Category: Roofs in Dallas Texas

Composition and Asphalt Roof Shingles – Is There A Difference?

Asphalt roofing is one of the most popular roofing options right now, used on millions of homes and other buildings throughout the world.

Available in a wide selection of colors, shapes, and sizes, asphalt roofs are attractive, affordable, and can be installed quickly in comparison to most other materials.

Though asphalt roofers may call shingle products by multiple names, most are nearly the same thing plus or minus a few details.

Learn the differences between asphalt shingles and what is today called a composition roof so you know what to expect when choosing your roofing materials.

What Are Asphalt Shingles?

Asphalt shingles are a broad category of shingle roofing that encompasses anything made with layers of asphalt fibers as part of its composition.

They have been in use for many decades to create asphalt roofs, starting out as flat, three-tab or one-tab versions in their original design and progressing to today’s more durable and decorative styles.

Although they are called many different things now including architectural and composite shingles, this plain, flat, three-tabbed variety is what usually comes to mind when someone refers to asphalt roofs.

With so many better options available now, plain asphalt shingles are rarely used today.

What Are Composite Shingles?

Composite shingles installed by asphalt roofers are a type of shingle made from layers of asphalt and other materials which together form a composite material.

While it is technically the same thing as the original plain asphalt roofing that was a composite of multiple materials, composite shingles normally refer to current more modern and advanced shingle products.

Made with more layers and better materials, composite, architectural, or dimensional shingles are three-dimensional because they are thicker at the bottom so they look more like natural materials.

Installed by skilled asphalt roofers, they look infinitely more attractive than the original flat, three-tab shingles, are significantly more durable, and provide better weather and UV protection.

What Are Some Popular Options In Composite Shingle Roofing?

Because they are thicker and can be shaped during production, composite asphalt roofing is available in a large variety of shapes and designs to match the style and character of your home or building.

They come in multiple colors and thicknesses, mimicking different natural materials such as wood shakes or shingles, slate shingles or tiles, clay tiles, and others.

Additionally, some of today’s more advanced asphalt roof products are:

  • Designed to provide increased UV reflection for greater energy efficiency,
  • Hail-resistant.
  • May include other premium qualities that far outweigh the protection of original flat, tabbed asphalt shingles.

Composite Shingles - The Asphalt Shingle Of Today

Although asphalt roofing and composite shingles are technically the same product, composite shingles are a much-preferred product due to better design, a nicer appearance, and a longer lifespan.

If you’re interested in seeing the full selection of asphalt roofs available to choose from, contact a local asphalt roofer to discuss your preferences and see examples of the beautiful shingles that can be installed on your business!

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Commercial Roofing Inspections – Everything You Need to Know!

Regular roofing inspections by a qualified roof service is the first line of defense against damage that can slowly destroy a roof if not discovered and fixed.

Unfortunately, many people go for long periods without one, calling roofers only when there is a problem.

This break-fix approach can cause a lot more damage than you might think.

To prevent it and be certain of getting a full life out of an expensive roofing addition, understand the importance of roof inspections and what they entail!

What Is Included In A Professional Roofing Inspection?

A roof inspection performed by a professional roofing contractor includes a detailed, close-up look at your roof to judge it on four main factors.

Those are structural soundness, materials, workmanship, and interior soundness.

With this information, it is possible to monitor your roof from year-to-year and detect or predict problems so they can be repaired earlier as opposed to later.

  • When performing the inspection, an experienced roofer will start by looking at the structural soundness of the entire house or building, from its angles and attachments to the condition of gutters, soffits and fascia, protrusions, chimneys, and all other physical aspects of the roof to be sure that everything is in good condition and there are no signs of damage.
  • Next, the contractor will inspect the roof for signs of wear or damage, also looking for signs of poor workmanship that can lead to roofing problems. Materials that are aging poorly or might be defective will be noted as will areas where the workmanship might be questionable and require repair to prevent damage to those areas.
  • Then after assessing the materials, workmanship, and condition of the entire roof structure, the roofer will go inside the house or building to inspect things from the attic where the trusses and rafters are visible to look for old or new signs of leaking, mold growth, and other indications that there is damage that just may not be visible from the outside.

How Often Should A Commercial Roof Be Inspected?

While it’s suggested to have any roof inspected by a local roofer every spring and fall, many people do fine with an inspection once a year if their roof is in good condition and any issues are promptly dealt with.

If opting for once yearly, it’s best to have a roofing inspection done in the spring before storm season to ensure it’s in good condition and able to withstand those storms once they come.

Roofers also recommend having an additional inspection after a major storm, as some storm damage may not be obvious to the naked eye but should be discovered and repaired as soon as possible.

Can I Inspect My Own Commercial Roof?

Though it may be possible to do a quick visual inspection of roofing from the ground and notice more obvious problems, you won’t be able to see most other damage that way.

Professional roofing contractors need to go onto the roof to do a surface inspection to correctly gauge the condition of your roof.

It’s not recommended that anyone but a trained roofer go on a roof.

You can still keep an eye out for more apparent concerns in between inspections; however, call a roofer if something doesn’t seem right.

The Value of Regular Commercial Roofing Inspections

Roofs are funny because we don’t remember that they are there most of the time, yet when there’s a problem, we definitely know about it.

The best way to keep a roof healthy so you don’t end up replacing it too soon is by hiring a professional roofing contractor to perform routine inspections.

A thorough inspection inside and out by a qualified roofer is a small investment made to protect the huge investment you’ve already made!

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Tell Me How To Inspect My Commercial Roof!

Roofs in Dallas Texas

If you own a large building, you likely know that commercial roofs are a huge investment. Like anything else, you want to get your money’s worth from this investment and ensure it remains functional and protective as long as possible. The best way to do this is to provide all required maintenance and arrange for frequent roof inspections.

While you will definitely want to have periodic inspections carried out by experienced commercial roof services, you can stay ahead of any developing problems in between by performing your own inspections. Learn how the professionals inspect roofs so you can do it yourself and keep a close eye on what is happening with your building.

Inspection and Assessment by the Pros

Before attempting to perform your own inspections, meet with commercial roof services. Professional contractors will go over your roof carefully to assess its condition, document any existing or potential concerns, and discuss repairs and maintenance concerns with you.

Naturally, you will want to make any necessary repairs at this time and develop a maintenance plan. Once all this has been done, you can then begin to perform your own inspections.

Inspection Frequency

Commercial roofs should be inspected at least every six months, with more frequent inspections being even more protective. The best time to inspect roofs is in the spring to check for any damage sustained over the winter. The fall is another good time for an inspection to ensure your roof's condition before the return of winter.

Always perform an additional inspection immediately after an extreme weather event such as a hurricane, tornado, strong winds, or a hail storm. As long as everything looks good, continue to perform your own bi-annual inspections in addition to the one done by professionals every one to two years. If you see damage, schedule repairs with commercial roof services right away.  

Learn What to Look For

When inspecting commercial roofs, it is essential to pay particular attention to areas most likely to suffer damage or require some sort of repair. Begin by carefully inspecting the entire perimeter of the building to ensure the fascia and edging are properly adhered as well as that there is no evidence of anything that has come loose.

Include in your inspection: the condition of the flashing around all penetrations; the area around any equipment installed on the roof; and the status of all expansion joints to ensure it is still well sealed with no evidence of leaking. Go over the main surface looking for cracks, tears, bubbles, and any other evidence of damage or things that look out of place.

Inspect all drains and check for evidence of water ponding, then inspect the inside of the building looking for evidence of leaks. These are the main areas where building roofs tend to experience problems.

Frequent inspection is a critical factor in keeping commercial roofs in their best condition and addressing minor problems before they become major ones. While you may not be able to completely replace commercial roof services, you can help keep your roof in great shape by doing your own inspections in between a professional yearly one. It is impossible to inspect a roof too frequently. By checking your roof often, you can play an important role in making sure the investment you have made in your building is well protected!

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Can My Commercial Roof Benefit From Modified Bitumen Roofing?

Roofs in Dallas Texas

There are many different options available to protect commercial roofs. One of the most commonly installed products is modified bitumen, an asphalt material that has been in use since the 1950's. This type of roofing is often a favorite for buildings with flat or low slope roofs due to its relatively low cost in comparison to many other types of membrane systems and its other positive features.

When modified bitumen roofs are properly installed by experienced roofers, this material may be a perfect choice for your building.

Advantages of Modified Bitumen

When researching the various materials available for use on commercial roofs, consider the important and cost-effective advantages that modified bitumen offers you, such as the following:

  • Durable, Tear-Resistant, and Long Lasting - Modified bitumen is a fabric that consists of asphalt, fiberglass, and polyester. It is flexible and highly resistant to tearing and impact and available in multiple thicknesses, making it a durable choice for most flat and low sloping roofs. Due to the way it is manufactured, it is unlikely to develop cracks like other materials. When modified bitumen roofs are correctly installed by experienced roofers, this material can last twenty years or more. Modified bitumen is also a lighter-weight and cleaner option than messy and heavy built-up BUR roofs that can crack and experience many other problems.
  • Weather and Waterproof - Modified bitumen makes a reliable and waterproof membrane similar in reliability to EPDM and other products, regardless of the method used to apply it. This is due to the fact that there are no exposed seams left that could become a source of leaks after. When correctly installed, this material is also extremely durable against UV destruction, wind, hail, fire, impact from debris, and other extreme conditions.
  • Easily Repaired and Maintained - Routine maintenance of modified bitumen commercial roofs is fast and easy, and is focused on ensuring that the flashing and edges stay properly adhered. It should also be observed for problems such as wrinkles and ponding. In the event that problems do arise, they can be easily repaired by using adhesives and patches.  

Are There Any Disadvantages?

The main disadvantage of modified bitumen roofs is its black color, which can cause it to absorb the sun’s UV rays, heating up the building below. This lack of thermal efficiency is a concern as it could result in higher energy costs to keep your building cool. Fortunately, this can be easily remedied so you experience greater thermal efficiency and lower utility bills.

To achieve the highest level of reflectivity with such an installation, roofing experts who install modified bitumen roofs typically do two things:

  1. A coating of asphalt granules is applied over the top of the installation to increase this material's reflectivity.
  2. The surface must be coated with special UV reflective preparations that reduce the amount of heat that passes through the materials and into the building. Other types of radiant barriers can also be used on these installations to further increase thermal efficiency.

Based on the information above, it is easy to see how modified bitumen can be a durable and cost-effective option for flat and low slope commercial roofs. There are a number of methods that can be used to quickly and easily install this material on roofs, and it requires little more maintenance than regular inspections. Provided your modified bitumen roof is built correctly by skilled roofers, you should experience years of reliability to protect your building!

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