The advent in technology did not only give us more ways to communicate with our loved ones, it also gave us the power to do-it-yourself just about anything imaginable in this world. With only a click of a finger, Google can churn out gazillions of DIY tips on homekeeping, photography, arts, and anything you can think of.

The same goes with Kansas City roofing inspection. A couple of taps on the keyboard would produce results telling you to inspect the shingles, to trim the branches, and to clean the gutter of your roof regularly, so that it would be ready for any changes in temperature and weather.

But how do you know when to conduct a DIY roofing inspection and when to seek professional help for it? Basically, there are two factors that would play in the equation—time and money. If you don’t have the time to inspect your roof, then chances are you would seek professional help for it. Same goes with the expenses equated with it—if you don’t have the budget for a professional roof inspection, then you may prefer to do it on your own.

Trying the DIY Way

When preparing your roof for a summer weather, you can increase the structure’s solar reflectance, so that it could keep the interior of the home cooler. It will reduce energy usage too because it would be less dependent on the HVAC system.

Alternatively, you might want to paint your roofs a lighter shade, so that it would attract less heat during the warmer days.

Then, there’s what they call a misting system, which you can check out in most hardware stores. This system can monitor consistently the temperature of the roof, and spray it with mist when it becomes too hot. This would prevent the home from getting too hot, and could reduce instances of damages on tiles or shingles as well.

Safety is the Priority

But if the problem becomes too heavy for a DIY, then the one thing you should remember is that above time and money, safety must be your priority. If you think you can no longer DIY your roof inspection, it would be best if you can take the time out from your busy schedule and seek professional help like Roof Worx from Thornton.

It is also advisable for you to set aside a specific amount from your monthly budget for roofing inspection needs. Remember that the roof above your head is basically what separates you and your family from frying in the summer season or freezing during the winter months.

Always put the safety of yourself and your family on top of the list.

Isn’t it always better to go prepared than get the shock of your life when you suddenly have roofing Colorado Springs problems, especially during a calamity like a summer storm? Preparing for these eventualities would take so little of your time, and would save you thousands of dollars in the long run.

You can stay safe by simply inspecting your roof, cleaning it up, and having professional work done on any repairs needed.

Here are five helpful tips from Pratt Homes, to keep your roof safe and prepared for summer storms:

1. Inspect your roof.

You must first inspect your roof for any loose, broken or missing shingles. Rainwater can get in cracks in the roof, and this can become a serious problem because it can eventually lead to leakage inside your house. Strong wind caused by storms can loosen and dislodge shingles, so you must make sure that everything is lodged perfectly before a storm arrives.

2. Clean the gutter.

You should not only clean your roof’s gutter when a storm is about to arrive. This should be done regularly. Leaves, branches and other debris can clog a gutter and cause leakage during storms. Gutters may also collapse because of the weight from such debris.

3. Trim tree branches and foliage.

If you have trees or high-hanging plants in your garden, you must make sure you’re trimming the foliage because strong winds may cause overhanging limbs to break and fall down on your roof. Check for dead branches hanging over your yard or your home.

4. Let the professionals inspect your roof.

If you don’t have the time or the skill to inspect your roof, you may want to call in for reinforcements. Call a professional to check your roof for damages and leakage, so that they can make the proper recommendation needed to prepare your roof for incoming storms.

5. Schedule for repairs.

Repairing minor roof problems now will save you a lot of expenses in the future. Don’t scrimp on these minor repairs and let a professional handle it. After all, you are not only saving money if you prevent accidents to happen, but you’re also keeping yourself and your family safe.

There’s nothing more disconcerting than not knowing what to do when an accident happens, especially when it involves your loved ones. Make sure you are well prepared by following the helpful tips above, and ensure a healthy and safe environment for you and your family.

The roofing San Antonio system comprises several distinct but interrelated components such as insulation, cover boards, roof deck, vapor/air retarder and substrate boards. While each part has its own function and purpose, they are intended to work together.

A roofing system takes into account the different roofing components, each of which cannot be valued solely on its own merit. These varying parts are created to have synergistic effects on the overall system, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the whole. Failure of a component to function the way it was meant to inevitably leads to premature roof system failure.

The last component of a roofing system is the roof cover or the waterproofing membrane built to protect the roofing San Antonio system from rain, snow, bird, insect, rooftop use, critter and other elements that threaten the safety of the system.

Different conditions and climates call for various roof cover types. There is no single roof cover that is appropriate for all conditions and places. Most roof failures are a result of inappropriate use of roof cover or installation of individual components. To select the right roof cover, the following criteria should be considered:

Factors in Determining the Type of Roof Cover

1. Purpose of the roof. Some roofs receive regular foot traffic and other human activities. Others are used as storage area for relatively heavy equipment.
2. Geographic and climate conditions such as mountains, hills, seacoast, ice, snow, hail, amount and intensity of rainfall, open plains and local weather.
3. Local building rules and regulations, including fire and wind requirements.
4. Building design. The roof cover must integrate into the overall building design to be effective otherwise it may not function properly.
5. Compatibility with other materials, including the substrate and adhesives used on the roof.
6. Interaction with adjacent buildings and their designs.
7. Environmental and energy considerations in accordance with local codes and rules.
8. The structural system of the entire building.
9. Future plans of the building owners. They may want their roof to go beyond providing mere roof insulation. Some homeowners prefer to have green or cool roof design while others prioritize energy savings. Future resale of the property is also taken into consideration in selecting a roof cover.
10. Internal factors affecting the building such as occupancy volume, interior temperature management, interior building pressure management and relative humidity.

Daylighting is a system that facilitates the entry of natural light to provide internal lighting through the use of windows or other openings that admit light. With this system in Atlanta roofing that harvests daylight, energy savings are realized through reduced use of artificial energy.

The sun is the lone source of daylight. Building contractors use different methods to harvest sunlight. In certain areas, direct sunlight is harvested and used to illuminate a building’s interiors. In places that direct sunlight cannot reach, diffused sunlight is harvested with the same natural lighting effect. Some of the most common types of daylighting system are:

Windows

The most common method that allows daylight to penetrate buildings is through windows. The vertical design and various orientations of windows admit and diffuse daylight at different times of the day. Depending on the local climate, several windows with different orientations may be made to create the right combination.

Skylights

Skylights are openings found on roofs that admit sunlight into inner spaces of the building or house. Most residential and commercial buildings today incorporate skylights because they are the most efficient method in admitting daylight on a per unit area basis. The glazing options vary depending on the needs of the building but are mostly made of glass or plastic. A variation of skylight is the roof lantern that sits atop the roof instead of being embedded in the roof like a skylight.

Clerestory Windows

A clerestory is a high portion of the wall with windows to admit light, air or both. The design is found mostly in tall structures such as basilicas and churches although modern transportation has adopted the architectural design to accommodate lighting and ventilation. Clerestory windows are high vertical windows that maximizes daylight, especially when they are built facing the equator.

Light Tubes

A light tube is a device placed on the roof that admits light into its interior and eventually distributes it inside the house. Unlike a skylight, light tubes do not transfer as much heat because of their smaller surface area. It consists of three parts—the light collector on the roof made of transparent materials, the tube with reflective coating and a diffuser assembly inside the house that distributes daylight into interior spaces.

Atrium

Atrium is a large open area within buildings where daylight penetrates through glass roof or wall. Light penetrates into the working areas inside the building, the degree of which depends on their location. The upper storeys receive the greatest amount of daylight while the lower storeys must depend on reflected daylight from surfaces such as reflective floors.

Most residential and commercial buildings in San Diego today incorporate daylighting strategy into their designs. Daylighting allows natural light to enter the interior of a building to provide natural illumination. Most buildings with flat San Diego roofing have prismatic skylights and light tubes that take the most advantage of their wide and flat surfaces.

What is Daylighting?

Daylighting involves the effective use of windows and other openings that allows sunlight to provide internal lighting during daytime. Daylighting designs on buildings are built either to provide optimum visual comfort with the use of natural light or reduce energy use and its attendant electricity costs.

Types of Daylighting

Daylighting may either be passive or active. Passive daylighting collects sunlight with the use of non-moving or static devices such as skylights, windows or light tubes and reflect the daylight into the building’s interiors. Active daylighting collects sunlight by employing mechanical devices that either track the sun’s movement using sensors and lens or through electronic motor devices with installed programs to follow the sun’s path based on a pre-determined sun chart.

Concrete Benefits of Daylighting

Increases Productivity

Severely studies have confirmed the concrete benefits of natural light on human physiology, including improved student academic performance and general health, increased retail sales and enhanced employees productivity, and significant fall in employee absences from work.

Reduces Energy Requirement

Electrical lighting requirements for buildings are reduced by as much as 70 percent with the relatively simple action of installing prismatic skylights on just 4 percent of the total San Diego roofing surface. Less electrical lighting is required to illuminate the rooms because of the natural daylights coming in through the skylights and windows, which translates to enormous savings in energy costs. The investment on skylights will pay itself in about two years’ time. In six to eight years, prismatic daylighting will pay for the cost of an energy-efficient roof system.

Reduces the Need for Air Conditioning

The cost of cooling a building is also drastically reduced through daylighting. Natural daylighting is noted to generate practically no or minimal heat, thereby reducing the constant need for air conditioning in warm places.

Environmentally-Friendly

Many power plants generate energy through the use of fossil fuels. Burning fossil fuels significantly contribute to air and water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Using more daylight as lighting lessens the demand for artificially-generated energy and its undesirable consequences. With the heightened public awareness on global warming and climate changes, more people now appreciate the merits of daylighting.

Several benefits and advantages are available to homeowners who decide to do their own roof repair Los Angeles instead of hiring professionals to do the job. There’s the absolute control over the time and schedule when the repairs will start and end. Then there’s the total control over the result of the project. In addition, there’s the savings on money that would otherwise have been spent for contractors’ fees.

However, do-it-yourself (DIY) roofing repairs in LA are not for everybody. A lot of people mistakenly think installing new roofs involve nothing more than nailing down some shingles on the roof. A properly-installed roof is actually a complex work consisting of various components that are integrated to keep the elements away and protect the structure.

Safety Considerations

Safety is paramount in all kinds of construction work, including roofing installation and repairs. You have to consider several safety issues before deciding to take on this work yourself. One neglected aspect of roof repair is using the correct tools and equipment to do the job. You must also be properly attired such as wearing safety boots and goggles to prevent personal injuries.

It takes professional roofers years of training and experience to learn their trade. They spend years knowing how to safely walk on the roof, handle and install materials properly, identify risks while working on the roof and keep themselves safe, and comply with government regulations.

Roofers spent so much time on the roof that they develop instincts against risks present on the site. They learn how to walk around properly and avoid danger areas while comfortably performing their work.

If you are uncomfortable going up the ladder and walking on high places carrying supply materials, DIY roofing may not be suited for you. Roofing work is physically labor-intensive, particularly if you are going to remove the old roof first before installing new materials.

Risks Against Benefits

One of the reasons homeowners undertake to do DIY roofing repair is to cut down on costs. Contractors’ fees admittedly make up a significant portion of roof installation costs. Estimating the cost of roofing job is not a straightforward method – it involves taking into account different factors such as removing and disposing the old roof, installing new materials, performing structural repairs if necessary, and equipment rental. The roof size, its slope or angle and the kind of roofing materials you will install are also considered.

Homeowners must carefully weigh the relevant risk against the savings and control over the project that they have in deciding whether to repair their own roofs. In case of doubt, consulting and hiring professional roofers will always be the best option.

Marketing is at the heart of every successful business operation in major cities like Dallas. Reaching your target market or audience and closing out sales are the ultimate focus of every organization, including those in the roofing business.

If you are a professional roofer in Dallas looking to widen your market in order to reach homeowners needing roof repair or installation service, a good place to start is through social media. If you are a homeowner looking for a reputable roofer for your repair needs, the same suggestion applies. Social networking is presently one of the best methods to search for things or services.

Facebook Reigns Over Social Media

One of the social media giants today is Facebook. It boasts a 1.49 billion monthly active users as of October 2015. The mobile active users of the platform number 1.31 billion. As of May 2013, 16 million local businesses pages were created. These figures are impressive and cannot simply be ignored. That is why every Dallas roofing company actively use Facebook to boost its operations.

Facebook is friendly to firms who want to use its extensive exposure for their businesses and gives advice on how to create pages to make them visible to people searching the site for specific needs. Advice includes inviting friends and business contacts to its page to establish credibility and help spread the word.

Brand Recognition for Future Clients

A roofing company that adopted smartphones years ago counts Facebook as one of the most useful applications on its mobile devices in terms of lead generation and brand awareness. While the company has enjoyed success targeting specific geographical areas to get new business, the real benefit from using Facebook is establishing brand recognition with prospective clients who may become customers in the future. The company uses Facebook to interact positively with people who may remember the company when they have roofing needs someday.

Posting Relevant Messages

Posting messages on Facebook is not enough for brand awareness. The posts should contain details about company projects and their challenges and achievements so that readers become aware of the company’s professionalism and care for customers.

Some industry insiders say Facebook is more of a social interaction with potential customers and brand awareness rather than a lead generator for roofing businesses. Few leads may come from Facebook, but that should not be the main concern of firms. The essence of social media is about communication with the community, promoting company culture and sharing knowledge about the brands.

Roof installation and repair do not come cheap. Homeowners should have an estimate of the roofing costs to be incurred before undertaking any work. Blindly going ahead could result to overshooting the budget and spending more than what was originally planned.

Under these circumstances, roofing cost calculators come in handy. They will give you an idea on how much you will spend for your roof repair or installation and prepare you for the coming expenses on materials and labor. This way, you are sure to have the kind of roof that you want without scrimping later on materials and design because you underestimated the expense.

To help roofers and homeowners with the planning, we listed some of the widely-used roof calculator apps today.

Roof Calculator Pro

This is not a free app and can be used only by contractors. The app’s functionality, however, is impressive. The user can input practically all details about the roof including skylight flashings, chimney, tear off, type of installed membrane, number of floors and type of shingles. The app will give out detailed info on material costs and total costs.

Roof Gauge Tool

A great app that accurately measures the pitch of your roof. You only have to use a camera and the accelerometer in your phone to come up with the result. For those who are not inclined to climb up the ladder and step on the roof, this is an ideal app. To get more accurate measurement of your roof’s slope, place your phone with the app on top of shingles or a sloped rafter.

House Gosu Free Roof Calculator

This is a very easy-to-use app. The user need only put in data such as kind of material, roof pitch and roof dimensions and the app will flash a price on the screen. Gosu is a Korean word for a highly skilled individual. It can refer to professionals in the construction industry, video gaming and other fields.

Roofing Calculator Free

A free app that can be used by both contractors and homeowners. It estimates the roof area and costs based on information supplied by the user. The user can input the roof slope, shingles type, and ground dimensions, which will be used by the app to come up with the results. Aside from coming up with information on the size of the roof, the app will also give 3 price quotes for the roof materials.

Studies have shown positive benefits of natural daylight on human physiology and psychology. Employees are shown to be more productive when exposed to daylight. The penetration of daylight into buildings are facilitated by the installation of skylights on the Seattle roofing.

The natural lighting from the sun also creates an energy-efficient building that ultimately results to lower power bills. Because of these direct benefits from skylights in Seattle roofing, more contractors are placing emphasis on this very-useful feature of a building. With the popularity of skylights come the need for information on the performance of different glazing options for skylights.

The materials used for skylights vary and largely depend on the needs of the owner. Some require a clear view outside through skylights while others prefer the entry of more natural illumination inside. Whatever your needs are, an understanding of the different materials or glazing options for skylights is helpful. Some of the more common types of glazing materials for skylights used today are the following:

Glass

A common material used for skylights. Glass is scratch-resistant, durable and lasts long. Different kinds of glass provide various benefits such as energy efficiency. For instance, tempered glass is used for insulating glass units to provide a sealed and moisture-free glaze. A coated laminated glass is ideal for those who prefer diffuse light.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass is translucent and available as flat, domed, monolithic or other profiles such as two panels with air in-between for insulation. While the material per se is not durable, it can be attached or bonded to I-beams to create translucent structural panels that have high insulation properties and come in a variety of colors. Translucent fiberglass panels are lightweight but impact-resistant and shatterproof. They are strong against ultraviolet radiation and weather-resistant.

Polycarbonate

Some of the interesting qualities of polycarbonate are its durability, impact-resistance and easy-to-cut design. They are produced as multi-wall sheets or monolithic sheets. The latter, filled with aerogel known as “frozen smoke,” can be cut to suit the skylight design and are lightweight. It greatly minimizes noise and diffuses light to reduce if not eliminate glares and hot spots.

Acrylic Plastic

This material is the most formable among skylight materials and is widely-used for standard skylights. Acrylic plastics come in many forms and standards – some are transparent to ultraviolet rays and, therefore, weather well while others are manufactured to be durable and impact resistant. Acrylic sheets are available as transparent or translucent types.

Roofs are vital part of a building. People ordinarily think of the roof as that component of a house keeping the elements away from the interior and protect its occupants from the weather. Roofs, however, serve more than this basic purpose.

They contribute a major part in defining the overall style and look of a house. The style of most structures can easily be identified by the type of roofs that they have. Roofs also play a significant role in making a building “green” or environmentally-friendly. Some roofs even provide additional spaces in the attic area.

One such roof that gives homeowners extra space is the Mansard roof. Its design—almost vertical slopes on the lower part of the roof that could serve as walls for an additional room—makes it ideal for people looking for an expanded space on top of their homes.

While Mansard roof offers many advantages that other roof styles do not have including flexibility that it affords the owners for additional space in the future, it does have its disadvantages.

Here are the top three reasons why you should not choose Mansard style for your Long Island roofing:

1. High Construction Cost

One feature that makes Mansard roof a favorite among owners is its visual appeal. It exudes a classical elegance reminiscent of the French Renaissance era. However, this desirable quality of the Mansard also contributes to its negative appeal. Simply put, Mansard roof costs more than conventional roofs. The extra details and embellishments that go into the construction of the roof to give it that distinct period look make Mansard roof expensive.

2. Weak Weather Resistance

A Mansard has two slopes on each of the four sides of the roof, the lower part has a much steeper angle compared to the upper slope, which is almost flat. The upper slope is nearly similar to a flat roof with a very slight pitch to allow water to run off. Because of its design, Mansard roof is not ideal for places that experience high volumes of rainfall and snow. The upper slope does not allow for a rapid drainage of water and snow because of its shallow angle. Water ponding is a frequent occurrence, which could ultimately damage the roof and cause leaks into the interior of the building.

3. High Maintenance Cost

Maintaining a Mansard roof costs more than typical roofs because of the almost-flat angle of the upper slope, which makes it more susceptible to damage and other shortcomings inherent in a flat roof. While the cost of maintenance may not necessarily be expensive, the roof requires frequent upkeep that could increase the long-term maintenance cost of the house.