Advantages of Asphalt Shingles

Everyone knows about asphalt shingles when it comes to roofing products for your home. Nearly every house in the United States is covered with this traditional roofing material. But why has asphalt been the top choice for most of the roof applications since the 1880's?

Asphalt Magazine has an interesting article on the history and the basics of the asphalt product and especially interesting was their listing of the advantages:

"The Advantages of Asphalt Products
The dominance of asphalt roofing products through the years has not evolved as a matter of chance. It is based on proven product performance that goes beyond the basic roofing requirements of providing a covering that shields the building’s inhabitants from the weather. The characteristics have earned asphalt roofing its leading position include the following:

• Weather Resistance. Asphalt roofing products are proven to resist sunlight, heat, cold, water and ice.
• Fire Resistance. Asphalt roofing products are manufactured to comply with ASTM International and/or Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standards for fire resistance.
• Wind Resistance. Asphalt roofing products comply with the wind-resistant standards of Underwriters Laboratories.
• Economy. Efficient, high-volume production plus relatively low cost of application result in economies that are difficult for competing roofing materials to match. Moderate installed costs combined with long service life gives asphalt roofing products a very low annual or life-cycle cost.
• Ease of Application. Asphalt roofing is considered to be the easiest of all standard roofing materials to apply.
• Adaptability. Because of their flexibility and strength, asphalt roofing products can be applied on a wide variety of roof styles.
• Aesthetics. Asphalt roofing is available in many appealing colors, shapes and dimensional depths that provide bold roof appearances. The wide range of asphalt roofing products introduced in recent years offer much greater flexibility in choosing the appearance of a building’s exterior than is available with most other types of roofing material.
• Style Suitability. Asphalt roofing is completely 'at home' with most architectural styles, whether contemporary, modern or traditional.
• Low Maintenance. Properly chosen and applied, asphalt roofing products require little or no upkeep and are easily repaired, if damaged."

If your house has old asphalt shingles and it's time to replace your roof, consider ConstructionDeal.com. We've got a network of asphalt roofing companies across the country. We'll match you with a quality roof contractor in your neighborhood and it's an absolutely free service to use.

You'll save time and money by not having to search through the phone book and by helping you get multiple bids (more bids means a better price!)

Tips on a Roofing Installation

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A roof can usually last 10 to 20 years, depending on the roofing materials and quality of installation. If you know that it's time to replace you're roof, you can take steps to make sure your new roof turns out to be a quality one.

A new roof is an expensive investment. It should be considered an asset that will improve the look as well as improve the protection of your home. Leaks, rotting, mold, and other factors can do a lot of damage if your roof is not installed professionally.

Here are some tips to make sure you get the roof you need:

• Get multiple bids on the project - many bids means that you'll hear different opinions from different companies, all with different prices
  
• Do not automatically go with the lowest bid - the roofing company that can low-ball the others may have to cut many quality corners to install a new roof for such a low price
  
• The opposite may be true - because a company has the highest bid doesn't mean you'll get the best roof. Get as much information as you can on what you'll be spending for such a high price. Some unscrupulous people charge the most just to see if you'll pay it and end up providing the same roof but for more money
• Make sure there is a warranty - any roofing company that cannot or will not provide a warranty may not believe in their own products and installation abilities
• Read the warranty - study it, memorize it, and be able to quote it. The more you know about what is and what is not covered, the less likely you are to get burned in the process
• Have an independent roofing inspector come out to review the work during and after. You'll spend more money, but you could prevent problems before you make your final payment to the roofing company
  

Consider replacing the roof sooner rather than later. If you've got leaks and other roofing problems, it could cost you considerably more if you wait. Putting off the roof replacement until the next year allows the problems to worsen and cause more damage. You'll only be adding to your overall budget because the roofing company will charge you to replace the roof and repair the damaged areas.

If you'd like to have several roofing companies to bid on your project, you can post it with ConstructionDeal.com. It's a fast and easy way to find local roof installers. At no cost.

And you will get 4 quotes in the same day (sometimes in a matter of minutes) - this will save you plenty of time.

Roofing Replacement: Cost vs. Value

Here is some information from Remodeling Magazine (through Realtor Magazine Online) that gives an idea of the costs to replace a roof and how much of the investment can be returned when it's time to sell your house.

Cost vs. Value Report on Roofing Replacement:

Roofing replacement
	Job Cost	Resale Value	Cost Recouped
National Average:	$11,164	$9,456	84.7%
East Average:	$12,155	$10,856	89.3%
Midwest Average:	$12,401	$8,674	69.9%
South Average:	$9,093	$7,983	87.8%
West Average:	$11,557	$10,769	93.2%

If you're in need of a roofing contractor to help replace your roof, you can use our service to find roof companies in your area.

Simply submit your request with ConstructionDeal.com, and we'll match you with local Roofing Contractors - you'll receive multiple bids on the project which can help you save money.

Find a Wood Shake Roof Contractor

Are you a big fan of the cedar or pine shake roofs?

Some houses just call out for a wood shake roof and it's always an option. There are some things to consider if you've already got a wood roof or you're thinking of switching over to wood shakes.

Some areas, due to the fire hazard, do not allow a wooden roof to be installed. Some may have codes that allow the repair or replacement on an existing house but not a switch to wood from another material.

Check with your local permitting office to find out what the regulations are for your area. Also, check with your insurance company - they don't like wood roofs and are making it harder and harder for homeowners to have them. You may be required to treat the wood roof with a fire retardant system.

Wood installations can cost a lot more than a regular asphalt install. If you get a great price on a wood roof installation, you might not end up with a quality job and the roof will more than likely not last as long as it should have. Be wary of a low-ball bid with this kind of installation. Also, wood shakes do not last as long as most other roofing materials. They tend to crack, curl up, or will lift up off the roof.

Make sure your roofing installer uses stainless steel nails. The nails are exposed to the elements and you don't want them to rust, no matter what your climate is like.

The wood shake roof requires a lot of maintenance to keep it healthy. Treating and regular sealing is required to make sure the wood doesn't split or rot. Dramatic changes in weather can make the wood contract and expand. It's a good idea to get regular inspections from a pro to make sure there are no leaks or damaged shakes. UV light also does a lot of damage to the wood.

Finally, for the disdvantages of a wood shake roof - it's not very environmentally-friendly. A wood roof is made up of materials from very large and very old trees. And they're not easy to replace. Because the wood has been treated and chemicals used to protect the wood, the shakes are not able to be recycled and be used for other purposes.

However, a cedar or pine shake roof is a thing to behold. Wood roofs have such an aesthetic appeal - a natural wood color with shakes in a variety of sizes and thickness choices make it a beautiful look for a home. The wood ages with time into a gray shade. Since there are so many choices and all wood ages differently, no two roofs are alike.

It looks so much better than an asphalt or metal roof. There are even companies out there making synthetic woods and composite materials to try and mimic the wood shake roof, but those products really haven't been tested.

The wood shake roof is also a great insulator for your home. It even allows the movement of air through your roofing system to keep moisture levels down.

There are a lot of disadvantages to having a wood shake roof so it's important to talk with a wood shake roof company if it's right for your home. You can find several roofing pros in your neighborhood by posting your project - for free - with ConstructionDeal.com. We'll match you up and have them contact you, which saves you time. Having several bids will save you money, too. Make sure you get references on any wood shake contractor because you want a perfect and professional job to make sure the roof lasts as long as possible.

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Roofing Materials: Consider a Metal Roof

Ready for a Metal Roof? We can help:

Many picture the loud sounds of rain splashing hard on a tin roof when they think of having a metal roof installed.

But today metal roofs are beautiful, durable, and even affordable roofing replacement option.

Advantages of a Metal Roof:

• Very durable
  
• Very weather resistant
  
• Wide variety of styles, colors, sizes
  
• Great aesthetics; very uniqe looks
• Improves your homes value
• Lighter than shingles
  
• Energy efficient
  
• Maintenance-free
• Great warranties available
  
• Usually no need to remove existing roof
  
• Lighter than shingles

Contrary to many myths about metal roofing, it doesn't get any hotter than a normal shingle roof. The material is not conducive to lightning. And it doesn't rust. But it will provide your home with excellent protection from weather and it can come with 40 or 50 year (or even longer) warranties because it's so durable.

If you're not sure if a metal roof is right for your house, contact one of our metal roofing installers to get some information and maybe even an estimate. Simple post your request on ConstructionDeal.com and you'll be contacted by as many metal roof contractors as you would like. All for free!

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Green Roofing Options

On hot and sunny days, suburban and urban areas can be five to seven degrees warmer outlying areas due to an affect known as the "urban heat island effect." The problem can be solved by replacing the dark heat-absorbing roofing materials, found on most asphalt roofs, with light color roofing material made from recycled materials. Some are even made of plants and grasses. These environmentally-friendly roofing options can substantially reduce the urban heat island effect. Lighter colored roof surface materials helps to reduce the amount of energy needed to keep a home cool and can reduce peak cooling demands by up to fifteen percent on a city grid.

Another interesting green option are "Living Roof Systems." They allow for the growth of rooftop vegetation, such as tall grass or vegetation, and it does not harm the man-made roofing materials on the underlying roof. These living roofs provide more than just energy savings, they can provide health benefits, including: reducing the urban heat island effect, lowering energy expenditures, purifying the air, and reducing storm-water runoff. Runoff from rainstorm water, which carries contaminants from paved surfaces and rooftops to our natural waterways, has been identified as a major source of water pollution. Living roofs can reduce these negative effects by absorbing up to seventy-five percent of rain that falls upon them.

If you're interested in finding a quality roofing contractor to help you investigate your new roof options, post your project with ConstructionDeal.com. It's a free service to receive bids from several roofing companies. And it saves you time: one post and you choose how many roofing experts you would like to call you.

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Roofing Materials - What Are Your Choices?

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Roofing Material Choices:
Whenever someone describes their home, they sometimes call it the "roof over their heads." That's because humans need protection from the elements - and your roof is that protection.

Your roof takes a beating. The roof of a house must withstand the power of rain, snow, hail, temperature changes, and the heat and light from the sun.

Throughout the ages, we have always used a multitude of materials to cover our homes. Grass, mud, wood, stone, you name it... it has served as the roof on a home. There are still many choices on what to use to protect your home. Roof Contractors have many quality materials to choose from, beyond the standard asphalt shingle.

When it's time to find a roofing company to install a new roof on your home, you'll have to decide what will work best for you, your home's style, and your budget. Some roofing materials are more durable than others. Some are more expensive. Some are the right fit and look for the type of home you own.

Asphalt Shingles
Most home have asphalt shingles (about 3/4 of the houses in the U.S.) They are very economical and durable, with some brands lasting 20, 30, or even 40 years. The warmer the climate (and more sun exposure), the fewer total years you can expect to get out of the shingle. If you live in Florida, your 20 year shingle will probably last between 13 and 15 years. Asphalt roofing shingles can be purchased in many forms: strip shingles, laminated shingles, or interlocking shingles.

Wood Shake Roofs
Another roofing option is wood shake (and wood shingle.) The most common are made of cedar and, with the right coatings, can be very durable and economical.

There are also fiberglass shingles which are laminated and very durable and can be made to duplicate the look of wood or slate shingles. Some brands of the fiberglass roof shingles are guaranteed for 50 years.

Many are going with slate, clay tile, or even concrete roofs. These can be extremely durable but also expensive. They also may require a heavy roofing infrastructure to hold the extra weight.

Metal Roofs
Another option are metal tiles, metal shingles, or metal shakes. They last a very long time and require virtually no maintenance. They're also very lightweight and can be installed over top of an existing roofing material.

If your home is in need of a new roof, you can use ConstructionDeal.com to help match you to a roofing contractor today. You'll save time and money by not having to search at random from your phone book.

By getting multiple bids from as many roofing contractors as you want, you get the right bid for your budget! Contact us today at 866-663-4711,

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