Your Roof Is a Big Part of Your Energy Costs

Did you think that the new siding and storm windows were going to save you on energy bills this winter? Along with the insulation you had added to the attic, you really thought you were going to save some money! Still, it seems like all that heat was going right out the roof didn't it?

What about your roof itself? We all know from elementary science that heat rises. While that added insulation helped, when the temperature dropped to zero or below, your energy costs went up. The roof is your home's hat. Hats keep the warmth inside our bodies, which is why we wear toboggans. When our toboggan gets a hole, our body's heat leaks out. The same thing happens with your roof.

While getting a new roof isn't the cheapest thing to do, look at it as an investment. It will help your energy costs and it also eliminates the source for allergens that may be making your family sick or suffer from allergies. A new roof also will improve your home's overall looks and increase its value. You may not be able to see where your roof is worn from the ground, especially if your home is more than just a single floor.

Calling a professional roofer to inspect your roof is the first thing you should do. A legitimate, quality roofer like Dun-Rite Roofing will provide that inspection and a quote for free. If you call a roofer that charges, pass them up and go to another one. Don't wait until you see shingles missing or notice a leak. The damage could already be done.

New Roof Plans? Go Metal!

When it comes time to re-roof your home, you may be thinking about going metal. They are many attractive colors and designs in metal roofs today and metal will last longer than any other type of roofing material you could choose. They are eco-friendly and you can select aluminum, copper, galvanized steel, tin or zinc.

Dun-Rite Roofing has done many metal roofs on homes over the years and we always choose metal products that are tested and labeled by FM Global, UL, or an equivalent. We want to share with you the advantages and disadvantages of metal roofs:

Advantages – The Benefits

● Durable – Many metal roofs will take wind gusts up to 140 mph if installed correctly. They don't corrode or crack and depending which metal you choose, may be impact-resistant. A metal roof won't require periodic maintenance that can be costly at times, however, you should have it inspected from time to time.

● Energy Efficiency – A metal roof will reflect the sun's heat and reduce your cooling costs as much as 25%.

● Environment - Metal roofs are usually as little as 25% recycled materials and some are as much as 95%. All metal roofs are 100% recyclable should they ever come to an end of their life.

● Long Life – A metal roof will last anywhere from 40 to 70 years versus the traditional asphalt tiles that last maximum 20 years.

● Safe - Metal roofs are fire resistant, which is a big plus in areas that are prone to wildfires.

Disadvantages – The Drawbacks

● Expensive - Metal roofs are more expensive than traditional roof materials, however, they last longer so the ROI is a higher rate.

● Noisy – A metal roof is not for a light sleeper. When it rains it is loud and when it hails, it’s even louder. You can have more insulation added which will help, but that would increase the cost of have the metal roof installed. Again, look at the ROI for the long run.

● Color Inconsistency – Once a metal roof is installed, any necessary repairs the contractor may not be able to match the color exact.

● Contracts and Expands - When properly installed, a metal roof will be attached in large panels which will contract and expand as it cools down and heats up.

● Performance – If a low grade of metal is used, the durability will lack and they could rust which can cause serious damage.

Before You Attempt to Roof Your House – Think!

In effort to save money, homeowners will attempt to do the repairs or re-roof their home themselves. The first thing that would make any one advise against this is the danger involved. The second thing is that you could very well make things worse and end up having to call a professional to fix what was originally wrong in addition to what you did wrong.

No matter how handy you are around the house, without the proper equipment, supplies and tools, roofing matters need to be left up to the professionals to get the job done right. The smallest leak in a roof can be harmful to the occupants. If you aren't experienced and trained in roofing, you won't know how to look for leaks.

If you have a leak in one room, it could very well be coming from the other side of the house. Leaks can be hard to detect for somebody that hasn't worked with roofing. A professional roofing contractor, such as DunRite, has years of experience and have tackled just about any kind of roofing problem. Roofs are steep and, even if they are a flat roof, they are still on top of the house, which can be 30 feet or more in the air. They are often slick from surface mold and without sufficient safety precautions and training, an unskilled person is very prone to danger that can cause severe injury and even be life threatening.

When it comes to your safety and the soundness of your home, calling a professional roofer is best. Many times, the repair or replacement is covered by homeowner insurance and a life is much more valuable than the cost of a deductible.

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.