Roofing Repair Residential & Commercial - Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX

Roofing Repair Residential & Commercial - Dallas/Ft. Worth

Things to consider when you need a new roof on your home

1. The first thing that you will want to consider is how much can you afford to spend for your new roof. The least expensive products are generally composition shingles, but in recent years even some of the specialty shingles such as simulated slate-look and hail resistant shingles can also be fairly pricey. The stone coated steel products can be somewhat expensive, but they are hail resistant and will help reduce your utility bills and reduce your insurance premiums. These products come in shake, tile, and shingle profiles to fit every taste.  And then there are the standing seam style roofs. They come in several different grades to fit various budgets.
   
   
2. Once you decide on your budget, you should determine the best product that you can buy for that amount of money. You will also want to consider the weather conditions in the area where you live. Are the summers extremely hot?  Are the winters extremely cold?  A roof that improves the energy efficiency of your home would be a good choice.  There are several metal roofing materials on the market today that will reflect summer heat, as well as provide added insulation against the cold in the winter. Is hail common in the area where you live?  If it is, there are numerous products on the market that have been given the UL2218 rating, also call Class IV because they have been tested for resistance to hail damage. There are composition shingles, metal shingles, metal panels, and even rubber-type membranes for flat roofs that have all been given a Class IV impact-resistant rating.  Every product with this rating is eligible for discounts on your homeowners insurance rates in several states. Check with your insurance agent for the rates they offer.  Typically, hail-resistant roofing products are slightly more expensive, but the benefits of the insurance savings and the peace of mind of knowing that you may not need to replace your roof after the next hail storm, many people are willing to spend a little more money. For more information on hail-resistant roofing products, consult a reputable contractor that has experience with these type of products.
   
   
3. The next step, which is very important, is choosing the right contractor to handle the type of roof job that you have chosen for your home. There are numerous companies that specialize in specific types of products. If you decide to install a metal roof on your house, find a company that has years of experience in metal roofing, not just years of experience in the roofing business.  Many manufacturer's require certification for their products, so check out your contractor before you sign a contract.
   
   Another thing to consider when choosing a contractor is to check with the local BBB to see if he is a member and if he has any negative reports against his company. Even if the company is not a member, negative customer feedback often gets reported to the BBB.  Also check to be sure the contractor you are dealing with has insurance. Chances are, a company that has been in business for a while, has experienced employees that know what they're doing, and can complete a job professionally and without mishaps, but it's always a good idea not to take chances and risk unnecessary legal action.

   Finally, check some of his recent customers to see if they were pleased with the job they received from that contractor and actually go look at the work to see if it meets your expectations. Once you've decided on your contractor, get a detailed written description of the materials that will be used and a description of the work that will be performed.  Don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions.  It's a good way to find out if he really knows his business.

4. Be sure to include proper ventilation on your new roof.  In the summer, heat build-up in the attic will cause premature deterioration of wood rafters and decking, as well as non-metal roofing materials on top of the roof.  The heat on the inside of the attic actually bakes the shingles from the inside while the sun bakes them from the outside.  Trapped heat will increase utility costs. 
   
   In cold weather, warm air on the inside of the house filters into the attic and causes moisture build-up in the same way that a cold drink gets moisture on the outside of the container on a warm day.  If there is no way for the moisture to escape the attic, it will reduce the R-value of the insulation and can cause mold build-up and warped decking.
   
   There are several ways to vent the attic space, each of which needs to have a proper balance between the air intake vents, such as under eaves off it vents, and vents at the top of the roof for heat to escape. A ridge vent is the best method to vent heat because it vents the entire ridge and does so with no power and no moving parts to wear out.  Certain styles of roofs don't have enough linear feet of ridge and therefore alternatives such as power vents, wind turbines, or static vents are necessary.  Each has its advantages and disadvantages.  Check with your contractor for the system that is best suited for your home.  Proper ventilation will improve the life of your roof and lower your utility costs.

Important things to consider on commercial roofs

FLAT ROOFS     

When dealing with commercial roofs, there are many issues similar to residential roofs.  One big difference is many commercial buildings have flat roofs. Flat roofs are leaks waiting to happen.

One common type of material used on flat roofs is tar and gravel, often referred to as a built up roof.  It's called that because multiple layers of roll-type base materials with hot asphalt applied between them are applied and then often a layer of gravel is added to the top layer to shield the roofing materials from the sun.  This type of roof has a rather short life span and is prone to leaks. It is however relatively inexpensive.  There are several membrane type materials that last longer, keep out water better, are a lot less messy and usually go on a lot quicker.

The best product on the market today are PVC membranes.  They are easy to install, many of them are white and thus reflect heat, and when installed properly, are considered hail resistant. Most of the white membrane roofs are Energy Star rated and when applied over insulation board, will not only virtually eliminate leaks, but will also increase the energy efficiency of the building. Some city building codes are actually requiring building owners to add a minimum R-19 during reroofing of their flat roofs.

There are PVC, TPO, and EPDM roofing materials being used more and more not only for re- roofing projects, but also for new construction. All three have similar application methods, but are different types of material. PVC is a very flexible vinyl material similar to rubber.  TPO is a flexible plastic also similar to rubber, although in very hot climates may become somewhat brittle over time.  EPDM is a synthetic rubber.  Each of these products come in various size rolls and are either glued down or mechanically attached with screws and washers and then the seams are either heat welded together to form one big, seamless membrane, or in the case of EPDM, the seams are taped together with special tape that chemically bonds the seams.

Although the membrane roofs tend to be more expensive, they last longer, keep water out better, and also have custom flashings for every conceivable piece of roof equipment or roof penetration to reduce the chance of leaks and speed up the installation process.

Check with a reputable roofing contractor for more information on these products and which one is right for your project.

PITCHED ROOFS

When your business has a pitched roof instead of a flat roof, most of the same products used on residential roofs may be used on commercial buildings.  One of the most popular roofing materials being used today is metal.  More specifically, standing seam or similar sheet metal type products like R-panel or U-panel.  The big advantage to metal roofing materials is that they last much longer than traditional roofing materials such as asphalt shingles.  Because re-roofing can interfere with day to day business operations, many businesses are opting for metal roofs that hold up to harsh weather conditions and maintain their beauty for many years.  Another, often less obvious reasons for metal roofs, is the fact that there are many more colors that are available in metal  than other types of roofing materials and many franchised businesses are identified by specific colors; ie Pizza Hut has red roofs on their buildings.

Whether you have a flat roof or a pitched roof, the right roofing contractor can help you choose the right products to fit your needs

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This educational content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, home improvement or health advice. Content on this page is provided by Ask The Experts and not the featured advertiser.