HOW ROOFERS CAN HELP COOL YOUR HOME ALL SUMMER

A “cool roof” isn’t just what the kids call a hip-looking house — it’s a certified system for lowering your energy costs! If you’re in the market for a new or replacement roof, there are just as many options today for energy-efficiency as there are for colors and materials.

How Does It Work?
Cool roof systems can be constructed using tiles, shingles, metal, or special kinds of paint. An Energy Star certified roof works by reflecting more of the sun’s rays, which can then help lower its surface temperature by as much as 100F degrees. It’ll also help prevent that heat from transferring to the interior of your house, which keeps your cooling needs low and will help ensure the longevity of your roofing overall.

What Kind of Material is Best?
Increasingly, residential roofers are recommending metal as an energy-smart material. A cool metal roof will reduce peak cooling demands by as much as 15% and lower a building’s interior temperature by up to 20%. Better yet, metal roofs have a long lifespan and are 100% recyclable.

Alternatively, roofers can apply reflective paint or sheet coverings to existing tile roofs for cooling. Dark-colored tiles and shingles are especially prone to soaking up heat rays, but a reflective sheen can bounce sunlight back off into the air.

How Does It Affect the Environment?
In addition to the benefits, think about the impacts a simple energy solution like efficient roofing can have on the environment and landscape overall. Reduced cooling demands mean less electricity used in summer, which can reduce overall emissions from power suppliers. All told, cool roofs can even help reduce the local air temperature!

Cool roof options are available for virtually every type of home and commercial building, from low to steep slopes and from old tiles to brand-new constructions. The type that’s best suited for you may depend most heavily on your climate, so speak with local roofers to find out what you can do to have a positive impact on the environment while keeping your home cool and comfortable all summer long!

HOW TO TELL WHEN YOU NEED A NEW ROOF: 3 KEY SIGNS

Roof maintenance may not be the most glamorous of home renovation projects, but it is an important one. Properly functioning roof systems are vital to protect your home, family, and belongings, but looks can matter, too: as much as 40% of your home’s exterior shows up as roofing, so keeping it up to date is no small detail.

How can you know when it’s time for a new roof? Before you call in roofing contractors, you can do a simple self-inspection on the inside and outside of your home. Here a few key signs that it might be time for a roof replacement.

    • Leaks
      Water leaks are the most obvious sign that a roof isn’t doing its job, but they shouldn’t be the first. Still, if you notice a leak, look for other signs to determine whether you simply need a patch repair or whether it’s time to update the entire roof.
    • Missing, curling, or balding shingles

      If your house is equipped with asphalt shingles, take a look at their cosmetic state. If you notice some that are curling up at the bottom, losing their color or sheathing, or if there are a number of missing shingles that can’t be chalked up to recent weather conditions, you can bet that they’re probably at the end of their lifespan.

  • Sunlight shining through the attic
    You can assess the state of your roof without climbing up there. Take a look at your ceilings or attic to see if there’s any noticeable light shining through. That’s a definite sign that your shingles or tiles are wearing thin and may be in need of replacing. Where light pokes through, rain and air can too — some 40% of a home’s heat loss escapes through the attic because of improper roofing.
    If you’re unsure about the safety of your home, don’t hesitate to call in professional roofing contractors for an assessment. You should have your roof company over to inspect your home at least once or twice a year. Sometimes, an entirely new roof can be a more cost-efficient investment than making lots of small repairs.

 

THE REAL COSTS AND BENEFITS OF IMPACT RESISTANT ROOFS

Though it seems like everyone ought to have an impact resistant roof in Denver, where hail is inevitable, that’s not always the case. Perhaps the biggest reason holding people back is that impact resistant roofs have a higher up-front cost of installation.

While a standard 2,200 to 2,600 square foot roof will cost homeowners anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000 in materials and $2,000 to $8,500 for professional installation, top-grade impact resistant roof systems might cost even more. Roofing companies charge by the “square,” or every 10×10 foot patch of roof — so the larger the roof, the higher the costs.

Yet the same might also be said about the potential costs of damage to your roof, especially during a hailstorm like the ones we’ve witnessed this summer. Homeowners tend to spend between 1% to 4% of their home’s overall value on maintenance and repairs every year, and that tends to increase the older the house gets. For a $200,000 home, you can expect at least $2,000 in repairs every year.

One big hailstorm, however, could wipe out that roof altogether if it’s not built to withstand the weather. That’s why insurance companies love to offer discounts or incentives to customers for going with impact resistant roofs when it’s time for a new installation. It’ll save your insurance company a lot of money, and you and your family a lot of potential heartache during those tough storms.

In the end, a more expensive impact resistant roofing material could save you money in the long run on fixes and repairs. Some materials are simply better suited than others to withstand hail damage. Metal roofs are usually more resistant than asphalt shingles, but since up to 40% of your home’s exterior may show as roofing, your aesthetic choice of material is no small matter. Impact-resistant tiles are also increasingly popular and durable.

However, be cautious that insurance claims might only cover functional damage when it comes to impact resistant roofs. They’re less willing to repair dings or missing shingles if it doesn’t affect the overall structural integrity of the roof as a whole.

Before you make a decision, call your insurance company to find out about coverage, discounts, and incentives. Just remember that impact resistant roofs can make a lot of difference during a big storm.

The next time you hear hail starting to fall, you’ll wish you’d acted sooner.

THE HOMEOWNER’S GUIDE TO IMPACT RESISTANT ROOFING PRODUCTS

Everyone who’s ever purchased a home here knows just how important it is to have an impact resistant roof in Denver. Besides the usual rain, sleet, snow, and occasional tornado warnings, hail damage is also a serious threat to Colorado homeowners. While you may understand that you need impact resistant roofing products for your home, what you may not realize is that you have options. Here’s your guide to choosing between two of the most common materials for impact resistant roofs: concrete tile and stone coated steel.

Concrete Tile
Concrete is one of the most durable roofing materials around. Today’s concrete tiles can be manufactured to imitate the look and appearance of other materials like wood, clay, or slate, while still providing the durability and strength of impact resistant roofing products. With a wide variety of colors to choose from and a proven track record, concrete tile is a suitable choice for the variable climate and weather conditions of this area of the country. Concrete tiles often last 50 years or more, but because of their weight, your home structure may require additional support to have concrete tiles installed.

Stone Coated Steel Tiles
Another resilient choice for impact resistant roofing is stone coated steel. Like concrete tiles, the stone coating can be painted to make these metal tiles look just like other materials and match the aesthetic of the rest of your home. Additionally, are often more affordable and lightweight than concrete. They’re also a popular pick for the eco-conscious consumer, as they are often made with recyclable materials, can help deflect sunlight to reduce cooling costs in the summer, and are 100% recyclable after their long, useful lives.

Ultimately, the type of material you choose may depend on the scope of your house itself. Talk with your insurance company about any possible discounts or assistance you may be able to receive by upgrading your current roof to one with impact resistant roofing products. Then, call us at Advanced Roofing Systems to learn more about your choices and help improve the safety and longevity of your home and your roof.

PROS AND CONS TO DIFFERENT TYPES OF IMPACT RESISTANT ROOFS

Sure, an “impact resistant roof” sounds desirable — but is it really worth the investment cost? If you live in a place like Denver, the answer is 100% yes!

In general, your roofing needs depend on your climate and weather conditions. Here in Colorado, you experience not only hot summers and cold winters but frequent hailstorms and maybe even an occasional tornado warning, too. In short, you have to be prepared for anything Mother Nature throws your way.

All types of impact resistant roofs will work well in Denver when it comes to protecting your home from hail damage. So how do you choose between the different materials available for roofing systems? Here’s a quick rundown of the pros and cons of several types of impact resistant roofs.

Metal

    • Pros: strong, durable, and energy-efficient. Metal roofs are popular for helping control indoor temperatures, deflecting excess sun rays in the summer and absorbing welcome warmth during the winter.

 

  • Cons: As a less traditional type of roofing material, not all homeowners like the look of metal. However, a painted metal roof can often blend right in, maintaining 95% of its initial emittance and reflectance over time.

Tile

    • Pros: Tiles made of concrete are virtually impenetrable when it comes to hail. They also look more natural and come in a wide variety of colors.

 

  • Cons: As you might guess, a roof made out of concrete tiles is going to be heavy. Your home may require additional supports or precautions to support the tiles, which might make the process cost-prohibitive for some older homes.

No matter which types of impact resistant roofs you choose, one of the biggest advantages for homeowners is the insurance discount you can get for having them installed. Despite the initial investment costs, this break can pay for itself over time. Of course, there’s also the benefit of knowing that your home will be able to withstand rough hailstorms that come with the territory of living in the beautiful Denver area. If you’re ready to get impact-resistant, call us at Advanced Roofing today for more information.