Everything You Need To Know About Roofing - The Great Construction Company

What is a Roof made of?

There are seven basic roofing components you ought to know:

Shingles: These are often made from a spread of materials, but their main purpose is to guard underlying sheathing from the weather. Shingles are traditionally measured in squares. A square of shingles is 100 square feet, so if you recognize your roof is 2,500 square feet you’ll got to order 25 squares.

Sheathing: Boards or sheet material that are attached to the rafters that cover your home. This is also referred to as the deck of a roof.

Trim: Installed to guard the seam within the roof along a hip or ridge.

Rafters: These are the wood or metal slats inside your home that support the sheathing and shingles. They’re a touch just like the skeleton for your roof.

Underlayment: Water-resistant, paper-like material that’s laid over plywood sheathing to seal it from damaging elements like rain and snow. This is used with a membrane and vapor barrier, which is usually a sheet of plastic blocking air and water from permeating through.

Flashing: sheet or other material installed on top of the joints of a roof system to stop water damage. The joints of your roof are anywhere it changes direction, and flashing is employed to assist seal these points faraway from the weather.

Drainage: the planning feature of a roof that permits it to shed water. This is measured using the slope, or pitch, of the roof, which is decided by the increase in inches for every foot of horizontal distance—known because the “run.” For example, a roof with a 5-in-12 slope rises 5 inches for each foot in distance.

Common Roof Design Elements

After you understand the components that structure your roof, it’s important to spot roofing design elements, and which of them apply to your home.

Gable Wall: These are triangular portions of the house which extend from the eaves to the height of the roof.

Centerline of Ridge: Also called the verge, this refers to the wall or rafter under the sting of a roof where a gable ends.

Ridge: this is often the very best point of the roof, which is additionally mentioned because the peak.

Valley: The areas of the roof where two sections meet and slope down.

Eaves: Edges of the roof that hang over the outside walls of a home.

Hip: A part where two sections of the roof meet.

Abutment: Where sections of the roof meet a vertical area like a wall or chimney.

ormers: Not every roof has them, but these are sections of the house that stick out from the roof, designed to usher in natural light to an attic or third floor.

Take a glance outside and check which elements your roof has, noting what percentage ridges, hips, abutments and gables are present. If you’re considering a roof replacement within the near future, it’s important to know the square footage and style of your existing structure to estimate what proportion it’ll cost.

What is the best time of year to have your roof replaced?

Your roof plays a critical role in helping to stay in your home and everything in it safe from the weather . If you built your house, then you almost certainly have an honest record of the roof installation and a general idea of when the roof may have to be redone. However, if you purchased your house, you would possibly not know the precise history of the roof and when it should get replaced.

So, how will you recognize when it’s time to exchange your roof?

3 Signs Your Roof must get replaced

Roof “Age Spots”

Roofs have ways of visibly showing their age. And, although older roofs may still keep the weather out, they’ll be more susceptible to damage thanks to wear and tear over the years.

Signs of an aging roof can often be observed from ground level, and sometimes a convenient second-floor window offers a bird’s eye view of the shingles. It’s always best to go away any on-roof inspections to the professionals.

Here are seven indications that your roof could also be past its prime:

Uneven shingles. Asphalt shingles are meant to lie flat with no edges to catch the wind or interfere with water runoff. Cupped shingles with concave centers, wavy surfaces, and ragged or curled shingle edges are all signs that a roof is past its prime.

Bald shingles. The granular coating on asphalt shingles helps to guard them from the weather , like harsh ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. Roof shingles that are losing or have lost their granules are more exposed to UV rays, potentially causing them to age faster and become brittle.

Cracked shingles. Over the years, UV ray exposure from the sun may cause roof shingles to “dry out” and crack on the surface.

Discoloration. The color of your roofing shingles may fade over the years thanks to UV degradation, another sign of an aging roof.

Dark streaks. While dark streaks on your roof could also be more of an aesthetic problem, they’re a sign of algae growth on your roof. Lichen growth, which occurs with a mixture of algae and fungus, can eventually damage shingles and their protective granules. A homeowner’s initiative should be to possess knowledge, clean and inspect their roof to see the condition of the shingles and see if a repair or reroof is necessary.

Moss. The roots of moss are much larger than those found in lichens. Too much moss on your roof can speed up the loss of granules. Moss also retains water, adding weight, and keeping your roof in constant contact with water. As with shingle discolorations, a roof inspection and cleaning can help determine the health of the shingles beneath the moss.

Time. While properly installed, high-quality asphalt shingles can provide two to 3 decades of protection, constant exposure to the weather eventually takes its toll, and they have to be replaced.  According to InterNACHI’s Standard Estimated Life Expectancy Chart for Homes,the life expectancy for architectural asphalt roofing shingles is 30 years and 20 years for three-tab asphalt shingles.

The roof is one among your home’s first lines of defense against Mother Nature. Certain regions of the country are more related to specific adverse weather events, like tornadoes or hurricanes. However, most locales experience occasional summer storms, which may produce damaging wind gusts and hail. Due to its large surface area and exposed location, the roof is especially vulnerable to storm damage.

Hailstorms

A sudden flurry of hailstones can cause immediate damage to shingles, flashing, and gutters. Visible signs of roof hail damage include loss of granules, divots, and cracks. Sometimes roofing shingles will split beneath their surface thanks to a hailstone’s impact, leaving your roof hospitable water infiltration.

Winds

Straight-line winds that proceed a typical storm front can cause an excellent deal of injury during a short amount of your time . These winds travel in one direction, unlike rotating tornadic winds and may reach speeds over 100 miles per hour. The National Severe Storms Laboratory classifies winds over 50-60 miles per hour as damaging.

Shingles that are blown off can leave large areas of your roof completely unprotected from rain or snow. And shingles that remain in situ but are bent or curled beyond their limits may lose their waterproof seal. Wind-driven debris, like tree branches, could crack or pull up shingles, and/or knock granules loose.

If you experience a big hailstorm or other severe weather events, then you’ll want to schedule a roof inspection to see for both visible and hidden damage.

Roof Leaking Water

Homeowners may postpone signs of an aging roof and be unaware of storm damage, but water spots typically demand a fast reaction. If your roof has lost its ability to repel water thanks to storm damage or aging, then water damage to the roof deck, insulation, and drywall or mold growth can develop quickly.

Roofs are susceptible to water within the winter, too. When snow thaws and refreezes over the eaves, it can create ice dams. Water that builds abreast of the roof’s surface can copy underneath the shingles, eventually finding even the tiniest of holes and making its way into your home.

How does one spot where the leaks are coming from?

Finding the source of water leaks can be tricky. Water always travels along the trail of least effort , so a little hole near the height of the roof could show up as a water spot within the foyer ceiling. Your first move should be to examine the attic after an important rainfall or while your roof is snow-covered.

At The Great Construction, we perform every roof service that you need. We offer professional inspections to assess any problems, and we can install and replace roofs, and much more!

How to stop roofing tiles from clogging your gutter?

It’s a problem faced by both residential and commercial property owners. And it’s not something you should put up with. Clogged gutters can lead to overflowing water, leaks and damage to the inside and outside of your property. They can even contribute to ice dam formation in winter.

Ways to prevent clogged gutters becoming a drag for you.

Keep trees trimmed

Trees are an excellent feature around your property, but they’re not so advantageous for gutters. Trees that stretch over, or grow within close proximity of your roof, can release tons of leaves and twigs, especially in autumn. When they’re released, they fall or blow into your gutters and make it harder for water to flow through. The problem becomes worse as leaves become wet and make a dense barrier.

Install leaf guards

Of course, there is a way to stop those leaves getting into your gutters. Leaf guards filter leaves and other debris before they enter your gutters, allowing water to flow through. It’s worth getting expert advice before installing leaf guards though. Some types are less effective, retaining debris and allowing moss to grow around your gutters.

Have gutters cleaned professionally

Keeping your gutters clear yourself isn’t easy, neither is it something advisable without the proper health and safety training. Professional gutter clearing allows you to keep on top of your guttering without any hassle or stress. For both commercial and residential properties, this is a sure-fire way to stop your gutters clogging and causing more expensive problems.

Regular inspections

Damage to gutters can increase the likelihood of clogging. Even the littlest crack can act as a trap for debris, allowing it to create up. The solution? Have your gutters inspected, to make sure they’re fully working order. This will identify any issues and allow them to be fixed before they develop into something more serious. It will also flag up any issues together with your roof, like loose tiles, that would damage your gutters.

Install better gutters

Even with preventative measures, you might find your gutters are still clogging regularly. The problem could simply be how your gutters are installed. Poorly installed gutters make clogging more likely, accelerating debris build-up in certain areas. Consider having a new guttering system installed. The investment could pay off within the end of the day , saving you money on continual repairs.

Expert guttering services

The Great Construction Company are experts in guttering, providing a variety of essential services. Whether it’s cleaning, clearing, repairs or replacement, we can ensure your gutters are in full working order and prevent any damage to your property. Contact us today to talk about your gutter issues and see how we can provide a solution.

What are the pros of using some of the new roof coatings?

Did you recognize that applying a roof coating could increase the lifespan of your roof, whether it had been installed recently or a decade ago?

Coating your roof can reduce heat costs and increase UV and waterproofing protection for the roof. As a roof is exposed to heat and ultraviolet rays over the years, materials break down. This chemical breakdown begins to ruin the roof’s appearance and performance.

Roof coatings lend strength and longevity to roofing materials while maintaining the aesthetic appearance of any structure.

Advantages of  Roof Coatings

Reflective roof coatings act as a barrier between your roof and therefore the elements. Many facility owners and managers are still relatively unaware of the numerous advantages they provide.

Reduced Cooling Bills

Roof coatings lower the roof’s surface temperature and decrease your home’s interior temperature by an average of seven to 10 degrees. Quality roof coatings will also reflect damaging ultraviolet and infrared sunlight away from your building, allowing for cooler roof and building temperatures resulting in a reduction in air conditioning energy usage.

Extended Roof Life

Roof coatings create a resilient barrier between the weather and therefore the uppermost layers of your building material. The right roof coating increases your roof’s waterproof quality, guarding your roof from harmful sun rays, prevents UV damage, and reflects heat faraway from the roof’s surface. This increases the longevity of your roofing while lowering maintenance expenses.

Useful With A Variety Of Materials

Roof coatings are formulated to stick to a good range of roofing surface types, including metal roofs, asphalt roofs, composite roofs, galvanized metal, wood, etc. However, before applying roof coatings to materials like shingle, check your manufacturer’s warranty to ascertain if these spray/brush-on products void your warranty. And when replacing a roof, consider upgrading to reflective coating shingles to profit from the “hot” cool-roofing movement happening in America.

Avoiding Early Roof Replacement

Small leaks and other minor damage are often repaired before a roof coating is applied. In some cases, you’ll be ready to avoid full-scale replacement of your roof for several years if you utilize the proper coating for the work. Not to mention the environmental impact that roofing materials have when disposed of in a landfill.”

Fade Resistance

Reflective roof coatings help your roof maintain its color over time improving the general look of your home because it ages. Since the roof coatings are reflective, the color of the roof is maintained for a longer duration, which makes your house look more appealing.

Sustainable And Environmentally-Friendly Roofing

One final peripheral advantage of roof coatings is that they assist in reducing waste by extending the lifetime of your roof thus minimizing the quantity of debris produced during maintenance and repair. Today, most coatings are specially formulated for environmental safety also , so you don’t need to worry about production techniques or dangerous chemicals. Cool roofs also benefit the environment by reducing local air temperatures (the urban heat island effect) and lowering peak electricity demand.

Reflective roof coating is your answer to a long lasting roof! If you’re considering this simple yet effective method of extending the life of your roof, contact The Great Construction Company, a family owned & operated New Jersey roofing contractor with nearly +15 years of experience. We are fully licensed and insured to do all types of roofing, siding, gutter, masonry, chimney, repair, installation and maintenance work!

What you should know before you begin installing a skylight?

Skylights are a superb addition to any home. They can brighten up darker rooms, make a neighborhood feel more spacious, and even improve the worth of your home too.

Before you begin installing skylights there are a couple of things you should take into consideration to make sure you get the simplest solution for your needs (and don’t waste money in the process!).

What you need to know before installing skylights in your home.

1.What features do you want on your skylight?

Not all skylights are the same! Before installing your skylights, you ought to know what features you would like your skylights to possess.

For example, do you want it to be a flat or domed skylight?

Do you need a fixed skylight, meaning you can’t open it, or a vented skylight which will be opened to enhance airflow?

You should also consider what material you want your skylight to be made out of. You can have glass skylights, but you’ll even have plastic skylights. Glass is more expensive than plastic, but it doesn’t get scratched up as quickly as plastic does.

2.Where do you want to place the skylight?

Figure out exactly where you would like your skylight to travel before you begin the installation.

Choosing the right spot for your skylight takes tons more thought than you’d initially think.

You can’t just pick a random spot in your home and say that’s where you would like to place it. You have to instead believe how your chosen location will benefit day-to-day living in your home.

Where you place your skylight will affect what proportion of solar heat you get in your home. For example, if you place your skylight on a north-facing roof, then you’ll get a uniform amount of natural light all year round.

You should also take into consideration where the dark spots are in your home. If there’s an area in your house that doesn’t get the maximum amount of natural light as you’d like, then consider adding a skylight.

Size matters when choosing your skylight so if you would like to bring more light in then you’re going to need additional roof framing to satisfy building codes. Don’t worry though you’ll add more light by installing smaller skylights between rafters.

3.Make sure your skylights are leak-free!

When you install  skylights in three important steps to make sure that they don’t leak. Nail the deck seal to the roof deck for an airtight seal.

Install the all-weather underlayment and canopy the edges of the skylights and 6 inches round the skylight on the roof deck. Adding up to 2 feet of all-weather underlayment round the skylight is important for areas with extreme weather. And finally install the flashing.

Choose how you want your skylights installed

When installing your skylight there are two ways you can get them installed:

Curb mounted skylight

Deck mounted skylight

Fit your skylight right the first time

You want your skylight to be fitted right the first time, so if you’re hiring a roofing company to fit them in your home, make sure you’re getting a reputable team.

The damages from faulty skylight installations are often quite costly, so confirm that it’s done right the primary time to avoid going over your budget.

Contact The Great Construction Company, a family owned & operated New Jersey roofing contractor with nearly +15 years of experience. We are fully licensed and insured to do all types of roofing, siding, gutter, masonry, chimney, repair, installation and maintenance work! to schedule a roof inspection to see for both visible and hidden damage.