Tag Archive for: Roofs

Asphalt Roof Tiles and Stone-Coated Roof Tiles

Roof tiles come in many varieties like asphalt and stone coated tiles. Both of these types have their advantages and disadvantages.

Asphalt TilesNatick Roof B and A

There are basically two kinds of asphalt roof tiles: organic (paper-based) and fiberglass. This depends on the material used as a base on which the asphalt is attached. Organic tiles are usually waste paper saturated with asphalt and ceramic granules to make it durable and resistant to both water and algae. The downside to this type, however, is that it is vulnerable to fire damage.

The fiberglass variety uses a mat base of glass fiber, which is then coated with asphalt and other mineral fillers. The resulting roof tile is also resistant to water. Compared to the organic variety, it is better able to resist fire damage due to the material used. The more expensive kind of fiberglass asphalt tile is the laminated roof tile. This is composed of two fiberglass layers with asphalt used as a sealant to bond both together. It is also called an architectural asphalt shingle.

Based on what asphalt tiles are made of, they are not expensive and easy to install. However, they last longer in places where the ambient temperature is cool as opposed to places that are warmer. This type of shingle is also susceptible to sudden rises in temperature, called thermal shock. The warranty for these tiles range from two to five decades depending on how well they are manufactured.

Stone-Coated Metal Roof Tiles

The construction of these tiles is similar in principle to the asphalt tile, with the big difference being its base, which is metal. It therefore has the water resistant properties of an asphalt tile. On top of that, it also has the advantages of having metal, such as steel, at its core.

This type of roofing tile is resistant to fire, wind, and hail. Because of its stone covering, it has the same aesthetic qualities as an asphalt tile. Despite being made partially of metal, it is lightweight and needs little maintenance. However, it is susceptible to thermal expansion when exposed to high temperatures. This causes an undesirable movement in the installed tiles. It is thus important to have an expert install this type of roof tile.

It is also considerably more expensive when compared to an asphalt tile. It costs twice or thrice that of a typical asphalt roof.

To Sum It UpRoof Thumbnail

With the right installation and maintenance, asphalt is the viable choice. United Home Experts has long experience in aiding clients choose the best type of tile for their roofing needs and budget. Visit the website UnitedHomeExperts.com or call for advice and an estimate.

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5 Tips to Choose a New Roofing Material

Roof repairs and replacements take a big chunk of money out of a homeowner’s budget. Replacing roofs in a timely manner ensures proper attic insulation and a home with no water damage from leaks. Fixing the roof prior to major damage saves money on costly structural repairs. Finding the right roofing contractor and roofing material means the repair job will be done correctly by a professional the first time around. Replacing a roof proves easier with a few simple tips on how to choose the right roofing material.roofing-thumb-our-work

1. Durability. The longer the roof lasts, the more money will be saved over the years. Clay tiles are not only one of the most popular tile choices, but last longer than most other tiles. Some warranties ensure clay roofs for up to 50 years. Another option for long-term durability is slate roofing. Not as popular as clay, but becoming more used as the years go by, slate adds a cultural European feel to a home’s style.  Due to slate’s structure, it withstands the harshest weather, including constant damage from the sun.

2. Weather Resistance. Consider the weather when choosing the right material – is the area in the desert or a cold climate, or does it receive a large amount of rain? Not all materials tolerate the same weather environment. Ceramic tiles are a great choice for cold weather homes. Slate tiles are often used in warmer climates. A varying climate home benefits from composite roofing, although it will not last as long as other types.

3. Cost. Buying the right roof may seem like a balancing act. When considering all factors, the best roof is often pricey. If on a budget and cost is important, compile a pros and cons list. While a cheaper roof might be preferred, a few extra dollars spent now could save money later on.  Roofing contractors can help sort out the conflict between needs and costs.

4. Energy Savings. With increasing oil and natural gas costs, homeowners look for energy-efficient roofing that lasts yet saves on electrical costs. Tile roofing is a great choice when looking for energy-efficient material. Also, look for materials with an Energy Star logo. These products have been tested to provide the best energy efficiency on the market.Luxury Roof Thumbnail

5. Types of Roofing Material. Some of the different types of materials have already been mentioned.  Price, durability, and style all play a role in choices. However, sometimes simple preference rules out.  A large percentage of homes use composite roofing. Homeowners state cost and ease of application as two main reasons for choosing this type of roof. Do not be carried away with alternate choices and let the preferred choice fall by the wayside.

Selecting the right roofing contractors and best roofing material ensures that the job is completed professionally. The home will benefit from the repair and added beauty, and the pocket will save money by having the job done right the first time around.

For homeowners in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, or Southern New Hampshire, United Home Experts will be able to address their roofing needs. United Home Experts will do the job right the first time and are highly recommended by homeowners who have used their services in the past.

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Asphalt Shingle Warranty

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When you buy asphalt shingles for your home it is very important that you know exactly what you are paying for. It’s a large investment, and at times there can be some confusion as to what exactly is included in your asphalt shingle warranty.

Be aware that when you purchase “30-year shingles” it doesn’t necessarily mean that your roof will be fully covered for a full 30 years. Many companies will offer a limited warranty, but there are often many caveats to be aware of.

Most limited warranties won’t cover any type of damage that is not deemed to have been a defect of your asphalt shingles from day one. This means that damage during installation, fire or emergency damage, and even weather damage may not be covered. If your shingles were not installed by exact specifications, that too, may void your warranty.

Luckily there are reputable companies out there which will give you a better and fair asphalt shingle warranty, though you may have to be diligent in making sure that you find one of these companies and get yourself a very good deal.

It’s important to be sure of exactly what you’re getting yourself into with any investment as important as the roof of your home, and if you do keep your wits about it there should be no trouble at all finding a certifie

d and trustworthy company willing to give you a fair estimate and, importantly, be upfront with you on the details.

At United Home Experts we offer a full coverage warranty that covers materials, labor, and workmanship for the life of the roof. Please request our full warranty for full details. For more information about our roofing services, visit out main roofing page!

Click here for another article that details roof warranties.

**Call us today for a free estimate at 888-724-6865.

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Average Cost of Asphalt Roofing

If you are considering having a new roof installed, it is important to consider the range of roofing costs. There are several reasonsroofing-contractors roofing costs can vary. For example, the type of materials you would like used for your new roof can greatly impact the final cost of the installation. Architectural Asphalt Shingles and Lifetime (or Designer) Architectural Shingles tend to cost significantly less than the average Standing Seam Metal Roofing and Inter-locking Metal Roofing. Cedar Roofing Shingles are slightly more expensive, but not as much as Slate Roofing Shingles, considered the most costly.

A small, low-pitched roof that only requires basic equipment for asphalt roofing installation may only cost between $5500 and $7500, whereas a large, high-pitched roof requiring a more complex installation (one with more cuts, angles and planes) may cost between $11,500 and $14,500. An even larger roof may cost between $17,000 and $25,000. If your roof is neither too small nor too big, you may find that a medium-sized roof with an average installation ranges between $8,500 and $10,500.

In addition to considering the type of roofing materials you choose to have installed and the size and pitch of your roof, there are other factors that may help determine the cost of a new roof. For example, the cost may vary based on the need for sheathing or rot replacement and the need for adding specialty ventilation. These are just a few components provided to give you a general idea of residential roofing costs. The only way to really know for sure is to get a roofing estimate. You may also find our free roofing guide helpful.

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Ridge Vent Comparison

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Before installing a ridge vent onto your roof it is important to do your research.  3 things to consider are:

  1. How Well A Ridge Vent Actually Vents
  2. How Weather Resistant is A Ridge Vent
  3. How Durable is Ridge Vent

Shingle Vent II has been tested as being the best investment for improving your home. In comparative tests with Cobra Vent, Roll Vent, Cor-a-Vent, VentSure, Highpoint, and RidgeMaster unbaffled ridge vents, the Shingle-Vent II with its external baffle is consistently proven to be the most reliable ridge vent. The external baffle of the Shingle-Vent II permits air to come out of both sides of the ridge vent, while the unbaffled vents do not. The Shingle-Vent II thus releases more air than unbaffled vents. The Shingle-Vent II harnesses the wind outside to ventilate the attic and pump out air. In test comparisons with the different unbaffled vents, each test demonstrates how the Shingle-Vent II ventilates attic air the most effectively. In addition to being a better ventilation system, the Shingle Vent II also protects your attic from water infiltration. The external baffle of Shingle-Vent II protects your attic from rain that leaks through other ridge vents. In tests comparing VentSure ridge, Roll Vent, and Ridge Master ridge vents with Shingle Vent II, the first three leaked 2-4 gallons of water, while the latter did not permit any water to infiltrate into the attic.

Ventilation efficiency and weather resistance are two extremely important qualities to consider when you are choosing a ridge vent. A more weather resistant and higher quality ventilation system will decrease mold and decrease the chance of any other moisture problems that may damage your house because it decreases the amount of moisture in your attic overall. It will also decrease the heat that gets trapped in your attic. With a lower amount of trapped heat, there is a decreased chance of ice dams because ice won’t freeze, then thaw and build up again. In the summer, decreased heat also means decreased energy bills because your house is easier to cool. These are just a few reasons why it is so important to consider ridge vents with better ventilation and better weather resistance.

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The Most Waterproof and Snow Proof Ridge Vent

This video demonstrates how the external baffle of Shingle-Vent II makes it a better protectant against water infiltration in comparison with several different styles of ridge vents. Architectural Testing Labs tested the consistent reliability of Shingle Vent II by installing each ridge vent according to manufacturers’ instructions on a 4-12 roof. They then monitored the roofs to see how much water leaked through each vent. The video footage reveals how the external baffle of Shingle-Vent II protects the attic from rain infiltration even under drastic wind conditions of 110 mile wind speeds. The external baffle deflects wind over the vent preventing rain infiltration into the attic, while other ridge vents allowed in 2-4 gallons of water. For example, the VentSure ridge vent leaked more than 2 gallons of water, the Roll Vent ridge vent leaked more than 3 1/3, and the RidgeMaster ridge vent leaked more than 3 1/2 gallons. The Shingle-Vent II, on the other hand, with its external baffle did not permit any water to leak into the attic.

In comparison with several different ventilations systems, the Shingle-Vent II ridge vent lets in less water and snow. In considering ridge vents, you may be wondering why having a ridge vent that is weather resistant is so important. If you install a ridge vent that is not weather resistant, water and snow that infiltrates your attic can cause damage there or elsewhere in your house, and you may not even know it is leaking until it’s too late. Be sure to thoroughly investigate your ridge vent options to confirm that you are making a worthwhile investment into improving your home.

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The Best Venting Ridge Vent

This video demonstrates how Shingle-Vent II is the better ventilating system in comparison with several different styles of ridge vents. The University of Florida tested the consistent reliability of Shingle Vent II by building a special test house with two separate attic chambers built exactly alike. One attic chamber has the Shingle Vent II installed, while the other attic chamber has an unbaffled vent. Inside the attic chamber with Shingle-Vent II, they placed an orange smoke stick. In an identical position in the other attic chamber, they placed a yellow smoke stick of identical length and smoke volume. The orange and yellow colored smoke allows you to see how each vent operates. The external baffle permits smoke to come out of both sides of the ridge vent, while the unbaffled vent does not. As a result, the external baffle vent of the Shingle-Vent II evacuates more smoke than the unbaffled vent.

Camera’s inside the attic spaces also show how the Shingle-Vent II helps to evacuate the air. The Shingle-Vent II harnesses the wind to ventilate the attic, pumping the air out, and clearing out the spoke quicker. As the video demonstrates, several different unbaffled vents were tested alongside the Shingle-Vent II, and each test demonstrates how much more effectively the Shingle-Vent II ventilates the attic. From the vent with the external baffles, the Shingle-Vent II, smoke came out equally from both sides of the ridge vent and attic spaces cleared quicker, even under different wind conditions.

In considering ridge vents, you may be wondering why a better ventilating ridge vent is important. Better ventilating ridge vents release moisture and therefore decrease mold problems. Lower heat in your attic as a result of a better ventilating ridge vent means ice won’t freeze, then thaw and build up ice dams. Thus a better ventilating ridge vent will reduce ice dams overall. Lower heat in your attic during the summer makes your house easier to cool and can therefore lower energy bills. These are just a few factors that are important to consider when choosing a ridge vent that will improve the quality of your home.

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