Going Green on the Roof

“Green Roof” is pretty much a catchall phrase, being that any roof with vegetation growing is a “Green Roof”. It is also called an “Eco-roof”, a trend that started during the 70s in Germany but has slowly spread around the world in other countries too.

The purpose of the “green roof” movement was for advocates to find more green space in urban areas that are barren. They found that with more green roofs, their energy and environmental benefits increased too. The movement to the US was slow, but now it is common to find green roofs in cities like Chicago, Illinois and Asheville, North Carolina on larger civic buildings. They are even incorporated into new residences architect designs.

For existing homes, owners are hesitant to build a green roof due to weight concerns, but the fact is that green roofs can be made lightweight and not but as much pressure on the roof as you may think. Existing roofs that have up to 30 degree pitch are perfect for a green roof. The effect that taking a plain, dead looking roof and going green is amazing and can be an enjoyment for the homeowner and the occupants as well as neighboring houses that have upstairs view.

It Worked For Gilligan's Island – Will It Work For Your Home?

We watch reruns of Gilligan's Island today and amid the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we may dream of living as the 7 survivors did in the TV show. Then we remember, that was fiction. In real life, we couldn't do without our computers, electronics, television (so we could watch those reruns) and all the other conveniences we enjoy today.

However, one thing they had and we could utilize today are the thatch roofs they had on their huts. There are several good reasons to having a thatch roof. Just like anything else in life, there are down sides as well. A few good reasons for a thatch roof is the going back to all natural materials. The readily available amounts of raw material in most parts of the world is the number one reason. Many places, such as Europe, combining thatch and tiles is very popular. It is lighter in weight and requires less timber to support it making it less expensive to build.

A thatch roof is perfect to cover roof structures that are irregular and non-conventional too. A thatch roof is very eco-friendly whether you choose new, second-hand or recycled materials, making it a sustainable roof.
The biggest downside to thatch roofing is the difficulty in finding homeowners insurance. When you do find a company willing to insure a house with thatch roofing, it is expensive. Building and maintaining a thatch roof is labor intensive which will override the inexpensive part of the materials.

A thatch roof is also a natural attraction for birds and other wildlife. They find them to be a place to forage for food. Rodents are drawn to them as well. For areas like Tulsa Oklahoma, a thatch roof is not a logical choice due to the weather, especially the winters where we experience ice and snow.

Gutters Are More Than An Up Sale – They Are A Must

One thing that many older homes may not have are gutters, and while they may seem like an unnecessary expense, the damage they prevent to your home make them priceless. When gutters are installed properly and maintained on a regular basis by professional company like DunRite Roofing, the value they add to your home and also give a roof line an aesthetically finished look.

Gutters on your home will help the soil stabilize around your home and avoid foundation problems. They also keep the water away so that it isn't seeping into the ground and walls of your basement as well as keep the landscape whole by avoiding erosion. Properly installed gutters will lessen the possibility of water damage to your home's brick or siding as well as keeping the walkways around your home from cracking. When water is directed away from your home or garage, the doors and windows will open and shut as they should.

For the handy person, you can install gutters yourself. For those not as handy, a company such as DunRite Roofing has many years of experience and professional equipment to install them properly. You'll also have a guarantee should you ever have a problem with the gutters. Once installed, keep them clean and repaired as needed. They will keep your home safe and keep it looking good, too!

The Difference between Composition Shake Shingles and Composition Slate Tile Shingles

When you have to have your roof replaced, there is always the decision of what color to get, which you usually want to match the color tones of the house as well as the style of the house and the surrounding neighborhood. Then there is the decision on what type of shingles to get. This often depends on your budget, but when you can choose, a quality roofing contractor will have many samples to show you and will give you advice and guidance in choosing the right one.

There are many types of roofs but here we are going to discuss the two different kinds of Composition Shingles. One is Composition Shake and the other is Composition Slate. Composition Shake shingles are the most affordable and the most standard you'll see on houses. It offers your home a clean look and while it is the most affordable, there are many levels of quality to choose from. Some are asphalt, others are fiberglass. These are usually made of recycled content and are known to be most durable.

There are many choices in brands, colors and types all of which are versatile and easiest to install with very little maintenance needed. On the downside, the materials they are made of are easy to be torn off in high winds and scar in areas where the sun is hot.

Composition Slate tiles are made of rock and is common in higher end, upscale neighborhoods such as custom built homes. An expensive choice but gives you a natural look with the variety of patterns they come. They offer a long life, low maintenance and are a strong fire protection for you home. They are invulnerable to insects and rot and even though the colors are limited, they do come in a variety of sizes.

On the downside, this is a very heavy tile and part of the expense is the extra support that is required for a roof to hold up under the weight. They are breakable and thus any roof maintenance or other chores such as gutter cleaning and painting need to be done by a professional.

Are Flat Roofs A Good Thing?

Flat roofs seem to be making a comeback in some residential areas of the country. This is a roof style common with commercial buildings, but with homes, it is an eye catcher. While they give a home a unique look, one has to wonder just how good a flat roof is. After all, where does the rain go and what about the pile up of debris and leaves over time?

You won't notice from the street, but there is a slight slope to a flat roof, for just the reason as stated above – the need for rain, snow and water to drain. One appeal to a flat roof is the ease in building them. In the beginning, flat roofs were built with gravel and tar, but that combination would hold the rain, snow and water and it would become stagnant as it accumulated. So in cold areas of the country, the flat roof was more of a problem maker than the design is worth having.

Today, the materials that flat roofs are built from may be a polymers and synthetic rubber combination. This is a great combination for homes; however for commercial buildings the mixture is not stable enough to cover such a large area.

In addition to be a cost-effective way to roof your home, flat roofs take less time, are said to last longer and the maintenance is minimal. For an area of the country where the weather is uncertain and prone to change without much warning, flat roofs have proven to be a benefit for many homeowners.

When Was The Last Time You Cleaned Your Roof?

Have you cleaned your roof recently? Did you know that you should get it cleaned on a regular basis? A roof that hasn't been cleaned can have small problems that end up being a bigger problem and require getting a whole new roof. If you can't think of why a roof should be cleaned, Dunrite Roofing would like to share their experience and knowledge why you should clean yours.

Whether you have an investment property that you need to rent or trying to sell your home, a clean roof will make the property look good all over. First impressions are everything and a clean roof will give your prospective buyer or tenant a good first impression. This can often make the difference in a sale by getting the price you want.

The dirt, grim, leaves, limbs and moss that build up over time on a roof will just sit there and rot. That rot sitting there will eventually start affecting the shingles on your roof. By giving your roof a good cleaning yourself or hire a professional, you could probably prolong the life of your roof another 10 years more than the manufacturer warranties.

Gutter Screens Can Help You with Gutter Cleaning

Fairly new to the industry are screens that go with a gutter system and have really proven to be well worth the small cost they afford when they are installed properly. A reliable roofing expert such as Dunrite Roofing can assist you in choosing the right shape, style and type that fits your current gutter system.

The first choice many homeowners go with is a basic screen made of expanded metal mesh screen. This type of gutter screen will guard debris such as leaves, limbs and nuts from clogging your gutter system. For the DYI homeowner, you want to be sure to secure the so falling branches or animals can’t knock them off.

However, if you home is surrounded by trees that drop needles, like pine trees, you should consider gutter screens that are screens designed with small holes. They still keep the debris of leaves, limbs and the pesky needles out while still allowing rain and water to flow through freely.

For the homeowner that wants to harvest rain water, there are gutter screens that combine expanded metal mesh with fine stainless steel mesh, like that used on window screens. These will filter the rain with only the finest of particles getting through, leaving the water for other uses like water gardens.

Gutter screens can make your gutter systems almost maintenance free!