A Homeowner’s Roof Buying Guide: Everything to Know

May 21, 2021May 4, 2021 by The Roof Guy

Building contractor putting the asphalt roofing on a large commercial apartment building.

A Homeowner's Roof Buying Guide

Did you know that if your roof is over 20 years old, it’s overdue for a replacement? Replacing old roofs can be intimidating and costly, but it doesn’t have to be.

If you learn about your options and plan properly, you can make getting your new roof simple and a dream come true. A newer roof is a better-looking roof, after all.

Read on for the roof buying guide that covers the most important things you need to know.

Know When It's Time

Before people buy new roofs, there are signs they look for to make sure it’s really time for a replacement.

One of the signs you can look for is broken, cracked, curling, or lost shingles. If you have experienced more than one leak lately, you may also need a new roof.

If you don’t have any of these signs and your roof is nearing 20 years old, consider getting a roof inspection to evaluate whether it needs to be replaced.

The Cost of a New Roof

When preparing for a new roof, it’s always a good idea to create a budget in advance. This is because you don’t want to spend more than you need to or can afford, and having a budget to stick to can help.

Comparing roof costs is also a good way to get an idea of how much you can expect to reasonably spend on your ideal roof. On average, a new roof may cost around $5,421 – $11,123, but yours may be different.

Many factors influence roof cost, including the size and shape of your roof, the type of material you choose, and whether the support structure needs repair as well.

Consider Local Weather

The local weather where you live plays a large role in narrowing down the kind of roof you will want. This is because you’ll need a roof that can take the types of extreme weather you experience.

It’s also worth considering if you live in a very sunny environment as this might affect the roof color you want. Darker colors attract sunlight and might make your home hotter.

Decide on a Roofing Material

There are many types of roofing materials available, so be sure to consider which one best fits your budget, needs, and preferences. The types of roofing materials available are:

Asphalt
Metal
Tile
Cement
Slate
Wood

Pick the Right Contractor

Choosing the right roof installation company will make all the difference. This is because you want your roof done right so that it looks good and doesn’t need as many future repairs.

You also want your contractor to have the experience to get your roof done within a reasonable timeline, especially if you’ll be living away from home during the installation.

Use the Tips in This Roof Buying Guide

Buying a new roof is giving your home a makeover and should be an exciting experience. To ensure that it stays exciting and you end up with the perfect roof for you, follow the tips in this roof buying guide.

If you’re in the market for a new roof, check out our roofing services today.

What Are the Different Types of Roofing Nails?

May 4, 2021 by The Roof Guy

The roof of the house lined with gray bitumen shingles

What Are the Different Types of Roofing Nails?

Do you have an upcoming roofing job? It’s easy to get overwhelmed with all that goes into it. Rest assured, we’ve got you covered to handle everything.

When thinking of roofing jobs, you’ll want to take note of which roofing nails you’ll need. How do you decide? A lot of it has to do with the type of roof you choose and where you live.

Plenty of factors will go into what you choose. If you’re unsure of where to start, read our guide below.

Roofing Nail Materials

When thinking of roofing hardware, the material is something you’ll want to pay attention to. When holding down a shingle, you’ll want strong nails that stand the test of time.

Below, we’ll cover aluminum, stainless steel, galvanized steel, and copper. Some are stronger than others and more resistant to the elements.

Aluminum

Some roofers like to use aluminum nails mainly for asphalt shingles. Compared to steel and copper, aluminum is a weaker metal.

Aluminum nails are the best roofing nails for metal roofing. Use them in areas that are not prone to salt exposure. Corrosion and chemical damage is common with aluminum nails as well.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel nails are a great choice for roofers due to them being inexpensive. They are less corrosive and a top choice when salt is in the air.

If you’re working with slate or ceramic, stainless steel is some of the best roofing nails to use. This is due to their strong nature. Stainless steel is a solid option but aluminum or galvanized steel has them beat.

Galvanized Steel

Galvanized steel nails are the best roofing nails you can use. Their base is steel and is later coated with zinc chemicals. What makes the zinc coating so special is that they are super resistant to rust.

These kinds of roofing nails are great for coastal roof replacement especially.

You will appreciate the kinds of roofing nails and their zinc exterior. Galvanized steel roofing nails have both aluminum and stainless steel beat in the strong category.

Copper

If you’re looking for roofing nails that resist rust and corrosion, you’ll want to go with copper. These strong roofing nails are great if the roof you’re working on already has copper accents.

With that said, the shingles often hide the roofing nails anyways. The aesthetics of the roof won’t be detracted by steel nails at all.

Types Of Roofing Nails

Aside from the material you use for your roofing nails, the types of roofing nails matter as well. Each one will have its pros and cons and be meant for certain projects.

Smooth Shank

Smooth shanks are the most basic type of roofing nail. They are also the least expensive.

When roofing stapes are appropriate, so are smooth shanks. Use them when working in areas sans inclement weather. Asphalt roofs are known to have these types of roofing nails.

Ring Shank

If you’re on a roofing job with high wind or working on tall buildings, a ring shank is your go-to. They provide extra grip with their rings for shingles or sheathing.

They also go by annular or corrugated roofing nails.

Square Cap

As the name suggests, the head is a square shape rather than the typical circular head. The shank on these kinds of roofing nails will be coiled or smooth.

You won’t want to use square caps for asphalt shingles but rather felt underlayment.

Roofing Nails Hit Hard

Have you got a clearer picture of the roofing nails you’ll use on your project? We hope our guide has helped you with your decision.

The good thing is we are the professionals to help you. Why not get a quote today?

You’ll be glad you did and we are looking forward to hearing from you.

The Basics of Roofing Replacement

May 13, 2021April 5, 2021 by The Roof Guy

The Basics of Roofing Replacement

Is it time? When your roof can no longer benefit from repairs to help protect your home, it’s probably time to replace it.
The idea of ripping off the current roofing system and putting new shingles and gutters back in place might make you nervous. A roof replacement is a big project, but it shouldn’t be overwhelming for homeowners. With the right roofing professionals, there’s nothing to worry about!

What can you expect when it’s time for a new roof? Here’s how it works!

Get Ready

You can help your roof repair experts complete the job more quickly with a few preparation tasks. When roofers have a clear area to work, they can work faster and safer.
Before the roofing crew arrives:

Move cars out of the driveway
Clear porches and patios
Unlock the gates
Mark landscaping that you want to protect
Take photos off of walls
Let the neighbors know

Ripping shingles from the roof and banging new decking and shingles into place can rattle walks within your home. Remove any fragile items that can fall from walls or shelves throughout the project.

Remember: replacing roof shingles and decking is loud work. Your neighbors will thank you for a heads up before work starts.

Materials and Workers Arrive

A clear driveway allows space for the truck to deliver new decking, shingles, and materials. Your roofing contractor might also deliver a large dumpster bin to collect materials as the crew removes the old roof.
Depending on how early your new roofing materials arrive, workers will arrive soon and begin working. Most new roof replacements can occur over one or two days, and crews start early to maximize daylight.

Existing Roof Removed

Before they can begin replacing roof shingles, the roofers must remove the existing roof. While it might seem chaotic, an experienced crew has a system to safely remove gutters, shingles, and decking to protect other structures on and around your home.
With a clean surface, it’s time to place the new materials!

New Roof Installed

Before installing new decking and shingles, professional roofers repair damaged areas that support the new roof’s structure. Remember, this is loud work! Expect noise from nailing, talking among crew members, and saws to trim and ensure each piece fits and seals correctly.

Do You Need to Leave?

It’s up to you! A professional roofing crew works around homeowners to get the job done.
After clearing the driveway of vehicles and other obstacles, you can leave for the day. If you can handle the noise and activity, you can also stay in your home. Make sure pets and kids stay out of the way so that workers can continue without interruption.

Choose the Best Professionals for Roof Replacement

The best professionals make a roof replacement a hassle-free experience. The Roof Guys work quickly, provide free estimates and a competitive roof replacement cost, and deliver high-quality roofing services for residential and commercial buildings.
Contact us for your free quote!

Most Common Commercial Roofs and Roofing Materials

May 21, 2021April 5, 2021 by The Roof Guy

Common Commercial Roofs and Roofing Materials

Are you considering new roofing for your commercial building? Although smaller premises might have sloped roofs, most commercial roofing consists of flat roofs, or rather, low-slope roofs. Completely flat roofs can result in water dams and leaks. So, low-slope roofing is the preferred option. This type of roof has a pitch of 4:12. That means it rises by 4 inches for every 12 inches of length.

These are your top choices when it comes to these kinds of commercial roofing systems.

Commercial Metal Roofing

Metal roofing is suitable for both residential and commercial roofing and boasts excellent fire-, tear-, and puncture-resistance.
These are the most popular types of metal roofing:

Copper
Corrugated galvanized steel
Stainless steel
Stone-coated steel
Tin
Aluminum

On the downside, metal rusts unless it’s treated with a protective coating, and it’s very noisy during a rainstorm.

Built-Up Commercial Roofing

Bitumen’s one of the most popular commercial roofing materials thanks to its fantastic fire-resistance and durability. BUR consists of alternating layers of bitumen and fiberglass asphalt sheeting, topped with a layer of crushed rock or gravel.
These roofs are also known as tar and gravel roofs.

Single-Ply Commercial Roof Types

These roofs are hardy as well as comparatively quick and easy to install. Single-ply roofing systems consist of strips of roofing material installed on top of a concrete roof deck.
You can choose from three different types of single-ply roof systems:

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) – tough and durable
Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) – 100% recyclable and eco friendly
Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) – great for cooler climates

Most of these roof types, apart from EPDM, come with insulation pre-installed.

Liquid Applied Flat Roofs

Contractors pour this type of roofing on-site and it comprises a mix of polyester and resin that flows easily into every area of your roof.
Thanks to this, liquid-applied roofs provide an excellent, seamless seal against moisture. They’re also easy to repair by pouring another layer over any damaged parts of the roof. Roofing contractors apply liquid roofing in two coats using a roller or a sprayer.

Green Roofs

Green roofs consist of a waterproof membrane covered with plants. They’re highly praised by environmentalists due to their ability to improve air quality and prevent Urban Heat Sinks.
As a business owner, you can get a tax rebate if you install a green roof, and you can also use it to create an area for employees to rest up in pleasant surroundings.

Green roofs require a lot of maintenance and ongoing monitoring and often have sophisticated systems for managing water and drainage. On the plus side, they can last for up to 50 years.

Choosing the Best Commercial Roofing For Your Needs

Since most commercial roofs last for twenty years or more, chances are things have changed considerably since the last time your building had a new roof. So, it’s best to enlist the help of knowledgeable, licensed commercial roofing contractors while considering your options for flat roofs.

Get in touch and we’ll help you choose a commercial roofing solution that meets your needs without blowing your budget.