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NOTE: We can not help with roofing repairs at this time.
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HOW TO INSTALL YOUR NEXT ROOF WITH STYLE
Curling or cracked shingles. Many asphalt granules in the gutters. Leaks in the ceiling. All are indications that it is time to change the roof on your home. But where do you start?
There are two basic steps: choose the right roofing material for your home, followed by selecting a reputable and licensed contractor to install it.
Choosing The Right Roofing Material
Roofing is potentially the most significant part of any building, as it protects everything from the elements. When thinking about a roof replacement, you must consider the basic characteristics of the roofing material, apart from its style and look-and-feel.
A high quality, cost-efficient roof what the majority of people want for their house, of course. But costs vary widely based mainly on the material selected for installation.
So... which is the best roofing material for your home?
The basic roofing material types include:
Each material has its own price, durability and installation features to take into account.
Shingles are usually made of paper or fiberglass, sheltered with asphalt, and covered with coloured granules. Shingle roofs the the most frequently bought and most inexpensive roofing material.
Wood shingles might be the right material choice, if you're looking to add an aged or conventional appearance to your house. The most effective wood shingles are from old cedar trees. Sadly, wood shingle roofs are prone to mold, termites and rot over the long run - particularly in humid and hot climes. But a cedar shaker roof will keep your home cooler.
Roof tiles, unlike shingles, are costly and need professional installation. This is as a result of the fragility of the stuff as well as their heavy weight. Concrete and clay are the most common roof tile materials used. Another material, concrete, must have a specially-engineered support system installed to keep the tiles in position.
Another roofing material that's often seen on modern homes is slate. It looks like a shingle, but it's made of sedimentary rock and isn't as heavy as a concrete tile. Like tiles, slate roofs need an engineered support system.
Both slate and tiles are excellent options for long term wear, and slate need less care than wood shingles.
Metal roofing is another substance used in more modern houses, particularly contemporary layouts and Florida design. Metal roofs are a good choice for durability and long lasting value. Metal roofs are also comparatively light vs. other roofing materials.
No matter what your material selection, when deciding on the best roofing material for your house, you also need to consider three other variables:
1. the design
2. the price, and
3. Your location's normal weather patterns.
Questions To Ask Your Roofing Contractor
OK, now that you have your material selected, it's time to find a qualified contractor who can install it.
Listed below are the basic questions you should ask all roofer candidates. Make sure you interview at least three roofers before selecting one to do the job.
1. What insurance do you carry?
Roofing contractors should carry comprehensive liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance to safeguard you in the event an injury happens.
2. Is your firm licensed in my state?
It's great if the contractor is both experienced and licensed, although not all states require licensing. "Experienced with references" will do for states that don't.
3. How long have you been in operation?
The more a firm has been in business, the better; the lifespan for most small businesses is about 3 years, so look for contractors who've been doing roofs for 5 years or more.
4. Would you supply references / referrals from previous jobs?
Request a listing of phone numbers and names of previous customers and request pictures of the roofer's finished work.
5. What's your guarantee for workmanship?
Guarantees for the installer's work should cover at least a one-year time period. Note that the material warranties are much longer than that, so don't confuse the two.
6. What's your track record for resolving customer complaints?
Request a referral from at least one customer that included a criticism. This will prompt a discussion to talk about how future issues on your job would be handled by the contractor. Also, assess the Better Business Bureau evaluation (yes, they matter a lot).
Hopefully, these tips will help you organize your plan.
There are two basic steps: choose the right roofing material for your home, followed by selecting a reputable and licensed contractor to install it.
Choosing The Right Roofing Material
Roofing is potentially the most significant part of any building, as it protects everything from the elements. When thinking about a roof replacement, you must consider the basic characteristics of the roofing material, apart from its style and look-and-feel.
A high quality, cost-efficient roof what the majority of people want for their house, of course. But costs vary widely based mainly on the material selected for installation.
So... which is the best roofing material for your home?
The basic roofing material types include:
- metal roofing
- wood shake
- clay, slate and concrete tile
- composition shingles.
Each material has its own price, durability and installation features to take into account.
Shingles are usually made of paper or fiberglass, sheltered with asphalt, and covered with coloured granules. Shingle roofs the the most frequently bought and most inexpensive roofing material.
Wood shingles might be the right material choice, if you're looking to add an aged or conventional appearance to your house. The most effective wood shingles are from old cedar trees. Sadly, wood shingle roofs are prone to mold, termites and rot over the long run - particularly in humid and hot climes. But a cedar shaker roof will keep your home cooler.
Roof tiles, unlike shingles, are costly and need professional installation. This is as a result of the fragility of the stuff as well as their heavy weight. Concrete and clay are the most common roof tile materials used. Another material, concrete, must have a specially-engineered support system installed to keep the tiles in position.
Another roofing material that's often seen on modern homes is slate. It looks like a shingle, but it's made of sedimentary rock and isn't as heavy as a concrete tile. Like tiles, slate roofs need an engineered support system.
Both slate and tiles are excellent options for long term wear, and slate need less care than wood shingles.
Metal roofing is another substance used in more modern houses, particularly contemporary layouts and Florida design. Metal roofs are a good choice for durability and long lasting value. Metal roofs are also comparatively light vs. other roofing materials.
No matter what your material selection, when deciding on the best roofing material for your house, you also need to consider three other variables:
1. the design
2. the price, and
3. Your location's normal weather patterns.
Questions To Ask Your Roofing Contractor
OK, now that you have your material selected, it's time to find a qualified contractor who can install it.
Listed below are the basic questions you should ask all roofer candidates. Make sure you interview at least three roofers before selecting one to do the job.
1. What insurance do you carry?
Roofing contractors should carry comprehensive liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance to safeguard you in the event an injury happens.
2. Is your firm licensed in my state?
It's great if the contractor is both experienced and licensed, although not all states require licensing. "Experienced with references" will do for states that don't.
3. How long have you been in operation?
The more a firm has been in business, the better; the lifespan for most small businesses is about 3 years, so look for contractors who've been doing roofs for 5 years or more.
4. Would you supply references / referrals from previous jobs?
Request a listing of phone numbers and names of previous customers and request pictures of the roofer's finished work.
5. What's your guarantee for workmanship?
Guarantees for the installer's work should cover at least a one-year time period. Note that the material warranties are much longer than that, so don't confuse the two.
6. What's your track record for resolving customer complaints?
Request a referral from at least one customer that included a criticism. This will prompt a discussion to talk about how future issues on your job would be handled by the contractor. Also, assess the Better Business Bureau evaluation (yes, they matter a lot).
Hopefully, these tips will help you organize your plan.