Ron Terry Construction

Roofing Contractor & Roof Repair Services

Roof Spots Prone To Leakage

Some spots of your roof tend to be exposed to leakage more than others. Leaks tend to build up in these sensitive spots more. In this article, we are going to outline the three most vulnerable parts of your roof that are prone to leaks:

Roof Valleys

These refer to spots where two parts of the roof connect. Typically, roof valleys are supported by flashings, but these slim metal lines are not leak-resistant and tend to deteriorate over time too. Make a habit to periodically inspect your roof valleys and ensure that the flashings are intact. If you fail to treat minor leaks or carry out some preventive measures in the roof valley, you may end up with a larger and costlier roof fix in the future.

Roof Field

Leak impairment can also occur on the bed where roof shingles are spread. If these break or shatter, their under nails will be exposed and let water enter through the cracks. As time passes, the water damage will spread to the underlay body and the wooden components of the roofing system.

The Chimney

Generally speaking, any spot in your roof that has an incision in the shingles tends to be exposed to leakage–the chimney region is perhaps the most obvious. Older houses, especially, are more susceptible to chimney leakage from aging. In other cases, heat exposure may lead to small holes that allow leaks to develop.

Beyond Just Asphalt: Considering Wood & Metal Roofing Choices

The majority of poeple are already accustomed to concrete shingle roofs as they are the most commonly used type of home material used in the South-East states. However, if you are getting a new roof or a new development, it’s wise to consider all the different kinds of roofing products offered by recommended contractors like Gen819 Roofing & Solar.

To help you choose the most appropriate product for your house, we suggest you ask the following:

  • How long does each type of material last?
  • How does each material tolerate natural disasters?
  • Will it match your home’s style?
  • What is the cost of each material?
  • What kind and what frequency of maintenance does it need?

Aside from asphalt, common roofing products include clay and concrete tiles, slate, artificial roofing types, and wood or metal.

Wood Or Cedar Roofing

If you are going for a more natural and rustic appearance for your home, one that meshes effortlessly into your surroundings, then a wood roof is your best bet. As it gets older, it creates a distinct creased exterior. The majority of wood roofs are also fabricated from western red cedar wood due to the tree’s power to tolerate decay, flat grain, dimensional balance, and liquid impenetrability. When set up properly, wood roofs have a life cycle of up to 40 years, however, they may need some occasional maintenance to get rid of mold, fungi, and debris.

Wood roofs are great in regions exposed to heavy winds or storms. However, they are prone to fire and should be addressed with a fire retardant solution. In regions with high amounts of rainfall, you may need to clean up your roof more often. Unlike other roofing options, wood is heavier and costlier. However, if you like its rustic appearance and are willing to do additional maintenance if necessary, a wooden roof will be appropriate for your home.

Metal Roofing

Metal roofs are constructed from steel, copper, aluminum, or zinc alloys. They are typically one of the most expensive roof products, at least in the first place. However, unlike other materials, they need minimal maintenance work and are highly resistant to heavy winds, fires, heat, and blizzards. They are also green-friendly as they are made with recycled materials that can be recycled again afterward, in case they are replaced.

Some homeowners are not sold on having a metal roof, assuming that their home will look like it has a tin cover. However, metal roofs have improved vastly over time, and many new styles are launched to resemble clay, shingle, cedar shake, tile, or slate. Furthermore, metal roofs are available in a wide range of color options, allowing homeowners more versatility to customize the appearance of their home. In case you want more of a “fix it-forget it” option, a metal roof is your answer.

Which Kind Of Home Siding Is Ideal For Your Home

Do you intend to switch your house’s siding soon? If YES, we have some good news! There is currently a massive range of materials, styles, textures, and shades to choose from. However, there are a few important factors to consider when you sort your way through all these choices.

Vinyl Siding

This is the most commonly used siding material because of its low cost and low maintenance. It’s also warping, pest, and water-resistant but may be prone to cracking or rattling.

Plastic Siding

Another roof siding option that needs little maintenance and looks similar to cedarwood. It’s thicker than vinyl siding and is more weather-resistance, but costlier compared to vinyl.

Fiber Concrete Siding

This highly popular siding option is a mixture of concrete, cellulose, and sand. It also resembles wood in terms of appearance, but it costs more than vinyl siding. Although it is resistant to fire and pests, it is susceptible to water damage and generally needs to be repolished and repainted occasionally through its lifespan.

Wood Siding

This is a conventional siding material pick but the pricier of all these options and while it’s resistant to weather impact, it is susceptible to rotting, warping, and pests.

So how can you make the best siding choice for your house?

1. Your budget.

Certainly, you want to reap the most for your buck, but you may need to figure out if you wish to swap a costlier material e.g plastic for a product that you will have to replace periodically e.g plastic for vinyl.

2. How long do you intend to stay in your home?

According to expert Angie Hicks, you should anticipate an ROI of 80% on your new siding after a few years. Therefore if you plan to stay in your home for good, it’s better to invest in siding that may cost more initially but lasts longer.

3. What meshes with the style and structure of your home best?

In case you own an older home, fiber and wood-concrete siding may blend ideally with your house’s style or with other home styles in your area. On the contrary, wood siding may appear more unique and distinct in a neighborhood filled with colorful vinyl homes.

4. Do any homeowner coalitions rules influence your choice?

Some associations have certain standards and regulations when it comes to the color and style of residences in the area. This may restrict your choices, especially of color.

5. What maintenance frequency are you willing to keep up with?

If the appearance of fiber cement appeals to you and you are fine with having your siding repolished every now and then, this would be a great pick. However, if you have a holiday home and don’t want to bother yourself with periodic maintenance, vinyl might be a better option.

3 Perks Of Going Green In Roofing & Contracting Work

“Let’s go green”, “Save the earth”, “Reuse, reduce, recycle” , When we come across these expressions, we usually think of our environment. Concerning green development and particularly more ecological developing materials in roofing and contracting, families can not only help the environment but improve the comfort and energy efficiency of their home.
We all have to make an impact across the nation to help mother earth and the homes we reside in. Here are the top 3 reasons why contractors should give their customers a green update:

Ecological Advantages

Our environment can be deeply affected by construction techniques, materials, and tasks. In most cases, the effects are not pleasant. Accumulated shingles can litter junk depots and ruin the atmosphere’s and water’s quality; construction metals such as aluminum, steel, and copper are often to blame for excess Carbon Dioxide emissions; air and soil contamination can develop from contracting junk.

The contractor in such cases should be held accountable. In the ecological construction field, contractors respect and maintain ecosystems and biodiversity. This is possible through the usage of recyclable materials in our applied products, shingles, and other units. When it comes to setting up a roof, it is important to always read and comply with the producer’s guidelines and suggestions for each product application. Among the key players in the green building sector is the company CertainTeed. The company effectively recycles most of the waste generated from production (as much as 90% is converted to reusable asphalt for roads) while developing new products, processes, and resolutions that are energy-efficient and control the carbon footprint emitted by contracting works. Their “CoolStar” range, for example, comes with sun mirroring layers to decrease carbon dioxide emissions and energy expenditure. Working with a manufacturing company that respects and protects the environment is essential in moving the world around us forward.

Roofing & Contracting companies who participate in the LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environment Design) scoring standard help to control or even eradicate any unpleasant contracting effects on the environment by following sustainable actions to help people and their communities thrive in a fully sustainable and safe manner. These actions feature abrasion and sediment checks, soil regulation, and pollution preventive initiatives to make sure contaminants are disposed of in a secure and proper manner, as well as controlling the footprint of contaminants generated from used tools e.g chemicals, unit vehicles.

Health Advantages

One of the largest advantages of green development is the improved health prospect. An ecological roof will use sustainable construction materials that improve the home’s atmosphere, heat, and sound quality. In other words, the utility units will require much less work and energy to keep interior home temperatures. This will result in higher levels of comfort, safety, and health for the house residents. Homeowners won’t only prevent environmental pollution, but they will also increase the general quality of life for their whole family–that’s a major selling proposition to consider when talking about these kinds of roofs and ecological buildings at large (with homeowners and customers).

Financial Advantages

The financial compensation of an ecological roof won’t be noticed right-away as several construction materials and applications are quite costly initially. However, homeowners can anticipate a cost reduction of their home’s utility bills and vastly raise the value of their home in the long-run, should they plan to resell it eventually. Due to the fact that most construction materials are top-quality, their lifespan will be longer and they will offer a more sustainable design, development, and functional power.

Personalizing Your Standing Seam Metal Roof

A standing seam metal roof is a one-of-a-kind roofing choice. By getting a metal roof, your house will stick out from other homes in your area, and you can choose a tone that matches your home’s style and structure. If you can’t make up your mind on which shade to go for, experiment with several coloring options with the help of a visualizing program online or consult a metal roof expert. Whatever your shade choice is, a metal roof will certainly accommodate you well from both a visual and functional perspective and will keep on shielding your home and adding to its value long-term.