I’m Getting A New Roof – What Should I Consider?

roofing in huntsville texas

 

When the time comes that you need to invest in new roofing for your house, there is a great deal for you to think about. Every home and homeowner has individual needs and no roofing installation is the same. While you are researching the local roofing companies to decide which ones to get estimates from, consider the important suggestions below to ensure you get the best installation for your house with the least amount of hassle.

Choose the Right Contractor

The first step in your roofing project is finding the right contractor. Carefully research local roofing companies online and ask friends and family for recommendations. Find a few reputable choices to contact and request referrals. Have the best candidates come to your house to give you estimates on your roofing installation. Compare these estimates based on price, material quality, what services the job includes, warranties, and any additional fees and relevant details.

Choose the Right Materials

Along with finding the best contractor, spend time researching various roofing material. You have countless options available today that can be installed on your home including asphalt, wood and slate shingles, metal roof systems, ceramic and concrete tile, as well as many synthetic products.

Not every material is suitable for every installation; however, there are still many varieties and qualities offered, each one with different advantages and disadvantages. Discuss these options with your contractor to decide on a system that gives you the great protection that is within your budget.

Consider Climate and Energy Efficiency

When looking into the different roofing installation options, keep your local climate in mind so you purchase a system that can withstand your local weather extremes. In warmer climates, be sure to consider energy efficiency as well so you purchase a system that will help you lower utility bills.

Do Not Forget About Ventilation

Ventilation is one of the most important factors in a good roofing job and yet is commonly overlooked. When discussing and planning your job with a roofing company, be sure to talk about ventilation.

Ensure that your contractor checks the attic to confirm your home has enough ventilation. If not, have them suggest a solution to your ventilation problem. Poor ventilation not only wastes energy, it can cause extensive damage to your brand new roof.

Prepare for Contractors Arrival

Once you decide on a contractor, choose your material, discuss ventilation, and sign the work contract, then make a plan for you and your family. Roof work is noisy, dirty, and disruptive, so try to be away from your home during the days when contractors are working. Just plan to stay close by and be reachable by phone in case you are needed for anything.

If you have pets who will be bothered by all the noise and activity, consider boarding them for the day. Before you leave, you may also want to cover up your bushes and landscaping with sheets or breathable tarps to protect them from the dirt and debris.

From the research stages of finding a great roofing company to the final cleanup, a roofing installation requires a great deal of planning. Yet if you do your homework in advance, you can expect to see the best roofing work without the problems that can happen by making the wrong decisions!

Need New Roofing In Huntsville Texas?

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Metal Roofing – Choose The Best Colors!

roofing in huntsville texas

 

Metal roofing has increased in popularity, primarily because there are so many new, attractive options available. What was once limited to bolt-on panels that metal roofing companies installed mainly on commercial buildings has expanded to beautiful and colorful systems for all types of homes and buildings.

Today’s metal systems now include attractive standing seam systems and pressed sheets that look like other materials including wood and slate shingles as well as expensive tile. Along with these design improvements, homeowners can also select attractive colors for their metal systems, providing even more options.

Today’s Colorful Metal Roofing

Until recently, most people considered metal roofing to be very limited in color. It is widely assumed that the only choices available are various shades of silver for tin and aluminum systems as well as the familiar reddish-brown of copper. Fortunately, advances in the production of these materials have lead to effective methods for the factory application of color to metal, giving home and building owners many choices.

Applied as a coating made of pigment and resin, the formed sheets are baked to adhere the coating to the metal, leaving them with permanent color. Manufacturers now produce an entire spectrum of colored metal systems to please every taste. These coatings are extremely durable, requiring no more maintenance than other metal systems. Colors may eventually fade; however, they can also be repainted by metal roofing companies or changed altogether with the right coatings.

Choosing the Best Metal Roof Color

With all those options available, how does one choose the best color for their metal roofing system? Consider these tips:

  • Architectural Style - Some architectural styles look more favorable with certain colors, including those on the roof. Whether installing standing seam systems or some type of pressed shingle, consider the material being mimicked, the colors traditionally seen on homes using that material, and overall architectural styles that typically follow certain color palettes.
  • Color Schemes - Look at the color scheme used on the overall home to choose roof colors that will best compliment it. Options could include a color in the same palette in a different shade, the same color as the trim, or another complimentary color that blends well to create a pleasing color scheme. With a colored installation done by experienced metal roofing companies, homeowners can even create new, exciting color schemes around a specific color they prefer.
  • Curb Appeal - A bright, busy color could look very attractive on some homes; however, it is important to look around at other homes in the area. Curb appeal is created when homes attractively, yet subtly stand out from the crowd without seeming too loud or distracting to the neighborhood. Choosing a complementary and quality roof color is more desirable and will please surrounding homeowners.
  • Thermal Properties - Color is also an important component of home efficiency. When seeking a more thermal resistant or cool roof, consider lighter colors that absorb less heat while reflecting more UV rays. In cooler climates, darker colors that absorb heat in winter are more common.

Before assuming metal roofing is not an option because it’s boring or unattractive, think again! Metal roofing companies can install beautiful systems with the style and color to make any home its best. Available in countless colors, metal roofs are durable, efficient, and make a great choice for homes and buildings of all kinds!

Need A Metal Roofing Company in Huntsville Texas?

GMA Restoration Is Experienced with Metal Roofs!

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Roofing – DIY or Hire Pros?

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There are a lot of handy homeowners who are perfectly capable of doing many repairs around their homes; however, fixing the roof is a different story. While this type of repair may seem easy enough for homeowners to tackle on their own, performing roofing work requires precision and an understanding of the many different techniques involved to get the best results.

Working on the top of any building is very dangerous. Instead of making roofing repairs, homeowners should consider the reasons listed below about why it is better to hire a professional, then call professional roofing services for help.

Necessary Skills and Experience

There is more to roof repairs than just nailing down a few loose shingles or adding more sealant around a vent pipe. In many cases, problems with external roofing material requires further inspection to determine whether there are any leaks or hidden damage. The various types of roofing material also involve different installation techniques to know about.

If a mistake is made, homeowners could face a bigger and more expensive repair than what was there originally. To ensure optimal repair results, homeowners should enlist the help of experienced roofing services workers who are skilled in current installation techniques and familiar with specific material.

Time-Consuming and Expensive

Besides the fact that proper roofing requires skill and experience, it can also be time-consuming, especially for those with less experience. Before doing anything, it is important to thoroughly inspect the damage, then begin repairs. This requires safety preparation, gathering all necessary supplies and tools, and taking everything up to the roof to do the repair work.

Even when homeowners think they are saving money, any gain it spent in the use of their own time and effort. Therefore, it is often easier and more efficient to hire roofing services that can get repairs done before a minor issue becomes a major problem.

Safety Concerns

DIY roof repairs also pose a number of serious safety concerns to inexperienced homeowners. Falling from the top of the house can happen and the results could be devastating. Those attempting to do their own repairs may be so focused on getting the work done that they fail to take important safety precautions to prevent a dangerous situation. Injuries that result will negate any benefit gained by making DIY repairs.

Professional roofing services have the experience to make repairs correctly as well as the safety training required to prevent accidents. By using specialty equipment and safety gear, contractors can handle all necessary repairs while being alert to any risks and avoiding injuries. Because accidents do happen, a qualified roofer has the proper insurance coverage if someone is injured.

While a handy homeowner can safely and easily tackle some DIY home repairs on their own, roofing is probably not one of them. Between the time involvement, skill requirements, and potential for serious injury, it is easier and safer for homeowners to hire a professional to take care of roof repairs. Qualified and experienced roofing services are the best option to ensure the best workmanship, fewer future roof issues, and the greatest safety for all!

Looking For Roofing Services In Huntsville Texas?

Contact GMA Restoration For Your Roofing Needs!

Call (936) 213-5770!

Top 6 Reasons Why Roofing Systems Fail!

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Although a roof may look like a simple structure, it is actually comprised of a fairly complex system made up of a variety of materials that are combined to create a watertight, yet breathable covering. Because of this, roofing must be done with care to avoid problems.

This important building covering should be installed by experienced roofing companies that know how to prevent serious issues that could affect the entire system over a period of time. Some failures may also be caused by problems with the material itself or even ventilation problems. Following are the six most prevalent roof system failures and why they happen.

  1. Loose or Missing Flashing - Flashing covers areas where various roof structures come together, leaving exposed material edges. Flashing keeps water from entering under those edges and damaging the layers underneath. When the flashing is loose or has come off, important protection is reduced or eliminated. Missing and loose flashing accounts for a high percentage of leaks and water damage that roofing companies must repair.
  2. Roof Penetrations and Punctures - Anything that passes through the surface of the roof, such as a skylight, attic vents, or other exhaust or ventilation pipes, increases the possibility of a leak in that area. All protrusions must be carefully sealed and flashed to prevent water from entering. Similarly, any puncture of the system caused by debris such as branches or people walking on the surface can leave places where water can get in. Over time, even tiny punctures or poorly sealed penetrations can be responsible for a large amount of damage.
  3. Blisters and Wrinkles - Blisters and wrinkles can happen under shingles and membrane roofing systems. In both cases, the culprit is moisture under the roof or within the various layers that may be caused by poor ventilation or improper application of the layers. Blisters that appear on membrane systems can break or shingles can be lifted off the decking with each instance. This invites moisture in which can quickly damage the entire roof.
  4. Splitting and Breaking - Like blistering and wrinkling, roofing systems can also experience splitting and breaking, depending on the quality of the material used and how well it was installed. Both splits in membrane roofs or split and broken shingles reduce water tightness and allow water to seep in, causing serious damage to the building structure beneath.
  5. Poor Sealing - Although the installation of various roofing systems means using different materials and techniques, they all involve using some type of sealant to protect the decking. When sealants are improperly applied by unskilled roofing companies, or when underlayment or adhesives do not thoroughly cover the decking, the result can be slow, hard-to-detect leaks that can cause extreme amounts of damage over time.
  6. General Wear And Poor Maintenance - Even though roofs are designed to withstand the elements for many years, they still face wear and require maintenance. From keeping the surface clean to the prompt repair of small concerns found during a regular inspection, proper maintenance is essential to slow the effects of wear and prolong the life of the entire roof system.

To get the longest life from all roofing systems, home and building owners must provide necessary maintenance and look out common concerns known to cause roof system failure. With the help of experienced roofing companies, home and building owners can detect small issues and make any necessary repairs before they get any bigger!

Need Roofing Help In Huntsville Texas?

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