Tag Archives: shingles

Are Shingles the Only Option?

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Are you thinking about a new roof for your Plano home in 2019? What kind of roof do you want? Did you know there are more options than asphalt shingles? It’s true. There is a whole world of shingles out there, and some may work for you and your home. Find out what types of shingle options you have and how to find the best roofing company for you in this blog.

Eight Different Types of Roofing Materials to Consider

  1. Asphalt shingles. Asphalt shingles are the most common type of shingle material in the United States. Why? The primary reason is that they are durable in any environment and weather conditions and can withstand wind, rain, hail, and sun. This is especially important to homeowner’s living in Texas. Asphalt shingles are also lower in cost compared to other options, which also makes them favorable among homeowners.
  2. Solar tiles. Solar tiles are not shingles, but instead, integrate into existing shingles to collect the sun’s rays and generate energy. Solar options are excellent for individuals living in sunny climates. These tiles do cost more than traditional solar panels, however.
  3. Metal roofing. Metal roofing is an excellent, available in a variety of colors and styles – it can even look like tile and shake. Metal roofing is also a great choice because it is long-lasting (think 40 to 60 years). Metal also can withstand winds and is fireproof. Metal can dent from hail and can be noisy during rainstorms, however.
  4. Stone-coated steel. This type of roofing material is an advanced type of metal roofing that has the color and style options of metal, but can withstand extremely high winds (120 miles per hour), hail, and harsh winter conditions.
  5. Slate. Slate is an excellent option for homes in a wet environment (not Texas). This is because slate is waterproof and resists mold and fungus growth. Slate is also long-lasting (more than 100 years!), but is not resistant to hail. This makes it a no-go for Texas!
  6. Rubber slate. Rubber slate is a manufactured product that looks like natural slate. The benefits of this product include that it can be cut to fit intricate spaces (think historical homes) but is not resistant to hail and installers may be hard to find.
  7. Clay tiles. Clay tiles are a great option for warm and dry climates (think California), but some homes in Texas do have them. Clay tiles can withstand high winds, but are not ideal when a hailstorm hits.
  8. Green roofs. No, we’re talking about green-colored shingles. We are talking about roofs that are covered with plants-type of green. While this is not a mainstream practice in this area, some homes in Frisco, Texas, have green roofs. The purpose of green roofing is to help improve air quality and reduce water runoff. While green roofing is cool – it takes a lot of work and extra structural support to make it happen.

Are you wondering what the best type of roofing is for your home? Call a professional roofing company today to find out!

A New Year, A New Roof

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It’s a New Year…and that means new beginnings. Many people are thinking about starting a new diet, planning new exercise routines, and getting new roofs. Well, maybe not new roofs, but we can hope, can’t we? In all seriousness, there are a few good reasons to consider getting a new roof for your Plano home this year. Here they are:

  1. Your roof is old. Asphalt shingles have an average lifespan of 20 years, but the intense Texas sun is very damaging to shingles which may lead to a shorter life for your roof. If you have not replaced your roof in the last ten years, it’s time to put the project on your to-do list for 2018.
  2. Your roof is sagging. If your roof is sagging or drooping, this is a significant sign that it’s time for a replacement. Sagging means that the decking your roof sits on has deteriorated. Sagging is a serious problem that can mean interior damage (and costly repairs) if left untreated.
  3. You have interior damage. Do you have signs of water damage such as streaks, stains, or sagging spots? If you can see these things on your ceiling, you may have a roof leak. While you are looking for signs of roof damage, you should also take a trip to your attic to look for signs of damage there. Look for wood that is warped or stained, and check for wet or damp insulation.
  4. Your shingles are in bad shape. Walk the perimeter of your home and look up at your roof. Do you see shingles that are curling, buckling or cracking? Shingles in disrepair are an indicator that it is time to replace your roof. Check out the color of your roof, too. If the color of your roof appears uneven, it is an indication that you have lost the protective granule covering from your shingles. Peek inside your gutters to see if you have granule buildup there, too.

Do you have questions about replacing your roof? Contact a DFW roofing expert today.

Three-Tab or Architectural Shingles: What Should You Choose?

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You’ve picked the roofer, you’ve selected the color, and now you have to choose what type of shingle you want for your new roof for your home. For many years, homebuilders in Carrollton and Plano opted to put three-tab shingles on homes, but in recent years, there has been a switch by builders to using architectural shingles. Many homeowners are also choosing to upgrade to the architectural shingle when given the opportunity when replacing their roof. Learning the difference between the three-tab and the architectural shingle can help you decide choice to make when the time comes.

What is a three-tab shingle?

Three-tab shingles are one-piece asphalt shingles with cutouts along their lower edge to make it look like it is three separate pieces.

What are architectural shingles?

Architectural shingles are one-piece asphalt shingles with no cutouts but feature an extra laminate asphalt layer along their lower edge.

Should I choose the architectural shingle?

While three-tab shingles and architectural shingles seem very similar, some marked differences may interest you:

Improved Appearance. This additional asphalt layer helps to create a multi-dimensional look that can give your roof a better aesthetic, and can even resemble other high-end roofs – without the high price tag of high-end roofing materials.

Long Lasting. Architectural shingles are thicker than three-tab shingles, which gives them increased durability to withstand damage from the sun and other elements. Many brands of architectural shingles can withstand winds up to 80 to 120 miles per hour, while three-tab shingles can only withstand wind speeds of 60 miles per hour.

Longer Warranties. Most three-tab shingles are warrantied for 25 years, while coverage for architectural shingles is between 40 to 50 years on average.

Cost Concerns. Architectural shingles are more expensive than three-tab shingles, but cheaper is not always better. You may find that the durability of the architectural shingles means a long-lasting roof and cost you less over the life of your roof compared to three-tab shingles.

Do you have questions about what type of shingle would work best for you? Contact a DFW roofing expert today.

Four Tips to Pick the Perfect Shingle Color for Your New Roof

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Once you’ve selected a professional roofing company, the next step to getting a new roof for your Frisco home is selecting a shingle color. Choosing a new color for your new roof can be exciting, but can also be a little scary because it is such a large and permanent part of your home. To select the right shingle color that you love and can live with, we suggest considering these four factors:

  1. Architectural Style. The style of your home plays a huge part in selecting the right shingle. If your home is a classic style like a ranch or Tudor home, you would likely want to choose a traditional color like various shades of gray, blue, and dark red. If you have a historical home, you would want to select a color that matches the home’s architectural period. More modern homes may look better with brighter colors.
  2. Color Coordination. When choosing the right shingle color for your home, you also want to take into consideration how it complements your masonry, stucco, trim color, shutters, and siding. To preserve the aesthetic look of your property, select colors that look good with these features.
  3. Climate. Climate and weather is a big one for homeowners in Frisco and other parts of North Texas because of our hot summers. Selecting a shingle color that is too dark can increase the temperature in your attic – and increase the cost of cooling your home. Choosing a shingle that is lighter in color can help keep temperatures down in your home.
  4. Your Neighborhood Association. Many homeowners in Frisco and Dallas live in homeowner’s associations, which have rules regarding the color of your shingles. Homeowner’s associations also often require a change request and shingle color sample before they will approve your project. Scott Exteriors frequently works with residents living in HOAs and can help direct you regarding color selection. It is much easier to select a shingle color from an approved color list than it is to replace your new roof if you choose something that does not fit into your HOA’s guidelines.

Are you looking for the perfect shingle color for your roof? Contact Scott Exteriors today.

The Problem with Power Washing

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Have you been contacted by a contractor offering to pressure wash the roof of your Frisco or Carrollton home? Many of these contractors make claims that cleaning your roof extends its lifespan, which may sound like a good idea, but before you sign on the dotted line, we encourage you to keep reading this blog to find out why pressure washing and other roof cleaning services may leave you with a big problem.

The Problem with Power Washing

Pressure washing your roof presents a problem because shooting high-pressure water onto your roof damages your roof by taking off the protective asphalt granules off of your shingles. Without these protective asphalt granules, your roof loses its protection against the elements. Even the lowest setting of pressure on a pressure washer can cause the granules to come off, leaving your roof exposed to the sun, wind, and rain.

Power washing your roof is especially risky if your roof is ten years old or more, as it has probably already lost asphalt granules due to natural wear and tear.

Power washing not only stripes the protective layer off your roof, but it also can lift your shingles which breaks their seal and shingles become loose in a storm. When this happens, water can get underneath your shingles and your roof could develop a leak.

Do You Really Need to Clean Your Roof?

In some parts of the country, where there is a lot of rain and snow, it may be necessary to clean your roof to remove algae and moss that grow in shaded areas. However, in Frisco, Plano, and the rest of North Texas, cleaning your roof really isn’t all that necessary because the Texas sun usually keeps roofs dry and algae away.

If you have questions about how to maintain your roof, contact a roofing expert today.