Roofing Innovations – Page 3

By Andrews Roofing | June 12, 2018

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Category: Andrews Roofing, Roof Installation, Roofing Information, Roofing Innovations, Roofing Repairs

Selecting the Best Possible Roofing Contractor

Selecting the Best Possible Roofing Contractor

One of the most important investments you will ever make for your home is a sturdy, durable roof. With warm weather across the United States, it’s an excellent time to have a new roof installed or to hire a contractor to do some needed repairs on your roof. Finding the right contractor can be a little challenging, but we have some tips you can use.

Consider Referrals

If you have a neighbor, coworker, or friend who has had a roof installed or repaired, ask them about their experience. You may find out things you won’t elsewhere. Ask about how the work was done and if they are satisfied looking back on the experience. You can also hit up lumber yards or hardware stores to get ideas.

Research Local Companies

First things first, consider your options. Make sure you can find contact information and determine that the companies are licensed and insured. Check how long they’ve been operating and what sort of reviews they have online. You can search for complaints using Angie’s List or Yelp. You should also consider visiting the company website to see if it is professional and well put together.

Meet the Contractors

You likely have narrowed down your options and have a few that you are considering. This sets stage two, when you actually meet with representatives of the companies you’re looking at. Have them visit to talk about your roofing needs, potential materials, and how long the job may take. Ask any questions that you have before you choose a contractor to do the job.

Get it in Writing

Before you allow anyone to start work, you need a contract. That contract should state everything from what materials will be used to the length of product warranties. You should also find information about liability and safety procedures. Finally, check for a schedule, payment amount, and what method of clean-up is covered. If you have questions, this is another great time to get them answers.

Whether you need a small repair, huge repair, or a full roof installation, Andrews Roofing can help. Contact us today by sending an email to ben@andrewsroofing.net or completing a contact form to get a free estimate for your next project.

By Andrews Roofing | July 29, 2013

Tags: hampton roads, hampton roads roofing, Tidewater region, tidewater roofing

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Category: Roofing Information, Roofing Innovations

Is Your Roof Algae Resistant?

I am talking about your asphalt shingle roof on your home or commercial building. The two types of algae I am referring to are the “black algae” and just regular old greenish moss. These normally occur in the more humid climates of the U.S.

Air born algae can cause damage and or make your roof look ugly. Black algae looks like black streaks running downward on the shingle roof but does not damage the shingle. Moss, however, can grow into the shingle and cause damage if not taken care of. Both types can be cleaned off by a roofer or by a homeowner even. Just be careful up there!

The way to avoid the stuff from growing is to be sure when you get a new roof that your roofing contractor is installing an algae resistant shingle. CertainTeed manufacturer calls their algae warranty “Streak Fighter” and it comes in 10 and 15 year durations. Even on a lifetime shingle the max is 15 years because the copper coating on the granules wears off with weather over time before the shingle wears out. This copper coating is what resists the algae growth. CertainTeed and other roofing shingle manufacturers do not offer an algae resistant warranty on their 20 year products.

Contact me to talk about this if you like. Thanks!

Robert Andrews, II
Andrews Roofing Company, Inc.
757 Mount Vernon Ave
Portsmouth, VA 23707
757-286-7400 (cell)

By Andrews Roofing | May 24, 2013

Tags: hampton roads, hampton roads roofing, R Value, roofing insulation, Tidewater region, tidewater roofing

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Category: Roofing Information, Roofing Innovations

Roof Insulation

Insulation is a pretty popular word in all types of construction because it is required by building codes and it can cost and / or save an owner big money, especially over time. On flat and low slope roofs it must be considered closely in new construction and in roof replacement situations.

Your building code will dictate how much insulation you need when you build something new and sometimes may dictate what to use when you are reroofing. An important thing to know is that when putting on a new roof, it is a good time to evaluate how your home, office or church is doing in the insulation department.

Make sure you consult your roofer when deciding what to install.

Roof insulation is designed to keep heat or cold in or out of the building effectively. Insulation is measured by R Value. This is a measurement of the resistance of a building material to heat flow. The more resistance to heat flow in the material, the higher the R Value will be.

The most commonly used roof insulation is a rigid board called polyisocyanurate insulation and it is definitely good stuff. It comes in different thicknesses and therefore different R Values. One inch thick “iso board” has an R Value of about 5.5 whereas one and a half inch is R9. The R value goes way up, but normally we do not install more than R30 on a roof. It may be installed in layers too.

Roofers attach insulation to the roof deck or sheathing and then install a single – ply membrane roof such as TPO, E.P.D.M., MODIFIED BITUMEN or even a built up roof system on top of it.

If your building is too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter, adding more R Value on the roof may contribute to fixing the problem. Old buildings sometimes have none at all.

Good luck!

Robert Andrews, II
757-286-7400 (cell)
robert@andrewsroofing.com

By Andrews Roofing | May 1, 2013

Tags: Dump Trailer, Equipter, hampton roads, hampton roads roofing, No Mess, roof, Shingle debris, Tidewater region, tidewater roofing, trash

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Category: Roofing Information, Roofing Innovations

New Roof, No Mess!

That is right. During your roof job, it looks like maybe you are having minor work done because 99% of the old roof coming off never hits the ground! We now have a new piece of equipment known as “The Equipter.” There are less than 500 of them in existence today.

The Equipter is a medium size dump trailer that goes up in the air to receive trash. It is self propelled and has big, wide wheels that won’t damage your yard or beds. The job site stays much cleaner and safer and the job takes less time to complete because the trash never hits the ground. We only touch it once instead of a second time picking it up in your yard.

When a residential shingle roof is replaced, tons of trash are removed and tons of new roofing are put back on. The average home has about 8,000 lbs. of shingles to remove and dispose of. A big part of the job is to manage this trash and keep it from damaging property. This Equipter makes it much easier and faster to complete your roof job. It is especially appropriate if you have a well-maintained yard. A 1.25 day roof now only takes 1 day!

It is also a pretty cool thing to watch in your yard. Anyway, Thanks and have a good day!

Robert Andrews II, President
robert@andrewsroofing.com
757.286.7400

By Andrews Roofing | March 19, 2013

Tags: aluminum, copper, hampton roads, hampton roads roofing, metal, roof, Seam, Standing, steal, Tidewater region, tidewater roofing

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Category: Roofing Information, Roofing Innovations, Types of Roofing Systems

Standing Seam Metal Roofs

Well, these aren’t for every building or every building owner, but they
are one of the most high quality roof systems you can install. Also,
they are becoming more popular partly because of the rising cost of
petroleum causing fiberglass asphalt shingle roof prices to climb over
the last several years. A standing seam metal roof can seriously
enhance the structural integrity and look of your home or business.
It comes in steel, aluminum, copper, and stainless steel, to name a
few.

All of these are at least a 50 year roof and are to be considered
a lifetime roof system. Why? Because they are made of metal, for one
thing. Metal of course is rigid and strong so it does not damage
easily and can give you a very high wind rating. In most cases it is
screwed down with hidden fasteners so the elements never get to these
screws and cause corrosion. You can use as many screws as you want to
make it very wind worthy.

The technicians are metal roof mechanics and sheet metal mechanics who are highly specialized so they know how to custom fabricate and install every roof as per the particular building design. They are among the most technical workers in all of construction, and aren’t scared of heights either.

Coil metal or flat sheets are run through a roof panel machine for different lengths, widths, and profiles custom to the shape and measurements of the building. Then they are installed. Some standing seam metal roofs [copper mostly] are hand crafted without a machine for historic buildings. These roofs don’t leak if put on right. Not just anyone can do it either, so please be sure you pick a roofing contractor who has the men, equipment in their sheet metal shop, and knowledge for the job. Most roofers don’t even do standing seam metal roofs. It is too complicated. See the roofs they have done and see their equipment too.

Although standing seam metal roofs are put on many commercial and residential buildings, as the main roof system they are also used to accent other types of roofs like shingles, tile, shakes, and slate roofs. Many times, bay windows, return roofs and bird walk roofs have metal on them. Some shopping centers have them on the front canopy to draw the eye of tenants and customers. Beach houses and cottages use them for wind resistance and high end aesthetics. High rise buildings and church steeples have them because their owners never want to replace their roofs after original construction. They are too high! There are many 16 ounce copper roofs way up in the air that are rarely seen or touched in Hampton Roads. Downtown Portsmouth and Norfolk, Suffolk, and Williamsburg are full of them. The old tin roofs we remove are usually 100 plus years of age and today’s metal is better.

The main thing is that if you put a metal roof on your home or business, it will perform very well and will be the last one you ever install, no matter how old you are.

Robert Andrews ll robert@andrewsroofing.com

By Andrews Roofing | March 6, 2013

Tags: asphalt, CertainTeed, hampton roads, hampton roads roofing, leak, roof, shingles, Tidewater region, tidewater roofing, TPO

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Category: Roofing Innovations, Roofing Repairs

Your Home Is Not A Submarine

I have said it before; Your home is not a submarine…and even subs leak!

Fiberglass – asphalt and other types of roof shingles, such as tiles, shakes, slate, are not water proof. They are designed to shed water on a pitched or sloped surface. The steeper the better. Steeper surfaces shed water faster and dry faster.

You can’t put shingles on a pitch lower than 2 in 12″[roof rises 2″ in 12″] . We do not recommend it on slopes below a 4-12 pitch without special conditions. Roofs lower than a 2-12 need a roof system designed for “low slope roofs.” These are single – ply membrane roofs such as TPO , E.P.D.M. , P.V.C. , or modified bitumen . And just because shingles are on it now does not mean you should replace that roof area with the same thing. Even if it doesn’t leak now , it may in the future.

No responsible roofer would use the wrong type of material. A good roofer looks at every roof on a case by case basis. For example: A low pitch or low slope roof in a heavily populated suburban area not near large open spaces of land or water is not the same as one facing north on the river in Hampton Roads, Virginia cities such as Portsmouth, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Smithfield, York Town ,Hampton, or Newport News.

I might nail a shingle roof on a 3-12 pitch on the first roof described above, but not on the second. On the second I might recommend a low slope roof system or maybe install ice and water shield under the shingles in case wind driven rain forces itself in. And I might even use stainless steel roof nails so they won’t rust out by being wet too often for too long. #15 or #30 lb double layer asphalt saturated felt paper or “tar paper” roof underlayment might be an option as well.

Our roofers have been doing at this for a while so we have the ability to consult with you in these matters. We have seen all kinds of roof leaks and all kinds of roofs leak! We also listen to what the manufacturers say about how and where to install their roofing products . We are always sure to meet building codes.

We recommend the use of CertainTeed Landmark and other models of shingles made by CT because of their #1 rank on consumer reports and because of our experience over the years using all name brands. We took years to pick the horse we would race so you don’t have to worry about it!

So please remember: No matter how good the roofing material is, it must be installed in the right place and in the right manner to perform and do so for a long time. Ask the roofer and find out how much he knows before you hire him. The right decision in picking a roofing contractor or company is very important.

Thanks for reading!

Robert Andrews ll, President Andrews Roofing 757 Mount Vernon Ave, Portsmouth, VA 23707 757-286-7400 I robert@andrewsroofing.com

Category: Roofing Innovations

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