Roofing & Home Blog

Floridian homeowners have three primary choices for which roofing material to use when getting a new roof; there are asphalt shingles, tile, and metal, with the vast majority of homeowners opting for shingles or tile. Asphalt shingles offer an excellent combination of affordability, design flexibility, and durability, especially when you elect to use impact-resistant shingles. Impact-resistant roofing shingles , referred to often as “IR” roof shingles, are designed to handle intense impacts from debris, be it giant hailstones, or more importantly for Floridians, debris flying from the high wind velocity of hurricanes. IR shingles are engineered in two primary ways to add strength: one is a reinforcing polymer-based mesh that gets added to the back of a standard shingle, the second is when rubber-like polymers are added into the asphalt composition. These types of shingles earn themselves a Class 4 Rating. To achieve such status, these shingles need to withstand a test. The testing involves dropping a 2-inch steel ball multiple times from a height of 20 feet. A 4-inch concrete paver will usually crack in half when the steel ball is dropped from 20 feet to put this into a good perspective! Now, one must realize that these shingles are necessarily more wind-resistant. So a massive hurricane can still tear a shingle off, even though they are more durable than your standard 3-tab or architectural shingle. Where they shine is how they deal with the inevitable debris that flies around during a hurricane that can cause massive damage to the roof. Some of the main benefits of impact-resistant shingles are: Reducing or even eliminating the number of roof repairs needed. Having tough IR shingles will significantly reduce the need to replace shingles over the years and can end up saving you thousands in would-be roof repair bills. Extent the lifespan of your roof. Replacing a roof is not cheap; extending the roof life by five or more years is a considerable advantage. Save money on homeowners insurance. For example, many companies will offer a discount on the premium for a home roofed in IR shingles. If you live in the Hollywood, FL area or nearby and are considering replacing your roof with shingles , we urge you to give a strong look towards impact-resistant shingles. The peace of mind that having a solid roof overhead brings when a massive storm like a hurricane blows through is worth it!

Thankfully for South Floridians, the entire calendar year is just fine to replace a roof, much unlike most of the country, where winter is obviously not ideal for roof replacement . But there are certain times of the year where it is more advantageous to replace a roof; in fact, those very months in Hollywood, FL, are the absolute worst everywhere else, during the winter months. The summer in much of the country is the only time that gives perfect conditions for a roof replacement. While spring and fall are also possible, they aren't the same as the summer. This, however, is the opposite down in south Florida, as the summer brings intense heat. As if the heat isn't enough to deal with, it rains almost every day in Hollywood, FL, throughout much of the summer, even leading into the fall months. The rain will cause delays, and the intense heat will require roofing crews to take additional breaks to remain hydrated and cooled down. The daily rain also brings with it many leaking roofs. This also makes roofing companies extremely busy; many smaller companies will have to schedule new replacements out due to stacked repair schedules. This doesn't even consider if a hurricane comes through, which would most likely occur at the end of summer or early fall. Hurricanes can cause severe to catastrophic damage, and even small ones will cause damage. But, after hurricane season, the winter and spring months' long stretch are perfect for getting a roof replacement. The rains are pretty much gone, at least from a daily standpoint; the intense heat is also gone. Plus, the roofing companies are getting far fewer roof repair calls due to a lack of rain, allowing them to focus more on any individual job. Again, as stated in the first paragraph, any time of year works in south Florida, as we don't have freezing, icy winters. And while winter and spring are ideal for replacements, if your roof is in dire condition and hurricane season is around the corner or even in full swing, it must be addressed ASAP. Safety is always the first concern.

The investment of a commercial roof is not one that many business owners or property managers take lightly. Quite often, these projects can run into the millions depending on the property. Therefore, hiring a reputable commercial roofing company with the correct experience is crucial. However, how can you spot some of the mistakes inexperienced commercial roofing companies make? Read below to learn more. A Lack Of Industry Knowledge Commercial roofing and residential roofing are different beasts. The materials used, the techniques employed, and much more are vastly different. It takes a lot of experience to become an expert at commercial roofing, working on jobs, attending training events, staying up to date on the latest literature, etc. The Lowball Underbidding Technique While the price is important….it needs to be stated that it should not be the primary determining factor. And if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Many residential roofers trying to break into the commercial sector will bid down in an attempt to secure the job. Just remember you get what you pay for. Quite often, such companies will not hold the correct licenses, insurance and lack of workforce. Missing The Correct Licenses & Insurance Securing proper licenses and insurance can be quite the obstacle, one that many shady companies will shorthand in order to start securing work. As someone looking to hire a commercial roofer, you must ensure they are licensed and insured. Proof Or Work This is quite simple, has the company you want to hire completed a job similar to yours? If not, move on. You don’t want to be a learning experience for a company that has never worked on a roofing project akin to your needs. Reputation Another needed step to complete before hiring a commercial roofer is to ensure the reputation is up to par. Check places like Google, Yelp, and even the Better Business Bureau . See what other people are saying about their work, and if they are negative reviews, what is their nature? And did the company bother replying and addressing the situation? If whatever company you are thinking about hiring can check off all of the issues mentioned above, then there is a good chance you’re in the clear to work with them. The biggest problem besides licensing and insurance, which is a must, is that the company has the right experience. Assuming they do and their bid isn’t outrageously high, it is always wise to select the company to get the job done correctly. A roof on a commercial building is not something to skimp on!

As a homeowner, managing your property and ensuring it remains up to code at all times is one of your most important responsibilities. Like most life investments, homes necessitate maintenance as years go by to provide maximum comfort and security. The longer you have lived in your house, the more likely you have thought about investing in a new roof to replace your old roof. Before jumping to the decision to install a new roof, there are a few warning signs to look for to figure out whether or not the time is good for you and your property. If you've done just a little digging into this question, you've more than likely crossed the" 20" year rule for longevity of most roofs. That figure is used as a benchmark. Most residential roofs need a replacement within that window. But, there are quite a few factors at play, and all roofs are unique. Roofing systems take a lot of external wear and tear throughout each passing year. Intense sunlight, strong winds, tree damage, rodents, tropical storms, large sums of rain, or dangerous weather conditions – all of these have a direct correlation with a roof's lifetime. How quickly your roof needs to be replaced depends on many factors: Weather. Correct maintenance and care. Age of the materials. Quality of the materials. How well it was installed, to begin with. Were repairs addressed when needed? If wildlife was kept away. External debris accumulation. Consider Your Roof's Age Typically an asphalt shingle roof lasts about 12 to 15 years, with metal and tile roofs tending to have a longer lifespan. If your roof is approaching its typical replacement age, you should start thinking about your next roof. If previous roof repairs were installed over the top of your existing roof - a practice is known as overlaying - you should assuredly think about getting a new roof. Overlaying is a quick fix that can hide more significant roofing problems beneath the shingle surface. Perform An Interior Roof Check The first and most straightforward way to evaluate what condition your roof is in is to grab a flashlight and head up to your attic. Make sure you grab a flashlight with a powerful beam so you don't miss any damage, and always take proper safety protocols as you perform these kinds of inspections. Upon arriving in your attic, see if you can identify one (or several) of these four signs that you need a new roof: 1) Sunlight Shining In Through The Roof Prior to turning your flashlight on, try and locate any beams of light coming through cracks or holes in your roof. Suppose you do spot any light shining through your roof, repair or replace your roof immediately. If the light is getting through your roof, then water is also leaking into your roof. 2) Dark Streaks & Stains This one is also straightforward to uncover. If there are dark stains or dark streaks on the underside of your roof or running down the walls from the base of your roof, then your roof is probably leaking, and moisture is damaging both your roof, as well as your home's interior structure. 3) Sagging Areas Much like how soggy cardboard is weak, water can also make the structure of your roof begin to sag. If you notice sagging sections of your roof, take your hand or a stick to poke at the sagging spot lightly if the spot feels soft and wet or moves around easily with the prod of your stick, then your 100% dealing with water damage. 4) Leaks In addition to looking for dark streaks and saggy sections, make sure to check for any apparent indications of water leaking or rotting your roof on the inside. If you see any clear signs of water damage, you should contact a roofing company to immediately evaluate your roof. Curling Or Missing Shingles Are Visible Usually people don't pay all that much attention to the state their roof is in. Most of the time not taking a good look unless there is a stain or dark spot visible from the street or yard. Old or worn shingles are quite simple to discover if you search for them. Missing shingles may be replaced individually, but it's typically a sign of the bigger problem. Large areas of broken or weakened shingles (or those that are visibly crumbling) point to your roof needing a replacement. Asphalt shingles have two ways to curl – cupping, when the edges curl upward, or the second way shingles curl is called clawing, when edges stay flat, and the middle starts coming up. Both of these situations could mean that: Moisture has built up underneath the shingles because of inadequate ventilation in the attic. Shingles were improperly installed. Blistering and direct sunlight will wear asphalt shingles down in short order. If your roof is at the point where you see large amounts of asphalt granules clogging up your gutters, then there's a strong chance your roof is close to needing a replacement. Moss, Dark Spots And Algae Growth Moss begins growing on roofs that don't receive a lot of sunlight, especially in cool and moist climates. Moss holds water against the surface, which can cause damage. Have you seen algae or other types of natural growth on top or out of your roof? Don't panic. The natural world tends to grow over any structure in its path if not adequately cared for and maintained. When examining your roof and the fungus you spotted, make sure to examine the inside and outside of your roof. While most plant growths are likely to be visible from the outside of your roof, if there is a more serious problem at-hand, nature may also be growing on its own inside the attic without your knowledge. Often, treating the growths from a roof is a way to remedy the problem without money needing to be outlayed quickly. But, if you see substantial growths around your roof or even inside of your home, the recommendation is to call a roofing company to determine the root cause and reason for the growths. When a roof has been totally covered in growths in nature, there's a strong chance the roof needs to be replaced in its entirety to stop the process in its tracks. The silver lining here is that natural growth and accumulation are not typically signs that you must fix or replace your roof. Instead, moss is moreso an eyesore to your top and extremely common in humid areas like Hollywood, Florida. If, in the end, you do require a new roof installation, there then becomes a number of decisions to be made. Beginning with the roofing material to use, will you stick with asphalt or consider metal? Which roofing contractor to work with? If you perhaps have a valid insurance damage claim. For many people having access to the money to get a new roof may not be possible; there is financing available for qualified homeowners offered by reputable roofing companies . Ensure to do proper research before deciding on which contractor to work with.

Learn about the benefits to installing a metal roof if you live in Hollywood, Florida.