Learn How To Prolong The Life of Your Tile Roof!

A tile roof installation is a wonderful addition to your home that can give it traditional character and greatly improve its appearance.

Tile is also a favorable choice for roofing replacement due to its energy-efficiency and durability.

To get a full life out of your tile roof, it’s critical that it receive proper care as if it is ignored, that beautiful tile will deteriorate sooner than it should.

Prolong the roof of your tile roof and reduce the need for costly repair by following these important tile roof maintenance tips!

Tip #1 - Stay Off That Tile!

The number one way to damage a beautiful tile roof is to walk on it as those tiles are a lot more delicate than they may appear; one wrong step can cause them to crack or break under your feet!

When you have a roofing company install tile, do so knowing that you should always call a professional to do close-up inspections and any needed maintenance or repairs as they have the training and know-how to reach all parts of tile roofs without damaging them.

Tip #2 - Keep It Clean

Roof tiles are made from porous, organic material that can hold moisture and other material that promotes the growth of moss and algae which can stain and deteriorate tiles over time.

Dirt and other debris can collect on the tiles and rot after a period of time.

To prevent these conditions and keep your tile roof looking and top-performing, it’s essential to clean it periodically and apply a sealant to preserve the surface.

Since these cleanings must be performed carefully and should never be done with a pressure washer, it’s recommended that you hire tile roofing services to do it for you.

Tip #3 - Keep the Trees Trimmed

Trees are responsible for a lot of the damage that can occur to tile roofs as their branches can rub and scrape the tiles as well as break or lift them, while leaves left behind can add to organic debris that can rot and promote algae growth.

The easiest way to reduce this kind of damage is to keep all trees close to the building well pruned so the branches cannot touch and leaves won't fall on the roof.

Tip #4 - Inspect Tile Regularly

Because tile is more susceptible to damage than asphalt shingles and metal roofs, have your roof professionally inspected at least every two years by a roofing company that can get up high and take a closer look.

In between those inspections, do your own visual inspection after storms; if anything seems unusual, ask your roofer to check it out right away to prevent further roof damage.

Tip #5 - Keep Up With Repairs

If you discover cracked or broken tiles during one of your inspections or any other damage to your tile roof, arrange for roof repair immediately.

Damage left unrepaired can result in additional damage due to leaking and destruction of the adhesive under other tiles in that area.

This can lead to more broken tiles and leaks that can slowly do widespread damage over a much larger area.

Good Care Encourages Tile Roof Longevity

Ceramic and pottery tile roofs can last almost a lifetime when installed correctly by a skilled roofer and then properly maintained afterward.

Failure to maintain tile roofs can lead to serious damage over time, shortening their serviceable life so that you need a roof replacement sooner than you should.

Using these five simple tips, your roof will stay in great condition and remain a beautiful part of your home!

What Is The Best Way to Find A Roofer I Can Trust?

Sooner or later, every homeowner or owner of a commercial building is going to need a roofing replacement done - roofs don’t last forever!

When that time comes, do you know how to find a reliable and skilled roofer in your area to hire?

Any roof installation is costly, so it’s important to do your homework when seeking roofing services you can trust to do great workmanship and act ethically.

Use these tips on how to research roofers and find the right one for the job!

Three Ways to Find Roof Services

The first step in hiring a roofing company is compiling a list of contractors to research so you can find the one who suits your needs:

Ask for Local Referrals - Word of mouth is one of the best ways to find a roofing contractor who does great work. Ask friends, family, and neighbors who they recommend, then do personal research about those roofers.
Ask Your Insurance Company - Your homeowners insurance company surely has a list of roof repair contractors they approve and this is a great place to start, especially if you’ll be filing a claim for roof damage.
Search Local Business Directories - Search for local contractors on business directory websites like Google My Business, Yelp, Yellow Pages online, and even social media websites like Facebook.

Necessary Roofing Company Qualifications

Once you’ve compiled a list of roofing contractor candidates, do some further research to learn more about them and what qualifications they have to do roof replacement and repair as well as how highly recommended they are as professionals:

Manufacturer Designation - Material manufacturers provide free training to ensure that roofers are familiar with their products and know how to properly install them. Awarded in various contractor levels from factory-certified to elite or comparable designations, these ratings mean that a roofing contractor is recognized by the manufacturer as being capable of installing their products and are recommended over a contractor without this designation.
Better Business Bureau Scores - BBB scores will give you a good idea about the reputation of a roofer and the type of work they do. Look for roofing companies that have BBB listings with high ratings and avoid those with no BBB listing at all.
Local and/or State Licensing - If your state or locality requires roof services to maintain certain licenses, ask to see them and be sure they are current.
Proof of Insurance - Always ask to see proof of current insurance before hiring any contractor to work on your roof or any other part of your house or commercial building.
Safety Certification - Ask whether the roof contractor’s employees have received safety training and if the company has a safety certification. Not all will but it’s preferable to work with companies that do.

Other Factors to Consider

After checking all of the above information for your candidates, look into these other details to give you a more complete picture of a roofer’s business practices and what to expect from them:

Estimates and Warranties - If you ask for an estimate, make sure it includes all details about the work to be done including itemized cost breakdowns, additional fees, and a full explanation of everything you will be paying for as well as the types of warranties and what they specifically cover. Make sure you understand the warranty information before you agree to anything.
No Pressure Sales - Don’t let a roofing contractor pressure you into anything, including which material to use. Don't let them handle your insurance claim, as that’s something that is better handled by you personally.
Know About Roofing - Know enough about the work you need done on your roof and material choices so you can have informed discussions with roofers and understand what they are talking about.

Ready To Start Your Search?

Though it seems like an awful lot of research to do just to hire a roof repair service, it’s effort that will benefit you in the long run.

You’ll find a local qualified roof company that’s recognized for their expert work and great business reputation so you can hire a good, experienced roofer with confidence!

Need Some Information About Cool Roof Shingles?

As temperatures in Texas soar higher each summer and cooling costs rise with them, keeping your home or building cool is a priority.

The right roof installation can play a prime part in doing just that.

Cool roof shingles installed by roof services are a great choice for roofing replacement when energy efficiency, cost, and appearance are all top concerns.

But what exactly are cool roof shingles?

Understand the factors that determine the coolness of any material so you know what to look for when discussing your next roof with a local roofing company.

What Is A Cool Roof?

A cool roof is one that is designed to reflect higher amounts of UV sun rays than other ones or provide an insulating effect that prevents heat arising out of UV rays from entering your house or building.

The three main factors that dictate how cool a roof will be are:

R-value - R-value or reflective value is the amount of UV rays a material will reflect rather than absorb; different materials have different R-values by their natural makeup.
Color - Darker colors absorb more UV rays than lighter colors.
Insulation - Good insulation doesn't allow heat from UV rays that have passed through the external material to continue down into the structure.

Improving home efficiency involves using a combination of these three factors to create roofing material and techniques to increase R-value and decrease heat absorption.

What Are Some Cool Roof Shingle Options?

Because shingles are a preferable roofing choice for many home and building owners in various climates, roofer companies are focusing today on creating super-efficient cool materials to improve cooling efficiency and reduce energy consumption.

Of all the shingle options now available that a roof repair service can install, these are the coolest and most energy-efficient:

Metal Shingles - When correctly installed with the right insulation beneath it, metal has always been one of the coolest, most reflective roofing materials available. Though it hasn’t always been so attractive, you can now purchase countless styles of cool metal-looking shingles that are metal sheets pressed to mimic the traditional look of various types of shingles.
Premium Cool Asphalt Shingles - Asphalt shingle roofs have always been very popular and many asphalt shingle manufacturers now offer premium cool shingles designed specifically to increase reflectiveness and energy efficiency. These shingles that contain extra reflective materials to increase R-value have a much higher reflective rating than even dark-colored standard shingles.
Natural Shingles - Not as common and somewhat more expensive, organic shingles like ceramic, terra cotta, and concrete are naturally insulating and absorb UV rays without actually releasing them into the structure. Paired with a reflective glaze or paint coating makes these materials even more effective in keeping the spaces beneath them cool.

Which Cool Roof Shingles Are Right For You?

There are many options available now when you want an energy-efficient, cool roof; however, you also want to stick to the traditional look of shingles.

Made in many styles and colors offered at various price points, it’s recommended that you discuss your needs with roofers who are experienced with these products and can help you determine which will be the best choice for your house or building based on their efficiency and other important traits.

With your new cool shingle roof replacement installed, you’ll see the benefit in lower energy bills right away!

Metal Roofing – Why It Works So Well!

If you’re in the market for a new roofing replacement for your Texas home or business, you have a lot of materials options to choose from.

Among them, metal is a preferred material to have installed by a qualified roofing company because of the many advantages it gives you over other common roofing materials.

Metal may be a little more expensive than standard shingles but with good reason.

When you appreciate the positives of installing a metal roof on your home, it’s easy to see why so many Texas property owners choose it!

1. Long Life Expectancy

In comparison to shingles, wood, and other common similarly-priced types of roofs, metal roofing outlasts them all by decades.

Properly installed and maintained, a metal roof should last between 50 and 75 years and sometimes even longer, depending on the material quality and manufacturing which is far longer than the 20 to 40 years that most shingles are said to last.

2. Exceptionally Durable and Weather Resistant

Metal as a material is much stronger than even the highest quality designer shingles and exceptionally more so than any wood or tile roofing.

It can withstand extreme weather and even impacts from hail and other storm debris without damage, retaining its water-tightness and protectiveness the whole time.

3. Corrosion and Infestation Resistant

Unlike wood roofing, asphalt shingle roofs, and sometimes even organic materials like tile, all of which can corrode over time due to excessive moisture, wood rot, mold, mildew, and more, metal that has been correctly installed and well cared for is much more resistant to any kind of corrosion.

It’s not attractive to pests and rodents either, so it cannot be infested under most circumstances.

4. Easier and Less Expensive to Care For

Another great feature of metal roofing is how easily it can be cared for compared to other materials.

All that’s necessary to keep a metal roof in great condition and avoid the need for roof repair is periodic cleaning if it gets dirty and an occasional new coat of paint or sealer as recommended by the metal roofing manufacturer.

Much better than the yearly or biennial scrubbing some asphalt roofs require or the regular cleaning, sealing, painting or staining many other roof types need to retain their condition.

5. Higher Fire and Wind Resistance

In areas where wildfires or hurricanes are a threat, metal roofs excel yet again, offering much greater protection.

Blowing embers landing on metal will not catch fire and metal roofing applied by roofers in large panels is less likely to be peeled off and blown away in high winds than are shingles of any kind.

6. Cost-Effective and Energy-Efficient

Although a quality metal roof installation will initially cost more than other more seemingly economical materials, that price is more cost-effective when taking longevity, durability, and minimal maintenance requirements into account.

Additionally, metal roofing material is known to reduce energy bills in hotter climates when installed with good insulation as it has a very high R-value or level of UV rays that get reflected off the roof rather than being absorbed through it into the building.

7. Environmentally Friendly

A metal roofing replacement is also an environmentally friendly option for reducing your carbon footprint.

Metal is 100% recyclable as well as biodegradable and most metal roofing materials made today are partially composed of recycled material.

Combined with its energy-efficiency, metal is one of the greenest choices out there.

8. Many Attractive Options

Today, metal roofs are available in countless styles and colors, giving you incredible options for making your structure look more appealing.

From the most basic standing seam style to imitation shingles made to look like wood, slate, tile, and other more expensive and less durable material, metal makes a great faux roof that gives you the look you really want.

9. Lightweight

If the weight of your roof is a concern for your house or building, you can’t go wrong with metal made to look like other preferable and much heavier styles.

Metal installed by experienced roofing services weighs only a fraction of the weight of tile and even many newer decorative shingle types.

Metal Roofing - So Many Reasons to Choose It!

With all so many notable advantages, it’s easy to see why a metal roof installation done by qualified roofers is a great choice for Texas home and building owners.

Whatever look you want for your structure, there is a metal roof out there that meet your needs!