Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Wood Shingle Installation


Cedar shingles are a much more attractive alternative to asphalt. With proper care wood shingles last longer and provide more protection than asphalt shingles. The key to proper wood cedar shake life is to protect them from moisture. Modern shingles are pressed and coated with water resistant material. The fact remains that water is most likely to cause damage to wood. Wood resists impact better than thin asphalt, but it cannot handle standing water.

For that reason, it is best to use wood roofing in dryer climates. In areas where hurricanes frequent, only some higher quality cedar decking passes residential code. These shingles actually resist updrafts much better than composition shingles. Roofing contractors in Denver tell me that the increased thickness of wood shake allows it to hold a stronger nail than composition staples. This kind of roofing material can withstand winds far beyond hurricane strength.

Homeowners considering wood shingles often worry about the fire hazard. Wood is naturally much more flammable than many other building materials like metal or concrete. To fireproof shingles, the wood is treated with a fire retardant. The shingles are also connected to a fire retardant material that provides additional protection while making sure burning embers do not start flying around in a fire.

A good hardwood excels in impact resistance. Old dry, weak shingles can split from hail impacts. The best way to combat this is to use a sealant around the wood. This will keep the wood from drying to a brittle state. Shingle roofs exposed to moderate impacts should not tear, fracture, or split. Roofing contractors in Denver use an industry standard to determine what kind of resistance the wood has by what diameter steel ball it can hold up under. In Colorado, you can get a discount on your homeowners insurance by using strong roofing. The insurance companies figure that they will have to pay less on hail storm damage.

When getting shingles installed from roofing contractors in Denver, make sure they are certified under state building licenses. Other than the strength, the finish is second strongest part of the roof.

Avoid These Mistakes When Hiring A Roofing Contractor

When it comes to a location like Denver, Colorado that face huge snow storms and hail on a normal basis, you're probably to come across a wide selection of Denver roofing contractors- it's a much necessary service. Even so, with so a lot of businesses offered, you're most likely to run into one who can't be trusted. Make sure you steer clear of these errors when hiring roofing contractors.

1. Not reading the contract ahead of you sign it- The purpose of a contract is to make sure that both parties abide by the set rules. The roofer wants to make guaranteed he gets paid when he does the deliver the results. Appears fair sufficient, correct? Nicely, in the roofing organization, not all contracts are produced equally. Although some Denver roofing contractors just want guaranteed payment, those with less integrity may possibly try to seriously stick it to you with some outrageous points thrown into the deal. With that in mind, understand the deal thoroughly prior to you sign it. And whatever you do, save your copy.

2. Not checking the Better Business Bureau internet site- When you go to the Greater Business Bureau's website, in big, bold letters you see, "Begin with believe in." There's truth behind the slogan. Before you sign any contracts or give the green light for a group of roofing contractors to start operate, make positive they are a BBB member. If they're a member, that indicates they're governed by a higher authority and they can show proof of buyer satisfaction. Understand the reviews and see if any consumers have filed complaints. If they are free of charge of complaint, you've most likely discovered reputable roofing contractors.

3. Not checking references- Even if you've checked the BBB website, you even now need to request a list of references. Because you don't want to leave any stone unturned when looking for roofing contractors, calling references could turn up a dissatisfied customer who didn't feel to report their qualms on the BBB web site. Past clients have encounter dealing with the company you're entertaining and can open your eyes to what they do badly (if anything) and what they do properly.

4. Not inquiring about a ensure- What happens once you have a new roof on your home, but you aren't happy with the function? Maybe your roof is still sagging, or possibly the roofing contractors left debris littered about your yard. Hopefully you asked about a ensure. Trustworthy roofing contractors will ensure your satisfaction. A quick phone call will result in them returning to your home to fix what ever operate doesn't meet your standards.

5. Not asking about system- Plainly put, some roofing contractors do the work incorrectly. In order to rush as a result of the work, they could possibly fire up their nail guns and haphazardly race through roof replacement. The difficulty with this is that nail guns should be carefully set in order to use on roofing shingles. When attaching shingles, it's essential not to hammer the nail in too deeply. Doing so will compromise the effectiveness of the shingle, causing leaks in your roof. Nail guns are so effective that they usually shoot the nail too deeply into the plywood decking. That mentioned, a manual hammer is preferred. So don't forget to question your roofer's process. If you don't you may well find your roof failing inspection.

Asking the right questions and performing a bit of investigation will aid you steer clear of the above faults. And steering clear of these errors means discovering roofing contractors you can believe in for professional roof replacement.

Review Several Roofing Companies Before Hiring

Have you ever replaced your roof? It's not a low-cost endeavor by any stretch of the imagination. Prior to you sign a contract or write any checks take a moment to educate your self on how to come across out about your contractor before the perform starts--due to the fact then it's too late or it will cost much more to get an individual else to come in and fix the blunders. Resist the temptation to cut charges by hiring an amateur, do-it-oneself-on-the-weekend roofer. Hire a professional roofing contractor.


Every roofing contractor is special. Professionals strongly suggest that you prequalify any housing contractor you are contemplating hiring. Need to have assist? Follow these guidelines:

* Confirm a permanent physical location of company, make contact with amount, tax I.D. variety, and organization license.
* Request viewing of liability insurance and workers' compensation certificates. Be confident that the coverage is recent and will remain recent until the occupation is completed. Workers' compensation laws vary by state. Make contact with your state's workers' compensation insurance office to decide needs in your state.
* Search for a business with a history of client references. Speak to past consumers to come across out how satisfied they were.
* Ensure suitable licensing and bonding. Get in touch with your state's licensing board workplace for details on demands in your state.
* Request a written estimate. Examine it closely, make sure you fully grasp the descriptions of the perform, beginning and end dates, protocol for payment, safeguards for unfinished deliver the results or no-shows.
* Get in touch with national and regional market associations to see if he is a member.
* Speak to the Far better Company Bureau to guarantee that no complaints have been filed against him.
* Talk to the contractor to discover out how he manages supervision of the operate, good quality control procedures. Ask for the name and make contact with data of the person in charge of occupation site, inquire as to how a lot of workers will be present every single day, and get a firm commitment on date of completion.
* Examine the fine print in your Denver roofing warranted.
* Exercise skepticism when accepting bids. When items sound too very good to be true, then they are. Don't make price the only factor you think about. Top quality operate and specialized conduct are incredibly essential elements also.

If you follow these steps when looking for roof maintenance you should be able to hire a good company for the job. Interviewing several Denver roofing companies for your roofing job not only allows you to see the ways different companies work, you also can use it to leverage against other roofers for better pricing and warranties.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

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Solar Shingles


If you are considering solar power, or even if you need a new roof, solar shingles are something you should consider. The concept is just what the name says, it combines a solar cell in a traditional shingle instead of using large panels attached to your current roof. Solar shingles are much more attractive than cells, because they just look like shiny shingles.

Solar power is beneficial in two ways. One way is that it saves you money. With a good solar roof and well maintained grid, you may not even need any additional power. Some solar cells now actually sell excess power back to the grid. So you can actually be making money off your roof. The problem with solar shingles is that they are hard for Denver roofing repairs companies to find cheap shingle replacements.

Selling energy back to the grid also increases your effect of reducing carbon footprints. Solar energy is environmentally friendly because it does not take the combustion or use of any other energy than natural sunlight. All energy on the earth was created by the sun in some way. Oil and coal are made of ancient pressurized forests and organic products. These materials grew through photosynthesis, or converting sun energy into usable energy. Compare the efficiency of burning beds of plant matter that converted sunlight to energy millions of years ago to simply converting the energy yourself with a solar cell.

New thin solar shingles look just like asphalt shingles and can actually be integrated into a shingle roof. This is great for interior designers and Denver roofing companies that want to make an attractive roof. For simple installation, you can put the thin shingles over your current roof. You can also get custom shingles from your Denver roofing repairs company. These shingles will last about the same as composition shingles, or around 20 years. Over time in sunny areas, you can save money and make it over time. With a battery back-up, you will basically be self sufficient. Your own personal grid will be more effective than the commercial grid.

To really do our part in the energy crisis, everyone should install solar cells. This will greatly reduce our energy needs and reduce energy costs overall.

How to Remove Shingles for a Repair

I found this video on Youtube and thought it would be good for those who like to have a visual instruction. It is a good video on roof repair and fixing shingles. If you have any questions about this video, leave us a comment on this post and we'll do our best to answer it.



This video explains how to do your own Denver roof repair (removing and replacing shingles) just like my recent post: Replacing Broken or Missing Shingles. As you can see, it is not as difficult as one may think. After seeing this video, you might think about calling a local roofing company next time you are missing a shingle.

Alternative Roofing Materials


About three quarters of American homes are covered by composition asphalt shingles. They are cheap and easy to install but they have some drawbacks, primarily that they are bad for the environment and have a shorter life span than other roofing materials. If you do pick composition shingles, you had better be ready to pony up the cash for a succession of Denver roof repairs.

Even older than the asphalt shingle style are wood shake shingles. They last even longer than composition shingles. Wood is a more natural and softer look. Although they are made from trees, they are friendly in that they decompose unlike petroleum products. If well maintained they will last a long time, but wood shake is always a fire hazard.

Metal roofs are popular with those trying to save money on energy bills. Metal roofs make you save money on air conditioning bills because they reflect money in hot environments. If you choose a painted roof, you need to have periodic painting maintenance. However metal roofs last a long time, and do not need Denver roof repairs very often. Metal also does a good job of protecting your home from weather.

An older and environmentally friendly roofing material is tile. Tile is made of clay or sometimes concrete. These are naturally fire resistant materials. Clay is just earth, so it has no problems with decomposition. The main drawbacks of tile and concrete is that these are heavy, brittle materials. They provide good protection, but are liable to break and need a solid roof to support the heavy weight of these roofing materials.

Flat roofs have completely different roofing materials. Some are basically a giant asphalt shingle. It uses hot asphalt inlaid with stone. These are not very friendly because they use a large amount of smelly tar, which is a risk to installers as well as the environment.

Eco roofs that use soil on the top are very good for carbon consumption and global warming. They can basically have a garden on your roof that also provides insulation. Engineered rubber roofing is made of recycled materials but may be hard to find from your Denver roof repairs company.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Replacing Missing or Broken Shingles

Posted by: All Roofing

Sometimes a bad storm will come through your neighborhood and take a few of your shingles with it. If you notice a few of your shingles are missing you might not have to call a Denver roofing contractor to come out and replace them. Read this do it yourself guide to fixing broken or misplaced shingles and see if you can do your own roof repairs. If you are getting your roof replaced it is a good idea to ask for a bundle of the remaining shingles simply so you have the same shingles for repairs such as this.

By replacing your broken shingles yourself, you will be saving some both time and money. A roofing company might take a few days to get back to your roof repairs and will of course have to charge you. If you do not replace your missing or broken shingles you then run a risk of getting a leak which could then damage more of your possessions in your home.

How to Replace a Shingle:
The first thing you will want to do is loosen the row which is above your missing or broken shingle. You can do this by using a prybar or a large putty knife. Once you do this you will be able to get to the damaged shingle.

Next gently rip off the desired shingle and pound any nails that stick up. Continue to take off the damaged shingles and pound any raised nails, make sure the nails are flush with the roof.

Next you will want to check for any holes in the tar paper or the plywood of your roof. If you find any damage under the shingles you removed, make sure to fill them in with roof cement. Make sure to let dry and to remove any access roofing cement. After this you are now ready to install the new shingles.

To begin installing the new shingles, you will want to start at the lowest section of the area you are replacing. Hammer (4 nails) the new shingles into place while making sure they align with the shingles next to them; there is nothing worse then getting off the roof and seeing crooked lines. Move up your roof nailing a row at a time until you are at the top row you are replacing. Tuck the last row under the shingles you previously loosened up and nail it back down when finished. You may want to add a little roofing cement under the top shingle you loosened. This will ensure no future leaks to the section you are replacing.

If you try to attempt to do these roof repairs and you cannot do so successfully, it is then time to contract the Denver roofing contractors in your area.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Typical Causes of Roof Damage


The cost of a damaged roof can quickly multiply as water damages the interior of your home. Keeping an eye out for common signs of roof damage can save you thousands of dollars. Vigilance as well as proper maintenance are the easiest steps to keep your roof intact.

Maintenance is the first step to keeping anything in good condition, whether it be a roof or not. A Denver roofing contractor told me that the early stages of roof damage can be avoided, especially in low-sloped roofs, where all they may need is a little sealant.

All roofing materials, even tile and slates will eventually deteriorate in weather. Of course slate and ceramic tiles will resist weathering for decades, compared to a few years for asphalt shingles. Every kind of tile or shingle will be damaged by impacts like hail or tree limbs.

The other major scourge of shingles is wind. Any kind of major windstorm like a tornado or hurricane will definitely damage a roof. Ask your Denver roofing contractor what wind speeds your roofing materials are rated at. Edges of the roof is where shingles first start to split and peel. To limit this type of damage, maintain strong roof support and line the roof edge with flashing.

Poorly designed roofs made by homeowners are another common cause of roof damage. Often these design flaws will result in the need for a total Denver roof replacement. Common mistakes armatures make are inadequate roof slope, improper structural support, misuse of expansion joints, and using incompatible roofing materials.

Your flashing is used to provide a watertight seal around the roof. If the flashing is damaged, then water can leak under the shingles, rendering the whole roof ineffective. Often repairing the flashing is all that is needed in a leaky roof. You should use good quality materials that will last as long or longer than the roofing materials used to make the rest of the roof. Having to fix the flashing before you need shingle replacement may cause additional time and costs.

Roof Replacement vs. Roof Repairs

Posted by: All Roofing

When it comes to roofing, slate shingles are usually billed as 100-year investments, leading a lot of homeowners to believe that once installed, their roofs can continue to perform with small or no maintenance for the next century. This assumption is false. All roofs call for typical upkeep. Failure to inspect your roofing every single year could lead to expensive repairs or even costlier replacements down the road. Maybe you have already let a year or two go by without having correct upkeep.

Perhaps you have loose, missing, cracked, or broken slate tiles that demand immediate attention. Should you consider roof repairs or replace it?

Which Is a better Situation: Roof replacement or just a few Roof repairs? Denver Roof replacement is not inexpensive, and if your slate shingles still have life in them, it is less costly to make minor repairs than a full-scale alternative. However, knowing the distinction among a roof that demands renovating and one that requires replacing is key.

Roof Replacement Indicator 1
Initial, determine if any of your slate shingles require replacing. Flaking and powdering are two excellent indicators, as is the "knuckle test"--tap every slate shingle in multiple areas and listen for any dull thuds. Hollow sounds indicate a slate shingle wants replacing soon.

Roofing Replacement Indicator 2
If much more than 20 percent of your slate shingles call for replacement mainly because they are missing, flaking, or fail the knuckle test, roof substitute might be much more economical lengthy-term than individual repairs. The up-front expense for a complete alternative may be higher, but if properly maintained your new roof is not most likely to need any further repairs for a number of decades.

Lastly, whether or not you replace or you decide on roof repair, always hire an experienced slate worker. You want a dedicated professional with plenty of expertise working with slate. Researching your local roofing contractors will save you time and funds in the end.

FAQ: How to Find A Denver Roofing Company

When Deciding on a Denver Roofing company, numerous folks wonder about how to pick the correct contractor out of the several Denver Roofing Contractors that exist. In this posting, we're going to appear at three FAQ's to help you come across the very best Denver Roofing Company. Initial, we'll reply the quantity one query having to do with the standing of the organization.

Next, we will solution the second query about the monetary stability of the business. Finally, we're heading to response the dilemma about how to get proof that your roofing company is a respected company. Right after reading this post, you'll be ready to opt for a reputable Denver Roofing company.

1. How Can I Be Certain That an Denver Roofing Firm has a Good Popularity? In the roofing organization, it goes without having saying, but the fact is, most roofing companies do not have a good standing. Since the enterprise is reasonably effortless to get into, there are numerous contractors who have no enterprise being in business enterprise. Positive, everyone requirements to commence somewhere, but when you are investing in the higher price of a roof, it seriously pays to examine out the reputation of your roofing contractor.

There are various approaches to examine out the local name of a roofing firm: A) Examine them out on the BBB. A larger company may possibly have a couple of complaints, but the actual key is to discover out if and how the firm resolves their problems. B) Do a search for the organization on the net. If there is a great deal of negative feedback about a contractor, it is tough to hide from that in today's connected world. If you see a whole lot of poor reviews, it is almost certainly a very good indication that you ought to search elsewhere. C) Inquire to see some references! Don't be afraid to inquire your Denver roofing organization to see some references. If they have nothing to hide, they will be happy to show you as a lot of completed projects as you like.

2. How Can I Be Certain That an Denver Roofing company is Financially Stable? You could have a whole lot to lose if your Denver roofing business is not stable financially. A lot of homeowner's don't realize it, but if a contractor does not pay their supplier for your supplies, you can be held liable, and might be have a mechanic's lean placed against your house or enterprise.

The price of supplies in roofing can be enormous, so it pays to find out if the organization has the resources to take care of your roof and not leave you out in the cold. This leads me to the final dilemma in choosing a reliable Denver roofing contractor.

3. How Do I Get Proof that a Roofing Organization is Trustworthy? Inquire your prospective contractor to deliver letters of reference from their supplier(s) and even from their banks. Any respected roofing corporation need to be in a position and willing to create these without having delay. These types of references will offer tremendous peace of mind so you can rest assured you are having the ideal goods and service from a firm that is here to stay.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Don't Let Roof Repairs be A Headache

Posted by: All Roofing Blog

If you have just a single shingle missing, you should be able to replace the shingle itself. You can typically use the Denver roofing company you employed the last time the roof was worked on, but If not, you might have to go and purchase a new bundle. These are generally at lumber yards or house repair centers for about fifteen to twenty dollars per 100 square foot. The box is typically a box of regular 3 tab shingles. If you cannot come across the exact 1, applying a person that is similar is just fine.

To do this, you'll need to have to get a hammer, a utility knife, a flat pry bar and about 10 11/4 inch roofer's nails. Each shingle will be secured from the start off with four nails, and then when the next is installed, the nails you applied there will pass by way of the top edge of the shingles, so they will reach those below.

Start off by removing the 1st row of nails on the old shingle. Slide the pry bar underneath the shingle above the ruined shingle and lift it no cost carefully to get rid of it from the sealer strip. As soon as you do, you will see that 1st row of nails below there. Area the pry bar below the broken shingle and pull up.

You'll see the nail pop about a ¼ of an inch, that's when you need to take out the pry bar, pressing the shingle down to take out the nail itself. Maintain doing this until you have eliminated all of the nails in the shingle. Then, push the pry bar below the undamaged shingle above the undesirable 1 and repeat the whole procedure to eliminate the second layer of nails. Following you have eliminated all of the nails, pull the ruined shingle free of charge to eliminate it.

If there is an issue with the shingles by now in spot being too brittle you may well not be able to pry out the second row with no messing up a shingle- this is generally a cracked a single, and you will will need to tear out the poor shingle and cut Vs in the replacement to fit the four nails previously down. Slide the new shingle into place and then secure it by four more nails.

As asphalt ages, you will find that the corners will curl up or down, and if you notice that 1 is undertaking this, you can go ahead and glue down the curled section to secure it. Employing a caulking gun, apply a tiny dab of roof sealant below the corner, and weigh it down with a brick for twenty four hours so that the sealant has a opportunity to dry.

If a shingle's just cracked or torn, you may well not have to replace it completely. Just apply a thick bead of sealant under the cracks and press the shingle down, applying another bead of sealant on the best. Then, you spread the sealant evenly with a putty knife. If you have multiple shingles wrecked or destroyed from a storm, you might need to look into a complete roof replacement.

Tips to Help you Get Started on your Roof Replacement

Posted by: All Roofing

Roof replacement is the number one particular point to do in the hierarchy of household renovation work flow. If you do not safeguard your household appropriately with a roofing 1st, just about every other house remodeling task is going to be ruined. As for the old house with a damaged roof, read on to discover out a lot more about Denver roofing replacement guidelines to get you started.

When you are unsure about the extent of harm, you can often contact your property owner's insurance company and have somebody come and assess the roof harm. If a organic disaster was the culprit behind your damaged roofing, you will be delighted to know that the price of replacing your old roof is heading to be covered by the insurance policy corporation.

Next, come across a genuinely experienced Denver roofing company that has a correct license or is bonded and can present you a proof of insurance plan. To know whether or not the roofing corporation is really very good at what they are performing, you can generally locate out about the list of homes that have their roof replacements recently completed by the company.

You can generally call your buddies, neighbors or co-workers for further recommendations. If your roof deterioration is caused by a natural phenomenon, chances are high that other people who live around you are fussing about their roof troubles as well. Talk with them as they may have the details about which business you need to go for and which to avoid.

Narrow down the list of the achievable roofing contractors that you want to three or four and make appointments to speak with them. Come across out about the warranty that is offered and payment methods. You can begin comparing prices from the unique roofing businesses. Assist the roofing men and women to estimate the total cost by permitting them to measure and assess the roofing of your residence.

When you have finally produced a choice, sign a contract with the selected organization. A roofing replacement normally takes at least a few days to complete. You can constantly schedule the work at a time when you will not be at residence so that you won't have to deal with the noise.

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