Roof Shingles Help – Roofing, Installation, And Repair

Roof Shingles Help

We all need a roof over our heads, but none of us look forward to repairing or replacing our roof shingles. When your roof begins to fail, you can’t afford mistakes or delays. Since few homeowners are qualified to make repairs, you’ll need to find reputable roofing contractors. If your leaky roof needs professional help, don’t panic. Grab a bucket, take a deep breath, and consider your options.

How can you find reliable residential roofing contractors?

It seems like every guy who owns a truck, a hammer, and a ladder advertises “expert roof repairs.” To locate a real expert, use these resources:

• Recommendations from friends, co-workers, and neighbors
• Print media advertising
• Local and national websites
• Referrals from roofing suppliers

If someone you trust has had a good experience with a roof repair contractor, that’s a great place to start.

Contractors with big advertising budgets can be a safe bet, but the largest roofing firms often charge premium prices.

Roof Contractors Association

Make the best use of Internet resources. Start with the National Roofing Contractors Association. There, you can find helpful information and search tools. In addition, search the web for “roofing contractors + [your town or city]” for more options. You’ll see different results and related information for each search.

Roof Contractor Referrals

Ask for referrals from the contractors’ desk sales staff at a nearby building materials supplier. They know their best clients – which ones are steady customers AND pay their bills. This can be a smart way to find good roofing specialists who don’t advertise.

Once you have a list of potential contractors, narrow your choices:

• Avoid big commercial roofing firms, unless they feature the word “residential” in their ads
• Phone or email roofers to see which companies answer quickly and professionally
• Be wary of contractors who are vague about how soon they can meet with you
• Ask for one or two referrals of local, recently-completed jobs, so you can take a look
• Choose your best three or four prospects, and invite them to quote your job

When a roofing salesperson arrives, what questions should you ask?

Promptness and appearance help indicate a reliable contractor. A presentable, on-time estimator gets high marks right away. For those who pass this test, tell them you want an estimate, not pressure to buy. Your sales rep should give you confident, knowledgeable answers to these questions:

• Will you need a building permit?
• If a license is required in your area, do they have it
• How long has their company been doing business in your town? Is roofing their specialty, or a sideline?
• Are their crews employees or subcontractors? Pay attention to how your estimator answers, since both approaches have pros and cons.
• Will they provide proof that they carry the appropriate insurance?
• Will they supply written specifications, contract/quotation, and warranty information? Never rely on verbal promises.
• What options or upgrades (in materials, for instance) should you consider? Are there design concerns regarding your roof?
• How soon would work begin?
• How long would the job last?
• What happens if bad weather interferes?
• How will debris and plant protection be handled?
• What is the total estimate, and is financing available?

Analyze the written proposals you receive, and opt for the BEST bid overall rather than the lowest price. Treat your chosen contractor with honesty and respect. Coordinating roof repairs is neither fun nor glamorous. However, if you do your homework and hire a well-qualified roofing contractor, you can pleasantly ignore the roof over your head for years to come.

Roof Shingles Help

“Paint every roof in America white: Save the planet.”

At a recent climate conference on global warming, US Energy Secretary Stephen Chu discussed this proposal from California researchers. Part Two was to paint all the roads in the country white, too. I’d imagine it was a short discussion, accompanied by laughter. Here in America, we thrive on freedom of choice. Sure, some of us like white roofs. Some like black, too. The rest of us prefer a color in between.

Aesthetically Appealing Shingles

A few decades back, US manufacturers figured out how to design shingles for aesthetics, not just for the monochrome crowd. Today’s architects, designers and homeowners can choose from a stunning array of styles and hues for residential roofing. Before we discuss the design and color options available in contemporary asphalt-fiberglass shingles, let’s consider four classic old-world roofing materials.

Wood: The roof of choice in Colonial America, western red cedar shakes and shingles can be tinted in a range of hues. Combinations: about 30.

Slate: The dignified mainstay of churches, government buildings, and stately mansions, slate is natural stone in nature’s tones. Colors: about 10.

Clay and cement tile: Dating back to ancient China and modernized by the cement industry today, tiles are available in a half-dozen profiles and about a dozen earth tones. Combinations: about 70.

Metal shingles: Not just for commercial roofing, steel and aluminum shingles are offered in at least 6 classic styles. Color lines include natural, metallic, standard and premium choices for a total of about 30 shades. Combinations: 180.

Popularity Of Asphalt Shingles

The post-war building boom in the US demanded millions of square feet of roofing shingles at prices working Americans could afford. Asphalt shingles answered the call. Today, only about 20% of residential roofs use classic materials; the rest are protected by asphalt and fiberglass-asphalt shingles. This enormous market has made room for hundreds of shingle choices. We looked at two of the five major shingle manufacturers with plants in the US: CertainTeed and GAF-ELK.

Each offers four major shingle lines:

1. Traditional tabs: The familiar 3-tab shingle in a single layer of various weights.
2. Designer/Architectural: Mainstream consumer favorite composed of laminated asphalt and fiberglass, offering shaded color blends.
3. Premium/Lifetime: Heavy laminated glass and composite shingles with unique profiles and subtle hues to imitate classic roofing materials like shakes and tiles.
4. Luxury/Slate: Extremely heavy multi-layered composite shingles that could pass for real slate, shakes or tiles using proprietary colorizing systems.

CertainTeed offers more individual product lines within the major groups. Here’s how the choices break down:

Traditional: 3 groups offering 6 to 16 colors each. Combinations: 37.

Designer: 3 groups of 9 or 13 colors. Combinations: 31.

Premium Designer: 7 sections ranging from 4 to 12 shades each. Combinations: 62.

Luxury: 9 designs with 3 to 10 blended hues per line. Combinations: 53.

Doing the math, that’s just one major shingle manufacturer (of no less than 5), offering almost 200 design and color options for residential roofing. Obviously, asphalt-formula shingles provide consumers with a far greater selection of shingles for aesthetics than classic materials do. Metal roofing products are gaining, but lack the universal acceptance and distribution system of asphalt shingles.

Premium Designer Shingles

For the discriminating homeowner, the widest array of color and style choices come from premium designer shingles. These are thick, heavy and able to withstand some of the worst weather conditions. High-end shingles still cost less than the classic roofing materials they often imitate, and will complement nearly any architectural style. They offer the ultimate freedom of choice for American roofs, in hi-def color.

Roof Shingles Help

You can’t pick up roof shingles at the corner convenient store, but convenience does matter. Asphalt-based roofing shingles are extremely heavy, and they probably won’t fit in your truck. Ideally, a nearby supplier will deliver your new shingles – maybe even right onto your roof. More about that shortly.

History Of Buying Shingles

Thirty years ago, buying shingles was easy. Every small town and city neighborhood had its own lumberyard. You could choose from 20 or 25 year warranties in a half-dozen colors. When the time came to re-shingle your roof, you’d pick up the phone:

“Hank’s Lumberyard, this is Hank. How can I help you?”

“Hey there, Hank, it’s Tom Freeney down on Maple Street. I need some shingles. What do you recommend?”

“Well, hi Tom, haven’t seen you since last week. Your house is white, right? I’ve got black, white or brown in stock. Which do you think would look best?”

The two of you would hammer out the details in friendly conversation, then wrap it up like this:

“Alrighty, then, Tom. I’ll put that on your account and have Joe and Danny drop those off tomorrow morning. Are you coming to the Rotary pancake breakfast on Saturday?”

Buying Roof Shingles Today

Today, you can peruse a mind-numbing array of shingle types and hues. Laminated styles have largely replaced the familiar 3-tab shingle. Modern shingle warranties now go as high as 50 years. Shingle manufacturers offer labels like premium, designer, premium designer, lifetime, architectural, luxury, and top-line designs that imitate classic roofing materials like slate. If you’re going to shop for shingles, you’ll want to talk the talk.

A guide to shingle terms:

• 3-tab: the basic, classic asphalt shingle
• Laminated shingle: Thicker, heavier, multi-layered roofing offering subtle textures and color blends
• Architectural or 3-dimensional shingles: See “laminated shingle” above
• Fiberglass and composite shingles: Modern recipes for asphalt-based shingles that improve performance
• “One square” – 100 square feet. It’s the standard measure used to calculate shingle quantities.
• Shingle warranties: Stated in 20- to 50-year lengths, directly related to thickness and weight
• Shingle weight: ranging from about 200 pounds per square to about 400 pounds or more. Generally, heavier = better
• Drip-edge, roofing paper, flashing and ventilation: Accessories you’ll need for a new roof

Local Roof Shingle Suppliers

Local suppliers offer roofing products and advice specific to your region. Distance plus weight equals fuel costs, so “nearby” is best. Your shopping choices may include:

• Lumberyards and regional chain stores
• ‘Big box’ retailers like Home Depot and Lowe’s
• Contractors’ roofing suppliers
• Discount and ’seconds’ outlets

Small and locally-owned stores have to work harder to earn your business. They often offer more personal service and discounted delivery or other incentives. Selection may be limited, and pricing can be a bit higher than the giant chains.

Buying Shingles From Major Retailers

Home Depot and Lowe’s have enormous category budgets. No regional “wholesaler” can compete effectively with that level of buying power. These stores will typically stock a single brand at 3 price levels – good, better, and “best.” Color selections will be limited to the fast movers, with the best selection offered in the high-end shingles (surprise!). Of course, you can special-order almost anything, but you’ll have to wait.

Specialty Roofing Suppliers

Specialty roofing suppliers usually provide the highest level of service. You’ll find knowledgeable sales staff and a larger selection than the national chains stock. Ask about special purchase incentives for specific brands – there’s almost always a contest or rebate program running. Since they cater to professionals in the industry, these “wholesalers” can arrange for the most convenient delivery method. You may, however, be required to make your purchase via a roofing contractor.

Discount Roofing Outlets

Discount outlets like Mr. Seconds can be a fine choice for frugal shoppers. However, these stores tend to employ less-experienced sales staff. Be prepared to arrange your own delivery from a severely limited selection. Put those sacrifices in your pocket as money saved.

Possible Shingle Delivery Options:

• Your vehicle: best for only the smallest roofing jobs, unless you own a flatbed truck
• Rented truck: the big chains offer one-day rentals at reasonable prices. You do most of the work.
• Paid delivery, curbside: the most common option. You pay a fee, and your roofing products are dropped in your driveway.
• Roof-top delivery: contractors prefer to let their suppliers do the heavy lifting. Conditions apply, and pricing is by-the-bundle.

Discounts, distance, delivery and selection all matter when you’re shopping for a new roof. Good advice and helpful staff smooth the way. When you find the right shingle at the best price, your roofing project is off to a great start. If you can start the job right after that pancake breakfast – even better!

Roof Shingles Help

Roofing scams only work when you fall for them. You know – “if it sounds too good to be true…” When your roof needs repair or replacement, all you have to do is search the classifieds, in print or online, for roofing professionals. Unfortunately, every year hundreds of homeowners are duped by the same kinds of con artists that plague every sector of our lives. Why do people succumb to roofing scams?

• Fear of unseen damage
• A false sense of urgency
• A naive hope to save money
• The belief that they will be reimbursed for repairs

A good salesperson can convince all but the most skeptical. Most con artists are GREAT salesmen; too bad they don’t work for honest companies instead of preying on the unwary. Here are some typical scams you might encounter:

Storm chasers

In states like Texas, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Georgia damage from high winds and hailstorms can indeed destroy roofs. Scammers follow the storms seeking victims. David Colmans, executive director of the Georgia Insurance Information Service, explains:

“A doorknob hanger tells the homeowner that recent catastrophic hail and windstorms struck the area and the home may have severe damage from the storms. The hanger goes on to report ‘insurance companies are compensating.’ Also, ‘most homeowners are unaware of the storm damage on their roof.’ Here’s the kicker: The roofer or construction company offers a ‘free roof inspection and property inspection for storm damage and insurance compensation.’

There’s a toll-free number to call ‘today for your free roof inspection.’” (source: http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2009/may/01/inside-insurance-hail-damage-roof-scams/)

Avoid this scam by:
Never answering a doorknob flier directly. Legitimate roofing companies will supply full contact information. If hail or winds have been strong enough to damage your roof, you’ll see similar damage in your yard and driveway.

Transient roofers

Similar to storm chasers, but for areas with no storm activity. The “salesman” might explain that he was “working in the neighborhood” and has some left-over materials. He’ll offer a free inspection, provide little in the way of ID, and quote highly-discounted prices. Cash only, of course.

Avoid this scam by: Refusing to be sucked into a high-pressure sales pitch in your driveway. Professional roofers will inspect your roof free or for a modest charge. They won’t offer discounts for cash, either.

Disreputable contractors

Roofing is a tough business. Even contractors who appear to be legit may be operating on the fringe. Here are some common “short-cuts” they might try:

Big discounts: Offered by companies with expired insurance certificates and/or uninsured work crews. This shifts ALL insurance responsibility to YOU.

Avoid this scam by: Insisting on current proof of insurance. Ask point blank if the company pays its workers by cash or by check.

Substitute shingles: The salesperson convinces you to buy a high-end shingle, but the work crew installs an inferior brand.

Avoid this scam by: Personally inspecting the wrappers on the shingles used on your roof. Compare contract language with the information on the packages. You DO have a contract, right?

Illegal Re-roof: You save big bucks by agreeing to allow a new layer of shingles added over your current roof. Before you agree -

Avoid this scam by: Checking with your local building department to see if re-roofing is allowed. Ask for a visit from the building inspector to confirm how many layers your existing roof already has. Regulations vary around the country.

Fuzzy Timing: The contractor seems unable to provide a firm start date, or to estimate how long the job will take. In extreme cases, your roof work is started, but never finished.

Avoid this scam by: Insisting upon clear contract language. Reputable firms know how busy their schedule is, and how long their crews take to complete a job of your size. Bad weather might interfere, but a good contract will address this, too.

Outrageous financing: You agree to pay on an installment plan offered by the contractor. The whole pitch focuses on your monthly payment, in hopes that you won’t notice the astronomical interest charged or the extreme length of the payment term.

Avoid this scam by: Securing your own financing. Alternatively, have your attorney review financing documents provided by the contractor.

If you want to avoid being ripped off by common roofing scams, just follow these simple steps:

* Check references and consult your local Better Business Bureau.

* Insist on a written contract and proof of insurance and appropriate licenses.

* Never agree on a large advance or murky financing.

* Don’t pay cash, or allow a roofer to begin work immediately.

Never let fear or promised money savings steer you into a roofing scam. Panic is your worst enemy, and patience your best advocate.

Roof Shingles Help

When you need new gutters for your home you might be amazed at the variety of choices available. You may have thought “white ones” was the only answer. We put our minds in the gutter just long enough to bring you this round-up about rain run-off control systems for your roof. You didn’t even know they were called that, did you?

Integral gutters

Once popular, now rarely used, built-in gutter systems have only one advantage: you can’t see them from the ground. If your house uses these, they can be converted to modern design when you re-roof.

Wooden gutters

Unless you have a truly historic, legally-protected and registered home, these are just a footnote. Too expensive (at $12 to $20 per foot), with far too much maintenance required, for any homeowner to select them as a first choice. You thought we were kidding, didn’t you?

Copper or steel half-round gutters

You know exactly what these look like, and why they are also called “eaves-troughs.” Half-round troughs are moderately priced and available in colors. They’re more durable than the aluminum systems you see everywhere today, but still hold a distant second place in sales. Most often used when they are architecturally appropriate.

Plastic and vinyl gutter systems

Ideal for ambitious DIY homeowners, plastic component gutter designs are easy to find at home centers. At $3 to $5 per foot, they offer the lowest prices, but the poorest visual appeal and durability. Color choices are extremely limited. Potential for leaking and cracking from weather extremes: high.

Seamless aluminum gutters

The current market leader, and what you think of when we say “gutters for your home,” aluminum gutters rule the roof. Prices will vary, since aluminum is a commodity, but installed costs will fall between that of plastic and copper. Two sizes are offered, depending upon the area and design of your roof: 5″ and 6″. The familiar shape is “ogee,” similar to crown molding.

Seamless rolled gutters can be made from primary or secondary (recycled) aluminum, typically in .032″ thickness. Lighter-gauge aluminum is available if budget is the primary consideration. You can choose from a wide range of finish colors; the best products are triple-coated. “White ones” still capture the majority of the market. Professional installation can be done in one day, in most cases. (source: http://www.allstarraingutters.com/seamless-gutter-types.html)

Problems with gutters becoming clogged by debris are addressed by a confusing array of patented products, most of which can be applied after your gutters are installed. Some homeowners have even elected to use…

No-gutter rain deflection systems:

Several patents have been granted for “rain dispersion systems.” These replace trough-style gutters with something similar to a slat awning, and work by scattering the heavy “waterfall” flow of rainwater from your roof. These designs eliminate the need for downspouts, leaders, and drainage systems. Although a poor choice over walkways and delicate plantings, rain deflectors have garnered some market share in recent years. (source: http://www.rainhandler.com/shop/about_rainhandler.php)

A heavy rainstorm can drop more than 1,000 gallons onto your roof. All that rain water has to go somewhere, preferably not directly into the ground next to your house. When your home’s gutters need replacement, isn’t it nice to know that you have so many interesting choices?

Roof Shingles Help

A couple of lessons you learned in Geometry class will help you estimate the cost of your new roof. Do you remember “area of a rectangle”? It’s all about measuring and multiplying. After a bit of outdoor work and a couple of phone calls to local suppliers, you can easily figure the costs for re-roofing.

Even if you won’t be doing the work yourself, this bit of homework will help you understand quotes you get from roofers. We’ll start with the pieces, then do some math.

Parts of a roofing job:

• Tear-off: Removal of existing roofing
• Disposal: Cost of getting rid of the debris
• Sheathing: Boards or plywood which form the roof deck
• Metal trim: Drip-edge and flashing materials
• Felt underlayment: A moisture and dust barrier beneath the shingles
• Shingles: The part you see
• Fasteners: Nails, staples, etc.
• Vents: Various products used for airflow
• Ridge-caps: Finishing touch, may be part of “vents”

Measuring your roof:

In the US, roofing products are expressed in square feet or linear feet. You’ll need to know lengths and widths of the different parts of your roof. Since we’re “estimating,” don’t worry about fractions. The tricky part is hovering in mid-air to get the numbers. Fortunately, roofers have developed a sophisticated method for doing this. We call it “pacing.” Here’s how:

You’ll need a 25′ steel tape measure. On your driveway or sidewalk, mark the distance of 7 paces. See how close you can get to 21 feet. Try to adjust your “walk” so that one pace = 3 feet. Next, choose an easy section of your roof to measure – maybe the front eaves. Pace the length of it first, then measure to see how accurate your paces are.

Next, pace off other parts of your roof. Draw simple pictures and take notes. Most people have a bit of trouble measuring slopes, but you can do it by “guess-timating.” Don’t worry; the pro’s do this, too. Here’s an example:

The “gable end” of your house looks like a blunt arrow, pointing up. If that side is about 30′ wide and has 2′ overhangs, then half the roof (one section) is about 17′ on the flat. Suppose your peak appears to rise about 10 feet above the window tops. That gives us a triangle 17′ on the base and about 9′ tall. Use your tape to lay that out on the driveway, then measure the hypotenuse (the length of the roof’s rake edge). If you recall the Pythagorean Theorem, you can do the math on a $10 calculator. Anyway, given the numbers listed, your rake edge is about 19′ long. Close enough.

Add all the pieces:

Each section of your roof should be either a rectangle or triangle. Multiply length x width for rectangles. Area of a right triangle is half the same math. Round everything up. Add all the sections together for total square footage. Divide by 100 to get “squares” – a common measure for shingles, 100 square feet. Now let’s run the numbers:

Roofing costs by parts:

1. Tear-off: A labor item. Know how many “squares” your roof measures, then ask for quotes. Height, access, and slope matters, too.
2. Disposal: A good guess is $20 per square plus trucking costs. Varies by region.
3. Sheathing (if needed): 3 sheets to the Square, plus nails. $10 per sheet for OSB makes a good ball-park number.
4. Metal trim: Add linear feet of all roof edges. Use 40 cents per foot as an estimate. Pieces = footage/10 rounded up
5. Flashing: Add up the footage of valleys or places where the roof meets a wall. $1 to $2 per foot is plenty.
6. Felt underlayment: $7 per square is close enough. One roll = 4 Squares
7. Shingles: Prices vary widely, but $90 to $135 per square gives plenty of choices.
8. Fasteners: Lots of variation here, but $2 per square should cover it nicely.
9. Vents: Too many options. Ridge vents are popular. Add total feet of ridge and make a phone call. $3 per foot is possible.
10. Ridge caps: Plain caps will cost about $1.20 per foot. Special air-space caps (sold in boxes) are about twice that.

Total: About $250/square, plus labor

Does your head hurt yet? Remember, we’re Estimating here. You need a roofing budget, and this bit of math will get you there. You’ll still have to nail down the actual numbers if you proceed on your own. Notice that the cost of removing and re-sheeting your old roof is significant. Add labor for the rest of the work, if you hiring a pro. Doing it yourself? Be sure to count the cost of tools and refreshments. And, please – be careful up there!