes?

Solar systems need precise positioning to be able to yield the max. level of energy. Most experts suggest that the best positioning is to make sure that the panels are oriented to the south while others suggest to the west. Nonetheless, this consideration is important before you proceed with the installation.

4. How much burden can your roof tolerate?

Installing solar panels will raise the burden on the skeleton of your roof. If the weight of solar panels is too high for your roof to tolerate, this is a chance of a roof collapse. This of course is quite hazardous for several reasons and it’s costly as well. To prevent such mishaps, it’s vital to hire an expert roofing contractor to check the state of your roof and gauge if any extra support is needed to carry out the installation.

5. Where will the water run?

During rainfall, water will flow down the roof through the gutters and outside of your house. During the installation of solar panels, tools like racking and wire fasteners can stop the proper water circulation. In some situations, solar tools may orient the water to a separate place and likely result in leakage. These issues demand immediate repair and that calls for the removal of the solar panels.

To prevent these problems, make sure that you express your concerns to a qualified roofer. They will devise a plan as a validation that the installation of solar panels will not affect your water circulation whatsoever.

6. What about other random weather strikes?

An important aspect of keeping your solar energy panels intact is addressing heavy weather settings such as hail storms, lightning storms, winds, and hurricanes. There is a probability for some solar energy components to break off during these settings. While some insurance companies are willing to cover these scenarios, this is something to keep in mind, especially if you reside in a region that is often exposed to such weather conditions.

7. How do you link to the grid?

In addition to the skeleton and form of your roof, you also need to consider the way you are going to link your solar panels to the grid. When you are establishing a connection with a local provider, there are many things you should consider such as:

How long will it take you to connect?
If there are any costs involved
How and when will you be compensated for the electrical power generated?

8. Did you look around well?

Before complying with a roofer, ensure that you’ve done proper research. Going for the first roofing provider that comes your way may appear to be a fast and easy solution that will save you money in the short run–but, this isn’t the case. If you don’t want to encounter a sloppy job, look around and get several quotes from different roofers. Search the reputation of these providers and make sure they have a good name for themselves and their past clients are happy.

Once you contact a few roofers, you’ll be happy you did. You may compare different offers, customer opinions, and other relevant details that will help you make a sound decision.

9. Signing a Deal

When it’s time to sign a new contract, there are some things to check in the deal. Some of these aspects feature:

Funding expectations
Owner expectations
Performance expectations
Authorities that may gather data on your electrical energy expenditure

If all these aspects are not explicitly found in the written agreement, you may wish to ask the roofer for some clarification, Avoid signing any contract you are not sure what it covers.

10. Can Your Roof Be Trusted?

The installation of a solar power system is both a home investment and an electrical task. Hence, when you look for the most suitable contractor, make sure that they have all the proper qualifications such as a validation from the N. American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners.

Going for a roofer that you can tell will stick around for long is also another important consideration. While there is minimal maintenance needed, in case something doesn’t work anymore, you want a roofer that will be there to repair it within the warranty.

11. Did you make the most affordable choices?

Less costly solar panels rarely if ever indicate better quality solar systems. While the cost of the technology involved in the making has shrunk remarkably, going for the cheapest solar panels you can find may prove to be a poor decision. Low-end solar panels are often made in a manner that limits their durability. When they become less durable, your ROI potential and value will drop. Cheaper systems may also lead to serious safety risks. You certainly don’t want your roof to catch fire because of its poor design and ability to control excess heat.

As a serious buyer, it’s best to spare the time and money to get high-quality solar panels. They are much better investments in the long run.

12. Warranty Aspects

Warranties ate a crucial aspect of the integrity of your solar systems and other relevant components. In case something bad damages your solar panels, keeping a warranty will hold the manufacturer responsible for covering the costs of repair. You can also find some incentive schemes in some states that demand having a warranty for your solar components. Not having one will make them reject your application.

Warranty Types

Some forms of warranties are there for solar panels, their tools, and their installation process. These include.

Solar Panel Warranty

A type of warranty that covers your solar systems for up to 30 years is the solar panel warranty. If it covers less than 25 years, you should acknowledge that is below the common industry’s expectation. This warranty type will cover a min, power yield over the warranty duration of the solar panel. Field standards determine that you should obtain a min. 80% of energy output for the course of time the panels are backed up by the warranty.

Installation Warranty

This type of warranty is for cases where the solar panels and their relevant components have not been installed properly. Installation warranties typically last up to 10 years. Many of these cover stuff like the work and components needed to fix or replace units of the panel, roof incisions, shipping costs, and replacement of faulty components among others. For additional info, ask your roofer what type of warranties they offer.

Inverter Warranty

Inverter warranties are different from one company to another.

With that in mind, there are some industry standards that will help you learn more about the scope of given warranties. Typical “string inverters” which use energy from the string of the units often come with a warranty duration of 5 to 10 years. General “micro-inverters” which cling to separate units come with warranties that last 20-25 years. Inverter warranty types usually cover the material costs or fabrication faults and defects. However, they don’t cover the cost of poor installation work and typical wear-and-tear damaged by weather conditions or even poor maintenance.

12. Do you have the proper insurance?

Owning the proper instance to back up both your home and yourself through the installation process is a vital consideration. Several issues may emerge during the installation of the solar systems that you may not notice but they can be damaging on your roof afterward. Additionally, before the project can start many development standards, rebate requirements and legal aspects and accreditations have to be insured. The exact regulations differ from one state to another and thus it’s important to check with your state’s rules before the installation takes place.

13. Did you make use of tax rebates?

The cost involved in the installation of a solar panel unit can reach anywhere between $10K-30K. Fortunately, several states and regions across the nation offer tax rebates for the installation of solar energy systems on your roofing. Before the start of your work, ask your roofer what choices they have and if they don’t have, they should at least know about the relevant local rebates.

Generally speaking, the government really encourages citizens to invest in solar energy and the Department of Energy alone grants up to 30% in savings through credits and tax rebates. Your local energy provider may also offer some rebates.

14. Can You Really Do The Work Yourself?

Solar panel application is a matter that’s best left to the hands of experts. Many random things could turn sour if you are not properly skilled to install a new roof. Some things that can go wrong include:

Wiring Issues. This is a task that demands working with electrical components. Failure to connect this properly can create electrical power out surges that are dangerous for you and your home. Always talk to a qualified electrician for any electrical task.

Leaky Roofs. The installation of solar panels may demand the drilling of some holes to mount the panels. If these are not drilled correctly, you will damage your roof and lead to leakage.

Security Standards & Regulations Compliance: Most solar panel warranties demand installation by a qualified contractor. If you go DIY, the warranties will become null. If there is any sort of damage as a result of poor installation or if there is a manufacturing issue, you won’t get any reimbursement.

Additionally, building permissions and other relevant regulations are challenging to follow if you don’t know them. All documentation should be submitted properly or otherwise, the project may be denied.

15. Don’t Ignore Maintenance Work

Keeping your solar panels in working condition has to do with the application of the right maintenance tasks. It’s generally a wise idea to find out from our roofer what these maintenance tasks involve before installation. If you fail to comply with these maintenance requirements, there is a solid chance your components won’t last as long as you expect.

How To Get Rid Of Mold From Roof Shingles

Roof Maintenance, Roofing Materials

Mold can be found almost anywhere there is a lot of humidity such as near leaky gutters, humid basements, and even over your roof. With an apparent dark greenish tint, algae and mold can eventually damage your roof shingles and lead to rot and an ugly appearance. Mold on roof shingles may also emerge in the form of brack spots or stains, which is typically seen in warmer climates exposed to hot and humid summers.

Clearing fungus, moss, mildew, and all the relevant stains from a roof is a challenging task. Hence, several homeowners seek trusted roofing experts to do the hard work. However, if you still think you can do this yourself, make sure you spare some time to guard your property and collect the proper equipment and tools for the task. Learn how to get rid of mold from roof shingles yourself and always seek a professional if you are unsure of the process.

Protect your house and garden

You can remove mold from your roof shingles using a generic bleach product. However, this is often toxic to the environment that surrounds your property. As the bleach may probably escape the roof and run down the house outside, you should take all necessary measures to protect your home property from the side effects of bleach. Preferably, you should shield all plants, equipment, and other objects in your garden to mitigate the damaging effects of bleach.

You’ll also have to do some basic maintenance work to prevent the formation of excess moss and algae. Begin by cutting off some hanging tree branches to enable direct sunlight. This sets a less welcoming setting for mold to develop. Additionally, you should spare some time to do periodic checks of any dirt and debris that falls on your roofs such as twigs, leaves, and others. You should also keep your gutters cleaned often to enable good water release. You should also consider getting some copper or zinc lines to your roof to stop moss and algae formation. If you choose to upgrade your roof at some point, go for asphalt shingles with mold-resistant properties.

How To Get Rid Of Mold From Roof Shingles

Prepare a bleach solution

While you wear some protective gloves and a mask, dissolve ¼ part of bleach into a clean bucket or bowl with ¾ part water. Next, add a tbsp of trisodium phosphate to the bleach and pour it into a pump sprayer. Spray generously the roof spots affected with mold with the solution.

Wash away the bleach mixture

Once you spray the shingles with the bleach solution, let the bleach sit for around 15-30 minutes (depending on the level of mold found). Use an external hose at low pressure and rinse all the roof shingles carefully to get wash away the bleach. When you do this, begin at the top affected shingle and work at downright mode. While you wear your gloves, pass your fingers around the shingles. If they feel slimy, coat them with the bleach for another time and let it sit for another 10 minutes then rinse again.

Best Questions To Ask Roofing Experts

Local Roofing Contractors

Top 8 Most Important Questions You Should Ask Your Local Vista Roofing Contractor Before Hiring

Are you prepared to spare some time to discuss the quotes you’ve been given for your new roof with the roofers? If YES, are you aware of the most proper questions you can ask them?
If you have no clue, you are not the only one. Fortunately, we have gathered the best 8 questions to ask an expert roofer.

So which are these fundamental questions to raise to an expert roofer? Always ready to inform you on everything you need to know about roofing, we are about to reveal the top 8 questions to ask a roofing expert.

Keep on reading this report to find out why it’s proper to ask if they are local, how to guard your home, and what is the type of work warranty they can provide among others. Once you know these 8 key questions, you will be offered a total checklist of these so you can tick them when you contact a roofing expert.

No.1: Do you have a license, approval, or insurance?

The first and most important question to ask a Vista roofing expert is whether they have a license, bond approval, or official insurance. Here are more details on what these three criteria mean…

License: Roofing professionals have to submit a registration first to the respective board of their state to obtain a license.

Bond: Having a bond suggests that a bonding organization acknowledges and approves that the roofer’s work is done in a proper and ethical manner. A bond will serve as a guarantee in extreme cases where the roofing contractor gets out of business before the roofing project is finished or if there is an issue that the roofer fails to fix, the customer can get in touch with the bonding company for a resolution.

Insurance: All roofing experts should own full insurance that includes general liability, worker’s compensation, and company vehicle insurance for all the vehicles under their possession.

Don’t hesitate to ask for physical documentation of the above. Fully qualified contractors will have no problem showing you proof of their license and extra qualifications.

Remember that your residence’s state may impose different criteria for each of these. Some states, for example, may not require a contractor to have all three. Look up your state regulations and confirm that the contractor you employ has all the necessary licenses and documentation.

No.2: Is Your Company Local In Vista, CA?

When you search for roofers to employ, it’s essential to choose one that operates locally. Make sure to ask a roofer where their physical office base is and if they have a local Vista phone number. This will confirm that you know where to visit them in case you encounter an issue with your roof.

Keep in mind that some state roofing companies may only come following a large storm, undersell local roofing services, grab your cash, and head on to the struck town or state. These service providers don’t respect local regulations or the quality of installation.
On the contrary, a trusted local roofing contractor Vista, CA will acknowledge and follow all the local installation standards, the necessary documentation, and other things they need to have to confirm that your roof is properly attached in agreement with your state’s codes.

No.3: What Is Your Working History?

When you get a new roof, it’s mandatory to ask and consider their years of experience in the business. If you pick a fresh new company that has been in the business for just a couple of years, they’ll more likely give you lower quotes.

The issue is that they don’t know how to properly quote their roofing work to maintain their earnings towards the end of the year during the winter season and by then they might get out of business.

This doesn’t imply that there are no solid new companies in your region. But, you want to make sure that after 5 years of roof installation, they’ll still be in business so you can reach them out.

Ensure that you pick a roofing expert that is qualified and has solid working experience in your region. A long presence in the business doesn’t necessarily indicate that they are the best option, but it’s a sign that they’ll probably be there in case of a problem.

No.4: What warranty do you provide?

Roof warranties exist to guard your roofing investment. These are mainly two–one for your roofing materials and another for the roofer’s work.

You should ask a roofer what type of warranty they possess on their work. This could be anything from 1 year to 25 years or even an entire lifetime.

For instance, a provider that mainly uses caulk materials will offer you a 2-year warranty because the caulk will break down after two years. However, if a roofing provider does solid work using solid materials, they will be able to offer you a much longer-lasting warranty that even lasts a lifetime.

Be careful though–warranties are only useful depending on their written terms. To find out more about your warranties and what they cover, check out this report.

No. 5: Can I Contact The Owner In Case of An Issue

Let’s say that your roofing company’s name is “Jonathan Reagan”. You just have to contact someone called “Jonathan Reagan”. It’s nothing hard.

Always remember to ask a contractor: ’’In case of an issue, who do I contact?” The capability to contact the owner is paramount.

If they give you some time to discuss with you any issues, questions, or concerns, your problem is theirs too. However, if you get in touch with folks in a company that is not authorized to speak with you, you will become frustrated after being forwarded from one person to another to no avail and quit.

Whether the owner or general manager of the roofing company, you should know who you are talking with and above all, who to contact in case of an issue. The capability of contacting the owner directly demonstrates that you are a valued customer and that your concerns are theirs as well.

No. 6: Do you have a certification by shingle producers?

The best shingle producers choose 6-10 top contractors in any given region to certify their work. These certifications enable the roofing expert to have the top warranties as well as extended warranties on fabricated materials.

Ask the roofing contractor if they have a certification by any of the material fabricators and if they can show you a copy. This certification is an indicator that the shingle producer trusts the specific roofer’s workmanship and that they are a solid provider.

If a roofer has a good name in the region and is known to perform excellent workmanship, the manufacturers will reach out to them for certification of their work. However, the most common reason manufacturers choose certain contractors is because their company is connected to the roofer’s company.

They acknowledge that the roofer will use their materials properly according to their fabrication standards and guidelines to make sure that the client fully takes advantage of their materials and that their roof’s life expectancy will be prolonged.

No. 7: Can you share some references?

Obtaining some references from a roofer is paramount for employing the best one. Ask any contractor that gives you a quote for some references from past tasks executed over the last 3-6 months.

A trusted roofer will be more than willing to hand you some references upon request. You may even cross-check if the roofer has given you honest answers to the main questions in this report by speaking to previous customers.

On the contrary, if they give you excuses and refuse to give you any references, don’t even consider hiring them for your new roof. To find out more about why you should obtain these references, check out this article on top reasons to ask for references for your new roof project.

No. 8: How Do You Safeguard My Property?

Every time you need to work on your roof, a roofer should take all necessary measures to keep your property safe and sound.

It’s important to ask an expert roofer what measures they follow to safeguard your garden, landscape, light installations, and other parts of your property. For instance, they should position a tarp that is fixed from the gutters to a dumping tarp on the surface to conceal any fallen leaves or plants along the perimeter of your house.

Be warned though that some roofers sneakily refer to fine lettering on your contract that they are not accountable for any secondary damage. They’ll walk on your roof without taking any protective measures and refer to this clause in case you blame them for damage.
Safeguarding your property is a vital aspect of a roofing project. To find out more about the protective measures followed by a trusted roofer, check out this report.