Metal Roofing: An Energy Efficient Option?

For many homeowners, a roof is there to add curb appeal. But the main purpose of a roof isn’t to make your house look aesthetically appeasing. It’s for there for various purposes. One of these purposes is to prevent hot air coming in, and cool air escaping.

But this depends on the type of roof you have. Some roofs are built for the purpose of adding aesthetic value. Others are there for protection against bad weather. But when it comes to insulation and energy efficiency, metal roofs are what work best.

Metal roofs not only keep the temperature balanced, they help reduce utility costs. In addition, they are durable, meaning they can last up to 50 years!

Why Choose a Metal Roof?

Metal roofs are known for their durability, reliability, and low-maintenance. They’re known as ‘cool roofs’—roofs that keep homes cool during sweltering months.

They have high a high thermal emittance, as well as solar reflectance. This has made them become a popular choice in recent years.

Other than their light color, metal roofs have protective coating on the metal panels. This can include a variety of reflective materials to help deflect the sun’s UV rays. When high quality coating is used, it can help deflect 3x more radiation.

In addition, due to their light weight, metal roofs can be installed on top of shingles.

Variety

Most homeowners worry that metal roofs will give their homes an ‘unattractive’ look.

This is a misconception. Metal roofs don’t have to have the appearance of steel, or aluminum. While white or light coloring is needed for stronger solar reflectance, you can customize the roof, and color it according to your preference.

Furthermore, metal roofs can be designed to mimic the appearance of traditional asphalt roofs. In addition, you can customize your metal roof to a style called, ‘The Standing Seam’. This includes the edges of each roof panel being bent upwards, at a 90° angle, and being sealed to the adjacent panels. This helps keeping rain water away from your roof, and you can even install a solar panel.

The Installation Process

Like any roof installation, metal roofs should be installed by a professional roof contractor. Installing metal roofs requires the expertise of a professional. This is especially true if you’re planning to get your old roof replaced.

Not only should the company installing the roof need to be well-versed in handling the metal materials, they should have the set of skills, and the knowledge to use safety measures.

They should also be well-versed about local codes, and the standards for installing metal roofs in Ohio.

We offer roof installation and repair services to both commercial and residential areas. Whether it’s installing metal roofs, or replacing damaged shingles, we have you covered. Our experts have the extensive experience required to handle complex tasks.

If you’re looking for a roofing company in Ohio, feel free to contact us today or call 330-784-4000 for further information/queries.   

Roofing Guide: Gutters and Downspouts

When it comes to your house, good maintenance doesn’t just equal to modifying the interior. While it’s important to make your home’s interior look aesthetically appealing, it’s also important to protect it from threats. These threats can be both external and internal, and can damage not only your interior, but the structure of your home.

– How Bad Weather Affects Your Home

As mentioned earlier, it’s important to take initiative to protect your home. But external factors can result in internal damage as well. Therefore, it’s important to address any problem before it becomes worse.

Bad weather is one of the reasons for property damage. According to a report published by Insurance Information Institute, hail storms cause $1 billion property damage every year.  

Rain, snow and hail are some of the reasons for roof damage. Not only do bad weather conditions damage the gutter systems of your home, they weaken the foundation of your property.

Clogged gutter systems can also damage downspouts, resulting in water accumulation. When roof shingles get damaged because of high winds, and moisture from snow or rain, they start crumbling. The granules of the shingles go down the gutter system and block the downspouts.

When this happens, rainwater accumulates. When the water has no access to the downspouts, it goes inside the structure of the house, through the areas of the missing shingles.

– Cleaning Gutter Systems

By cleaning your gutter systems every season, you can help prevent damage. Weather conditions are not the only reason for damage. Bird droppings and leaves from trees can also block the passageway.

During the winter season, snow can accumulate and once it melts, moisture can get into the attic area, blocking insulation. Once that happens, mold starts growing. Once there’s mold, it starts spreading to the vent system of the house. It starts affecting furniture and carpeting, making it difficult to eliminate, without replacing everything.

Most homeowners try to clean their gutters by climbing on the roof. Not only is that dangerous, without the right tools, you can damage the gutter. Falling off the roof is a risk, and homeowners should avoid climbing the roof.

– Why You Need Professional Roof Services 

Hiring a professional roof contractor can help avoid injury. Not only will it save you costs, it can help you prevent accidental death. Since roof contractors have technicians that are skilled workers, they also have the right tools to address the problem.

This includes using the right equipment to climb and balance themselves. Furthermore, they have special cleaning products that thoroughly clean gutter systems. They can also use special applications to prevent shingles from deteriorating.

We are a roofing company that offers repairs, installation, and maintenance services for both residential and commercial areas. Whether you need to take care of repairs or replacements, we have the solution to your problem.  

If you’re looking for residential roofing repair, feel free to contact us, or call 330-784-4000 if you have any questions/queries.

  

Water Damage and its Effects on Roofing

A leaky roof is the bane of every homeowner’s existence. Not only can it cause damage to furniture, it’s a sign of improper roof installation.

Roofs are built to last 20–30 years. Most homeowners believe that a leaking roof is caused by a structural problem. There are various reasons why your roof could be leaking. Letting the problem slide will result in health and safety concerns. Water intrusion is the main cause of structural damage. Not only will this lead to expenses, there’s constant danger of the foundation of the house collapsing!

So, what are some of the ways water damage can cause problems? Here are a few things to be aware of:

 Ceiling or Attic Damage

One of the causes of a roof leak is due to damage to the attic area or items stored there. If your house does not have an attic, and the size of the leak is big, it can damage the interior ceiling. This will cause the ceiling paint to darken, and the plaster will bubble. Water seepage will cause damage to nearby walls as well.  

In addition, lights and fans on the ceiling will also be affected.

 Interior Mold

If the problem is ignored, after a while, one of the most serious problems you can expect is mold.  Mold will spread throughout your house’s structure, to the HVAC system. It will then spread to the vents and eventually to the carpeting, furniture and even your clothes!

Mold can be difficult to remove once it spreads. This is not only a costly process, there are constant health risks involved.  

 High Water Bills 

High water bills are another costly side effect. This is because water intrusion damages your attic’s insulation. The fiberglass or cellulose insulation becomes damaged and saturated. This results in it taking a long time to dry.

If repairs are put off for a long time, it can result in chronic water intrusion, which can deplete insulation completely.  Eventually, it results in high utility bills.

 Damaged Structural Integrity

The most common an obvious result of a leaky roof is damaged ceiling joists, rafters, wall framing, exterior trim, and fascia boards.

In addition, it can also result in deterioration of wooden materials and framework. Mold, mildew and swollen materials become a problem. This can lead to costly repairs, and homeowners find them in a difficult situation.

In addition, water can affect the paint of walls inside the house. Spongy, damaged peeling paint can be hazardous to health—especially if children are present.

You may need to replace or repair parts of your home. Therefore, it’s important to have that leak checked by a professional roof contractor before it’s too late.

We’re a professional commercial and residential roofing company. If you’re looking for a roof repairs company, we have you covered!

Feel free to contact us or call 330-784-4000 if any questions/queries. 

Long Live The Roof!

When installing a new roof, there are a number of factors to consider: cost, aesthetics, lifespan—there are so many things to keep in mind.

The lifespan of the roof depends on the sort of material that has been used to construct it. Roofing materials can last between 10 to 50 years. Here are some pointers that can help you make the right choice.

Asphalt Shingles

These usually last for about 20 years; if superior quality shingles are used, then it can last for up to 50 years. These are one of the least expensive options in roofing, but installation is a bit tricky so that will cost you. This is the most widely used product in the US and also has a number of options in colors and styles.

Architectural Asphalt

These only last for about 30 years and installation is also difficult due to the shingles being twice as thick and heavy as the regular asphalt shingles. This a new product used for roofing which in appearance looks similar to either slate tiles or wood shakes. These are less expensive but since it’s a new invention, there is no guarantee of how reliable the product is.

Metal Roofing

This product lasts between 40 to 60 years. The cost is higher as compared to asphalt shingles but you might want to consider this option since it will last almost a lifetime. The product is still less costly than slate. If you want to add another layer beneath it—for better insulation—then costs will drastically increase for you. Leaks, tears and punctures are concerns the same as with other materials.

Wood Shakes

This material does not last longer than 30 years unless the weather conditions are in its favor. The problem with wood is that becomes wet and weakens over time. In winters, this becomes a major concern.

There are pressure treated options available in the market which are said to hold up better. Since wood is easy to cut and shape, the thicker shakes are able to last longer than the thinner ones.

Slate Roofing

Concrete, slate and clay all can last for over a 100 years. This is definitely the most expensive option, but worth the investment. The major problem with this is the fact that it is extremely challenging to work with and installation will be time-consuming.

Apart from the lifespan of the material, another factor to consider is whether your roofing company is reliable to begin with. Haralson Roofing is a leading Ohio-based roofing company you can turn to for all kinds of roofing installation and repair services. 

The Effects Of Mold On Your Roof — And How To Remove It

Over time, as a result of exposure to moisture, our roofing can experience mold growth.

This not only ruins the aesthetics of your home, but this can cause several medical conditions. These conditions can include allergies, irritation or infections.

How Is The Roof Affected?

A moist and humid environment is ideal for the growth of mold. Algae, lichens and mold can eat through the shingles in the roof, causing the wood to rot.

Once the wood rots, moisture can easily seep through the cracks and make its way into your home. This will not only damage your roof, but can weaken the structure of your home once the moisture seeps into the walls. You will begin to see cracks in the walls; the shingles on the roof will be covered in stains.

Mold stains form on the roof shingles because of being in permanent shade. If there is a tree providing shade to your roof, you are creating the perfect conditions for mold growth. The stains caused by mold discolor the roof and weakens the shingles.

How To Clean The Roof

If you are experiencing problems with mold growth, here is a way you can use household cleaning supplies to get rid of this issue.

First, you the need to make sure that all the plants near the sides of your house are well protected.

The bleach solution you are going to use can damage the plants. You can splash water on the plants or cover them with plastic sheeting.

Before using the bleach solution, wear gloves and a breathing mask. The solution you make must contain ½ parts of chlorine bleach and ¾ parts water. Add one tablespoon of trisodium phosphate (TSP). Now that your mixture is ready, pour it into a pump sprayer to apply it easily.

Spray it all over the shingles and let the solution soak into the shingles for about 15 minutes. This time will depend on how much mold there is. Then using a garden hose, rinse the entire roof. Start from the top and make your way to the bottom shingles. This way you will be able to prevent seepage in the roof.

Remember to never use a pressure washer for this cleaning it can corrode the shingles, which will further weaken the roofing.

When you are consistently facing problems with mold, it is a sign that you need to contact a professional roofing company. Your roof might need to be replaced.

Haralson Roofing can help to make the necessary repairs you might need, or in the case of severe mold, they can install a new one. Take their online mold quiz to find out the next step in roof repairs.