Tag Archive for: Roof Replacement

Roofer in Hopkinton, MA 01748

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There are 215 Hopkinton properties listed in the Massachusetts Register of Historic Places.  Twenty-three of those historic properties are located around the town common.  That is a lot of history packed into such a small town, but then the history of Hopkinton goes back almost to the founding of this country.

This sense of history is one of the reasons why the people of Hopkinton are so particular when it comes to home remodeling.  After all, homes in this part of the country are a lot more than just houses.  It is important that a new roof, for example, blends into the surrounding neighbourhood and looks as authentic as possible.  Of course, it is also important that a new roof have the highest possible insulation values in order to keep the home’s utility costs as low as possible.  ctr00prepdnlr0001m

Of course, the pragmatic residents of Hopkinton want something more in a roof as well.  They demand a lifetime warranty, including labor.  After all, re-roofing a home is not only a lot of work and inconvenience, it is also an expense that homeowners everywhere only want to pay one time. No one wants to even think about their home’s roof a second time.

It is also important that a roofing company have its own equipment.  Some roofers rent their equipment for each job and many fail to anticipate all of their equipment needs ahead of time, causing delays and added expense.  No homeowner wants to contend with that.

And then there is the matter of the actual installers.  Homeowners want installers who are seasoned and well-trained.  They want installers who have worked on hundreds of home, installers who know what they are doing and can get the job done right and get it done quickly.  What homeowners do not want is a roofing contractor who picks up his roofers as day workers from the parking lot of a local building supply company.  UHE’s installers have been expertly trained and most have been with the company, doing the same job, for many years.

So how do homeowners in this area find a roofing contractor who combines all of these needs?  Hundreds of Hopkinton homeowners have already turned to the roofing experts at United Home Experts for the answers to all of their roofing questions.  roof 5 (4)2-resized-600

Not only does UHE have the best warranty in the business and own all of their own equipment, but their installers are seasoned pros who have been with the company for years in most cases.  After all, a company can’t stay in business locally for as long as United Home Experts has been in the Hopkinton area and offer a lifetime guarantee (including labor) if they use unskilled labor.  UHE has roots in this community that go deep and they can point with great pride to hundreds of homes they have roofed in Hopkinton and provide the homeowner with literally hundreds of satisfied local customers.  After all, a local company like UHE cannot afford bad word of mouth in a close-knit community like Hopkinton.

To get the best results it is important to start with the very best supplies, and United Home Experts uses only the highest quality shingles, flashing and water-proof linings from the Certainteed Corporation, one of the most respected names in building supplies in the world.  With UHE and Certainteed, the homeowner has a wide choice of shingle types and colors to compliment any home or decorating style. Not only that, but UHE is experts when it comes to installing roofing with the highest Energy Star ratings in the business.  High Energy Star ratings in a roof translate into dollars saved in utility bills each and every month, year after year.

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How to Remove Roof Shingles

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Broken, curling shingles spell trouble for any homeowner. There may or may not be actual leaks present in the actual roof at the time, but there are sure to be in the future if repairs aren’t made. Roof repair and replacement both start with one major step  –  removing roof shingles.

Those that are really looking to take on this project themselves should first get a detailed set of instructions from the roofing manufacturers. This set of instructions is strictly to get an idea of the process. We are not responsible for any accidents, warranty voids or mishandling. We highly recommend allowing professionals, like ourselves, to replacing your roofs. We offer the best warranties and coverage, aside from manufacturers, for replacement roofs that are available to homeowners in the New England area.

This is one method of removing two layers of shingles from a simple, gabled low-pitched roof measuring about 14 feet by 42 feet on each plane, or just about 1200 square feet. It’s worth noting, though, that projects of this magnitude are beyond the skill level of many homeowners, so it is a good idea to consult with professional contractors before undertaking any roof removal project.

Tools and Materials Needed:001-resized-600

– Flat-Blade Shovel

– Hammer

– Nails

– Pitchfork

– Pry Bar

– Shingle Removal Scraper

– Utility Trailer, Tarps

First, a tool called a shingle scraper will be needed. This is similar to a flat-blade shovel, except it has some very big teeth. A triangular “heel” is welded to the bottom, and this acts as a ramp to pivot the scraper, which then pushes under the shingles and lifts them from the roof. The shingle scraper can also be used to pry up the roofing nails.

Some older roofs will have a strip of sheet metal along the lower edge. Most roofing professionals today recommend that this be taken off. The roof shingle scraper is able to get under the sheet metal’s edge and pry it up.

In the absence of a shingle scraper, a flat-blade garden shovel may also be used to remove roof shingles. A common garden pitchfork may also be useful for removing the top layer of shingles, but it cannot easily be used to take off the bottom layer.

It generally takes four people working all together about two hours to completely remove the shingles off a roof about 1200 square feet in size.

Once the roof shingles come off, they have to somehow be disposed of, and this is one of the most difficult parts of the shingle removing process. Asphalt shingles are heavy. Even the cheapest shingle grades weigh around 225 pounds per 100 square feet. It is helpful to have a large dumpster at the ready to make the roof shingle disposal easier.

Even after the main roof shingles come off, there will be bits of shingle stuck to the wood. There will also be numerous roofing nails that will either need to be removed or pounded down. A rip-claw hammer is a great tool for this task. It can easily remove any remaining roofing debris and pull out nails that are still in the wood. This usually takes about an hour for the whole roof.

It should not be surprising to see many boards that sheathed loose nails. Be sure to hammer down all these nails. Older roofs, especially, will be composed mostly of 1×10 wooden planks. This was common before the widespread use of plywood for roof and floor sheathing.

Follow the roof boards down to where the rafters are. There should be many rusty nails visible at this point.

As a final step, drive in eight-penny nails for securing the roof sheathing boards to the rafters. This will help prepare the roof for the next steps in the repair process. It is recommended that one or two nails be used for each ten-inch-wide board on each rafter.

It would be wise to keep in mind that this is not a project for the inexperienced do-it-yourselfer, or even for someone more experienced without any outside help. Mistakes happen often when nonprofessionals try to do a job like this, and installation mistakes result in voided warranties, making for an incredibly costly error. Homeowners should consult with the professionals at United Home Experts before undertaking any project of this magnitude to get free estimates on home roof repair.

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Roofers in Ashland, MA 01721

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Putting a new roof on a home is a major undertaking, not only in terms of the cost, but also in terms of the time involved, the headaches and the inconvenience. In today’s roofing market the homeowner is faced with a myriad of choices, and roofing a home is not something a homeowner wants to make a mistake on or to do more than once.  That is why it is important to find a roofer in Ashland who offers a lifetime warranty, including labor.shinglesCut

A lifetime warranty on a home’s roof speaks volumes.  It tells the homeowner that the roofer is 100% convinced that the materials about to be used on the home are absolutely the best materials possible, and that the contractor is using only the best-skilled labor that money can buy.  There is no other way a contractor can guarantee a roof for life, labor included.

A lifetime contract narrows the field considerably; however, before making a final decision, the homeowner needs to ask a few more questions and consider a few other options.  For example, it is essential that the roofing contractor has local roots and who can point with pride to dozens if not hundreds of completed jobs and satisfied customers.  After all, a warranty is only as good as the company providing it, so it is essential that the contractor demonstrate that he is in the Ashland area for the long haul.  In other words, the homeowner needs to find a Ashland roofer who has something to lose in this area by not performing well.

Choice and quality of materials are two other prime considerations.  If the contractor is offering a lifetime warranty then the quality of the materials must be high.  That leaves the choice.  At the very least, the homeowner needs a wide selection of colors and styles to choose from, since every home is unique as is each homeowner’s style and taste.  A roofing contractor who limits a homeowner in color selection or style probably only offers a small selection and therefore must steer the homeowner in the “right” direction with the “right” direction being the one which best serves the contractor’s needs, and not necessarily the homeowner’s.depositphotos_6909973_original-resized-600

The final piece of the roofing puzzle is the quality of the people who are actually on-site, performing the actual roofing.  The best materials cannot overcome poor installation.  Again, this is where the lifetime guarantee plays such an important role.  Still, it is important that the homeowner ask about the training of the roofers working for the contractor and their experience.

So where does all of this lead the homeowner here in the Ashland area?  Very few roofing contractors around Ashland offer a lifetime roofing guarantee (including labor).  One that does is United Home Experts.  UHE has been roofing homes in the Ashland area for many years and has hundreds of satisfied customers right here locally.  And that is important.

United Home Experts only uses the very highest quality roofing shingles, flashing and leak protection from Owens Corning. We are also one of the very few Platinum Preferred Contractors, hand selected by the wonderful folk at Owens Corning. Very few companies are allowed into OC’s illustrious program.

Owens Corning is one of the best-known companies in the roofing industry as well as one of the most respected.  Owens Corning roofs are also some of the best-insulating roofs in the industry. PlatinumPreferred_panther_gradient_CMYK_jpg

Roofing is a huge decision.  The choice a homeowner makes will often last a lifetime, so it is imperative that a homeowner is not railroaded into choosing the only roofing material that a cut-rate roofer has to offer.  Choice, style, quality and a lifetime warranty (including labor) is what the acknowledged roofing experts at United Home Experts offer the homeowner can a homeowner afford any less? For more information about roofing, visit our main roofing page!

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Roofer in Southborough, MA 01772

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It wasn’t long ago that CNN Money rated Southborough one of the best places to live in the entire United States.  Of course, the people of Southboro  –  as it is known locally  –  don’t need some national news show to tell them what they already know.

Few places in the Northeast have more gorgeous scenery or better-preserved historical areas or more beautiful residential districts.  Keeping the roofs of the residential districts beautiful and historically accurate, while at the same time insulating those homes to the maximum to conserve energy, is not an easy balancing act.jhfibercement-resized-600

Add to that the fact that a homeowner does not want to have to re-roof a home more than once, and the criteria for the best roofing contractor in the Southborough area just became even more difficult  –   but by no means impossible.

In addition to authenticity, homeowners who go through the time, expense and aggravation of re-roofing a home never want to go through the ordeal again.  Therefore, besides the aesthetics of the job, homeowners here in Southborough
need a roofing contractor who offers a lifetime warranty on a roof, including labor.

Finding a roofer who can do all that is not an easy task, but fortunately for the people of Southborough there is United Home Experts.  They have been roofing homes in the Southborough area for years, and they have hundreds of satisfied customers.  They can point with pride to literally hundreds of homes and businesses in the Southborough area that they have roofed over the years.

Finding a roofing contractor with deep roots in an area is important for a homeowner for several reasons.  First, it tells the homeowner that the roofer must be good, or he or she would not last long in a small community.  It also tells the homeowner that the roofer cares what his or her customers think, because even one bad word of mouth could wipe a contractor out.southboro

United Home Experts has been intimately committed to the Southborough area for many years and they plan to remain in this area for many more.  One way they have maintained their stellar reputation over the years is by only using the highest quality shingles, flashing and water protection barriers, all from the Certainteed corporation.  Certainteed is one of the top-rated roofing supply companies in the world.  Not only does UHE buy all of their supplies from Certainteed, but UHE buys in bulk and passes the savings on their their customers.

What is more, UHE has all of its own equipment and has years of experience working with both tall buildings as well as working in confined spaces.  UHE’s workers are all seasoned professionals with years of training and experience; they are never day-workers hired for a single job, as is the case with many other roofing contractors.

So for a lifetime guarantee on a new roof (including labor) as well as the best materials and installers in the business, homeowners need to talk to the knowledgeable folks at United Home Experts and get their free advice and tips, whether the homeowner plans to use their services or not. For more information about roofing, visit our main roofing page!

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Common Roofing Removal Mistakes

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The roof is one of the most visible exterior components of a home, and it also functions as an essential barrier against all of the elements. An intact roof helps the home stay cooler in the summer, warmer during the cold winter months, and drier in the face of rain. A damaged roof can lead to problematic leakages (often the first sign of trouble), and if not repaired or replaced soon, the home could be susceptible to further damage and undesired exposure to inclement weather.

The first step to any roofing repair job is to remove the existing roofing, but this process is not very often foolproof. There are many things that can go wrong when it comes to roofing removal. This article discusses the top five shingle roofing removal mistakes.

1. Not removing the existing shingles completely. Many less expensive roofing companies (and some do-it-yourself homeowners) try to cut corners by not completely removing all the roof shingles before repairing a roof. This can be spell disaster in a number of ways.

A surface repair like this will not address the problems that be caused by decking that is damaged or by underlayment that is not installed properly. For best roof repair results, remove all roof shingles so that a thorough examination of the decking and the sheathing underneath can be conducted.

2. Not checking the moisture barrier beneath the shingles. The main job of a roof’s shingles is to deflect and divert water off of the roof, but it is still crucial to properly install a high quality moisture protectant underneath. This moisture barrier protects the decking from rain, snow and ice. Any damage in the moisture barrier needs to be immediately addressed.

3. Not installing adequate fastening. When it comes to repairing a roof, homeowners need to make sure that their decking, shingles, and underlayment are all properly affixed. Inadequate fastening allows wind to get beneath and raise shingles, and moisture will work its way in through the layers, allowing leaks to develop.

Look especially for loose shingles. This is an indication that the nails being used are much too short. It can be safely assumed that loose shingles will lead to more roofing problems, which will require earlier need for repairs and replacement. Nails should be long enough to go all the way down into the decking, and they should all be placed under the top layer of shingles so they will not sustain weather damage.

4. Leaving poorly installed, or very old, flashing. This roofing material is necessary to channel wetness away from certain problem areas, like roof valleys, chimneys, satellite dishes, skylights, and vents. In conducting roof repair, some roofers (especially less experienced ones, or those trying to cut corners) will reuse old flashing in order to cut down on costs.

This is a very big mistake. When roofing is being removed, the old flashing must come off too, even if it seems like it is in good shape. Old flashing that is used with new roofing could definitely lead to real trouble down the line.

5. Ignoring the manufacturers’ specifications. These guidelines are there for a reason, and failure to follow them may very well result in a void of any existing manufacturer warranty. Proper adherence to instructions, installation, and preparation procedures ensures a quality repair job and maintains the validity of the warranty.

Hiring reputable, qualified professionals like the people at United Home Experts is the best way for homeowners to avoid the pitfalls of roofing removal. Their fully trained staff can help you assess your roofing needs, and they can ensure that the job is done correctly – with the best quality products and an eye toward the major industry standards.

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Pros and Cons of EPDM Roofing

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Homeowners have a variety of roofing options.  One choice many homeowners make is to put down a rubber roof, better known in the trade as an EPDM (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer) roof.  As with most construction choices, there are good points as well as drawbacks to a rubber roof.  This article attempts to lay out the good points as well as the weakness of EPDM, so that the homeowner can go into the construction jungle armed with useful information. Here are several EPDM roofing pros and cons.

EDPM lends itself especially well to low-slope roofs, which makes it a popular choice for many commercial buildings, as well as on car ports and patio roofs. One of the advantages of a rubber roof is its cost.  While costs vary somewhat from region to region and between installers, the cost of an EPDM roof is generally very favorable when compared to most other types of roofing.

If cost is a factor, homeowners here in the Northeast are encouraged to speak with the roofing experts at United Home Experts.  They have years of experience installing EDPM roofing as well as asphalt roofs.  They can provide the homeowner with invaluable guidance and can do the roofing install both quickly and at one of the most economical prices around.

The vast majority of EPDM roofs are black, but the homeowner should be aware that EPDM can also come with a white coating that can aid in heat reflection and thereby reduce energy costs.  EPDM roofs are also fully compatible with solar cell arrays and even support rooftop gardens well.  Another advantage is the material’s relatively light weight, plus the fact that it adapts to any shape or style of roof (not just flat roofs) with all of the same great advantages.EPDMroofing

Most applications of this type of roofing in the past have been for commercial buildings or for specific homeowner projects involving flat roofs or low-slope roofs, but this is changing quickly.  Many homeowners are now seeing the various advantages of a single-sheet rubber roof and the popularity of this type of roof is growing quickly.  Rubber roofs are not some new fad; they have been used for at least the past 40 years, and most EPDM roofs laid in the 1970s are still doing their job today.

Besides low cost, EPDM roofing has several other factors going for it.  Whenever possible, a sheet of EPDM is installed whole, covering the entire roofing area.  This eliminates the need for any seams, which further enhances the waterproofing characteristics of this type of roofing.  Even with a seam, EPDM is virtually waterproof, and if a leak ever does develop, repairs are fast, easy and inexpensive.

Not only that, EPDM roofs are fire resistant.  They are almost impossible to ignite, and they can actually impede the progress of a fire.

An EPDM roof lasts a long time.  In fact, even with only minimal attention, an EPDM roof can last 50 years or even longer.  New formulations for the rubber make these roofs virtually impervious to radiation and damage from UV rays.  They are wind resistant and stand up well to hail as large as three inches across.  These roofs are pliable and settle right along with a building.  They are also impervious to extremes of heat or cold. In fact, unless there is some very unusual event, these roofs virtually never leak.

For homeowners attempting to go “green” there is no better choice than an EPDM roof.  Not only does it take very little energy to construct this material, but the roofs last almost forever, and when they do need replacing they are almost 100% recyclable.

These roofs are applied using no heating system of any kind (a plus for many homeowner insurance policies). In most situations, the rubberized mat is simply glued in place.

It is also possible to paint the rubber roof with an acrylic coating.  Not only do these coatings come in a variety of colors which can spruce up any home, but by coating the roof in this manner, the life of the roof may be extended even longer.  30-year warranties are common with an EPDM roof, and a 50-year or even longer lifetime of service is quite common.roof prep (5)-resized-600

As far as utility savings are concerned,  these thick, rubber roofs keep out the sun’s heat (reducing air conditioning costs considerably) and in colder weather they hold in the building’s heat, conserving on heating costs.  These rubberized mats come in a variety of thicknesses: 45, 60, 75 and 90 mil; the thicker membranes require more initial investment, but provide the most protection.  Again, the roofing experts at United Home Experts can help the homeowner determine the proper thickness for any individual situation.

As with any roofing system, there are also drawbacks to EPDM which should be considered. To begin with, these roofs cannot be installed by the homeowner, and even some professional installers who claim familiarity with the roofs may, in reality, have done little more than watch an installation video.  Obviously this particular problem can be solved by using the trained and certified installers at United Home Experts, who have a verifiable track record of experience successfully installing EPDM roofing.

It is also possible for small leaks to develop around vent pipes and other protrusions on a roof, especially if the installers are not as familiar with rubber roofs as they should be.  Punctures can also occur in a rubber roof, but all of these defects can be easily repaired by a roofer skilled in EPDM roofs.

Repairs to a rubber roof are quick and easy if they are done by someone trained in this type of roof repair.  All of this means that once an EPDM roof is properly laid by a licensed professional, the homeowner can relax for the next forty to fifty years  –  or longer  –  and worry about some other aspect of home repair, upkeep or remodeling.

There are homeowners who do not care for the look of a rubber roof, but keep in mind that the roof can be painted in a wide variety of colors using the acrylic coatings designed for these roofs.  These acrylic colors can go a long way toward making the look of the roof more aesthetically pleasing.  In point of fact, most disadvantages of an EPDM roof seem to be stretching a point which is very thin to begin with.  If this type of 50-year roofing appeals, contact the experts at United Home Experts for additional advice.

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Certainteed vs IKO Asphalt Roofing

When it comes to roofing in the harsh climate of the Northeast, where extremes tend to be the norm, customers don’t just need good roofing materials”they need exceptional.  Two prominent roofing products in this area are CertainTeed and IKO.  While both products have their strengths, as this article will demonstrate, CertainTeed’s product comes out ahead on virtually every important point.

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An internal comparison survey was conducted by the United Home Experts team. We provide siding, roofing, window and door replacement services throughout eastern New England. Unbiased opinions were retrieved based on our individual experience using the products. The ratings provided are opinion based and not the result of lab testing or product specification examination.This article is intended merely to provide information to New England homeowners.

So which is more durable and longer lasting under conditions of harsh wind, rain, snow, ice, hail and unremitting heat, CertainTeed Asphalt shingles, or the other brand’s 3-tab roofing?  Both are good products but, as noted before, good simply will not make the grade.  Based on our personal opinion in working with products and personnel from each manufacturer, CertainTeed simply comes out on top, time and time again.

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One measure of a shingle’s longevity is its weight.  Some manufacturers claim that new mat technologies allow them to produce a lower-weight shingle that lasts as long as the heavier shingle, but that claim is usually self-serving.  The better CertainTeed asphalt shingles weigh in at an impressive 240 pounds a square for their top-of-the-line styles.  The other brand’s website does not even specify this important detail. It’s also notable that the CertainTeed 30-year-guaranteed shingle is rated for 70mph winds, while the other brand is only rated for 60mph.

Guarantee

Both the CertainTeed 30-year shingle and the other brand’s 30-year shingle have an unconditional five-year warranty, followed by a limited 30-year warranty. However, a warranty is only as good as the company that backs it up, and CertainTeed’s warranty has fewer exclusions.  If a roof is installed by a company like United Home Experts, with a long track record in the Northeast, a homeowner can rest assured that all aspects of a warranty will be honored.

Color Selection

The CertainTeed color selection is second to none.  Plus, CertainTeed offers Colorview on their website which allows the customer to see online what different shingle colors will look like on the customer’s actual house.  The color selection on CertaintTeed’s 30-year shingle is larger than any other manufacturer’s offerings.  The other roofing brand offers approximately 15 different color gradients in its 30-year shingle.

Both CertainTeed and IKO make a good product.  But, as noted earlier, good isn’t really good enough, especially in the harsh climate of the Northeast.  On comparison, the CertainTeed product clearly wins in most important areas, and is the hands-down best choice for roofing in New England. And, of course, the best roofing materials call for the best installation.  The experts at United Home Experts have years of experience in applying roofing in the unforgiving environment of the Northeast.

Our number: 888-724-6865.

 

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Certainteed vs Atlas Shingles

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Re-roofing a home is a huge project and one which should not be started without a great deal of planning.  One consideration is the type and quality of shingle that will be applied.  Two of the top companies in this part of the country, companies that understand the needs of homeowners here in the harsh climate of the Northeast, are Certainteed Asphalt and Atlas roofing products.

Quality

Let’s start with the assumption that both companies manufacture a quality product.  However, there are certain important differences that may set one company above the other.

Atlas offers only one asphalt 3-tab shingle.  It is called the Glassmaster.  The Atlas asphalt shingle has a 25-year warranty.  By way of comparison, Certainteed asphalt has four different 3-tab asphalt and fiberglass shingles for the homeowner to choose from.  One of Certainteed’s shingles has a comparable 25-year guarantee, with two CertainTeed shingles guaranteed for 30 years.  From the perspective of choice, CertainTeed has Atlas beat, hands down.

A second measure of quality is how well a roof holds up in windy conditions.  That is important here in the Northeast, as high winds occur with surprising frequency.  The Atlas Glassmaster is rated for winds of 60 miles per hour.   Two of the Certainteed options available to homeowners are rated at 60 miles per hour, but Certainteed offers two additional styles of shingles rated at 70 miles per hour  –  something Atlas does not offer.

Color & Design Choicesshingle-siding

CertainTeed is known throughout the industry for its blend of colors in virtually all of its lines of shingles.  Many contractors claim there is no color, no trim, no siding that the color blends available in the Certainteed lines cannot match or compliment.  This compares to nine colors available in Atlas’ Glassmaster series.  Once again, when it comes to color selection, the clear winner  –  by far  –  is Certainteed.

Ventilation Systems

Ventilation systems may not seem like a sexy topic, but for a homeowner applying a new roof ventilation systems are vitally important.  Ventilation systems determine to a large degree how long a particular roof will last and how long the underlying structure will hold up.  Moisture is the bane of all homeowners.  Too much moisture trapped under the roof of a home potentially equals huge trouble, either today or tomorrow.

Certainteed’s impact resistant ridge caps, which cover the vents cut at the peak of a roof to allow hot air to escape the attic, are of such quality that insurance companies often request that Certainteed’s impact resistant ridge caps be used in order to fully guarantee a roof.

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Many homeowners feel they can save a few bucks by roofing their own home  –  and in the short run, they might.  But what many homeowners fail to take into consideration is the cost and difficulty of tearing off and getting rid of an existing roof, plus the time and effort required for roofing a home.  The experts at a place such as United Home Experts can not only offer a wealth of information as far as planning a roofing project, they can also do all of the work, clean up the entire area and  –  most importantly of all  –  they provide a guarantee, something a do-it-yourselfer cannot always obtain.  With a guarantee, a homeowner purchases peace of mind, something that no dollar value can be applied to.

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, both Certainteed and Atlas both make superior roofing products.  But in comparison, it is clear that the products manufactured at Certainteed are superior in all important areas.  Your home’s roof is one of its most important features  –  it is not something on which to cut corners and accept second best.

This internal roofing survey was conducted by the United Home Experts team. We provide siding, roofing, window, and door replacement services throughout eastern New England. Opinions were retrieved from our staff based on our individual experience using or examining the products. The ratings provided are opinion based and not the result of lab testing or product specification examination.

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Need a Roof Replacement?

Replacing a roof is a major undertaking, but when leaks develop or when a new look is called for, then virtually no improvement to a home beats the long-term value of a roof replacement.  This is especially true here in the northeast, where wind-driven rain and ice dams can cause havoc with even the best roofs.

When it comes to a new roof there are actually two components to consider: the quality of the installers and the quality of the materials being installed.  If possible, demand your roof replacement be done by a quality company that not only offers quality products but insured, licensed and will be there for you after the replacement takes place.

Leak Protection Barrier

All roofs in the northeast are required by law to have a leak protection barrier installed underneath the shingles or other actual roofing material.  Unfortunately, not all leak protection barriers are created equal.  Many inferior brands are sold, and even with the services of the best in town, results can be disastrous due to the inferior leak protection barrier.

Consider quality brands, like Owens Corning, which provide a true protection barrier.

Once the leak protection barrier is laid down by competent roofing specialists, the actual roofing material itself comes next.  Choices include shingles, tile, and shake.

Roof Shingles

In the harsh conditions of the northeast, it is vital to choose the very best roofing protection possible.  Asphalt shingles provide one of the best roofing protection choices in the region for several reasons.  Durability and long-term protection against wind, rain, ice and snow, and the harsh summer sun are the main reasons most homeowners choose shingle roofing.  Shingle roofing also comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns to enhance virtually any home.

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If a home is to be re-roofed with shingles, it is vital that only the best quality shingles be used for quality and durability.  This can be determined by comparing the warranties available from different installers for materials manufactured by a range of companies.  Owens Corning, for example, provides some of the longest warranties on shingles in the industry.

Shingles come in different grades, or thicknesses, to match any budget.  Obviously, the thicker the shingle, the more protection it will offer and the more expensive it will be.  Homeowners are encouraged to choose the highest-grade shingle that their budget will permit.

Qualified Roof Installers

Once the grade, color, and pattern of the shingle has been determined, the next step is choosing the right company to install the new roof.  Several factors should be considered when choosing a company to install a new roof.

While it is certainly advisable to get referrals from neighbors and local businesses, it is important that due diligence be performed on any company before it is hired.  The amount of time that a company has been roofing homes in a given area is an indication of the company’s reliability and service; a company which performs shoddy work or uses substandard materials will not survive long in a competitive environment such as roof replacement.

Check reputable third-party references as well like local Better Business Bureau.  Many fly-by-night roofing companies will come into an area, advertise heavily for a few weeks, pluck as many pigeons as they can, and as the saying goes, “before they disappear into the night, never to be heard from again.” Do not be taken in by such companies.

For total peace of mind, only choose companies with a well-established track record in the northeast.  In business since 1997, United Home Experts brings decades of experience and uses only top quality products with lifetime replacement warranties (that even include the cost of labor!). As you can imagine, a company will not offer a lifetime warranty unless they expect a product to last a lifetime.

Obviously, many factors must be considered when a roof replacement is needed.  Time, care, good quality materials, price and attention to detail are all things that the homeowner must take into account for value received.

 

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