Category Archives: Roofing

Are Composite Shingles Good Enough for The Varied Colorado Weather?

Colorado has spectacular landscapes that invite you to explore nature, no matter what season it is, but the altitude, combined with the climate that can vary considerably not only from one region to the other, but also from one valley to the other, certainly poses challenges when it comes to selecting building materials.

One of the most weather-sensitive components on any building is the roof – the structure that also needs to be the strongest and the most resistant to the elements. There are many roofing materials that can meet the special climate-imposed requirements that characterize the Centennial State, one of them being a relative newcomer in the range of available roofing materials: composite shingles. Here are some of the features and benefits that the solution offers to Colorado homes.

Denver roofing companies

What Are Composite Shingles?

Composite shingles are modern materials that use a combination of asphalt, fiberglass and mineral fillers, covered in a layer of ceramic granules for added weather protection. Denver roofing companies confirm that these shingles use a layered structure, with a layer of asphalt at the bottom, followed by the mat made from fiberglass saturated with asphalt and the surface impregnated with the weather-protecting granules.

The Qualities of Composite Shingles

The modern, synthetic material comes with many qualities that make it great for the capricious Colorado climate:

  • Durability – the material can last for half a century without developing any major issues. The strength of the materials used to make the composite material and of the granules on top make sure that the shingles will not only stay strong for all those years, but also that the shingles will not lose their color or shape, whatever weather comes along, even among high wind conditions, in heavy rain and snow;
  • A lightweight solution – composite shingles are among the roofing materials that add the least amount of weight to the building structure, therefore they are suitable for being used on buildings with a limited load bearing capacity;
  • Budget-friendly price – composite shingles are currently among the most affordable roofing options available on the market;
  • Easy installation and repair – composite shingles take very short to install and the process does not require any special tools or expertise. If the roof sustains any damage, the compromised component can be easily removed and replaced;
  • Versatility – composite shingles are suitable not only for a variety of climates, but for a variety of building styles as well. The product comes in a huge variety of styles, shapes, textures and colors, allowing any homeowner to pick the variety that best suites the features of their buildings;
  • Environment friendly products – composite shingles are available in varieties manufactured entirely from recycled materials, thus reducing the carbon footprint of the building that uses the shingles;
  • Added resale value – all the great features and benefits that come with composite shingles help the homeowners who want to put their property out on the market to sell their home faster and for more. The added value can also help during loan lending and other transactions.

 

How to Choose and Hire A Commercial Roofer

Business owners need to be very careful not only when they select their employees – being cautious when selecting service providers, including roofers, is just as important. Here are some tips about how to make sure that your commercial roofer is, indeed, the best.

Take the Time to Do Some Research

The first thing we usually do when we need a service or a product is to go online to check for the availability of that product or service in our area. This is the best approach when looking for a commercial roofer as well – just enter a suitable search term into your browser, such as the service you need followed by your location and your results pages will return lots of hits. Take your time to visit each of the results that you find – most commercial roofers offer valuable information related to their experience and specializations on their website and roofing sites are also great resources to find out about the qualifications of the roofers in your areas. Check the websites for information related to the roofers’ certifications, licenses, insurance and affiliations – if the sites contain no information about that aspect, but the roofer seems a good choice, ask to be shown copies of those documents during a personal meeting, you should definitely avoid a roofer who is not licensed and insured.

Check Reputation

The internet is also the best place to find out what others think about the services provided by local roofers, so check the rating and the reviews provided by the previous clients of the roofers that seem suitable for your project.

It is a good idea to talk to other business owners about the roofing companies they worked with – that way you can find out lots of important information about how professional and how reliable the roofers in your area are.

commercial roofing Kansas City

Schedule a Personal Meeting

Contact the roofers on your list to check whether they are available to work on your project and to schedule a personal meeting. Expert commercial roofing Kansas City contractors suggest that it is a good idea to have that meeting on your property – that way you can show the roofer around and you can help the contractor get a better idea of the work that is involved with your project. Try to prepare for that meeting – make a list with all the questions that you want answers to and another list with your requirements, then ask the roofer to provide a detailed roofing estimate that addresses all those requirements.

Evaluate Your Cost Estimates

The cheapest roofer is not necessarily the best, so evaluate the estimates you receive from the roofers that you have interviewed not only based on the proposed costs, but also in terms of warranties, the quality of the materials to be used and the deadlines proposed. When you have made the final decision, contact the roofer and ask for a contract that includes every parameter of your project – this step is often neglected, but essential for your peace of mind as the responsible owner or manager of a commercial property.

DIY Roof Repair Pointers and Ideas

Many DIY home repair enthusiasts undertake smaller and larger roof repair projects as well – if you are a homeowner who has successfully accomplished many repair projects around your home, but roofing is still an unknown area for you, here are some pointers to help you accomplish the repair of your roof successfully, too.

Get the Right Materials and Tools

Having at hand all the tools and materials that you will need for the repair is essential for the success of the repair project. Evaluate the issue that you want to fix from the point of view of tool and material needs, get everything you need, then figure out how you can take everything up onto the roof or to the attic safely.

Pay Attention to Safety

Roofing work is done high up, therefore it comes with risks even for people who don’t suffer from a fear of heights. To prevent any accident or injury, make sure that the clothes that you wear are suitable for the task – you should be wearing non-slip work shoes, work clothes that are not too large, but not too tight either, sturdy work gloves and a helmet as well. You will also need safety harnesses to anchor yourself to a fixed, stable point on the roof and the quality of the ladder that you will use is also essential. Make sure to have company, too – have someone helping you from the ground, the presence of someone who follows your every move from down there and who can safely hand you tools and materials is essential for your safety.

Parker roofing contractor

Be Realistic

Unprofessional roof repairs can do more harm than good, so do not undertake any repair that is beyond your skills or abilities. Before you start the repair, research the method that works best and attempt the repair on your own only if you are sure that you can do it. If you have any doubt, contact and hire a Parker roofing contractor for the job instead – the rates charged by your roofer are a good investment into the health and safety of your building and of your household.

Some Common Roof Repair Projects Suitable for DIY Enthusiasts

While complete reroofing or the installation of the roof on a new construction might be just too much for amateurs, here are some tasks that can be successfully accomplished by DIYers:

  • Roof and gutter cleaning – the task is essential for maintaining the health of any roof and it usually does not involve more than climbing up to the roof on a ladder, scrapping the clogs and debris out of the gutter pipes and sweeping the surface of the roof;
  • Resealing the flashing – the stripes of material that seal the areas in roof valleys and around roof openings might become loose or cracked, but in most cases, the damage can be fixed with some roofing caulk or flashing replacement;
  • Replacing damaged roofing components – deteriorated roof shingles and tiles are not very difficult to replace either, but if you have a metal roof made up of large panels, the job is best left to Parker roofing professionals.