Restorative coatings are among the best solutions for advancing the life of your roof.

Why use roof coatings?

A fair amount of research has gone into the development of roof coatings. Several facts have come out of the research regarding their characteristics. One of the most desirable qualities is their ability to expand and contract with the roof, while staying intact. Another is their facility to deflect UV rays, the most influential environmental impact a roof has to endure, followed closely by excellent water repellent qualities. They seal the roof in a way that taped and mechanically fastened roof seams cannot.

Moreover, owners of buildings with flat roofs find themselves in dire circumstances when leaks occur. It’s often next to impossible to find a leak on a flat roof, because it’s not perfectly flat and there is no attic to reveal the location where water first penetrates the surface. The suggested solution lies in taking steps before leaks occur with these coatings, resulting in extending the life of the roof beyond its expected life cycle. It will also facilitate necessary replacement, as needed.
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Most homeowners do not start thinking about their roof until it starts leaking. It’s understandable, but if your roof is already leaking, and you can see it inside your house – it means that the roof has been slowly leaking for a while, and the damage is probably more extensive than what you see.

We understand that roofing is not the most exciting topic, and unless you are faced with certain roofing issues, you will not be much interested in roofing. However, once those roof issues arise, you will want to know as much about your roof issues as possible.

This is just the place for homeowners to learn about roofing!

In this Roofing Guide for Homeowners you will find information on how to prevent roof leaks if possible, how to deal with roof leaks, how to repair simple roof leaks, how to choose the longest lasting roofing materials for your home, how much a new roof should cost, how to choose a roofing contractor, and many other roof related topics. We separated this guide into three separate sections:

• Roof Leaks Prevention and Roof Repair
• Choosing Roofing Materials and a Roofing Contractor
• Roofing Prices Guide
• Miscellaneous Roofing Articles for homeowners

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Metal roofs typically cost about three times the amount you would pay to install a 30-year laminated (architectural) asphalt shingles roof. The difference in cost is based on the assumption that both roofs would be installed by a reputable, fully licensed and insured roofing company that hires legal roofers. It is hardly any surprise that a sticker / price shock is a strong deterrent for many people.

Frankly, metal roofs are not for everybody. If you have a simple roof with medium pitch, and minimal penetrations, a regular asphalt shingles roof may work just fine for you. However, in some situations, a metal roof may be the only viable option. For example, if your roof has serious ice dam problem, and it’s impossible to improve your attic ventilation / insulation at a reasonable cost, then a metal roof may be your solution or
salvation.

But, enough with the rhetoric, and back to metal roofing costs…

First and foremost, a metal roofing system is far more expensive to manufacture, and its installation requires many specialized accessories such as end-wall, valley trim and drip edge, and gable flashing. Residential metal roofs are usually made of high grade galvanized steel (G-90 galvanized steel or Galvalume) or rust-proof aluminum, and painted with a premium Kynar 500 paint.

Besides the high cost of metal roofing materials, you also would want to use premium synthetic underlayment instead of roofing felt (this is not a must, but it is highly recommended). The synthetic underlayment costs about 3 times more than a 30 lb. felt. Overall, one square of standing seam metal roofing materials with all the accessories and underlayment will cost about $400 for a simple gable roof. As you get into cut-up roofs, the cost can be as high as $500-600 per square. On top of that you need to consider the fact that there are very few qualified metal roofing installers who will not butcher your roof, and instead, will actually make sure that you roof is watertight and will last you for the promised lifetime. Read the rest of this entry »

Metal roofs, which were considered something of a rarity, or a farm-type roof or “only for frigid north” type of roof just a mere 10 years ago, are now everywhere, ranging from unique design modern buildings, to typical residential homes. Today metal roofs represent about 10% of all residential roofs installed. Because of a lifetime nature of metal roofing materials, you can only expect this number to grow, as they are taking market-share away from asphalt shingles.

A metal roof is one of the longest lasting roofing materials, and at the same time it offers unsurpassed beauty and weatherproofing in climates ranging from tropical south to frigid north. A properly installed, quality metal roof should last a minimum of 50 years, while providing superior weather protection for your home or building.

Metal roof will make your home stand out from a boring identity crisis of a typical residential neighborhood. You can choose from a wide variety of different metal roofing styles and metals, to get exactly the look you are looking for.

Your choices range from a very popular standing seam metal roof, to metal shingles that resemble natural slate, concrete flat tile roofing and cedar shingles, to a stone coated steel roofs that look like Spanish tile, or architectural asphalt shingles, to a metal shake roofs that resemble heavy hand-split cedar shake, and everything in between.

As far as metal choices, you can have a typical steel roof installed, or if you live along the coast, you can get your roof made from aluminum, or if you feel fancy, get a copper or a zinc roof, and observe the natural weathering of these beautiful metals. Read the rest of this entry »

With most of northern states covered in snow and ice, Ice Dams and ice dams prevention is one of the hottest roofing topics among homeowners right now (Feb 4, 2011). We get over 30 calls from local homeowners in Massachusetts asking us if we remove ice dams and snow off the roof, and our recent post on how to prevent ice dams gets over 200 hits per day – obviously ice dams turned out to be a major problem this year with over 40 inches of snow that we got here in MA in January alone.

Letting the snow and ice sit on your roof will only make the problem worse, so it is a good idea to remove the ice dams before they cause expensive interior damages. At the same time it is important to solve the roof issues that cause the ice to form along the eaves of your roof – these issues include poor ventilation and insulation of your attic, as well as an inadequate or poor roofing system used on your roof.

In this article we will guide you in find a roofing contractor who will help you with ice and snow removal. We will also walk you through how much this job should cost and what the roofing contractor should do to properly remove ice dams without causing any more damage.

NOTE: Although we don’t remove ice dams, we do provide a permanent solution for ice dams prevention using lifetime flat and metal roofing system, as well as fixing your roof ventilation and attic insulation. Read the rest of this entry »

This comprehensive Ice Dams guide covers what causes ice dams, the effects of ice dams, and ice dam prevention methods.

The winter is in full swing and most roofs in the northern states as well as all of Canada are covered in snow. While most of these roofs don’t leak when it rains, they will leak in the winter, when the snow and ice are on the roof. Many homeowners are experiencing an ice build-up along the drip edge of their roofs, and this ice build-up is called Ice Dams. Ice dams can look very innocent, but they can pose big problems for your home, as well as your well being. From a simple icicle falling on you, to a complicated and expensive removal of mold growth in your attic, which can cause asthma and other respiratory issues.

If you have ice dams on the roof of your house, you may get rid of them yourself (below we will explain the most efficient way to remove ice dams) or hire a roofing contractor to do it for you – you can find local roofing contractors on Angie’s List – use promo code LOCAL to save 15% (note – promo code may or may not work).

Trying to remove ice dams yourself can be dangerous, so we do recommend hiring a professional to do it. Still we want you to know what ice dams are, what causes them and how to get rid of them, so keep on reading.

As far as damage to your home goes, ice dams can cause your roof deck and framing to rot and by damping your insulation, the moisture is also transferred inside your house walls, which causes even more rotting.

Ice dam prevention – how to stop ice-dam roof leaks

Quick methods to solve Ice Dams right now – DIY ice dam prevention:

First and foremost – if you attempt to fix the ice dams yourself – do understand that it can be very dangerous. Use utmost care, and also spend an extra $20 for a ladder stabilizer – it will make your job much easier and safer. In any case, we assume no responsibility if you injure yourself or others – do it at your own risk.

One of the easiest and quickest ways to get rid of ice dams is to use socks filled with calcium chloride or rock-salt (sodium chloride), and to place them along the roof edge, as well as around chimneys and skylights to melt the snow. While this method works, it requires constant replacement of rock salt in the socks, and having to climb up the ladder to place the socks on the roof, which is dangerous in the winter, especially that most homeowners do not have a ladder stabilizer, so the ladder can easily slide left or right.

Also do note – while calcium chloride should be safe to use on you roof, we recommend you contact your roof manufacturer to make sure that it’s safe to use calcium chloride or sodium chloride (rock salt) on your roof.

Additionally you can use special roof heating cables along the roof edge to melt the ice dams before they form. This is a more common method, and is used more often, as it does not require you to constantly go up and down the roof all winter long. The downside of this is that it’s expensive to install, and since most roofers will install it by simply placing a screw (which holds down the roof heating cable) through the roof, it can cause roof leaks. Another drawback is that you are actually fighting a heat and energy loss problem with more heat and energy waste, instead of solving the problem which causes ice dams.

Gutter heat cable cost about $80 for a 160 feet long cable, use 120v AC current, and you can rather easily install them yourself. If you decide to install them yourself, you will first need to get rid of the ice on your roof. Then, when you actually go to attach the cables, try to mount the hangers under the shingle tabs, so that your roof would not leak through the fasteners. Read the rest of this entry »

A roofing business is difficult to start and is a headache to run, but if you do it right, with some luck and lots of hard work it can be very profitable and rewarding. However, as with most new endeavors, it is most difficult to start a roofing business and get it off the ground. Here we will walk you through this process and help you avoid most mistakes that new roofing contractors face. Along with this guide, we will provide a myriad of helpful online tools and guides that will help you along the way.

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The roofing Calculator tool has recieved a major update on Oct. 15, 2010. Now, the roofing calculator got even better at estimating roofing materials and installation prices, and you can get the most accurate price quote to install an Asphalt Shingle Roof, a Metal Roof or a variety of flat roofing options – all of these types of roof are reviewed in depth in our roofing materials guide. New changes to the roofing calculator include the following:
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Many roofing manufacturers are shifting their production from traditional asphalt shingle roofs to more technologically advanced metal roofing systems.  There used to be a time when metal roofs were associated with the rusty barns and agricultural buildings.  However, modern metal roofs are coated with a layer of aluminum and zinc, which provides protection against corrosion and rust.  The old corrugated metal roofing profiles are replaced by more visually appealing standing-seam and metal shingle roofs.  Learn how affordable metal roofing systems can help make your home greener and more energy efficient.

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Homeowners and building owners can attest that dealing with roof leaks, roof repairs and having to replace the old roof with a new one is no fun. Re roofing is a messy job, and it is expensive. To make matters worse, having to replace one’s own roof a few times is frustrating and adds up financially. The question that comes up is that of finding a better roofing alternative. Many homeowners struggle to find a roofing option that is durable, reliable, and energy efficient.

The first impression of metal roofing is that it’s beautiful, energy efficient, long lasting, and expensive. What many homeowners don’t realize, is that metal roofing cost is actually lower than that of an asphalt shingle roof, if you consider that you may have to replace asphal shingle roof four times to match the longevity of a metal roof. Metal roofing has the lowest lifecycle cost out of all roofing materials that are out there.

Steel Metal Roof

Metal roofing, an alternative green roofing option, can last well over 40 years. High end metal roofing materials such as zinc and copper roofs can last for 100 years. Metal roofs are energy efficient and environmentally friendly. Metal roofs possess a high degree of solar reflectivity and thermal emissivity. Specially formulated Kynar painted metal reflects solar radiant heat, which reduces thermal gain of the roofing surface, and prevents the heat from passing inside the house. This reduces the heat gain inside the house during warmer seasons, it reduces the air conditioning load and results in energy savings on cooling costs. A reduced air conditioning load reduces the electricity load during peak hours. Energy efficiency of metal roofing qualifies it as a green building material that can increase sustainability and energy efficiency of residential and commercial roofs.

Homeowners who consider installing a metal roof can pick from a great variety of metal roofing colors and options. Standing-seam is the metal roofing product that most homeowners are familiar with, because standing-seam is used extensively on commercial roofs, protecting the roofs of supermarkets, restaurants, and other retail facilities. Standing-seam is both a commercial and residential metal roofing product that offers energy efficiency, durability, and helps prevent ice dams in colder climates. Another popular metal roofing material is steel roofing shingles that is reminiscent of conventional asphalt shingle roofs, and provides similar reliability and durability to standing-seam roofs.

Metal shingle roofing costs less than standing-seam roofs because metal shingles installation takes less time than standing-seam. The reason is that standing-seam metal roofing  panels need to be measured and pre-cut exactly to match the size of the roof. Metal roofs cost approximately two times to three times more than asphalt shingle roofing. However, on the up side, metal roofing increases the value of your home and actually maintains that increased value over the years as it provides energy savings and practically pays for itself.

When dealing with a leaky roof on your house, consider re roofing with metal to attain energy efficiency, and unmatched reliability of any roof for your home. A new metal roof will increase the curb appeal of your home, and will provide energy savings for years to come.

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