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!

Tell Me How To Maintain My Company’s Commercial Roof!

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Every roof requires a certain amount of maintenance by expert roof companies to keep them in good shape and prevent the need for expensive roof repair. Although the roof on your commercial building may seem to be less complex than one installed on a residence, it really is no different. As a matter of fact, detecting damage and maintenance issues on your commercial building can be even more difficult.

To help make sure your roof stays in great condition, you should find qualified roof services that can provide the maintenance it requires throughout the years.

Practice Proactive Maintenance

The most important factor in keeping your commercial installation in great shape and preventing expensive roof repairs is being proactive with maintenance. Proactivity is more than just checking for damage and then repairing it. Proactivity is working with experienced roof companies that understand your specific roofing system and can provide the preventive maintenance necessary to prevent damage.

Rather than waiting for problems to arise and risking the possibility of more substantial damage, continue to protect your system to ward off potential problems. A "break-fix" approach to roof services usually ends up costing more in the long run than frequent inspections and preventive care.

You may also need to provide certain maintenance such as inspections, resealing seams and flashing, prompt roof repair of noted problems, and other preventive measures to satisfy the terms of your roofing warranty.

Arrange for Frequent Inspections

The second most important factor in providing effective maintenance to your roof are inspections. For commercial buildings, especially those in areas that see extreme high or low temperatures, most roof services recommend a bi-annual inspection since a lot can happen in six months.

Inspections of commercial roofing systems involve much more than a simple walk-over and visual inspection. They include moisture and thermal inspections using specialty equipment to determine the presence of leaks and other roofing problems as well as a routine cleaning if one is necessary.

Inspections Reveal Common Problems

Inspections allow contractors to continually monitor the most common problems that affect commercial roofing installations. This includes leaking seams, damaged or missing flashing, drainage problems, and the gradual failure of the installation due to age and other reasons.

When performed in the fall and the spring, inspections can reveal damage that has occurred over the winter and summer, leaving enough time for roof repair before the more extreme weather comes again.

Inspections After Storms

Besides your routine inspections, you should also arrange for additional inspections with roof companies after damaging storms have passed. Wind, hail, and other storm damage can very easily go unnoticed and usually requires a trained eye to detect it. If not discovered for a long period of time, your building could sustain more widespread damage that requires more extensive and costly roof repair.  

Although your specific maintenance requirements will differ depending on what type of roof is installed on the top of your building, the best protection for your building revolves around prevention. Schedule frequent, routine inspections by qualified roof companies as well as special inspections after extreme weather events. Roof services will then make suggestions for preventive care that will avoid leaks and other damage that require roof repair.

With this plan, you can be one step ahead of potential damage so your roof always stays in great shape!

Need Experienced Roof Services In Conroe Texas?

Contact GMA Restorations To Inspect Your Commercial Roof!

Call (936) 209-2162!

What Are The Advantages of Slate Roofs?

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Slate is an attractive material that has been used to make roofs for centuries. Slate roofs look great on many types of homes and provide a number of important advantages, along with being one of the most durable options available. Although initial installation by professional roof companies can be more expensive than other options, the many benefits gained usually make slate a worthwhile investment.

Timeless Classic Beauty

The first thing that most people notice about slate roofs is their classic beauty. Used in Europe for hundreds of years and in the United States since the 19th Century, slate has a desirable old world appearance that can enhance almost any type of architecture. Available as shingles cut to different sizes, shapes, and thicknesses, slate has a naturally variegated, earthy color range that gives it character. It can be tinted various darker colors like blue, green, and even deep red. One of the most beautiful types of shingles used today, slate stands out, adding style and value to most homes.

Long Roof Life

Slate is a very hard natural material that can withstand a lot of weather abuse. When expertly installed by skilled roof companies, it protects a home against weather extremes including heavy rain, strong wind, and damaging hail better than most other materials for a much longer time. Highly resistant to damage caused by UV light rays, slate requires little maintenance and can last 100 to 200 years when properly cared for.

Environmentally Friendly Choice

Slate is an environmentally friendly choice to have installed by roof companies. Extracted from the ground, it is readily available and involves a relatively clean production process in comparison to the production of synthetic roofing materials. Slate can be recycled when it is removed and can be safely discarded in the ground as well. When properly installed and insulated, it can help reduce utility bills because of its thermal properties that prevent the passage of heat through the shingles and into - or even out of - the home.

Important Fire Resistance

In addition to being durable and long-lived, slate roofs are also highly fire-resistant. Since slate is unaffected by flying embers that land on it, this property offers important protection to homes surrounded by trees or in areas where wildfires are common. In terms of fire protection, homeowners in vulnerable areas that choose fire resistant roofing like slate may be eligible for home insurance discounts due to the reduced risk of damage that could be caused by wildfires.

Considering its many qualities, slate is a beautiful, durable, and eco-friendly roofing choice. While these roofs do carry a higher price tag than most others, slate outlasts all other materials and is often a preferred option for many homeowners. When carefully installed by experienced roof companies, slate shingles provide a lifetime of strikingly beautiful protection for any home, in almost any climate!

Thinking Of A Slate Roof In Conroe Texas?

GMA Restoration Installs Slate Roofs!

Call (936) 209-2162!