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.

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.