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!

GOLF-BALL SIZED HAIL IN CASTLE ROCK SHATTERS WINDOWS, DAMAGES ROOF SYSTEMS

Hail is nothing new to Colorado residents, but recent storms have really given some neighborhoods in the greater Denver area a shakedown.

A hailstorm earlier this month around Castle Rock was one of the worst in recent memory. “It was like somebody beating on our roof with a hammer, or, as the kids said, like a helicopter was shooting at the house. It was very heavy hail,” resident Cliff Hancock told CBS Denver.

The golf-ball sized hail managed to shatter some windows and damage roof systems, much to the chagrin of homeowners in the area.

Luckily, residential roofers in Denver CO are accustomed to this type of damage and can easily replace or repair shingles, tiles, or other parts of your home that you don’t want to leave exposed to the elements.

On average, a homeowner can expect to spend 1-4% of a home’s value on annual maintenance and repairs, including roofing. For a $200,000 home, for example, you’ll want to budget about $2,000 for maintenance every year.

That doesn’t mean that all of those costs go toward fixing a few shingles after a hailstorm, however. In fact, homeowners will likely find that they can save money in the long run by investing in high-quality roofing materials to begin with.

Residential roofers, especially in the Denver area, often recommend tile roofing because it’s more durable than shingles but can still offer a variety of colors and textures. It’s also withstood the test of time: practically every region and climate around the world has used tiling, dating all the way back to 10,000 B.C. in Neolithic China.

Additionally, routine check-ups and maintenance can help avoid expensive overhauls and safeguard your roof and home against a potential hailstorm (or snowstorm, or tornado… this is Denver, after all!).

Have your roof professionally inspected by residential roofers once or twice a year, even under normal circumstances. With freak weather patterns like the ones we’ve been experiencing this summer, however, it might not hurt to call in for an extra check-up before the next storm starts brewing.

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.

 

HOW TO HANDLE AN INSURANCE CLAIM AND A ROOF COMPANY AT THE SAME TIME

Accidents happen. That’s why we have insurance. Homeowner’s insurance is especially important, as damage to your property can often end up being extremely expensive. Water damage can cost $2,386 to fix, on average. Fire and smoke damage may reach $4,172. And wind damage can cost significantly more — an average $5,757, though sometimes totalling $10,000 or more.

The areas most commonly affected by weather-related damage, not surprisingly, are roof systems. Whether you’re missing shingles from a wind or hailstorm or you’ve discovered a leak in the middle of a downpour, roofing requires special — and often immediate — care.

Sometimes, however, it’s difficult to tell whether it’s worth filing an insurance claim for any damage you notice on your roof. Before you make the insurance call, have a roof company come out to provide an inspection and estimate. Roofers in Denver are experienced in detecting damage from hail and will be able to tell you whether insurance is likely to cover the cost of repairs or not.

If you do proceed with an insurance claim, the insurance adjuster will also need to come out and inspect the damage. Many times, the roof company may want to be there for the insurance inspection, too.

The insurance company will provide you with an estimate of costs and how much they’re willing to cover. If you’re lucky, you may be eligible for an entire roof replacement because of a few mangled tiles. Roof installation takes around three to four days on an average-sized roof.

On the other hand, you may take this as an opportunity to improve your roof’s energy efficiency. Roof products that are Energy Star certified deflect more of the sun’s rays, which can lower surface temperatures by as much as 100 degrees Fahrenheit. That cooling translates to less heat infiltrating the inside of your home, and cooler temps inside without cranking the air conditioning.

When you have insurance on your side, roof damage could actually be a blessing in disguise. Don’t let damage get you down — talk with a roof company today for a consultation.

HAIL DAMAGE INSPECTION AND ROOF REPAIR IN HIGHLANDS RANCH

HAIL SEASON IS HERE BUT YOU DON’T HAVE TO WORRY. IF YOUR HOME IS HIT BY A STORM OUR LOCAL, PROFESSIONAL TEAM PROVIDES EXPERT ROOFING REPAIR FOR YOUR STORM DAMAGED ROOF.

HAIL & STORM REPAIR SERVICES

  • Free detailed inspection of roof for storm damage and roof hail damage
  • Inspection covers roof shingles, gutters, skylights, flashing, vent hoods, vent stacks, chimney caps, and chimneys
  • Estimates are free
  • We work in full cooperation with insurance companies and insurance adjusters
  • Timely, expert repair or replacement of storm-damaged roof elements

Imagine your local driving range on a busy Saturday afternoon. All those people hitting all those balls in a very short amount of time. Now imagine them driving those golf balls at your roof and you may get a good idea of how a severe hail storm can wreak havoc on roof shingles and other roof elements.

Your biggest concern immediately following a severe thunderstorm with hail may be whether the damage to your roof is causing interior leaks. Keep in mind that there could be damage which doesn’t cause a leak right away, but could start to leak later. It’s better to have your roof inspected than to wait and find out later that you have significant hail damage.

By calling Advanced Roofing Services, Inc. you are requesting a professional, thorough inspection of your roof by an experienced and licensed expert. We provide free inspections for your entire roof. We provide you with critical feedback that lets us recommend the best repair or replacement solution for your home.

Call us at 303-219-1025 for a free quote.

NOT ALL HAIL DAMAGE IS EQUAL! ROOFING MATERIAL MATTERS.

As third generation roofers in the Colorado Front Range and Highlands Ranch area, we have seen more than our fair share of hail. Our extensive experience and observation have taught us that roofing materials hold up very differently under severe weather conditions. Hail damage to your roof can also vary from one section of roof to another based on how the storm hit. Some parts of your roof may have been impacted by direct wind and driving hail, while other parts could have been sheltered or received less direct impact, which causes less damage.

  • Hail damage to asphalt shingles: Granule damage is the most common problem following a hailstorm. Granules can be forced off the shingle or damaged by crushing or denting. Shingles can also be more obviously damaged and have cracked or broken tabs.
  • Hail damage to slate roofs: Hail impact can crack slates or may break slate tiles loose from their fasteners and then they may slide off your roof.
  • Hail damage to wood shingles: The impact from hail can crack or split wood shingles along the grain, which can cause entire shingles or partial pieces to break loose.

WE ACT QUICKLY TO REPAIR HAIL DAMAGE AND PREVENT ROOF LEAKAGE.

High winds that usually accompany hailstorms can cause blow-off damage that should be repaired immediately. It’s possible for Hail-damaged roof shingles not to present obvious problems (like leaks) for months or years, but it’s a best practice to call your insurance agent as soon as possible to find out if the damage qualifies for roof repair or roofing replacement. Advance Roofing Systems Inc provides free inspections and estimates for hail damage repair and replacement in Highlands Ranch, Denver, Aurora, Centennial, Parker, Lonetree, Littleton, Jefferson County, Golden, Lakewood, Arvada, Wheat Ridge, Edgewater, Thornton, Westminster, Eirie, Longmont, Bennet, Myers, Evergreen, Conifer… and well, you get the idea! We are your roofing resource in the Front Range and surrounding areas; we are locally owned and operated and we exclusively serve this area of Colorado. Give us a call at 303-219-1025 for a free consultation today.

When storm season is here, we can help you maintain peace of mind. We are here to make sure that your home is restored to it’s best condition with minimal hassle for you!

NEED A ROOFING CONTRACTOR? ASK THESE QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU HIRE

Few things are more important to the integrity of your home than the roof over your head. When you hire a roofing contractor for repairs, inspections, or a completely new look, you have to trust that roofing company completely with the safety of your home.

So before you hire just anybody for the job, take the time to get to know your residential roofers personally. Start by asking these simple questions to make sure that the roofing contractor you hire is reliable, dependable, and trustworthy.

Do You Have Insurance?
All contractors should have adequate insurance to protect both their workers and their clients. Worker’s compensation packages should cover the roofing contractors in case of an injury on the job as well as provide customers with liability insurance. Without this basic level of protection, the homeowner could be left on the hook for any mishaps during the job.

Do You Have References?
It’s never a bad idea to take a look at a company’s past work portfolio. However, any roofing contractor will likely provide you with glowing reviews from their most satisfied customers. Try to do a little more digging. Ask past clients how satisfied they are with the work in terms of quality, time, and cost. An average-sized roof installation, for example, should only take three to four days. Make sure work was completed on time and under budget.

Do You Offer Warranties?
Depending on the type of work you need done, you may be entitled to two separate kinds of warranties. Manufacturers of roofing materials often have warranty-certified products; painted metal roofs, for instance, should retain 95% of their initial reflectance and emittance over time and are 100% recyclable after a long, useful life. Still, the roofing contractors should also offer some type of warranty on their handiwork, so that you’re not stuck having to pay extra money on leak repairs for a sub-par job.

Make sure to also ask about your contractor’s membership in the Colorado Roofing Association (CRA). This ensures that they’re certified by the state and established in their field. That way, you can rest easy knowing that your house is in good hands with a reputable contractor.