Phoenix has a scorching desert climate with long, hot summers and short, mild winters. Among all cities in the US, it has the hottest average temperatures in summer. If you live in the city, the reflectivity in your Phoenix roofing should be kept in mind. A cool roof with reflective qualities goes a long way towards cooling your house and lowering those energy bills.

Summer is when people think about the condition of their roofs. Dark non-reflective roofs could reach up to 180°F on a windless and sunny day. That is why contractors and managers are turning to white reflective coatings to minimize the effect of heat on roof surfaces and cooling cost of the structure. A good reflective coating could generate up to 30% heat reduction on roofs.

Reflectivity Rates Vary

The best coatings are usually white and smooth, which could be applied on most roofing materials. A newly-applied coating could provide up to 80% reflectivity, meaning that only 20% of the sun’s heat is absorbed by the roof. However, the passage of time and accumulation of dirt could reduce the effectiveness of the roof to up to 50%.

Each roof coating provides a different level of reflectivity. Elastomeric and ceramic coatings can reflect up to 80% of solar heat. White asphalt shingles generally reflect only around 25% of the sun’s heat. The reason is that they have a rough texture, gray in color and a black substrate. Premium white asphalt shingles that use a whiter granule provide more reflectivity of up to 35%.

Composition of Reflective Coatings

White roof coatings contain polymer material such as acrylic and white pigment that make them opaque and reflective. The white pigment could be titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. Up to 70% to 80% of sunlight are reflected back using these coatings. Around 5% of sunlight, corresponding to ultraviolet light, are absorbed by the white coating, thus protecting the polymer component of the coating and the roof from UV damage.

Acrylic is the most common reflective coating in the market. Others types of roof paints that exhibit reflective properties are fluoropolymer, polyutherane, silicone, epoxy and soy-based products. Contractors prefer acrylics because they are water resistant and durable against extreme weather conditions.

Elastomeric coatings use polymer resins made up of silicon and oxygen. They also offer strong resistance against heat, ultraviolet radiation and water.

Maintaining roof reflectivity is important. Factors that could negatively affect high reflectance include a totally horizontal roof and water ponding. The roof could easily get soiled and experience a corresponding loss of reflectance.

Increase in global temperature is an inevitable and direct effect of climate change. However, it is not the only cause of temperature increases; cities create their own heat islands because of rapid urban development. The increase in temperature results to various negative consequences, including poor air quality, increase of heat-related illnesses, increase energy use and increase water consumption.

To combat these undesirable effects of elevated temperature, the construction industry came up with the concepts of cool roofs and green roofs. If you are interested in knowing the positive contributions of these designs in improving the quality of roofing Birmingham Al, we listed them out for you.

What are Green Roofs?

Green roofs are roofs that are either partially or fully covered with living plants. A basic green roof design incorporates a waterproof membrane to keep rainwater out of the building, drainage system for proper water disposal, a layer of soil where plants thrive and the plants themselves that make the roofs green.

This type of roof may be installed in just about every structure, including government, commercial, residential and educational buildings.

Green roofs may be extensive or intensive. Extensive roofs have a thin layer of soil or other medium with hardy, drought-tolerant plants that require minimal maintenance, no pesticides or fertilizers, and minimal human intervention. Intensive roofs act like the traditional park or garden with a wide variety of plants installed.

Benefits of a Green Roof:

• Prolongs the roof service life
• Reduces energy costs to keep the structure cool
• Enhances the aesthetics of the building
• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions
• Reduces urban heat island effect
• Improves the quality of air by reducing pollutants and temperatures

What are Cool Roofs?

Cool roofs are made of different materials – such as roof tiles, shingles, coatings and paints – that reflect the sun’s energy instead of absorbing it. They are designed to reflect sunlight and therefore, absorb less heat than a conventional roof. The roof is characterized by high degree of solar reflectance that decreases heat gain into the structure. A building with a cool roof can have up to 50° to 60°F less temperature than conventional structures. Energy savings are, in fact, one of the direct benefits of a cool roof since the building temperature is lower and requires less energy to cool.

Benefits of a Cool Roof:

• Reduces energy demands and lower building temperatures
• Improves heat management in non-air-conditioned rooms
• Prolongs the duration of roof lifespan by reducing roof temperatures
• Saves energy bills by cutting down on the use of air-conditioners

We outlined in very simple steps the process of painting your San Diego roofing to make the job easier and more convenient.

Step 1—Choosing Your Paint

Various roofing materials require different types of paint. You can select from a wide variety of paints depending on your roof and budget. Water-based paint is suited for cement tiled roofs while the oil-based paint is great for metal roofs. Calculate the area of your roof and buy enough paint to apply at least two coats.

Step 2—Cleaning the Roof

Never immediately paint a roof without first cleaning it thoroughly. Paints do not strongly stick to the surface when the latter is ridden with dirt and grime. You will only be wasting precious time and money in repainting a poorly-done painting job.

An easy and relatively-fast way to clean the roof is through the use of a high-pressure water blaster. You must have the equipment to be able to use pressurized-water to clean the roof surface. You can borrow from friends or neighbors if you do not have one, or rent one from your local supply store.

You can also use a broom and a hose to clean the roof. You need to vigorously scrub hardened dirt on the surface or use commercially-available chemicals to soften and remove them. You can use ordinary household detergent to wash off grime and grease. Broom and water hose are good especially for roofs with smooth and flat surfaces. However, roofs with irregular shapes and designs are better cleaned off with high-pressure blaster since the water could get into all nooks and crannies that would otherwise be hard to reach with the use of a broom.

Step 3—Preparing to Paint

After cleaning the roof of dirt, you should now be looking for damaged or broken portion of the roof. For metal roofs, look for worn or rusty areas. Use wire brush to remove and loosen the rust. Next use an electric sander with coarse grade sandpaper and go over the brushed areas. For tiles and shingles, look for any cracked materials and replace them with new ones.

Step 4—Panting the Roof

Airless spraying is a relatively easy way to paint roofs. Do one section at a time. Spray paint an area about a meter wide and work your way down. You can use markings on the roof as guides. Once you finished down a particular section, go to the next one starting from the top. You can also use rollers and brush in painting your roof but it will take you a longer time to finish painting.

The most obvious and immediate benefit of using solar energy is savings from electricity bills. While the initial investment in a solar energy system may seem expensive to some people, the long-term benefits outweigh the upfront cost.

Having a solar power system at home is like owning an electric company. You control everything from installation and maintenance to how you use the power generated. If you live in a city like Miami, known for its hot and humid summers and short warm winters, using solar energy is a wise decision. For those interested in tapping this clean and sustainable energy source, take note of the general tips we listed below for a successful installation of solar panels in Miami roofing.

Sourcing the Materials

Purchasing solar panels is the first step. You can buy from several known solar panel manufacturers. Compare prices from different producers before buying them to get the best price. Remember that prices differ from each seller. Online sites selling solar panels are a good place to start.

Installing the System

Solar panels are generally installed on rooftops where they get maximum exposure to the sun. However, they can also be installed on stand-alone facilities. Wherever you install them, their direct exposure to the sun is vital since you would want them to be fully operational the whole year. Therefore, positioning and orientation of solar panels are important.

Online resources are available that can help you determine the exact position of the sun in your area throughout the year. The information will help you position the solar panels. Some homeowners engage the services of professionals to assess the visibility to the sun at their place and to effectively harness solar energy.

Consider Roof Load

If you plan to install the panels on the roof, make sure that your roof is strong enough to bear the extra weight from the solar panels and mounts. A typical solar array adds approximately 5-6 pounds per square foot.

The roof mounts consist of grids where the solar panels are attached. They serve to secure and anchor the panels to the roof. Look for mounts that are adjustable, which allows you to alter the angle where the panels are facing. A slight tilt could result to more power being produced by your solar power system.

Electrical Components

The next step is wiring the solar modules. This aspect of solar power installation involves connecting electrical cable from the solar array on the roof to the inverter panel inside the house. It also relates to the grounding of the system through the use of a rod driven to the ground. This part of the installation may require you to engage the services of professionals because of the intricate work and inherent danger involved.

Maintaining your roof in good condition so that it lasts for years is not difficult. Periodic inspection and regular maintenance work are all it takes, and it does not cost much. Neglecting to observe proper roof maintenance will prove expensive in the long run.

We strongly recommend performing regular maintenance work on your roof. Immediately replace or repair damaged portions such as cracked shingles. The alternative could be total roof replacement.

We listed below factors that affect roofing costs to give you an idea how or why there are times when Seattle roofing costs could get really expensive.

1. Roof Size

Schedule all roofing jobs to be carried out at the same time. The more square foot of the roof that needs to be worked on, the less is the labor cost per square foot. If you plan to repair a portion of your roof, inspect the other areas to assess whether these could be included in your planned repair. Repairing the roof one area at a time will cost you more in the long term than having a large portion of your roof repaired at one time.

2. No Maintenance

Maintaining a wooden deck on your roof so it stays in tiptop shape costs less than $100 a year. Replacing one from the ground up costs thousands of dollars. Maintaining a deck is easy. Just keep it clean by removing leaves and dirt between the boards and applying sealant to keep moisture out of the wood and prevent rotting. Failure to follow simple maintenance procedure could make a big difference between spending a hundred dollars to throwing away thousands of dollars.

3. Roof Materials

Different roofing materials are available to the homeowners. Each one has distinct installation needs and demands its own equipment, expertise, support materials and method. Of course, prices also vary with some costing more than twice the price of the cheapest roof. For instance, metal roofs are expensive because of its installation cost, which requires special skills and training on the part of the contractors.

4. Complex Roof

Labor costs more and could push up your roof repair expenses if your roof is complex with installed chimney, skylight, dormers and sidewalls. Contractors have to work around these areas and install flashing on each one, which not only slow the progress of work but require more effort on their part.

5. Hiring Inexperienced Contractors

If you are planning on saving money on the repair of your roof, you can choose less expensive roofing materials or simpler designs with less styles and modifications. Never cut down on expense by hiring cheap labor. You may end up with inexperienced contractors and inferior work that would entail additional work – and more expenses – if not a total makeover just to restore your roof to acceptable condition.

Atlanta receives a lot of rain distributed throughout the year. Summers are hot while winters are cool. Extreme weather conditions shorten the lifespan of roofs, particularly those that are not properly maintained.

When you are looking for Atlanta roofing specialists to repair or remodel your roof, refer to our practical guides listed below to help you find the right contractor:

1. Legitimate Contractors

Verify the registration and insurance of the contractors. They must have licenses from the local authority and full insurance coverage over their employees and subcontractors. Potential litigation between you and the contractor will be avoided if insurance can cover injuries sustained by an employee.

2. Certified Contractors

Look for roofing specialists who are certified by manufacturers. You are assured of quality workmanship from these roofers because they have to pass stringent conditions set by companies to be certified.

3. Past Projects

Ask the contractors about their past projects and safety regulations in place. They must have sound safety programs observed throughout their organizations. Your roofing job could be unnecessarily delayed by accidents and injuries on the work site.

4. Shop Around

Talk to at least three different contractors. Do not immediately agree to the first contractor that you met. Learn each roofer’s experiences and past accomplishment. Ask if they had any issues in the past and what were the resolutions arrived at.

5. Try Local

Engage the services of local roofing contractors. They have established relationship with local suppliers and crew and are likely familiar with local rules and regulations.

6. Consider Everything

Avoid signing contract without having thoroughly considered everything, including the cost of repair. Be wary of contractors pressuring homeowners to sign contracts even before the insurance adjusters inspected the roof and estimated the damage.

7. Search the Web

Search the web for contractors’ ratings. A good score and positive review mean there is less likelihood of you contracting illegitimate companies. If possible do not hire contractors whose companies are not listed in legitimate business listing sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

8. Engage Specialists

Engage the services of the contractor who had extensive experience with the type of roof you are installing. For instance, metal roof contractors must have at least three years of work accomplishment in installing metal roofs.

9. Extensive Warranty

Ask for extensive warranty for the contractor’s work. Some mistakes in roof installation are not readily apparent and could take years before they manifest. Unless the contractor agreed to the warranty, you could be paying for the damage since insurance will not pay for it.

Roof repair and replacement are some of the costliest investments you will make to your home. You cannot put them off because of the importance that roof plays on your comfort and safety.

You can make substantial savings from unnecessary charges by knowing the roofing costs and being updated on the expenses associated with roof repair and replacement. To keep yourself updated with roofing costs, you must first know the different expenses associated with roofing jobs.

Labor Costs

Roofers charge for their work based on “squares.” One “square” equals one 10 x 10-foot area of the roof that forms a square. The average residential house has around 22 to 26 of these squares on the roof.

For roof replacement, note that you have to remove the old roof first before you can install a new roof. Contractors will charge you for their services in removing the old roof. Of course, you have the option to lay a new roof over the old one, but the new roof’s lifespan will be shorter.

The pitch of the roof affects labor cost. The steeper the roof, the more expensive contractors’ services will be. Roofers have to use safety harness and equipment for pitched roof. Their work is also slower because they cannot walk on a steeped roof nor put construction materials on top.

Material Costs

Each type of roofing material is priced differently. Asphalt shingle is the most common type of roof material. It costs less than metal roofs, clay tiles and wooden shakes. Metal roofs could cost up to ten times more than asphalt shingles.

Aside from the material used for the roof itself, you also have to buy related parts, including vent covers, gutters, flashing and downspout. These items add to the total cost of roof repair.

Local Rules

Know what the local rules and regulations are affecting roof construction and repair. Your contractor should be familiar with the local codes. Roofing could prove costly if you are required to revise the work later to comply with local laws.

Other Cost Factors

Water damage to the roof could increase the cost of repair. This damage is often noticed only after the outer layer is removed. Working around skylights and chimneys also adds to labor and material costs.

Once you categorized and itemized the different factors affecting roofing costs, you can easily update yourself with the current prices. Go to your local material suppliers and ask for a quotation. You can also do online search for prices of materials. Large manufacturers maintain websites with useful information on prices. The same goes for legitimate contractors and roofers. You can now competently negotiate with contractors because you are aware of the expense components and updated on the current construction material prices.

Dallas has a humid subtropical climate. Humidity or moisture in the air is a common cause of rust. If you have a metal roof, it will ultimately experience rust or corrosion. Other roofing materials also experience wear and tear through time. When the time comes for you to restore your roof, be wary of unscrupulous contractors who are only after your money.

We compiled the following guides to help you avoid roof repair Dallas scams:

1. Door Knockers

Be alert for contractors knocking at your door soliciting roof repair work. Reputable companies do not knock from door to door because they are busy and have existing projects to finish. They get their business not from knocking on doors but from referrals of happy and satisfied customers.

2. High-Pressure Tactics

Do not sign contracts immediately with the first contractor to call up on you after your roof sustained damage. Unscrupulous contractors use high-pressure tactics to force customers to sign up for repair work without giving them time to think things through. Remember that you do not have to decide right away.

3. Insurance Assistance

Call your insurance for assistance. Ask the adjuster what the process will be and what you have to do. Take pictures of the roof, including the undamaged parts, before allowing any person to examine it. Request the repair estimates after the adjuster has examined the roof.

4. Deliberate Damage

Do not allow disreputable contractors to go up your roof before it was examined by known and reputable individuals such as insurance adjusters. Some of these contractors deliberately inflict damage to the roof while supposedly examining it. The result is an inflated assessment of damage that would allow the contractors to earn more from the project.

5. Background Check

Find out everything about the background of the roofing contractors you are considering before signing up. The information should include company profile and previous projects going back 12 to 24 months. Research will uncover things that could help you decide whether to push through with the contractor or look for another one.

6. Work References

Get referrals from your neighbors about contractors whose services they engaged in the past. Ask them how the work was done, the terms of the repairs and whether they were satisfied with the finished work.

7. Legitimacy Check

Verify the registration of the contractor with the city government of Dallas. It should be listed and able to apply for a building permit.

8. Verify Subcontractors

For subcontractors, verify from the parent companies to which they are affiliated. Call the company and ask about the status of the subcontractor offering its services to you. You will know if the subcontractor is accredited and in good standing with the parent company.

Tornadoes are the biggest threat to houses and pose the greatest danger to homeowners in the United States. They pack wind strengths with up to four times more destructive power than hurricanes and earthquakes. Normal housing construction methods are generally inadequate to resist the devastation brought by the strong winds of tornadoes, but it is not difficult to fortify your house against this destructive force of nature.

Every time a tornado hits, the first thing that goes off a house is the roof. A tornado exerts upward pressure against the roof and either inward or outward pressure against the walls. Once the roof lifts off it will leave the walls weak and unstable because the lateral stability provided by the roof is gone. That is why the importance of reinforcing your roof cannot be overemphasized.

Of course, different roofing Kansas City materials have distinct durability and toughness. Wood-framed houses are admittedly weaker compared to concrete buildings.

Reinforced Concrete Roof Decks

The roof systems that have been observed to consistently withstand tornadoes and hurricanes are those constructed with structural reinforced concrete decks, which are similarly connected to structural reinforced concrete walls.

Concrete walls are required to be reinforced to withstand the horizontal and vertical pressures of the wind as it beats on the roof. These walls are referred to as shear or bearing walls. For the entire structure or building to become fully resistant to the destructive winds, the roof structure must act as a solid and dependable structural diaphragm.

Reinforcing Non-Concrete Roof Decks

If you have a roof other than concrete decks, there are variety of ways to reinforce it and increase its resistance against the strong winds brought by tornadoes. One solution is to use hurricane clips on the roof. The clips attach the trusses or rafters to the top plate, thereby strengthening the link between the two parts. The reinforcement of the connection is amplified and could withstand far greater wind pull compared to the typical connection used on houses, which is a toenail hammered at an angle that lacks the protection provided by the hurricane clips.

Depending on the clips used, hurricane clips provide uplift protection from 400 to 1500 pounds or possibly more. In ordinary areas, a clip designed for uplift protection of 500 pounds may be installed on every other trusses. However, in hurricane-prone areas, using the strongest clip and attaching them to every truss is highly recommended.

The roof is an important part of your house. It protects you and your family from the elements. Severe weather conditions, however, could considerably shorten the lifespan of your roof. To keep it in excellent condition, you must perform regular checkup and maintenance. Taking care of your roof will ensure its long and healthy lifespan. Neglect to properly care for your roof could mean expensive repairs on your part.

Seattle is characterized by wet winters and dry summers. It receives more rainfall in November than any other cities in the US. It is, in fact, one of the five rainiest cities in the country. Seattle roofing maintenance presents a challenge if you have a home in the city. To help you care for your roofs and prolong their effective lifespan, we compiled these simple but effective tips.

1. Regular Checkup. There is no harm in going up and checking your roof on a regular basis. You can also follow a schedule when to check on your roof. Most people examine their roofs in early spring for ice damming cause by the cold winter season and in late fall or just before the cold season to clear the roof of dirt that could block the passage of water.
2. Fungus or Algae infestation. They may not substantially weaken the roof structure but the presence of these unwanted guests on the roof makes for an unsightly appearance of your house. Remove them using a combination of water and bleach. To prevent their recurrence, install zinc or copper metal strips on the roof.
3. Evidence on the Ground. Broken pieces of roof materials, such as shingles, could fall to the floor. Look for these bits and pieces around the house, which indicates that your roof needs maintenance or repairs.
4. Gutter Cleaning. Leaves and debris accumulate over time on the roof and gutters. They block the smooth flow of water from the roof to the downspout, which could potentially damage the gutters and lead to costly repairs. Check for these objects in late fall when trees shed their leaves.
5. Trim the Trees. Trim excess tree limbs that touch the roof. Overhanging branches could damage your roof when they are forcefully blown by winds or scrape the protective coating of the roofing material. They also pose a danger to unsuspecting occupants of the house should they fall.
6. Check the Flashing. Remember to check the condition of flashing around vents, chimneys and exhaust pipes. Punctured or bent flashing is a common cause of leaks, as well as a dried-out sealant. Since flashing covers a hole in your roof, it is important that it is always in tiptop condition.