SB Roofing Blog

There may be some indications that you have some problems with your roof. Do you need a roof repair or a new roof? Obviously, roof repairs are less expensive.
 
Replacing your roof is more expensive, but depending on your circumstances it is often the better choice. However, sometimes there are long term costs when you opt for one or the other. There are some things you should consider when considering a new roof.

If your roof is fifteen years or older, a new roof is on its way anyway. Don’t want to waste money on repairs, just replace the roof. If severe weather causes the roof damage, the damage is probably extensive. If you opt for roof repairs, they may help for awhile, but do you need a new roof? We can confidently say that if moisture or mold is an issue, a new roof is the best choice.

A new roof is often the best option for serious roofing problems, however, roof repairs are a good option If the damage is limited, or  if you are moving in the next six to twelve months, a new roof is not worth the costs when a repair can keep your home in good shape for the time being.

If you are still not sure whether your roof needs to be replaced or repaired, contact SB Roofing.

No one wants to repair the roof or put on a new roof. A new roof is perhaps the most unexciting home improvement project. But it may be one of the most necessary. Not only is it a huge project but it also has a dramatic effect on the appearance of  your home.

If you choose the wrong shingles, you won’t like how your home looks, and roofs last for years, so you will have to live with the decision for years. There are so many types of roofing shingles to choose from, it is very difficult to know which will be right for you.

Composite shingles are one of the most popular shingle materials. These shingles are popular, because they are inexpensive. They last a long time, but metal lasts the longest. Composite shingles are the latest trend in roofing. Composite shingles are similar to other conventional and traditional shingle materials. They also come in a wide variety of colors and styles.

Metal shingles are perhaps the longest lasting roofing material. They come in copper, steel and iron. There is also Standing seam metal roofs which have a more modern look.  They are available in steel or aluminum, and a variety of thicknesses.  Metal roofs are a great investment, and are available in a wide range of styles and colors. They are very durable, and maintenance free.

Wood shingles, or shakes, are made from medicated woods like pine, spruce, or cedar. These are higher end shingles with a very unique look and style. The color of these shingles usually turns to gray in the first year. Some of the problems with wood shingles are breakage, deformity, and cowering. So it is usually recommended that you do roof replacement in 10 years or so.

Architectural Shingles look like shake shingles.  They make a very classy looking roof, and last much longer than wood shakes and there is a warranty which usually ranges from 30 years to lifetime, depending on the manufacturer.

Asphalt shingles are the most widely used and you see them on the largest variety of homes. Asphalt Roofing Shingles are made of paper, glass, or fiber and are very strong. These shingles can last up to twenty years.

SB Roofing has been selected for the 2011 Best of Virginia Beach Award in the Residential Roofing Contractors category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2011 USCA Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.
 
About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)

U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a New York City based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

Many homeowners forget about their roof until there is a problem. This is no way to treat one of the most important aspects of your home. Other than visual signs that you have an aging roof, there are additional components to your roof system that are not always easily identifiable.
 
Thorough roof inspections can identify areas of concern and identify items that could potentially lead to more costly damage and repairs. In the case of roof inspections, do not ignore your roof.

At SB Roofing we are experienced providers of the industry's most secure residential roofing solutions, providing Hampton Roads homeowners with over 15 years experience. From immediate roofing estimates to quick service to final clean-up, we have built our reputation on protecting your most important investment - your home!

At SB Roofing, we do a comprehensive roof inspection that covers the basics as well as an inspection and review of potential issues. Contact us today to schedule a free roof inspection.

Every winter we repair roofs that are damaged by "ice dams".  The details about ice dams follow later in this blog post, but first we want you to know why we bring this to your attention. SB Roofing is not just the highest quality and value professional roofing contractor in Virginia Beach and across Hampton Roads, we are your friends and neighbors.  We work hard earn your trust.

Our business is growing exponentially due to referrals from our satisfied customers.  Many of you have provided us with feedback that you value our honesty and integrity every bit as much as you do our professional service.  We know that eventually all roofs wear out and must be replaced, so we prefer to help you get the most out of your existing roof and trust that when it does come time to replace the roof, you will trust SB Roofing to perform the job.  Now, onto the subject of "ice dams" and the damage that they can do. We credit the experts at "energystar.gov" as the source for the information that follows.     

At first it may seem odd to add insulation for warmth and then purposely allow cold air to enter the attic through vents, but this combination is the key to a durable and energy-efficient home. Here's why: in the winter, allowing a natural flow of outdoor air to ventilate the attic helps keep it cold, which reduces the potential for ice damming (snow that melts off a roof from an attic that is too warm and then re-freezes at the gutters, causing an ice dam that can damage the roof). Proper insulation and air sealing also keeps attics cold in winter by blocking the entry of heat and moist air from below. In the summer, natural air flow in a well-vented attic moves super-heated air out of the attic, protecting roof shingles and removing moisture. The insulation will resist heat transfer into the house.

The most common mistake homeowners make when installing insulation is to block the flow of air at the eaves. NEVER COVER ATTIC SOFFIT VENTS WITH INSULATION — use rafter vents and soffit vents to maintain airflow.
Attic Fan Ventilation

Attic fans are intended to cool hot attics by drawing in cooler outside air from attic vents (soffit and gable) and pushing hot air to the outside. However, if your attic has blocked soffit vents and is not well-sealed from the rest of the house, attic fans will suck cool conditioned air up out of the house and into the attic. This will use more energy and make your air conditioner work harder, which will increase your summer utility bill.

You don't want your unfinished attic cooled by your air conditioner. To prevent this, follow the air sealing and insulation strategies in this guide and make sure the attic is well-ventilated using passive vents and natural air flow.

We discovered a documentary on "Designing Spaces" where their hosts Debi Marie and David Jones explore the benefits of synthetic roofing.  The documentary is a simple six minute video that discuses the benefits of synthetic roofing versus the more traditional materials like slate, concrete, metal roofs, or cedar roofs.

Of course, every roofing material offers its own distinct advantages and we welcome the opportunity to discuss in depth every roofing option available to you.  A synthetic roof may or may not be the perfect product for you, however, by watching this video you can gain a fairly good understanding of what synthetic roofs have to offer.  

At SB Roofing, we feel an educated consumer is the perfect customer.  The more you know about roofs and how to judge the Virginia Beach roofing contractors, the more we are convinced you will trust your roof repair or replacement to us.  So click here to watch the short video on the advantages of synthetic roofs then contact us to get the rest of the story.  

Did you know that water damage in your home caused by a neglected roof may not be covered by home owners insurance? If you get water damage as a result of a hole in your roof or skylight because of wind and storm damage, that is a different story. But water damage from a neglected or improperly maintained roof or skylight is not covered.

Regular roof maintenance is the key to a roof that can withstand and repel driving rain and melting snow.  Roof Maintenance involves an inspection of the existing roof to determine if there are any areas of weakness that may compromise the roofing system. Through regularly scheduled annual roof inspections, SB Roofing can assist you in protecting your investment.

If you have not had a roof inspection or had a roof replacement in a long time, now may be the time. Despite the lack of evidence on your ceilings, you could have structural roof issues that are allowing water leaks or seepage. You could have water build up beneath the shingles of your roof that have not yet been detected. A roof inspection is a good idea before the winter weather starts in Virginia Beach.

Early stage detection of roof issues from a roof inspection makes it possible to repair or extend the life of your roof, which is significantly less expensive than roof replacement. Contact SB Roofing to set up your annual inspection.

It is hard to find a roofer and we know it. Unfortunately there are a lot of unsavory roofing contractors out there. That is why at SB Roofing we have a guarantee. We guarantee quality workmanship, affordable roofing solutions, and peace of mind quality. Our goal is to offer you the most economical solution for your roofing needs.

Roof repairs are a major expense, it needs to be done right. SB Roofing specializes in residential roof replacement. We want to provide you with the very best in roofing workmanship for your home. We want to provide for you a high quality roofing solution to homeowners at a reasonable price.
 
You need to find roof shingles with a color and style that is right for your home that will also offer long-term protection. SB Roofing  uses quality products - backed by a full warranty, contact us.

If you live in Virginia Beach and you need a new roof, think about getting a metal roof. Metal roofs are perfect for Virginia weather, keeping homes cooler in the summer and preventing ice dams in winter.
 
In the winter, snow slides off a metal roofing preventing ice dams. You don’t have to worry about water seeping in below the shingles, freezing and causing the shingles to lift.

Metal roofing is more energy efficient that asphalt shingles. They are have highly reflectivity coating which commonly saves 20-30% on air-conditioning costs because they reflect much of the sun's heat.

But like all energy efficient home improvements, metal roofs will increase the value of your home; and with such a long life, 20-30 years longer than shingles, the investment in metal roofing promises you a high ROI, should you choose to sell at some point.
 
For a new roof, contact SB Roofing.

Remember the home energy tax credit? That was extended through the end of 2011. If you need to fix a roof, or need a new roof, now is the time. If you have not had a roof inspection for a while, have it done now. If you need any roof repairs, or if you need a new roof as a result of your roof inspection, get it done while you can take advantage of the home energy tax credit.

You may claim a credit for 10% percent of the total cost of the metal roofing or asphalt shingles, or new energy efficient skylights for your existing primary residence.

There are a few rules and restrictions, however:

• The maximum combined credit is $500 (10% of $5,000 in total cost) for all allowable products purchased between 2006 and 2011.
• The credit is for the price of the product only, not labor.
• Energy tax credits are nonrefundable, which means you can only claim a credit to offset taxes you owe for the year.
• Tax credits may only be claimed once and are limited to the year in which you purchased the item.

If you are in need of a new roof or need a roof inspection, or if you are installing energy efficient skylights, contact SB Roofing.