Toe Boards – Your Roof’s Hidden Problem

Toe boards have been used forever. Just in case you don’t know what a toe board is in the roofing world these are

Yes toe board holes are this small!

typically 2x4s that are nailed on top of the shingles to give the roofer support on steep pitches.

These toe boards are clearly a safety devices. No toe board – No Roofer. Without this support the roofer slides right off the roof. It may not happen today or next year but eventually one roofer is going to slip without the help of this support board.

Simple enough – toe boards are must! If you are roofing in Atlanta like EverDry Roofing is then you know that every residential roof you stand upon is steep. You can’t afford not to have this type of support. Add in an old roof with loose asphalt granules, a little morning dew, the pure unrelenting heat of a Georgia afternoon and a lot of sweat and someone without support is sure to fall.

So what is “Your Roof’s Hidden Problem” when using toe boards?

The problem is you can’t place a 2×4 in a horizontal position on a asphalt shingle roof with nails and expect it not to leak in just a few short years. If the shingles are pliable enough they may self-seal for a while and if the roofer remembers to reseal the holes with roof cement you may actually get a few years out of it. But eventually as you can probably guess it is not a good idea to poke holes into a brand new roof.

The picture shown above has happen throughout my entire neighborhood. This community is about 18 years old and everyone’s roof is failing in the same manner. These very small holes caused a whole lot of damage. We all should have gotten 25 years out of these structures but it was not to be… The dreaded toe boards holes were not resealed.

There are alternatives to the old toe board system!

Don’t think that since there are alternatives to the toe boards that all roofer are being sold or even being taught how to use them. While studying other articles for this practice of nailing toe boards I ran into a current DIY website that mentioned the same thing.

David Peterson – Editor Roofing Atlanta and Remodeling Atlanta

HOMEOWNER ROOFING TIP

There is a pretty good chance that at least once in your life you will experience a roof leak. And unfortunately you notice that leak when it is raining and causing damage on the inside of your house.

So if you are like me you will probably try to take care of the problem yourself. If you know where the leak is coming from but the surface is still wet which product should you use?

Try Henry 208R. HE208R is a Rubberized Wet Patch Roof Cement.

Repair holes, cracks, and splits on composition, mineral surface cap sheet, asphalt coated, SBS modified, metal, and masonry roofs. Also use it to seal leaks and openings around flashing, chimneys, vents, skylights, joints in metal edging and gutters.

Again this product can be applied onto WET surfaces.

The product is ready to use out of the can. The only real surface prep is to clean the roof with a brush to remove lose gravel. If there is other patch material applied at a previous time then that will need to be cut out before applying this patch cement.

Clean up with mineral spirits.

Good luck on your next roof repair OR call a roofing professional.

5 Gallon Water Bottle Carrier

It’s hot on this roof!

Your crew needs a lot of water during the summer. You are probably carrying around several 5 gallon coolers of water at any one time.

With the summer heat fast approaching you probably want to put water consumption at the top of the list of your crew’s needs. We can’t have them falling off the roof due to dehydration.

If you are purchasing water from a bottle water company then you have probably experienced just how heavy those 5 gallon containers are. They each weight about 55lbs.

To make matters a little harder they are big and round and are not that easy to carry.

I ran into a company the other day that created a 5 gallon bottle carrier. This simple and inexpensive device slips right around the neck of the bottle and you just pull on your handle to secure it. This will keep your workers from having to lean over which can strain their backs.

If you are purchasing from a water company then my advice is that you give this a try. It certainly makes it easier to carry the water.

Today’s Roofing Options – What’s New and What’s In

Posted By: Remodeling Atlanta / Written by: Ernest Jarquio

Roofing is one of the most important aspects of home and building construction as most structures would need something to serve as shelter. It is not surprising how roofing has developed over the course of history and even so just over the past two decades. As more homes are being built, more options of roofing have sprouted as well. This fills the several requirements, not only of function, but also of aesthetics. It is amazing to observe how many choices a homeowner can make when it comes to roofing.

The Built-up Roof

If there is one roofing option that is considered a classic, it would most definitely be the built-up roof system. Developed for over a century ago, this type of roof has a time-tested reputation that makes it almost an automatic choice for a lot of home builders. Of course, this is not a perfect roofing option as it can pose some considerable limitations, but a lot of those who chose this type have seen it work quite well.

The built-up roof is generally preferred in places of high traffic and when there is a possibility for the roof to be subjected to mechanical abuse. The built-up roof’s membrane is generally thicker and stronger compared to most other roofing options with its multiple layers and gravel surfacing. Since this is a popular choice, it is usually easy to find a contractor who can handle both installation and repair of this roof type in most locations.

The main disadvantage with built-up roofs is inflexibility. The roof may be subject to damage due to structural or thermal movement. A long building would need additional roofing support to prevent the roof from damage due to contraction. The compression due to cold temperatures or stretching due to hot temperatures may also take a toll on built-up roofs. Much care is needed if these factors are pronounced in a particular area.

Modified-Bitumen Roofing Systems

Modified-bitumen roofs have similar advantages and disadvantages as built-up roofs. However, one great advantage of this roofing option is that it performs significantly better during cold weather. This type of roofing has been developed to become flexible when the temperature is low. They can adapt to temperature changes better than the built-up roof.

There are two type of modified-bitumen roofs – the plastic-based ones (APP) and the rubber-based ones (SEBS and SBS). The plastic-based membranes are usually installed using torches while the rubber-based membranes are installed using cold adhesives or hot asphalt. Most modified-bitumen roofs already have granulated surfaces so they are lighter than built-up roofs that have gravel surfaces. Modified-bitumen roofs may also be added as cap sheets on top of existing built-up roofs. This adds redundancy to the roofing as well as some flexibility.

Single-Ply Roofing Systems

Singly-ply roofing, as its name suggests, is comprised of a single layer make of plastic or elastic material. Because there is only one layer, this type of roofing is thick. There are two types of single-ply roofs, first, thermoset membranes whose seams are sealed using adhesives and second, thermoplastic membranes whose seams are welded using heat or a solvent. There are three types of attachment for single-plys – ballasted, loose-laid and fully adhered. Because of its light weight, the single-ply is often used for re-covering. They are also quite inexpensive.

Single-ply roofs may be sensitive to certain substances and great care should be taken when choosing from different kinds of single-plys. EPDM and PVC-based materials can be damaged when exposed to oil, jet fuel, and cooking grease. When there are such emissions in the area, the chemical composition of the single-ply membrane should be checked carefully.

Metal Roofing

Metal roofing is no longer limited to those leaky sliding panels attached together rather insecurely and then screwed or nailed to a frame. Today, there are metal roofs that have more secure concealed clips that can be expanded or contracted. Perhaps the most important factor for choosing metal roofing is its life expectancy: metal does not decompose or break down even with exposure to extremes in weather. Some metal roofing may have warranties of up to 50 years. The disadvantage with metal however is the greater possibility of leaks compared to other roofing options. If metal is not installed properly, leaks are likely to occur.

There are several other roofing options these days. It is just important to choose the right type for the right structure. Whether it is new or a classic, good roofing should serve its purpose of providing good coverage.

About the Author:

Ernest Jarquio is a dedicated family man hopelessly addicted to do-it-yourself projects. For more information, visit his website, where he discusses various subjects such as different roofing options, EPDM roofing and standing seam roofing.

What to Expect During Your Home’s Roof Replacement Project

Article Posted by Atlanta Remodeling / Authored by Connie Gallerizzo

Replacing your roof is an essential part of maintaining your home. A damaged or improperly maintained roof can cause thousands and dollars in damage to other parts of the home. Repairs only go so far, and eventually it will be time to replace your roof entirely. Replacing your roof can seem like a daunting task for the first time homeowner. Choosing between hundreds of professional roofing contractors can be confusing. Thankfully, the project of getting a new roof is not too complicated, and it helps to know what to expect.

The first step in any roof replacement project is obtaining estimates and choosing a contractor. It’s a good idea to research several companies. Make sure they have good reputations and are licensed in your state. Be sure to obtain estimates from several contractors before signing a contract, as roofing estimates can have a wide range. There are many factors that can influence the cost of a roof replacement. It’s good to know a little about them before you get too involved.

The size and slope of the roof, the materials being used, and the region of the country can all affect the final cost of the project. A roof that is particularly steep and slippery will cost more to replace than a roof that is more easily accessible. The height of the roof matters as well. Roofs on two-story homes are more expensive to replace than roofs on ramblers or ranchers. This is simply because it’s easier for the workers to access a roof that is closer to the ground. Also, like almost anything, prices vary depending on where you live. Roof replacements cost more in places where the general cost of living is higher. The frequency of roof replacements differs depending on the region of the county as well. Roofs in the Midwest generally need to be replaced more often than roofs in other parts of the country due to extreme weather. Likewise, homeowners in Southern California replace their roofs less often since the weather is usually mild year-round.

There are several different types of roofs you can have installed. The materials can range in price anywhere from $1 to $40 or more per square foot. The most common roofing material is asphalt shingles. These are relatively inexpensive and are usually guaranteed to last anywhere between 20 and 30 years. They come in may different colors to compliment the exterior of your home. Another form of roofing is wood shake, which usually costs $6 to $9 a square foot. These roofs are usually made of cedar and can last 12 to 25 years, but they require almost constant maintenance. Metal roofing such as copper or aluminum can cost $15-$20 a square foot. Tile roofs, such as terra cotta, are generally used in southwestern architecture and cost $6 to $9 a square foot. (Tiles are not recommended in areas with frequent rainfall, as they have a tendency to leak.) A slate roof is the most durable, though it is also the most expensive, and can cost up to $40 a square foot ($120,000 to replace a 3,000 square foot roof). Slate is generally used on upscale homes and can last up to 200 years or more depending on the quality.

Along with being inexpensive, asphalt shingles require little maintenance, making them the most popular roofing choice for American homeowners. While asphalt shingle roofs are often designed to last 25 or 30 years, the actual life span of your roof can vary depending on where you live. High speed winds, hurricanes, heavy storms, blizzards, and dramatic temperature fluctuations decrease the longevity of your roof. Estimates for replacing an asphalt shingled roof can range from $1,500 to $9,000 depending on the size of the roof as well as location.

The cost of a roof replacement project varies depending on where you live. A roof replacement costs less in the Midwest than it does in the Northeast. In places where the general cost of living is higher, roof replacements will cost more as well. If you live in the Midwest, you will need to replace your roof more often. High speed winds, tornadoes, blizzards, and ice storms will all wreck havoc on your roof. Temperature fluctuations can also damage roofs. In the desert the temperature can be over 100 degrees during the day and drop to 50 or 40 degrees at night. 20-year asphalt shingles in Arizona and New Mexico last on average only 15 years, due to sustained damage from temperature fluctuations. Homeowners in regions with mild weather can get away with more moderate roof repairs, putting off full replacements for longer periods of time.

Roof replacement estimates may vary depending on all of these factors (location, materials, etc.). The final cost once the work is completed may be higher than the initial estimate, as your roof may have some unforeseen damage that will add to the final cost . Underneath the shingles, your roof could be rotted or have water damage. Replacing the roof support system can add thousands of dollars to the bill, depending on the extent of the damage. This is a good incentive to keep your roof properly maintained and have it replaced on time.

When you’re choosing your roofing contractor, ask for references. You’ll definitely want to see examples of their work on local homes. When giving an estimate, a contractor will come to your house to inspect your roof. He’ll come up with a number that factors in the cost of materials and labor, including the cost of stripping and throwing away the old shingles. The estimate should include the cost of removal and disposal of the old roofing material. If not, ask about this to avoid surprises. There is a chance that there will be some unforeseen costs in the project, so it is good to avoid as many of these as possible. After the visit, they will send you a written contract. A contract from a roofing company should include a description of what is to be done, as well as when it is to be done and a schedule for payment. Having it all in writing can protect the homeowner later on. Be sure to shop around before settling on a specific contractor, as prices can vary considerably.

Once you’ve chosen your roofing materials and your contractor, it’s time to set a date for the project. The actual work of replacing the roof can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the size of the roof. You should plan to have someone at home while the work is being done. If they have any questions or discover any additional problems with your roof, it helps that you are home to discuss things with them.

Before the workers arrive, it’s good to remove any items that may get in the way of their ladders. Climbing on roofs can be dangerous, even for professionals, so it’s best to stay out of their way. First, the roofers rip out all the old roofing shingles and replace any rotted or damaged wood in the roof. Next they lay a base, and then they lay the shingles. Roof work is noisy. Expect to hear a lot of hammering as well as people running around all over your roof. It’s not really an invasive home repair. You won’t have workmen coming inside your house. As long as you don’t mind the noise, it’s not much of a hassle.

When the old shingles have been stripped, any un-shingled portions of the roof should be covered with a tarp overnight to protect your home in case of rain or overnight storms.

Once your new roof is completed, make sure the workers have cleaned up all the debris that has fallen. When a roof is replaced, the workers usually toss the pieces of the old roof onto the ground or into a dump truck as they’re working. Once the bulk of the old material is disposed of, responsible companies will clean up after themselves to ensure customer satisfaction. They usually have a magnetic broom that picks up all the nails and other materials that can be hazardous as well as unsightly. You may find a shingle or two in your yard afterwards, which is perfectly normal.

When you have roof work done, you should never pay anything up front. You always pay after the job is completed. This is standard procedure. All reputable roofing companies operate this way.

During your next project, it’s important to have a general idea of the costs as well as procedures. The basic thing to remember is to get several roof replacement estimates before choosing your contractor. Expect professionalism and get references. Knowing what to expect is the key to having a pleasant experience. Contact Information: Connie Gallerizzo connie@leadstormmedia.com

Roofing – Under the Shingles – What’s Under the Asphalt, Metal, Wood, Rubber Or Clay Tiles on a Roof

Posted by Atlanta Remodeling: Article written by Eric Gilbert

Imagine, you’re standing on the sidewalk, looking at an average house. You see the siding, the windows, the front door, and way up above, you see the roof. Does the roof have asphalt shingles? Wood shakes perhaps? Maybe it’s made of metal or rubber tiles? What you see is where the focus goes, but it’s what you don’t see that really matters. There’s more to roofing than meets the eye. So let’s talk about what goes on, under the shingles.

The Roof Deck

We learn to crawl before we walk, so when talking about roofing let’s start with square one, the surface area of your roof which is made of wood. Your wood roof deck is comparable to an automobiles metal body. It is installed on top of the basic house frame to give a surface area on which to install Shingles. Without a roof deck installed on your house, there would be nowhere to install your Shingles. And of course without the shingles, your roof deck would rot away due to exposure to the sun, rain, snow and ice and etc…not a comfortable home at all!

On Newer Houses, sheets of plywood or OSB boards are fastened on top of wooden trusses in your attic to form the roof deck. Plywood or OSB boards are installed in a staggered formation with small spaces between them to allow wood to expand and contract as the wood heats in the summer and cools in the winter. Older homes often have lengths of 2″ x 6″ installed instead of plywood or OSB board. When the time comes for you to replace your Roof System, remember to have your Calgary Roofing Contractor replace any and all damaged wood.

Remember, if your roof deck is rotting or damaged in any way, people walking on your roof could potentially crack or break through the wood, causing further damage to the roof system, such as to the shingles…and to the person who walked on it! However, most roof decks can withstand a little bit of exposure to water or ice before it needs to be replaced.

Metal: Drip Edge and Rake Edge

Drip edge and Rake edge is the first part of the Roof System to be installed. It is a long and narrow piece of metal which is installed along each end of your Roof Deck, ie: along the eaves trough and along the gable ends.

Some area local building codes require the installation of Drip Edge and Rake Edge and other building codes do not. Check with your local city building offices to find out. In Alberta for example, the Building Code does not require the installation of Drip edge or Rake edge. Therefore many new homes and/or low budget roof systems do not have drip edge installed in order to allow for more affordable roof prices. We recommend however that Drip edge and Rake edge be installed on every Roof System, no exceptions.

Drip and Rake edge is available in a variety of different colors and sizes and can be custom built for the needs of your roof system. Installing an appropriate drip edge often saves hundreds and sometimes even thousands of dollars when your roof system needs replaced.

If your Roof System does not currently have drip or rake edge installed, do not panic, you’ll survive well enough. Just be aware that when your roof needs to be replaced, the Roofing Contractor you may need to replace some of your wood Roof Deck on an as needed basis.

Metal: Chimneys and Skylights

Arguably the most important part of every complete roof system. The metal installed in the valleys, chimneys and skylights take the brunt of water flow on every roof. Poorly installed, a brand new roof system can make a waterfall out of your living room.

Every chimney and skylight needs what is referred to as “a back pan”, which consists of sheet metal folded at around a 90 degree angle (depending on the slope of your roof) and tucks under the shingles and up under the siding, stucco or counter flashing on the chimney or skylight. Every back pan needs a small 2″ section of metal sticking out 1″ or more from either side of the chimney or skylight to divert water away from the corners. Water should hit the metal back pan and be directed away on either side where it can continue its run into the eaves trough.

Metal: Valleys

In the same way water runs along the valleys between two mountains, water runs along the valleys on your roof peaks. Valleys generally receive the highest concentration of water flowing through them, therefore installing them correctly is extremely important!

As mentioned in the Leak Barrier section, valleys have leak barriers installed underneath them. Even though some Building Codes do not require such a leak barrier to be installed, we recommend installing one always in every valley.

A word of caution: Many roofing contractors install valleys in a style referred to as ‘closed’. A closed valley consists of Shingles woven inside the valley, as opposed to an ‘open’ valley which has sheet metal running from top to bottom. Both the ‘open’ and the ‘closed’ style of installation are acceptable by the most Building Codes and by most manufacturers, however, the ‘open’ style installation has consistently out performed the ‘closed’ style…and costs exactly the same price to install. Ask your Roofing Contractor to use the ‘open’ style of installation for your roofs valleys, this could save you from having to replace your roof system prematurely and also can avoid headaches in the long run. Typically, an ‘open’ valley is installed with a 30 gauge sheet metal, 4′ wide, coming in 10′ sheets. This metal can be ordered in any color to match the shingles on your roof system.

Leak Barrier

Think of a leak barrier as a “second layer” of protection for your Roof Deck. A backup plan, if you will, and also a protection against moisture build up. Leak barriers are nearly always installed on top of the Drip Edge and Rake Edge metal along eaves trough areas, gable areas and valleys because of the risk these areas pose for leaks, ice build up, shingle deterioration and water back flow.

If you’ve ever looked at your roof during winter, you’ll notice how ice and snow builds up along the length of your eaves troughs and inside the roof valleys. As with Rake Edge and Drip Edge, some Building codes require Leak Barriers to be installed and some Building Codes do not. In Alberta, the Building Code requires a leak Barrier to be installed on all eaves trough and valley areas of a Roof Systems because of issues related to such snow and ice build up. As an optional upgrade, some high end roof systems even have leak barriers installed on top of the entire Roof Deck (as opposed to only along the special areas we just mentioned) where normally a standard Roof Deck Protection would normally have been installed.

Virtually all roofs in Calgary, Alberta have leak barriers installed, and many different types of leak barriers are available in today’s market, each offering a different level of reliability, functionality and warrantee and produced by many different manufacturers.

Choosing an appropriate Leak Barrier and installing it properly is an important step in every Roof System. Speak with your Roofing Contractor to learn more about leak barriers, how to choose the right one and how to choose a Professional Roofing Contractor to install it.

Roof Deck Protection

Roof Deck Protection is very similar to a Leak Barrier. The difference is that Roof Deck Protection is installed on the entire Roof Deck area instead of only on “special areas” as we mention in the Leak Barrier section.

Typically, Roof Deck Protection is a step lower in quality than a Leak Barrier. As with Leak Barriers however, there are many different types of Roof Deck Protection available to choose from ranging from basic felt/tar paper to advanced plastic woven sheets of rip and wrinkle proof material. Choosing a reliable Roof Deck Protection is an important part of a quality Roof System.

A word of caution; most roofing companies use felt paper as Roof Deck Protection. Although using felt paper is a standard and acceptable practice, some issues can arise if the felt paper becomes wet during or after the installation. Ever notice how paper tends to curl when it dries after it was wet? In a similar way, felt paper can curl if water or excess moisture touches it. For this reason, and because the cost is quite small, we recommend installing a higher quality Roof Deck Protection such as a GAF/ELK Deck Armour. For a relatively small additional cost, you’ll be rewarded with a much more reliable Roof Deck Protection.

Ask your local trusted Roofing Contractor about which under-layer would be best for your Roof System any why.

Conclusion

So there it is, life beneath the shingles. See how much goes on behind the scenes? Professional roofing contractors know this stuff inside and out and can help immensely in ensuring a roof system is reliable for many years. Product suppliers such as GAF/Elk and IKO can help answer specific questions about products as well.

All the best with your roofing project, and remember, be proactive, make educated decisions.

This article is written by Eric Gilbert-Williams, owner of The Roof Hospital located in Calgary Alberta.

Visit the Calgary Roofing Contractors website

The Roof Hospital is a Calgary Roofing Contractor Company focused exclusively on roof repairs and replacements.

With 24/hr 7/day service, lifetime guarantee’s on workmanship and with a deep understanding of the complete roof system, The Roof Hospital is a safe and reliable for Calgary roofing projects.

If you would like to learn more about A Complete Roof System, visit this Calgary Roofing Contractors website

The Roof Hospital also serves the Cochrane, Airdrie, Okotokes, Chestermere and Langdon area.

Be Proactive. Choose a reliable roofing contractor for your project, work with them to select quality products and back yourself with a strong warranty.

Be Proactive. Let Us Help.

Metal Roofing – How to Finding Responsible Metal Roofing Contractor

Aleksandr Biyevetskiy

You remember the day one of your buddies mentioned something about the benefits of a new metal roof and how great it was. At that moment you thought your friend must have been clueless on a subject matter of metal roofing, or else they would have never even consider making such a silly statement. After all, how can one imagine putting a metal roof on a house, when not only does it make loud noises when it is raining, but it would make your house look like an agricultural barn. Absurd! Thus you have simply dismissed your friend’s roofing views as uneducated and silly until one day when you became a believer yourself.

Oh man, That roof is beautiful! Oh wait a minute is that a metal roof?

Shortly after the silly roofing conversation with your friend has been almost forgotten, you have found yourself driving on your sub urban road to a friend’s house when you attention was suddenly drawn to beautiful house standing magnificently among other houses on that street. At that moment, you also realized that it was the unusually sharp looking roof that has drawn your attention and made the house look appealing. Suddenly, you found yourself pulling over off to the side of the road, despite the fact that you were already running late to your friends’ planned get together party. You had one of those moments when you simply had to stop, and look at this unusual roof. You walked up to the house to get a better look at the roof. Standing only about 15 feet away from the roof you could see the beautiful lines of cedar shake design and the playful reflectance of the sun. You realized the roof you were looking at, was unlike any other roof you have seen before it had a beautiful look of ceder shake shingle, but you could not quite tell what it was made out of. Or, could you? After going through many known types of roofing materials mentally, you realized that this could in fact be a metal roof that your friend has mentioned. What surprised you the most was that this metal roof looked nothing like what you would think a metal roof would look like.

A Metal Roof is nothing like a metal roof I had pictured in my mind.

You were very surprised, even astonished to learn that metal roofs can look so magnificent. After all, you have always picture metal roofs as gray colored and rusty corrugated roof coverings over agricultural barns. You have heard about the loud noise they produce when it is raining, and the lightning that they can attract. However, this residential metal roof looked nothing like the image you had programmed in your mind, in fact it was the total opposite of it. It had the beautiful lines created by the well thought design of metal shingle tiles, metal ridge cap and the quality of a metal flashing detail. Another discovery you have made was that, it was not the house itself, that was magnificent, in fact the house was rather average, but it was the metal roof that made the house look like a million bucks.

Metal Roofing Paradigm Shift

Perhaps you were not a believer just yet, but there was something that has shifted in your view towards metal roofing, the old barn metal roofing prejudice was evaporating, and the new curious interest in metal roofing was born. You told your friends about the metal roof you saw, and they were quite surprised to hear about it. All but one of them, did not have much to say about it. But, a friend of yours who tried to tell you about benefits of metal roofs before, said “See, bud, you were making fun of it, and now you are all excited about it.” Indeed, your views were beginning to change. In fact, you were now becoming so curious about metal roofing that you decided to speak with a knowledgeable contractor who installs metal roofing.

Not your typical roofing job

Your friend told you that metal roofing installation is totally different form conventional roofing and that your regular roofer does not know how to install a metal roof. In fact, he told you a story of man who had conventional roofing contractor install a metal roof for somebody he knew and it was a disaster. Roofing contractor who did the installation did not know what he was doing and performed an incorrect installation. As a result, the roof was leaking badly, and a new experienced metal roofer had to be brought on the job to undo the damage, and reinstall the system from a scratch. Your friend explained to you that people who claim that metal roofing is easier to install than a conventional roof, have never installed one, and use hearsay as their frame of reference, Their misguided beliefs confuse other people and cost industry a lot money in poor and sometimes outright wrong quality of roofing installation.

If you want a metal roof, find a contractor who specializes in metal roofing.

The moral of your friend’s story and its lesson was clear, it is better to invest time and energy to find a qualified metal roofing contractor to install your roof in the first place than, it is to hire the wrong crew that has never installed a metal roof before, and will treat it as another asphalt shingle “get it done in one day” project. Now, that there were no questions remaining as to the importance of hiring a roofing company that specializes in metal roofing, your friend advised you to use a Roofing Contractors directory broken down into categories by specialties; metal roofing contractor companies organized by location in the U.S, and by specialty categories such as standing seam and metal shingle installers.

Selecting the right metal roofing contractor

Having done some research, you have come to realize that there were quite a few metal roofing contractors and companies offering metal roofing, and you now had the choice and burden of selecting the best possible metal roofing contractor you could find. The selection process was pretty straight forward, but it was important to follow it to the T.

The pre-screening process would involve a potential roofing contractor coming over to your house and giving you an estimate. Right of the bat, you realized that there is a lot of potential roofing fraud going on, when one of the contractors came up to take a look at your roof, and quoted a roofing price that was only half of what the two guys have quoted before him, and he asked for cashiers check for the full amount upfront. This gentleman was clearly a roof scam artist preying on older and uneducated people.

Fortunately, not every body in roofing business is a scam artist and there are some trust worthy roofers. One of them ended up giving a quote that was nearly four times the amount of asphalt shingle contractor who gave an estimate before him. But, despite the higher initial metal roofing costs the benefits he outlined made a lot of sense. The long and the short of it was that metal roof is the last roof you ever have to install, and you get a roof that not only looks great and lasts you a lifetime, but also helps you with energy saving, and increases the value of your home. Is not that a bargain?

Of course, the price alone, high or low, is not the only criteria in making a decision as to whether or not you should hire any particular roofing contractor. A far more important variable is the quality of their work, which only be checked by asking for references, looking at the quality of their work and perhaps event talking to people to see if they are really happy with the roofing job that a contractor has performed. It is also, a good idea to carefully research the metal roofing system that a contractor plans on using, the type of roofing under layment they want to use, and find out about how they plan to ventilate the roof.

Important questions to ask your metal roofing contractor.

Warranty details – Find out if it is just the material warranty from a product manufacturer, or if the contractor actually warranties the job to be leak free and water tight.

Under Layment type – Studies have shown that metal roofs should not be installed over synthetic vapor barrier insulation, as it will trap the moisture and may cause deck rotting. Therefore it is recommended to use breathable ventilation system.

Ventilation – A roof that is not properly ventilated may fail prematurely due to moisture trapping and ice dams formation and damage from trapped hot air. Ask how a roofing contractor plans to ventilate your roof.

Deck repair – if a roof is going to to require a tear off; Ask your roofing contractor if they are going to fix any possible deck damage, and get it in writing.

Written Proposal and contract. – Get a written proposal and / or contract and study it in detail before you agree to any work. Ask that your contractor puts all the promises in writing, otherwise, you will have no way to get what you were promised if a contractor fails to deliver upon their promises.

Finally use your good judgment.

Good luck!

Aleksandr Biyevetskiy is co manager of LA Metal Roofs, LLC, Massachusetts roofing contractors installing aluminum metal roofs in MA, RI, CT, and NH. LA metal roofs LLC is also certified to install IB flat roofing membrane outlasting conventional flat roofs many times.

Learn about metal roofing cost benefit benefits by visiting http://www.newenglandmetalroof.com which educates homeowners on benefits of metal roofing. It provides a regularly updated guide to metal roof pricing, and free roofing calculator. There are also step by step guides teaching home owners how to measure and estimate their own roofs before they even talk to a metal roofing contractor. Knowledge is power, put yourself at a position of advantage by learning more about metal roofing benefits, and how much you should pay for a new metal roof. Finally use our roofing directory to find a qualified metal roofing contractor near you. Homeowners in RI, MA, CT, and NH can request our free roof estimates, and roof ventilation analysis via roofing estimate request form.

TPO (Thermoplastic Olefin)

TPO (Thermoplastic Olefin) is a single ply roofing membrane which is used on Commercial and Residential buildings. Because the membrane is thin, ranging from 45 to 80 Mil’s thick, it is light in weight yet durable and remains flexible to accommodate the expansion and contraction of varying climates. More technically speaking, TPO is a trade name that refers to polymer, polyethylene, polypropylene, BCPP, rubber, and a reinforcement filler. This roof system is taking over the construction industry because it remains flexible (like EPDM) yet has heat weldable seams (like PVC) and is usually white, which saves significantly on energy costs.

When TPO was new to the roofing industry, it underwent the typical developmental challenges (quite similar to PVC membrane’s issues). But the reputation of Versico is head and shoulders above the rest as it has consistently provided a high quality roofing solution. Most TPO manufacturers have figured out a long lasting formula for their TPO’s, but Versico continues to lead the way.

In February of 2010, an article was published by the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) informing consumers of the likelihood of accelerated aging in certain conditions where the UV rays concentrate on the membrane due to reflective surfaces that are adjacent to the roof surface. Examples of these surfaces would be large mirror windows next to a roof surface, or reflective flashing on a wall above the roof. Accelerated deterioration from focused UV Rays is not necessarily unique to TPO, but because TPO is becoming so widely used today, the article focused on the TPO roofing membrane needing to be upgraded in situations such as these. Once again Versico has led the way in this solution.

Every Versico Membrane is enhanced with Octaguard XT Weathering Package in its sheet. This enhances the product to give more life to the sheet. In fact the Versico TPO membrane can withstand over 60 days at a constant 275 deg F without showing signs of material failure. Most others manufacturers do not withstand this lab test without showing deterioration.

Aside from the material quality, there is still one major consideration: Any roofing system is only as good as the who install it! It doesn’t matter how good the material is, if the installers are not experienced, the quality level of the entire roof system will suffer. Seek out a company who has been installing TPO membrane for at least 5 years.

Brady Roofing has been installing TPO full time for 12 years on Commercial buildings as well as Residential homes. They are factory trained and certified. We provide service around the country for flat and pitched roofs. We are experts at installing TPO and other roofing systems. To learn more about Brady Roofing, visit our website: TPO Roofing Contractor at http://www.bradyroofing.net.