SB Roofing Blog

Metal roofs are not just for commercial buildings.  Many homeowners install metal roofing because they are longer lasting and require less maintenance than shingles.  Metal roofs are expanding in design options and can work for all types of architectural style homes.  However, metal roofs are more expensive than shingles usually, but have a longer life and more extensive warranties.

Here are some pros for metal roofing:

• Less maintenance
• Last longer
• Less flammable (may reduce home insurance cost)
• A Green roofing option - Can be recycled and metal roof sheeting itself is made from mostly recycled material.
• Snow slides off
• Many options in appearance and a wide color selection.

The Republican Journal

Owners of older homes generally realize the importance of preventative maintenance. This includes routine roof inspections. As the main barriers that keep the elements out of your home, it puts up with rain, wind and attacks from falling tree limbs and other debris.

As a result, roofers say it’s important for homeowners to have their roofs inspected twice a year. While workers are on their ladders or actually walking on the roof, they can look out for possible problems that may be emerging.

Check Over and Under

Homeowners generally call roofers when they discover a leak or when it’s time to replace a 20- or 25-year-old roof.

Besides inspecting the overall health of the shingles, people who own older homes can expect roofers to check

• Flashing areas
• Rafters under the roof (via the attic)
• Gutter systems.

Roof leaks commonly form around flashing areas, such as where the roof meets the chimney, a wall or a vent pipe. Cracks form at those points and water can seep through. Flash repairs usually can be made without replacing the entire roof, but the age of the surrounding shingles plays a factor in that decision.

Older homes with masonry chimneys also can experience leaks when the chimney’s cement cap or crown develops a crack. On a roof inspection, that can be looked at, sealed or replaced.

If an older home has an unfinished attic, workers will have the opportunity to look at the rafters and make sure nothing is split or loose. It’s good if the roofer can get into your attic to inspect.

A roof inspection will tell you whether you need a new roof or not and whether you have existing problems.

Time to Replace? These signs usually mean it’s time to replace the roof:

• Curling or buckling of the shingles
• Shingles’ granular is wearing away
• Green spotting/ moss growth on your roof

If you need your roof inspected, Contact SB Roofing.

NorthJersey.com

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.