Tag Archives: roofing

Are Shingles the Only Option?

Roofing, , , , , , ,

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!

Say No to Storm Chasers

Roofing, ,

Some parts of Carrollton, Plano, and North Texas have seen severe weather with hail already this season. While storms were not too bad, and hail hasn’t been too big just yet, you know that any sign of severe weather brings out another element of spring: storm chaser roofing companies. Find out how to spot (and avoid) storm chasers in this blog.

What is a Storm Chaser Roofing Company?

Storm chasers aren’t necessarily interested in the weather for any other reason as it is an opportunity to make quick money. Storm chaser roofing companies are unscrupulous and often unlicensed individuals the prey upon homeowners with storm damage. They often show up in your neighborhood after severe weather looking to take your money. Many storm chaser roofing companies perform shoddy work, leaving you at risk of additional damage and the costly replacement of having to replace your roof prematurely.

How to Spot a Storm Chaser Roofing Company:

Several signs indicate the roofing company on your doorstep may be less than legitimate. Here are the most notable ones:

No local address or phone number. If the company is from another region or state, avoid them! They are not local and likely do not know the rules of permitting and licensing (if required) for your city or state.

No proof of insurance. Any professional roofing company can provide you evidence of worker’s compensation insurance or liability insurance. Evidence of insurance is important to you as a homeowner because it protects you in case a roof gets hurt on your property or damages a part of your property.

No references. Any roofer (or contractor) that visits your home should be able to provide you with references from satisfied customers. Do your due diligence and call these references to see if they were satisfied with their roofing repair or replacement.

To avoid potentially disastrous and costly complications from using a storm chaser roofing company, use a local, trusted, professional roofing company. Using a licensed professional means you can rest assured that your storm damage will be fixed right the first time.

Learn more about how the pitch of your roof can impact your property by contacting a professional roofing company today.

The Myths and Misconceptions About Roof Replacement

Roofing, , , ,

Just thinking about roof replacement can make many people cringe. This is understandable because replacing your roof can be stressful! It is a major project and significant investment of time and money. It can also be a very confusing process, and there are many myths and misconceptions out there about roof repair. Many of these misconceptions stem simply out of fear and misinformation. Here are five common myths of roof repair:

Roofs Should Last Forever. As much as we wish this were true, it is not true – especially in the extreme weather conditions of North Texas. Scorching sun, high winds, heavy downpours, and golf-ball size hail all impact how long your roof will last. On average, a composite shingle roof lasts about 15 years. Other materials like tile or metal may last longer, but nothing is forever.

I Can Repair/Replace My Roof Myself. Chances are you are not a roofer by trade. This means that repairing or replacing your roof is going to be a long, arduous and expensive endeavor. It may even cost you more if you fail and you must hire a professional roofing company to fix your mistakes.

I Can Skip Replacement and just Need a Repair. Unless you are a professional roofer, you likely are not qualified to make that call. While in some cases repairs are the right thing to do, certain mitigating factors warrant replacement.

A Roof Claim is Bad for My Insurance. Many people are afraid to file a claim for a roof repair or replacement because they think it will cause them to lose their policy. It is not true; insurance company cannot cancel your policy if you file a claim.

I’m Covered Under My Warranty. Warranties are great things to have, but there are limits and terms of many warranties that you may leave you uncovered. Learn the limits of your warrant to understand your options.

What misconceptions do you have about roof replacement? Let a professional roofing company put your mind at ease.

What Factors Into the Cost of A Roofing Estimate?

Roofing, , , , , ,

Are you considering replacing the roof of your North Dallas home this coming spring? To find the best company and the best price, you should gather estimates from several roofing companies. You may be surprised, however, to see that after doing your due diligence that these estimates are wildly different in price. What gives?

Several factors go into your roof quote such as:

Project scope. Are you repairing your roof or replacing your roof? If you’re merely fixing or replacing just part of your roof, it will naturally cost less than replacing your entire roof. Some factors to take into consideration about repairing your roof: if the underlayment material is damaged or your shingles are not available – you may need to replace your entire roof.

Not only will your roofing project estimate include the costs of repairing or replacing your roof, it will also include the costs associated with tearing out your old roof, too.

Roof size. A professional roofing company will measure the square footage of your roof and divide by 100 to get a number known as a roofing square to know how much roofing materials to order (roofing materials are sold and priced by the square instead of the square foot).

Materials. While we are talking about materials, the type of shingle you choose factors into your final costs, too. Do you want a 3-tab asphalt shingle or an architectural shingle? Are you thinking about a tile roof or metal roof? These are all critical factors that impact the cost of your roof project. Don’t forget that underlayment material costs, insulation, and fasteners also factor into your estimate.

Pitch. Did you know that the pitch of your roof is also a factor in figuring out the cost of your roofing project? The steeper the angle of your roof, the greater planning and safety steps required to complete your repair or replacement safely and correctly.

A very steep roof also requires additional underlayment material to meet fire rating requirements.

Warranty. Many professional roofing companies offer a standard warranty on workmanship. Materials also often come with a basic warranty to cover defects. Some companies also offer an extended warranty for a fee to continue the amount of time you are covered. Learn more about roofing warranties here.

 

 

Should You Hire a Roofer or General Contractor for Your Roofing Project?

Roofing, , , , , ,

When thinking about hiring a roofer to replace the roof of your Frisco home, you naturally want to hire someone reliable, someone affordable, and someone professional. But should you hire a roofer or a general contractor? This blog breaks down the benefits of choosing a professional roofing company over a general contractor for your next roofing project.

Why choose a professional roofing company:

  1. Experience. Do you really want a company that specializes in bathroom or kitchen remodeling taking on your roofing project? While a general contractor may be able to build or remodel many things around your home, that does not mean they have the necessary training or expertise to repair or replace your roof. Professional roofing companies specialize in roofs and repair and replace them every single day.
  1. Education. Professional roofing companies have a dynamic and deep understanding of roof construction and roofing code requirements. Understanding these facets of roofing is definitely to your benefit by ensuring that the work that the roofing company you choose does the job solidly and safely.

Contractors without a solid understanding of roofing construction and do not stay informed of ever-changing code requirements may be able to put on shingles, but could lack the knowledge needed about things such as the impact of thoroughly sealing flashing or installing vents correctly. These installation issues can leave you with leaks – and a hefty repair bill.

  1. Certification. Professional roofing companies often go the extra mile to become certified to use specific types of roofing materials. These certifications are given by roofing material manufacturers such as GAF and usually have stringent requirements. Some of these requirements include holding state licenses and maintaining insurance. Having a reputation for quality and demonstrating a commitment to ongoing training is also often a part of these certifications.

If you’re looking for a professional roofing company for your roof repair or replacement, check out these five questions to ask a roofing company before you hire them.