Total Roof Protection – Synthetic or Felt Underlayment?

Roofing underlayment is one of many essential components that make up a roof.

Available in multiple types, this seemingly insignificant layer places under the exterior roofing materials actually plays a critical role in how well any roof installation done by a professional roofing company performs.

Before assuming any underlayment product used by a roofer will work on your roof, it is important to understand how they work and which products work better for which applications.

What Is The Purpose Of Underlayment?

Underlayment is a thin protective layer that roofing companies install between the roof decking and external roofing materials.

It is a breathable, water-resistant barrier that protects a roof from moisture that might get under the shingles or other exterior materials.

Although a professional roof installation job would normally be watertight on its own, the underlayment provides secondary protection to the decking in case any moisture does seep under the shingles.

Because underlayment is water-resistant rather than waterproof, it also allows for a certain amount of breathability to aid roof ventilation.

Felt Vs. Synthetic Underlayment - Pros and Cons

There are two types of underlayment used by roofers today: felt and synthetic.

Although they both serve the same purpose, each has definite pros and cons that should be considered before choosing the one appropriate for your roof.

Felt Underlayment - A fabric made of fiberglass fibers and asphalt, felt underlayment is one of the first materials ever used by roofing companies to provide an element of water-tightness to any roof.

PRO

  • Readily available in multiple sizes and thicknesses for nearly any application from most suppliers.
  • Less costly as it is made from less-expensive materials, much more cost-effective for the right roof.

CON

  • Prone to tearing as this less durable material can tear more easily.
  • Heavier and can add significantly more weight when installed on a roof and take longer to install.
  • May absorb water and become wrinkled under the shingles.
  • Slippery which makes it unsafe to work on and more challenging to install.
  • Some warranty Issues as roofers and roofing product manufacturers may void warranties if felt underlayment is used.

Synthetic Underlayment - A fabric made of synthetic polymers, synthetic underlayment has become a popular choice for many roofing companies due to its many positive attributes in comparison to standard felt underlayment.

PRO

  • More moisture-resistant, non-absorbent, and repels moisture.
  • Lightweight and faster to install with 1/4th the weight of traditional underlayment.
  • Durable, strong, and tear-resistant.
  • Non-slip surface that is much safer for a roofing installation.
  • Recommended by most materials manufacturers and professional roofing companies.

CONS

  • Depending on type and thickness, synthetic may be up to four times the price of comparable felt underlayment.

Which Underlayment Is Best for Your Roof?

Underlayment is something that every roof needs, regardless of the type chosen.

Although standard felt underlayment is great to use in drier regions where moisture is not much of a concern or when cost is a limiting factor, synthetic underlayment is much preferred by most roofing companies because of its many positive features.

Discuss the options with your roofer before finalizing any roofing job!

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Roofing Inspections – Everything You Need to Know!

Regular roofing inspections by a qualified roof serviceroof is the first line of defense against damage that can slowly destroy a roof if not discovered and fixed.

Unfortunately, many people go for long periods without one, calling roofers only when there is a problem.

This break-fix approach can cause a lot more damage than you might think.

To prevent it and be certain of getting a full life out of an expensive roofing addition, understand the importance of roof inspections and what they entail!

What Is Included In A Professional Roofing Inspection?

A inspection performed by a professional roofing contractor includes a detailed, close-up look at your roof to judge it on four main factors.

Those are structural soundness, materials, workmanship, and interior soundness.

With this information, it is possible to monitor your roof from year-to-year and detect or predict problems so they can be repaired earlier as opposed to later.

  • When performing the inspection, an experienced roofer will start by looking at the structural soundness of the entire house or building, from its angles and attachments to the condition of gutters, soffits and fascia, protrusions, chimneys, and all other physical aspects of the roof to be sure that everything is in good condition and there are no signs of damage.
  • Next, the contractor will inspect the roof for signs of wear or damage, also looking for signs of poor workmanship that can lead to roofing problems. Materials that are aging poorly or might be defective will be noted as will areas where the workmanship might be questionable and require repair to prevent damage to those areas.
  • Then after assessing the materials, workmanship, and condition of the entire roof structure, the roofer will go inside the house or building to inspect things from the attic where the trusses and rafters are visible to look for old or new signs of leaking, mold growth, and other indications that there is damage that just may not be visible from the outside.

How Often Should A Roof Be Inspected?

While it’s suggested to have any roof inspected by a local roofer every spring and fall, many people do fine with an inspection once a year if their roof is in good condition and any issues are promptly dealt with.

If opting for once yearly, it’s best to have a roofing inspection done in the spring before storm season to ensure it’s in good condition and able to withstand those storms once they come.

Roofers also recommend having an additional inspection after a major storm, as some storm damage may not be obvious to the naked eye but should be discovered and repaired as soon as possible.

Can I Inspect My Own Roof?

Though it may be possible to do a quick visual inspection of roofing from the ground and notice more obvious problems, you won’t be able to see most other damage that way.

Professional roofing contractors need to go onto the roof to do a surface inspection to correctly gauge the condition of your roof.

It’s not recommended that anyone but a trained roofer go on a roof.

You can still keep an eye out for more apparent concerns in between inspections; however, call a roofer if something doesn’t seem right.

The Value of Regular Roofing Inspections

Roofs are funny because we don’t remember that they are there most of the time, yet when there’s a problem, we definitely know about it.

The best way to keep a roof healthy so you don’t end up replacing it too soon is by hiring a professional roofing contractor to perform routine inspections.

A thorough inspection inside and out by a qualified roofer is a small investment made to protect the huge investment you’ve already made!

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I’m Getting A New Roof – How Long Will It Take To Install?

A common question that roofers get asked by home and building owners is how long their roof replacement will take to complete.

Though it might seem like an easy question, there are many variables that go into how long an installation might take.

If you’re wondering how long your new roof might take to put on, here are a few factors that roofers consider when providing customers with estimates of how long the job will take.

1. Size of the Roof

Naturally, the bigger the roof, the longer it will take your roofing company to install it.

Smaller homes and buildings with easier installations can be completed in as little as a day while larger homes and bigger commercial buildings could take days or even weeks to complete.

Time is directly relative to size as well as the other factors that contribute to how long an installation can take.

2. Complexity of the Roof Design

A flat roof or a simple pitched roof are straightforward roof replacement designs that involve fewer angles, meaning the installations will be easier, and faster to do.

Structures that have more complicated roof designs with lots of angles, corners, and protrusions will take longer because each of those areas needs extra attention to ensure the materials are properly installed and the installation is waterproof in those high-susceptibility areas.

3. Material Being Installed

Some material like asphalt shingles, metal panels, and certain flat membrane installations can be installed by a roofing company fairly easily and quickly.

Others like specialty shingles and some other materials may require a more complicated process to ensure a good installation.

The more detailed or different the roof replacement work is, the longer it usually will take.

4. Tear-Off and Damage Repairs

It’s important to also take the tear-off into consideration when trying to estimate how long roofers will take to complete your new roof.

Tear-off time depends on how easily the existing materials can be lifted off; asphalt shingles are fairly quick to remove by roofers while other types of shingles and different materials can take longer.

Additionally, don’t forget to add in any repairs that need addressing once the old materials are removed or if the decking has to be replaced.

Repairs can add days or weeks to a job depending on how extensive they are.

5. Size of the Work Crew

The size of the work crew is another very basic factor when trying to estimate the time it will take for a roofer to complete your roof replacement; the larger the crew, the faster the work will be completed.

This is why busier roofing companies usually have at least 4 or 5 people working on most jobs; they can get the job completed in the least amount of time and then move on to the next scheduled job.

6. Weather Conditions

When the weather doesn’t cooperate, any roofing job can get delayed.

It’s always preferable to work in dry conditions, within the temperature range suggested by the materials manufacturer since cooler weather can affect how well different adhesives actually adhere.

When conditions change suddenly, roofing companies may be forced to throw a tarp over the incomplete installation and wait it out.

7. Special Materials or Requirements

If your roof replacement requires anything special, it’s going to slow the process down.

Things like needing specific materials to preserve historic value, different materials or installation processes for especially unique architecture or roof shapes, as well as even extra-tall homes or those with especially steep and tall angles will increase the length of time to install.

Roofs like that require special scaffolding or safety equipment and contribute to a longer completion time no matter how large or small the structure may be.

So How Long Will A Roof Installation Take?

Though it’s impossible to say without actually inspecting a roof, this guide should help you figure out what factors relate to your installation and what a roofing company will need to do to complete it.

Most residential installations on average-sized homes can take roofers anywhere from one to three days; however, with any of these other factors contributing, that could change.

Time for commercial buildings must first look at size as some commercial installations are huge, then look at things like type of materials and the complexity of the installation process for those materials.

For the most accurate time estimate, ask your roofer when they come to do a complete work estimate of your roof!

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How To Tell If Your Roof Leak Is Serious!

Roof leaks are sneaky; small leaks can be deceiving, leading you to believe there is some time before you need to call a roofing service to get them out to take care of it.

While that may be true sometimes, there’s a higher possibility it’s more serious than you realize.

Even seemingly small leaks could reveal a problem much worse than you’d expect, one that ends up needing extensive roof repairs or even a roofing replacement.

Rather than ending up in that type of situation, inspect any leak you find a little closer before assuming there is plenty of time to get it fixed.

If you notice any of these signs, that leak is potentially serious and has likely been there longer than you think!

1. Water Stains or Spots

The top sign that you have a leak that requires the attention of a roofer and it’s been there for a while is the evidence of water stains on the inside of your attic or water spotting on the exterior of your house.

Stains on beams, flooring, and even the contents of your attic suggest an ongoing, sneaky leak that has evaded you for a while.

Spotting on the exterior of the house underneath the eaves is another indication of leaking that’s been happening for a while.

You might be surprised at the extent of the damage uncovered by a roofing contractor if the leak has been present for quite a while.

2. Damage Inside the House

Another big sign that you need to call a roofing company in a hurry is if interior damage appears like

  • Buckling and peeling paint or wallpaper.
  • Sagging or stained ceiling.
  • Moisture or stains on the walls.
  • Attic insulation that’s disintegrating.
  • Other moisture-related damage.

all of which are a prime indicator that you’ve had a leak for some time.

This kind of damage does not happen overnight and should be remedied as soon as possible before it gets worse.

3. Mold, Mildew, and Other Growth

The presence of moisture in your home in spite of a fully-functioning HVAC system is another big indicator of a leak that’s been there for a while.

Unhealthy mold in attic corners or in the insulation as well as mildew on the roofing structure or other surfaces means there’s either water coming in from somewhere or you have a serious attic ventilation problem, both of which need to be repaired by a roofer.

If you see mold, algae, or moss growing on your roof or the exterior walls of your home, this is another sign that there is a moisture problem that needs correcting.

Untended, exterior moisture issues can lead to more leaking that can cause extensive damage both inside and outside the house.

4. Structural Damage to Roof or Foundation

A sagging roof or one that has shifted in any way is another issue that points to leaks that have been there for a while, long enough to allow the structural framework of the roof to soften and change due to rot and other water damage.

Sometimes the first indicator that your roof is causing the problem might be hairline cracks in the foundation if the roof has shifted or become too heavy from water absorption in places that you have no idea are getting wet.

5. Intermittent Leaks In Colder Weather

There’s nothing more annoying than an intermittent leak, especially if the leak is noticeable when the weather is above freezing but seems to go away when it’s below freezing.

This could mean that your shingles are suffering from a destructive condition called ice damming, which could lead to needing to have a new roofing installed.

Ice damming occurs when water gets under the shingles for whatever reason and then freezes, expanding in that small space and further lifting shingles so they leak even more.

If the problem isn’t noticed right away, it could result in widespread damage under the shingles and a very expensive repair.

Even the Little Leaks Can Be Serious

It’s easy to get fooled into thinking that a little bit of water in the attic, a small stain, or an intermittent leak is just a minor roofing problem that can be repaired later rather than sooner.

What you might not know is that the leak is bigger or has been there much longer than you realize, in which case there’s likely a lot more damage than you realize.

Look for these signs above that your leak is more serious than you think, then prevent more extensive damage by calling a roofer at the first notice of any leak at all!

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The Ins and Outs of Metal Roofing – Is Metal Right For Me?

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If you are considering a new roof for your home, there are a variety of materials that roofing companies can install. Today’s more advanced metal systems, offered by metal roofing companies, are a great option for most homes. Consider the many advantages and few disadvantages that such roofing material will bring you and you may find that metal roofing, when properly installed by a metal roofing repair company, is just what you need!

What Are the Advantages of Metal Roofing?

Metal roofing is one of the best investments you can make in your home to ensure good protection, great looks, and an installation that will last a long time. Following are some of its advantages:

  • Extreme Durability and Longevity - Metal structures installed by metal roofing companies can last decades. Some may even last as long as a century or more, when properly installed and maintained. Metal systems can withstand nearly all weather conditions and are fire-resistant, wind-resistant, and impact-resistant, providing great protection for your home with little need for repair during its service life. They also have longer warranties than many other materials, many for 50 years or longer.
  • Energy Efficient and Environmentally Friendly - High-quality metal systems installed by roofing companies today are predominantly made from recycled materials and can be recycled again after removal. In addition, metal has a high R-value, meaning it blocks the passage of more UV rays through the material and into your home than many other materials. Your home will be cooler and your utility bills lower.
  • Attractive and Quiet - If the first thing you think of at the mention of a metal roof is a noisy cow barn, think again. Today’s advanced systems are quiet, with sound-deadening properties, attractive, stylish, and available in many different panel styles to improve the look of your home. When installed by experienced metal roofing companies, you gain these important qualities as well as durability and efficiency.
  • Financial Savings - In addition to lower utility bills, roofs installed by metal roofing companies may qualify you for home improvement energy efficiency tax credits. You may also qualify for premium discounts from your insurance company because of increased fire safety plus improved wind and impact resistance.

Are There Any Disadvantages?

The biggest disadvantage associated with a metal roof system is its cost. Whether this is actually a disadvantage depends on how you view the cost. While it is true that a metal structure installed by a roofing company qualified to perform this work will cost you more than inexpensive shingles, you get much more for your money.

These structures last decades longer than most shingles. The only shingles that come close in longevity can cost just as much as a metal system, which will still outlive the shingles. You will also appreciate the lower utility bills and greater energy efficiency these type of roofs offer.

Additionally, you are much less likely to experience some common problems that require expensive repairs. Even though these roofs initially cost about one-third more than other systems, you get a much greater financial return.

Considering the above, a metal installation done by a qualified metal roofing company may be just what you and your house need. When experienced roofing companies build a quality metal system, it will look great and perform well, meaning you will not have to worry about your new roof for a long time.

So when you are shopping for a new roof, get the best structure for your home from metal roofing services skilled at installing these systems. Then you will know you are getting the best workmanship along with a roof that may last a lifetime!

Want Metal Roofing Companies In Conroe Texas?

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