Various Types Of Roofing Shingles Roofing Contractors Use

Your current roof may be working for you right now, but time and the elements will wear it down eventually. Think of it as a serious investment. If you prefer shingle type roofing, then you need to be aware of the various kinds that can suit your home according to the climate you live in. The following are some popular choices among home owners who own roofs that are 10 to 50 years old:

Composition Roofing Shingles

These shingles are made out of fiber glass and asphalt and are quite popular with roofers in Dallas, and their clients, because of the ease with which they can be applied. They are also quite durable and come in a range of colors and styles. This makes them particular favorites with those who live in localities that experience extreme weather conditions. In some roofs, these can even be nailed on top of old shingles and will do a good job of protecting against fire hazards. However, composition shingles are not as strong against chilly weather.

Clay Roofing Shingles

Clay or terracotta clay tiles have long been used as staple shingle material because of their strong resistance to insects, mold and fire. This makes them very durable. However, they can easily break if they are stepped on and since they are quite heavy as well, chances of them getting damaged are high and can be costly.

Organic Asphalt Roofing Shingles

These shingles are made of organic felt material that is soaked in asphalt in order to make it water proof. Next, a single coating of adhesive asphalt is applied after which granules made of ceramic are added to the shingle. These comprise of 40% asphalt/100 square feet along with glass fiber asphalt shingles. This makes them heavier than other types of shingles but this works in their favor since they cannot be blown away during stormy weather conditions. Plus, due to the high asphalt density, these types of shingles can’t break easily.

Fiberglass Asphalt Roofing Shingles

As the name implies, these shingles are comprised of glass fiber matting that gives them their strength and durability. In this case the asphalt enters the glass fibers and completely fills out all the miniature spaces thus making it effectively waterproof. Fiberglass asphalt shingles are cheaper to make and very resistant to fire. This makes them popular choices with home owners who live in dense urban areas and those who live in cold climates.

Hiring A Commercial Contractor

While you might not think so, there are many things in life that could require you to ask for the services of a contractor. Although you might be wary of approaching one at first, there are plenty of benefits as to why you should get your work done by a contractor. On the other hand, there are plenty of horror stories regarding contractors and the horrors their employees had to suffer at their hands. Luckily, not every case has to be that way. You can easily pick out a contractor and have a fruitful work relationship with them with the help of these tips:

Identify Your Need

First of all, when you’re looking to get a contractor, it’s best to identify your need for getting one and use that to guide your decision. For example: if you need a new paint job, you’ll need a painting contractor. If you need a new pagoda in your garden or need any renovation work done, then you’ll need to focus more on contractors for building and architectural work. By using your need as a guideline, you can narrow down the contractors to one field and look through them for one that suits you.

The Ability to Listen

This is really a rather insignificant thing that gets overlooked a little too much. The ability for a contractor to listen and process what you are telling them is the glue that will bind your work relationship together. While all your suggestions or requirements may not be feasible, seeing that the contractor is focusing on what you want rather than what he thinks looks good is important. Make sure to take your time and discuss your project and the plans you have laid out.

Flexibility

It is necessary to have a contractor who is flexible in his work routine. This flexibility is to make an allowance for unforeseen circumstances that may hinder or delay the project by a day or two. Try to stress this point both when discussing the project verbally and when getting the contract written. This will ensure that the contractor does not baulk or leave you with a half finished project at the first sign of disruption in the work routine.

Project Management Skills

Never assume that all commercial contractors have excellent project management and time management skills. These are rather hard skills to master and while you may encounter some contractors who are excellent in these skills; many are still clambering up the ladder and making their way towards reaching that level of excellence in these skills. Therefore, look for signs that indicate towards poor, good or excellent skills.

Project management skills will help determine how swiftly and carefully the project will proceed, what amount of materials will be required and consumed without being wasteful, how much man power will be required etc. If he is a good project manager, rest assured he will be a good time manager too, since he’ll understand his team and the nature of the project well enough to deduce the duration.

Things To Look For In A Roofing Contractor

A roof can protect you from the elements but a leaky or damaged one can prove hazardous to your health and your home. Rather than doing the repairs yourself it’s better that you contact a professional roofing contractor to re-roof your home or to install a new one. However before hiring anyone, you need to thoroughly analyze your choices by keeping the following things in mind during your search:

Roofing License and Insurance

Professional roofing contractors possess an official license proving their authenticity to their clients regardless of the kind of roofing services they provide. This also includes adequate insurance that protects you from facing legal charges in case they get injured while working for you.

Testimonials from Reliable Resources

If the roofing contractor is a part of a larger organization than that means they know what they are doing. Such entities put a great deal of importance on professionalism and quality services. Look for one that has a high client rating to ensure you get your money’s worth.

References – As A Roofing Contractor

Don’t be shy.  Ask for a roofer’s references as soon as you approach them. This is a great way to find out how many customers they have served satisfactorily. Make sure you ask for a number of these so that you can make an informed decision. This includes asking for short and long term projects they worked on that were particularly challenging and how they tackled them. It may be a lot of work, but gathering such resources will help you pinpoint the best roofer for the job.

Roofing Skills and Knowledge

Professional roofers have to have a specific set of skills that are essential for their craft such as:

•  Knowledge regarding constructing and repairing different kinds of roofs.

•  Knowledge regarding different roofing materials and which one is suitable for your needs.

•  Ability to decipher building plans.

•  Awareness of the local building codes and common roofing practices.

• Awareness of health and safety regulation including safety equipment.

Roofing Warranty

Last but definitely not least, make sure that the roofing company or service comes with a clear warranty regarding both their workmanship and materials they use. If they have this document in their possession, you can correctly assume they use only the best materials and services at their disposal. This will help you save time and money that may otherwise be wasted on a shoddy roofing service.

 

 

 

RoofingTips – Help On Shingle Selection

If you live in Dallas, chances are you know more about roofing than the average home owner.  After roofing Dallas homes for many years we understand there is no “one size fits all” set of shingles for our clients homes.  Price, aesthetics, and color are just a few variables to consider when.  Put simply, your choice in shingles could have a major impact on your property’s value and comfort level. Shingles vary greatly in cost. While homeowners may take a different approach to replacement roofs as opposed to new constructions, some factors always remain important. Here are tips on how to choose shingles for your roof.

 

1. Get an overview of current shingle prices and labor costs for a full installation. Homeowners might feel ready to tackle a DIY shingle project, but in almost every case, you are better off hiring professionals. Ask different roofing companies what it would cost to install shingles on a home of your size. When they ask of the type of shingle you hope to use, have a few different options for them so you can see the difference in labor charges.

2. Check on building code and homeowner association policies. In some instances, you may be limited when it comes to the type of shingle you choose, as you’ll have to select the type designated by your condo or home owners association rules. Check on recent changes to building codes in your municipality as well. Environmental standards are constantly changing as cities try to become greener.

3. Take weather into account. Styles and colors are a matter of aesthetic taste, but don’t ignore the realities of local weather when deciding on shingles for your roof. Metal shingles, which can last up to 40 years, are also resistant to moss buildup in humid climates. Asphalt shingles can last as long as 20 years and are excellent at repelling rainwater.  The climate in our area makes it especially challenging for roofers in Dallas.

4. Find out if you need to choose shingles according to fire codes. If you live in an area known for wildfires, your state will determine which types of materials are permitted according to the severity of the hazard in your locale. Your roofer can only install shingles that are deemed viable by the state.

5. After settling practical and legal concerns, find a style that matches your home’s design. Within any set of requirements, you will have options in color and type of shingle. While cedar shingles may be the answer for a cabin in the woods, clay shingles continue to be a favorite in Spanish-style homes of the Southwest.

 

Choosing shingles for your roof must involve the practical concerns of durability and safety. Once you are sure the shingles are up to code, choose a style you think works best with your home’s design.  If you have questions that need

Flat and Low Sloped Roof

Many modern homes, town homes, and condos are built with flat or low slope roofs. If not properly maintained, these types of roofs can develop costly problems.

A roof that is nearly level or slightly pitched is called a low-slope roof. No roof should be dead level flat; it must have at least a slight slope to drain. Problems inlow-slope roofs are common and more difficult to diagnose than pitched roof problems because the path of water leakage through flat roofs is often quite hard to trace. Look for signs of pond water due to either improper drainage or sagging of the roof deck. Problems can develop over time with these low-slope roofs due to the likelihood that water may sit for extended periods of time. Diagnosing problems with this kind of roof is challenging because finding the leakage is difficult.

Since the problem with your roof is not something that can be postponed, the best solution is to contact JNT Construction to come out and personally inspect your low slope roof and provide you with a reliable solution.