Roofing

Why Do You Need Proper Ventilation?

Iowa Roofs and attic spaces have two major enemies in all homes: heat build-up and moisture accumulation. Left unchecked these forces can cause a premature deterioration of your Iowa roof structure and materials as well as damaging insulation and increasing energy cost. The only defense is proper attic ventilation.

Balanced Ridge Vent and Soffit Vent

An effective well balanced Iowa roof ventilation system allows air to move in a pattern that results in a uniformly cool attic space prolonging roof life and increasing living comfort.

Shingle Vent II

There are Two Important Keys to Shingle Vent II Performance:

1. External baffle: Shingle Vent’s special baffle deflects wind – even the slightest breeze – up and over the vent, creating an area of negative pressure. This negative pressure actually pulls stale air from your attic, while deflecting rain and snow.
2. Patented, internal weather filter: The patented weather filter acts as an added barrier from wind-driven rain, snow, dust and insect infiltration.
These essential features are exclusive to Air Vent for proven performance and set them apart from the competition.

Here’s How Shingle Vent II Works:

1. External Baffle: deflects wind to create negative pressure over the vent, pumping warm, moist air from the attic.
2. Patented Air Vent Weather Filter: helps provide a barrier from weather, dust and insects.
3. End Plugs: fit snugly into the ends of the vent, helping to protect attic from weather damage.
4. Shingle-over Design: matching roof shingles are placed over the ridge vent, making Shingle Vent II almost undetectable on your roof.

If you are looking for a professional Iowa roofers, please call 877-733-6400 or complete our online request form.

Small and large businesses will often seek a company that can provide them with commercial roofing service that will not interfere with their regular business. Some roofing companies will provide special services just for commercial property. Leaving parking lots free of debris and keeping entry ways free of obstructions so your business can continue to operate smoothly.

There are several types of roofing to select for your commercial building. Selection of course may depend on cost, the slope of your roof, and the weather conditions in your area.

1. Asphalt Shingles

These are the most common type of shingles used on home and commercial buildings today. Reinforced with organic material, wood fibers or fiber glass, these shingles can last from 20 to 30 years. Laminated shingles are also made of asphalt but come in a variety of colors and textures that give this shingle the appearance of more expensive shake or slate tiles. These more popular shingles can last between 25 and 50 years.

2. Metal Roofing

Steel, Aluminum, Standing Seam, Metal Tie, and Copper are just a few of the metal roofing materials used today as commercial roofing. If installed correctly, metal roofing may last between 30 to 50 years, which is just as well as the more expensive asphalt shingles. Metal roofing is not as costly as slate or tile roofing. In the past colored aluminum roofing has been known to fade, oxidize and peel, but many manufacturers have found the solution to this problem. This type of roofing can withstand most extreme weather but has been known to dent when hit with hail. Now a new granulated coating is offered to prevent this outcome. Copper is another option, though more expensive than aluminum. With a copper roof you can expect it to last up to 100 years.

3. Wood Shakes

Most roof shakes are made of treated pine, spruce or more commonly, cedar. Hand split shakes off that rough and thick look many seek. Most wood shingles are actually cut using a machine. This gives it a smooth finish, making it easier to install. Cedar is the first choice in wood shakes, offering up to a 30 year life. When shakes are first installed, they appear brown or red in color but expect the weather to fade the real wood and leave it a soft gray. Installation for wood shingles can run as much as 50% higher than other types of roofing.

4. Slate Shingles

Slate shingles are heavy and harder to install. Though they are easily breakable, they can add beauty to any home. This roof can last from 45 to 70 years and some claim it will last over 100 years if installed properly. These colorful and rich shingles will add a high price to your structure, costing as much as 400% more than other materials.

5. Tile Roofing

Tile is often made from clay but can also be made of concrete or even rubber. There is a large variety of colors and styles of tile roofing available today. Clay is more expensive than concrete tiles but the basic performance, durability and look of the tiles is the same. Lasting more than 50 years, this type of tile is often very heavy and your roof may need extra support.

Whether you have a new structure to roof or are re-roofing your commercial building, be sure to select the Iowa roofing company that can do the best job for you. Selecting a company that has completed roofs for commercial structures before will be your best bet. Ask if you can view a job they have completed recently. Be sure to ask about your specific needs, such as a flat roof often found on commercial buildings, heating, air vents and other roof obstructions. Also ask to see their roof installation license.

Ronald has been in the roofing industry for over 15 years and has worked in residential and commercial environments. To get classic roofing tips and step to step instructions on picking and installing the perfect roof for your home, visit http://www.dtsarchitects.com, his roofs site.

If you are looking for a professional Iowa roofers, please call 877-733-6400 or complete our online request form.

A Iowa roof system’s performance is affected by numerous factors. Knowing about the following will help you make informed roof system buying decisions:

Sun: Heat and ultraviolet rays cause roofing materials to deteriorate over time. Deterioration can occur faster on the sides facing west or south.

Rain: When water gets underneath shingles, shakes or other roofing materials, it can work its way to the roof deck and cause the roof structure to rot. Extra moisture encourages mildew and rot elsewhere in a house, including walls, ceilings, insulation and electrical systems.

Wind: High winds can lift shingles’ edges (or other roofing materials) and force water and debris underneath them. Extremely high winds can cause extensive damage.

Snow and ice: Melting snow often refreezes at a roof’s overhang where the surface is cooler, forming an ice dam. This blocks proper drainage into the gutter. Water backs up under the shingles (or other roofing materials) and seeps into the interior. During the early melt stages, gutters and downspouts can be the first to fill with ice and be damaged beyond repair or even torn off a house or building.

Condensation: Condensation can result from the buildup of relatively warm, moisture-laden air. Moisture in a poorly ventilated Iowa attic promotes decay of wood sheathing and rafters, possibly destroying a roof structure. Sufficient attic ventilation can be achieved by installing larger or additional vents and will help alleviate problems because the attic air temperature will be closer to the outside air temperature.

Moss and algae: Moss can grow on moist wood shingles and shakes. Once it grows, moss holds even more moisture to a roof system’s surface, causing rot. In addition, moss roots also can work their way into a wood deck and structure. Algae also grows in damp, shaded areas on wood or asphalt shingle roof systems. Besides creating a black-green stain, algae can retain moisture, causing rot and deterioration. Trees and bushes should be trimmed away from homes and buildings to eliminate damp, shaded areas, and gutters should be kept clean to ensure good drainage.

Trees and leaves: Tree branches touching a roof will scratch and gouge roofing materials when the branches are blown by the wind. Falling branches from overhanging trees can damage, or even puncture, shingles and other roofing materials. Leaves on a roof system’s surface retain moisture and cause rot, and leaves in the gutters block drainage.

Missing or torn shingles: The key to a Iowa roof system’s effectiveness is complete protection. When shingles are missing or torn off, a roof structure and home or building interior are vulnerable to water damage and rot. The problem is likely to spread-nearby shingles also are ripped easily or blown away. Missing or torn shingles should be replaced as soon as possible.

Shingle deterioration: When shingles are old and worn out, they curl, split and lose their waterproofing effectiveness. Weakened shingles easily are blown off, torn or lifted by wind gusts. The end result is structural rot and interior damage. A deteriorated roof system only gets worse with time-it should be replaced as soon as possible.

Flashing deterioration: Many apparent roof leaks really are flashing leaks. Without good, tight flashings around chimneys, vents, skylights and wall/roof junctions, water can enter a home or building and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation and electrical systems. Flashings should be checked as part of a biannual roof inspection and gutter cleaning for your Iowa home.

If you are looking for a professional Iowa roofing contractor, please call 877-733-6400 or complete our online request form.

When people are buying an Iowa home, especially first time home buyers, they often get caught up in an overwhelming whirlwind of emotion and in the excitement of anticipation of home ownership often overlook the need for property inspection. It costs a couple hundred dollars to get a professional property inspection but it may well be worth the money. An intelligent way to write a purchase offer is with a clause that says: “This offer subject to professional property inspection acceptable to buyer”

Having been in the real estate and mortgage business for a number of years, I know that most people who read this advice will not act on it. Nope, people will do what people will do. Knowing that, I have a tip to give you that, if you don’t use, makes you a pretty foolish person and it is this:

Write all your offers on home with the following clause:

“This offer subject to roof inspection acceptable to buyer”

Besides the foundation, The roof is one of the most expensive repair jobs a home may require and the roof is often the most overlooked part of a home, especially important on older existing housing. But the key to a roof inspection is they can be free! How you ask? Simple, write your offer as indicated above and then call three (3) roofing companies and ask them if they do free roof inspections. Most companies will because their competitors will and in order to get business, they will check out your roof for free. If you have difficulty with a roofing company, try a few more. You see, when a roofing company comes out to the house they are looking for problems because roofing problems make them money.

You don’t have to tell them you are contemplating buying the home although it would not necessarily hurt your cause if you did. The other option is that you get on a tall ladder, climb on the roof yourself and check it out (risking a possible fall, possible extensive injury or death). It is safer to use the roofing company, right?

In the event that your area is unique and Iowa roofing contractors won’t inspect your roof for free, if the price is right, it may be worth your time. This same free inspection angle will also work by getting inspections and free estimates on the foundation, the HVAC and any other area of the home. The key: make a few phone calls to businesses in your area to see what their inspection policies are, whether they are free or there is a small fee. This will save you the cost of a professional home inspection AND for the things that ARE found deficient with the home, the free estimates can be used as bargaining chips to reduce the selling price of the home, pretty cool, right?

If you are looking for a professional Iowa roof inspection contractor, please call 877-733-6400 or complete our online request form.

All homes are built with a few common essentials. Walls, doors, windows, and beams are a few components that are common to all, whether a small cottage or a high-rise skyscraper. The roof of a house is one of the most important aspects of any construction. Selecting the right roofing option in accordance with the climatic conditions can go a long way in providing an long-lasting and beautiful home.

Since the roof is one of the most important external elements of a house, it should not only be durable, but also have an aesthetic appeal. There are several different roofing options available today. Although asbestos is a cheap and popular material, it is fast being replaced by tiled and metal roofing. These alternatives prove to be long lasting and also tend to reflect direct heat to a greater extent as compared to asbestos. Apart from different roofing materials, the homeowner can also use a variety of external paints to coat the roof. These paints not only add color to the roof, but also provide insulation from extreme heat and are resistant to mildew and algae.

To maintain longevity of the roof, the homeowner must undertake regular repairs and maintenance. This is important as the roof takes a lot of damage from the elements of nature, compared to any other part of the house. This tends to necessitate routine “wear and tear” roof repairs. Care should be taken to ensure that no trees are growing in close proximity as falling branches may damage the roofing.

The roof may also develop black streaks, which is an indication of a mold, algae or fungus growth. These conditions are common in areas of high humidity and may lead to the weakening of the roof structure and leakage problems.

The homeowner may undertake minor roof repairs. However, it is advisable to consult a specialist in case of major repairs. A good roof is a crucial component of a well designed home. Maintaining a house maybe difficult, but by utilizing the right roofing materials, one can minimize future problems.

Author: Josh Riverside

If you are looking for a professional Iowa roof inspection contractor, please call 877-733-6400 or complete our online request form.