Popular Choices - Roofing Materials

Your choice of roofing materials mainly depends on where you live, your own personal taste, local styles and building codes. You need to be aware that if you want a thatched roof in New York City, that just won’t happen, but if you live in the South; maybe you can have a thatched roof. Choosing roofing materials and shingles is the time to consider costs, fire retarding abilities, and how long your shingles will last.

Types of Popular Roofing

The most popular used shingles for roofing are asphalt composition roofing shingles which are attractive, cost effective, long lasting and have high fire retarding properties. Asphalt shingles generally have 20 to 30 year warranties and may last even longer than the 30 year warranty.

Asphalt composition shingles in modern construction are thicker and more textured than ever before. You can get asphalt composition shingles that look like wood or slate. These types of shingles are called architectural shingles, but are higher in cost than less trendy shingles.

Asphalt shingles are easy to install and go up much faster than any other type of roofing material. The downside, or maybe this is not a downside, they can be installed by any Saturday roofer with the minimum of experience and expertise.

Wood shake roofing materials are gorgeous. They look fantastic, make your home higher in value and when they weather they look very rich. Wood shake materials are organic, but they can last for up to fifty years if properly maintained. Wood shake roofing is produced mainly from cedar and redwood, but you can also find pine wood shake roofing material that is a bit lower in cost.

Metal roofing is somewhat rare, but it is gaining popularity as a roofing material. You do need to find a roofer who specialized in metal roof installation. Trying to use fancy copper roofing material will provide a gorgeous and timely roof, but it is also very expensive and difficult to work with. Galvanized sheeting roofing materials are a better choice and will last up to 75 years. This long lasting type of roofing material makes it highly popular for homeowners who plan on living in their homes for life.

Composition slate roofing materials are similar in look to traditional slate but are less expensive and environmentally friendly. Composition slate is made from post-industrial synthetics; basically recycled materials. Composition slate is about one-third the weight of regular slate and looks almost the same; unless you get on the roof and inspect the tiles!

Another highly popular roofing material is ceramic or “Spanish style” roofing materials. This type of roofing is losing popularity because of its weight and expense. This type of roofing is called a half barrel tile since it is basically a cylinder cut in half. The space between the tiles does provide for water and air circulation which helps in cooling, but the tile can break and are somewhat difficult to re-install. Ceramic, clay and terra cotta tiles are highly fire-retardant, but other less costly roofing materials are also fire-retardant and can be highly attractive as well.

Roofing and Roofing Materials – Tearing off a Shingle Roof

Slate roofs will last for hundreds of years and a steel roof may be good for up to fifty years, however most generalized roofing materials have a life span of about 20 years. If you find that your roof is over twenty years and you live in a harsh climate, or you see your shingles cupping or cracking you should consider replacing your roof.

Most professional roofers will encourage you to tear off the existing roofing materials to check the condition of the deck before re-roofing your home. That’s very good advice but in most localities you don’t have to remove the old roof before installing a new one. Building codes in most areas will permit asphalt roofers to install over the original shingled roof and two reroofs. Wooden shingles can include one re-roof. Do make sure and check your local building codes to find out if you need to remove your old roof or if you can install over your old roofing materials.

Tearing off a shingle roof

If you are going to install a new roof over the old roof, you need to inspect the situation of your roof deck from inside the attic. Look for signs of rot or water leakage. If you find that there are problems you need to replace those problem areas before installing your new roof. If the existing roof is in poor condition or it has too many layers you will have to remove it.   

Image provided by Best Road Island Roofers
   

1. To tear off an old shingled roof you need to have several contracting and roofing materials on hand. These include an extension ladder, screw driver, pry bar and roofing shovel. You will also need a safety harness and ropes as well as a rented dumpster. It would be very advantageous if you had large tarps, work gloves and a bar magnet.A dumpster is needed to haul away the old roofing materials. Protect your lower windows and flower beds from falling shingles by positioning sheets of plywood against the side of the house. Spread tarps on the ground to catch falling shingles.
2. Begin at the roof line, remove the ridge shingles and remove all the nails.  Once the shingles on the ridge are gone it is time to remove the other shingles.
3. Shove the roofing shovel under a shingle, catch on a nail and push the handle down. When you lever the handle down this raises the point of the shovel and lifts out the nail. Now the old shingle is free and falling.
4. As you remove the nails shingles will slide off the roof. Hopefully they will land onto the tarps where they can be picked up and placed into the dumpster. 
5. The original metal flashing in valleys or around chimneys does not have to be removed unless the flashing is in poor condition. Use a pry bar to very carefully remove the nails in the flashing and save the old flashing for use as a model to cut and reform new flashing.  
6. When all the shingles have been removed double check the roof to ensure all the nails are removed. Check the roof deck for any damaged areas that need repairing. It might be fun at this point to install skylights or additional venting.

Roofing Techniques - Roofing and Roofing Materials

Roofing Techniques

There are specific roofing techniques you need to use to ensure that your roofing project meets code and quality standards. These techniques definitely apply to re-roofing, new roofs, or roof repair. Depending on the job you are doing there are specific tools, techniques and materials needed to accomplish your task.
First you will have to follow local or municipal guidelines and laws. You cannot just roof any way you want ... roofing has to meet building codes.

Image Provided by Mozy Building Arts

Other guidelines include your own personal preferences plus the type of home or building you have. To determine the best implementation process and to protect the life and functionality of your new roof, work with either a contractor or a lumber company with roofing expertise.

Steps to Laying down a new Roof

Roofing techniques follow a fairly standard process. The first layer of your roof is the sheathing. These are plywood sheets you can see attached to the rafters in your attic. Plywood sheets provide the foundation where the rest of the roofing system is built.

The second layer is the underlayment. Different types of materials can be used for this step and the most common is builders’ felt. This second layer is required in most building codes and provides added protection from the weather. Third the valleys, eaves, protrusions and rakes get an application known as flashing. Flashing directs water away from vulnerable sections.

The last step in roofing is installing the outer covering. This includes many different varieties of materials and styles like asphalt shingles, wood, metal, slate or ceramic. Know what you want and choose a contractor who is an expert roofer and knows how to use different roofing materials. By going with an expert you are guaranteed that the proper techniques for installation and roofing are carried out.

When re-roofing an asphalt surface, check the sloping edge to find out how many layers are currently on the roof. There are building rules that specify the number of outer layers a house can have on the roof. After determining how many layers you have on your roof and if you are repairing the roof, research how to fix that particular problem. Do not let any roofing problem continue or you will experience more serious damage and the costs of repair will escalate. Once you have located the problem in your roof, check for wood rot, repair, and proceed with re-roofing.

Building a new roof will require determining the type of finish roofing material you want. If you are doing asphalt shingles, determine the number of bundles you will need, enlist the help of friends and neighbors and go to work hammering the shingles to the builders’ felt and plywood sheeting. If you are using other types of roofing materials like slates, metals, woods, or ceramics unless you are a professional roofer, you will need expert advice and help. When estimating the cost of you new or repaired roof, do make sure you include labor and tax.

More on Roofing and Roofing Materials

What types of Roofing Materials Should you Use?

There are many roofing materials on the market, but not every material should be considered for every roof. A low sloping or flat roof may require a surface much different from roof with a steep pitch. Slate and tiles are very heavy so the structure of the home must be strong enough to handle these materials. Consider all the options to be able to choose the best options for your home.

Materials

• Asphalt shingles are the most commonly used shingle materials. Asphalt shingles are the least expensive and require little skill to install. They are made from fiberglass materials that have been impregnated with asphalt and have a surface of sandy granules. The standard single thickness is one the one used on most homes and thicker laminated produces are also available. Laminated shingles are appealing in texture and last longer than regular asphalt shingles. They are fairly expensive.
• Wood shingles was the basic choice of shingles for centuries and is still a viable option though in some areas fire codes prevent wood singles. Usually wood shingles are made of cedar, southern pine, or redwood. They are sawn or spilt and placed in patterns on a roof. They last about twenty-five years, but do cost more than twice as much as asphalt shingles.
• Metal shingles are made from copper, aluminum, steel, copper-and-asphalt, and lead. All are highly durable but very expensive. Lead and copper or copper/asphalt is installed in a shingle pattern, but other types are used for seamed roofs involving vertical lengths and linked with solder. These types of roofing materials start at $250 per square foot, but usually cost much more than that.
• Tile and cement roofing materials are customary on Spanish and Mission style homes and there are metal roofs that can replicate tile’s undulating effect. These are extremely expensive but are durable and heavy clay materials.
• Slate is the most durable of all roofing materials. Slate quality varies from manufacture to manufacturer but the best will endure longer than the clasps that actually hold slate in place. Slate is a hundred years old is often reused. Typically prices for a slate roof begin at $800 per square foot. Slate is also extremely heavy. 

When trying to determine what type of roofing materials you need, the existing roof of your home will be the major factor in determining the roofing you will be able to use. If you want to consider different options you need to consider the cost, color, weight, texture and durability. You may also want to see what is commonly used in your neighborhood.

Do keep in mind that you will also need building felt or tar paper before working with shingles, and if working with cedar, spans of furring strips will be placed across the roof. This will allow the roof to breathe. In snowy and cold areas, snow and ice shield membranes may also be laid. Keep in mind the time you will be living in your house. If you plan to sell quickly, a very expensive roof is not practical.

Roofing Materials - Terminology

Roofers generally don’t talk in terms of square feet, but rather in squares. The square is a rudimentary unit of measurement. One square is 100 square feet in range or equals 10 feet by 10 feet in dimension.  The roof of a typical house is usually 1,500 square feet or fifteen squares. 

Flashing is a part of repairing and putting on a new roof. Flashing is put on in strips to areas where different materials join together. An example is the juncture of a masonry chimney and the shingles or wherever the siding comes up to the roof line. Flashing will keep your home watertight if used were leakage is like to occur.

Image provided by Building Products of Canada Corp.

Shingles are the roof covering that consists of individual overlapping pieces. These pieces are usually flat rectangular shapes that are laid out in rows from the bottom edge of the roof to the peak. Each row overlaps the joins below. The roof point may have a cap comprising of copper or lead sheeting, but more than likely you will have a layer of shingles with a plastic layer underneath. Shingles are made from wood, asbestos-cement, ceramic or composite as well as slate and stone.

Roofing and Roofing Materials

Overview

When a new house is framed the final touch is the roof. Roofs are put on before the siding, windows or interior. Generally roofing is done within a few weeks of digging the whole, pouring the cement, and framing the walls.

Roofing materials can include asphalt, wood, plastic, clay, stone, clay tiles and wood. Roofing materials, generally known as shingles can come in rolls, strips or panels.  You can have any color or texture you want and pay almost whatever you can afford. A new roof can be constructed for as little as $.50 per square foot or as high as $25.00 per square foot.

Roofing and Roofing Materials – Different Options

There are so many different types of roofing materials to keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter. Heavier materials are suggested for warmer climates and high end building, but there are other roofing options that are equally as beautiful, durable, and cost effective.

What are different options for roofing?

Research has found that concentrations of asphalt roofs and parking lots in dense areas create an environment effect call the “heat island effect” which means heat soaking into the dark materials are use and these areas hold energy throughout the day and night. This causes high cooling costs and even higher repair costs when asphalt melts and roofs leak. To these ends different options for roofing materials are always being invented and explored. For example Italian architect Renzo Piano combines site planning with age old principles of making the land work with the environment. He uses solar and green roof in his buildings and adds recycled denim to insulation.

Living or green roofing materials are actual living plants that provide less toxic environments, water runoff to cool buildings and protection for base or under roofing. There are not many experts in growing living roofs, and the cost is high, but the theory is a great idea to help the environment and provide cooler living conditions.

Rubber membrane roofing is similar to wearing a raincoat; it keeps both moisture and heat out of the building. This type of roofing material is usually single-ply, white, rubber like roofing materials made from strong and weather resistant thermoplastic. You can also find rubber roofing made from ethylene propylene diene monomer. This type of roofing is common in commercial building and provides long wear, ease of installation, and can be applied quickly.

White flat tile roofing material is very well-suited to warm climates. It is similar to concrete tiling that can be painted in many colors. This is a lighter-weight variety of concrete tiles and the most popular color is generally the intense white flat tile made from ceramics or mixtures of cement and fibers. These tiles are reflect heat and last for up to fifty years and flat white cement tiles reflect over 75 percent of the sun’s rays. Power-washing keep the surface of the tiles from becoming dingy and losing reflective properties.
White metal roofing is highly reflective and can reflect 66 percent of the sun’s rays away from a roof.

White metal roofing cools quickly at night and holds heat for very short periods of time. It does cost about 30 percent more than traditional roofing materials, but in energy savings, low maintenance and durability it is eventually a cost saver. To maximize the benefits of metal roofing, however, treatments and installation are complicated. Most metal roofs need to be treated for corrosion and meet minimum code standards for wind resistance and placement. One very big downside of white metal roofing; the sun’s reflection off your roof can “blind” neighbors and those driving down your street.

Precautions While Constructing the Foundation of Your New House

If you are constructing a new home then you must be well informed about the problems faced after its construction. If all the problems are considered then the problems of the foundation are the most expensive to resolve as well as the most common ones faced by homeowners. Prices continue to rise for (New Residential Construction). The sticking of doors and windows, cracks in flooring, tiles and bricks and many more are all due to the faulty foundation. Below are the few precautions that can help you to minimize these defects:

Performing a soil evaluation

Whether you construct your house on a concrete slab or on the pier and beam, the most important component of the whole house is the foundation. Therefore you should not try and save money by skipping procedures. Before the designing of the foundation system a proper soil evaluation must be performed.

Incorporating proper Grading of the soil

Builders can be notorious sometimes and skip a few steps to increase their profits or reduce the workload. Keeping this in mind, you must ensure that a proper grading has been incorporated for the soil by the builder.

Installing proper drainage

It is common sense that a faulty drainage system will harm your foundation in more ways than one so proper drainage is essential for the house. It should include gutters and downspouts.

The right vapour barriers

The pier and beam foundations require proper vents and the right barriers to be put in place for a strong and lasting foundation. So make sure that the builder installs vapour barriers.

Waterproofing the foundation

With time the rain water can damage your foundation and weaken it. Therefore during the building process, proper waterproofing methods should be incorporated so that the foundation remains intact for long and does not cause unnecessary troubles later on.

Bloomberg claims that home values rise in the U.S. for the first time since 2010. Read the full story here: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-28/home-prices-in-u-s-cities-increased-0-5-in-year-ended-june-1-.html

Advantages and Disadvantages of Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are one of the most inexpensive materials for roofing purposes. Another reason behind their popularity is the ease with which they can be installed. Asphalt shingles are available in different colors and textures and so they can be used in various different styles.

Advantages of asphalt shingles:

Maintenance:

Asphalt shingles are very easy to maintain and this is a great advantage of using them for roofs. The repair work is very easy incase the shingles get damaged. Unlike other roofing materials which require a lot of regular periodic maintenance, asphalt shingles do not ask for so much maintenance.

Installation:

Among all the roofing materials, asphalt shingles are simplest to install. The installation process is very convenient and perfect options for all those who like to do it themselves. Other roof shingles require specialized tools and can be installed only by professionals.

Light in weight:

Asphalt shingles are not the lightest roof shingles, however the are very light in weight as compared to other materials in the same price range. This makes them compatible with various different structures.

Cost:

They cost a lot less than various other materials used for roofing. When one has, a limited budget then asphalt shingles becomes a great option.

Disadvantages of asphalt shingles:

Asphalt shingles can sometimes decay due to sudden changes in weather conditions. However, nowadays one can treat the shingles to avoid their decay.
Problems related to ventilation in attic can reduce the life span of asphalt shingles.
They do not provide thermal insulation and the solar heat is directly transferred into the room.
They can get damages by strong winds that have the capacity to lift them and tear them.
There is a slight disadvantage associated with their durability, as unlike other shingles, asphalt shingles last for about 20 years only. However, this disadvantage in overshadowed by the cost and easy maintenance.

Metal Roofing Systems and Their Pros and Cons

Metal roofing systems are quite popular nowadays among the home owners. However, you must weigh the advantages as well as the disadvantages of them before fitting them on your house. The more common materials are also good and sometimes better than the metal counterparts and thus you must make a smart choice.

Here is a list of the pros and cons of metal roofing systems:

Pros:

Reflection of heat from the surface of metal is very good so it can keep your house cooler.
There is no doubt about it that your roof will never catch fire as metal is fire resistant and protects inner layers also.
A very good reason for you can be the weight of the metal roofing which is almost 5 times lighter than other materials.
Although the cost is high but the durability and the life of metal is much more than other counterparts so it compensates for the high cost.
Last but not the least, the ease and the speed of installing metal roofing is incomparable to other systems. 

Cons:

The cost of installing a metal roofing is very high when compared to the traditional materials
The sound of the rain drops can be romantic for some people but for others it is a painful experience as metal makes a lot of noise when something falls on it.
Hailstorms will definitely leave large dents on the roof if it is made up of metal just like your car.
Fasteners that are used to hold the roof fittings in place become loose with time due to expansion and contraction of metal in the hot and cold weather.
Modifying the metal roof or replacing/repairing it will be expensive.
There are chances, even if very bleak, that lightning strikes the metal roof so proper grounding is very essential.

Basics of Pole Barn Construction

A structure supported on poles that are deeply set in the ground and then anchored with concrete is known as a pole barn. It is an economical and a durable structure that are a common sight in the farmers’ market, horse riding spots and storehouse and garages. There are various benefits associated with poles barns such as they do not require foundations and finished floors are optional and the choice depends on your discretion.

The size of the barn can be decided according to the requirement and this makes pole barn construction very useful for storehouses. From the builder’s point of view pole barn construction is a great value for money as the materials are cheap and easy to procure and the construction is sturdy. One can add additional features like porches, windows, doors and attics, according to the need.

Essential materials needed for pole barn construction:

The first and the most basic requirement is that of poles which are made of lumber and are pressure-treated. One can use poles of any type of cross-section, square or round.
Trusses, these are triangular frames and provide strength to the basic structure.
Plywood for making the walls, one can choose to use steel for this purpose depending on the requirement and budget.
Gravel and concrete are needed to anchor the poles in the ground.
Roofing sections can be selected from galvanized steel sections and plywood or asbestos shingles.

All these materials are easily available and will not become a burden on your buget. However, before starting the construction of a pole barn one must discuss with the local authorities if any permits are required. The authorities might ask you to submit your blueprints to make sure that your structure and the complete facility meets the set guidelines.

Thirty-Two Percent of Missouri Construction Companies to add employees:

According to an AGC.com survey.

The title says it all, but what does this say about the construction industry as a whole? The survey also states that thirty-two percent plan no change at all, with eighteen percent either not knowing or laying off their employees. The numbers speak volumes about the country’s volatile economic climate and even more about the construction industry. So what could be the cause behind the uncertainty? With most companies jumping from one job to the next at some point companies hit a dead end. The construction industry is oversaturated with thousands of companies fighting over hundreds of jobs.

So what could be the solution for this gigantic problem? Well the merging of current construction groups could increase work output, while also diminishing the number of construction companies bidding for work.  A majority of the hiring companies are taking anywhere between 1-5 new employees. This represents a 25% increase in the hiring company’s workforce.

Keep this in mind as the companies who are laying off 1-5 employees are doing so losing 96% of their employees. Therefore, most companies who are hiring will most likely be picking up the displaced workers of small construction crews. Over time, if this continues, many will see a decrease in the amount of competition over construction projects.

This article is not intended for financial advice and is meant for recreational reading purposes. Contact your financial adviser for a detailed assessment for your investment strategy.


2012 Construction Outlook Survey Results MISSOURI, http://www.agc.org/galleries/news/Missouri.pdf, AGC of America

How to decide on what Construction Company to Hire

Deciding on what construction company to hire can be a difficult task. Things ranging from quality of past work to the costs associated with the work being done are important factors when choosing a company. However, there are other things you should consider when hiring a construction company in Missouri to do work on your house, business, or any other project.

Depending on where you live, there may be licensing requirements that a company needs to have before they can begin work. If you knowingly hire a construction company or contractor that doesn’t have the required licenses, you can be held responsible if something goes wrong. Make sure you make copies of these licenses to have on file in case something does, in fact, go wrong.

When deciding on a construction company, also ask to have pictures of past work they have done. You may not know if the work was done properly so take these pictures to their other contractors you meet with to ensure the quality of the work. When asking for these pictures, make sure you receive pictures that show work similar to the work you want to have done. This ensures that the company has experience in the work you want to be done.

Finally, discuss the costs of the work that needs to be done with an expert to ensure you are not over paying the company doing work for you.  Educate yourself with costs of the lumber, tools, and accessories needed to complete this project on your own before hiring a contractor or construction company in Missouri to do the work for you.

Hopefully by following the above three steps you can become more knowledgeable when hiring a construction company. There is no possible way to keep mistakes from happening, however you can reduce the chances of one being made when you follow licensing requirements, check past history, and have a brief understanding of costs associated with the construction project.

“The construction industry has yet to move from a hesitant up-and-down pattern to more sustained expansion,” stated Robert A. Murray, Vice President of Economic Affairs for McGraw-Hill Construction.

“After plunging 23 percent in 2009, new construction starts edged up only 1 percent in 2010 and were unchanged in 2011, so the modest 2-percent increase predicted for 2012 is really more of the same. The backdrop for the construction industry remains the fragile U.S. economy, which continues to see slow employment growth, diminished funding from federal and state governments, and the uncertainty related to the U.S. fiscal stalemate and the European debt crisis. Read full story at CE News

Are You Ready to Remodel Your Home?

A Pre-Remodeling Checklist

Remodeling your home can bring up quite a few emotions. Anxiety, excitement, frustration, and accomplishment are all feelings that can be associated with the remodeling of your home. Here are a few questions that you should consider before jumping in to any home improvement project:

“Do I have enough funds to complete the project?”

This is probably the biggest question you should be able to answer with a resounding yes, however many people don’t research the true cost of starting a home remodeling project. Paint, lumber, tools, nails, glue, the list can go on and on. Many people also overlook the fact that mistakes WILL be made during the process and you should budget accordingly.

“Do I have the skills needed to do this on my own?”

Many people believe that they are a carpenter, plumber, electrician, architect, interior designer, landscape artist all rolled into one being. The truth is, although we may have one or two of the skills above, we do not have all of them. This isn’t even considering the fact that half of those listed trades need licenses in order to do that kind of work. You should check into exactly what your remodeling project will entail before jumping into it.

“Do I have a plan?”

Almost everyone wants to be able to remodel some portion of their home, but very few of these people actually have a plan in place to carry it through. In the remodeling business, you should never want to “go with the flow” as unwanted consequences may emerge. Having a plan also reduces the amount of stress and frustration you may have when remodeling your home. These are just three questions that you should consider before taking a dive into the remodeling of your home. You should contact Me as your local Missouri home remodeling business if you need a contractor to do work that is outside your skillset or licensing.

Types of Roofing

When deciding on what type of roof Mike’s Construction LLC. should place on top of your house or business, it is very important as to consider what each roof type has to offer.

The following list will help you in the decision you have to make between EPDM flat roofing, asphalt shingles, or metal roof systems.
EPDM Flat roofing consists of ethylene propylene diene monomer, and is considered to be the most popular modern day roofing type for flat or low slope roofing systems.

1. This type of roofing has a service life of over 30 years given that the proper steps of installation and design are taken.
2. This type of roofing is common for businesses. Asphalt shingles are divided into two categories:
   1) Fiber glass and organic.
   2) The organic type has been known to be more durable, but fiber glass asphalt shingles are cheaper to buy and easier to manufacture.
3. This type of roofing is used primarily for homes. Metal roofing systems offer a huge benefit, in that they can reduce the energy consumption inside the home or business. They do this due to the certain colors that they come in. They also have a much longer life-span than both asphalt and EPDM roofing at 40-60 years with minimal maintenance. 
4. Metal roofing systems are used primarily for homes, but can also be used for businesses and industries.

 Trying to find the right roofing system for you can be a difficult process, but you educating yourself with the knowledge of several roofing types can be indispensable when the time comes to make a decision.

References

EPDM Roofing Systems, http://www.firestonebpco.com/roofing/epdm/
EPDM: A Roofing System for every climate, http://www.firestonebpco.com/templateFiles/includes/common/displayFile.ashx?fileId=17974
Asphalt Shingles, http://www.roofhelp.com/choices/asphaltshingles/
Residential Metal Roofing, http://www.mbci.com/residential.html 
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