Total Roof Protection – Synthetic or Felt Underlayment?

Roofing underlayment is one of many essential components that make up a roof.

Available in multiple types, this seemingly insignificant layer places under the exterior roofing materials actually plays a critical role in how well any roof installation done by a professional roofing company performs.

Before assuming any underlayment product used by a roofer will work on your roof, it is important to understand how they work and which products work better for which applications.

What Is The Purpose Of Underlayment?

Underlayment is a thin protective layer that roofing companies install between the roof decking and external roofing materials.

It is a breathable, water-resistant barrier that protects a roof from moisture that might get under the shingles or other exterior materials.

Although a professional roof installation job would normally be watertight on its own, the underlayment provides secondary protection to the decking in case any moisture does seep under the shingles.

Because underlayment is water-resistant rather than waterproof, it also allows for a certain amount of breathability to aid roof ventilation.

Felt Vs. Synthetic Underlayment - Pros and Cons

There are two types of underlayment used by roofers today: felt and synthetic.

Although they both serve the same purpose, each has definite pros and cons that should be considered before choosing the one appropriate for your roof.

Felt Underlayment - A fabric made of fiberglass fibers and asphalt, felt underlayment is one of the first materials ever used by roofing companies to provide an element of water-tightness to any roof.

PRO

Readily available in multiple sizes and thicknesses for nearly any application from most suppliers.
Less costly as it is made from less-expensive materials, much more cost-effective for the right roof.

CON

Prone to tearing as this less durable material can tear more easily.
Heavier and can add significantly more weight when installed on a roof and take longer to install.
May absorb water and become wrinkled under the shingles.
Slippery which makes it unsafe to work on and more challenging to install.
Some warranty Issues as roofers and roofing product manufacturers may void warranties if felt underlayment is used.

Synthetic Underlayment - A fabric made of synthetic polymers, synthetic underlayment has become a popular choice for many roofing companies due to its many positive attributes in comparison to standard felt underlayment.

PRO

More moisture-resistant, non-absorbent, and repels moisture.
Lightweight and faster to install with 1/4^th the weight of traditional underlayment.
Durable, strong, and tear-resistant.
Non-slip surface that is much safer for a roofing installation.
Recommended by most materials manufacturers and professional roofing companies.

CONS

Depending on type and thickness, synthetic may be up to four times the price of comparable felt underlayment.

Which Underlayment Is Best for Your Roof?

Underlayment is something that every roof needs, regardless of the type chosen.

Although standard felt underlayment is great to use in drier regions where moisture is not much of a concern or when cost is a limiting factor, synthetic underlayment is much preferred by most roofing companies because of its many positive features.

Discuss the options with your roofer before finalizing any roofing job!

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Practical Reasons For Having A New Roofing Installed!

If you’re debating whether to invest in a new commercial roofing installation now or to put it off as long as you can, you should know that there are multiple reasons why hiring roofers to do it now makes more sense than waiting.

Whether your installation is suffering from ongoing roof maintenance issues or is simply nearing it’s suggested retirement age, consider the less obvious but equally important reasons why replacing the roof on your home or building now is more practical than continuing to put it off.

1. Prevent Unnecessary Damage

An old roofing installation that needs to be replaced could be contributing to undetected structural damage.

Even when regular commercial roof maintenance has been done and repairs have been made as needed, there comes a time when the possibility of accumulating damage due to these repeated minor problems must be recognized.

Rather than end up with a much larger repair bill to fix structural or other issues, invest in a new roof and stop it all.

2. Increase Property Value

The age and condition of the roof is an important factor when determining property value.

The more work a home or building needs, the less it’s worth.

When you choose to call commercial roofers before a property value assessment, the appraised value of your building will be much higher, sometimes even higher than the cost of the roof itself.

Alternatively, a bad roof can disproportionately reduce value.

3. Create More Curb Appeal

Appearance matters, whether it’s a house in a neighborhood or a business location somewhere.

Newer commercial roofing installations always produce a more attractive and well-kept appearance that stands out and relays the message that a home or building is maintained and there is owner pride.

4. Improve Energy Efficiency

According to experienced commercial roofers, as a roof ages the less energy efficient the materials become as they slowly degrade over time.

Add to this the idea that roofing materials are continually being improved and made more environmentally friendly and energy efficiency could be improved considerably by investing in a new installation sooner rather than later.

5. Better Materials and Warranties

In the 20+ years that even shorter-lived roofing materials may last, many new and improved products that last longer and perform better will be introduced.

Replacing older materials with newer ones reduces your need to hire commercial roofers to do increasing amounts of roof maintenance since today’s materials are of better quality.

Today’s materials also carry better and longer warranties.

6. Sell Faster

If trying to sell your home or building, one of the most attractive features that will help property sell faster is a new roofing installation.

Between the benefits of improved appearance and curb appeal, increased property value, energy-efficiency, and longer-lasting, higher-performing materials, commercial property will attract more interest and sell faster than if left with an old roof that is already aging.

7. Home Health and Comfort

With a new roof, issues are eliminated like attic dampness and mold growth that can affect indoor air quality, increase allergies, and cause various respiratory illnesses.

An energy-efficient, high-performing commercial roof also makes it easier to keep the interior of a home or building at a comfortable temperature in all seasons.

Ready to Get That New Roofing Installation?

With so many important reasons illustrating the importance and practicality of a new commercial roof, what are you waiting for?

Whether selling, dealing with too much roof maintenance and repairs, wanting to reduce utility bills, or just desiring a home or building to look nicer, all of these things can be resolved at once when you call a commercial roofer for a new roof!

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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!

Thinking of Commercial Shingle Roofing in Dallas Texas?

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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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Do You Know What Maintenance Your New Commercial Roof Needs?

So you just hired a roofing company to install a new roof on your commercial building and that structure will be protected from the elements for the next two decades or more - and things are looking good.

Do you know what happens next?

While you may not have to worry about that new roof for years to come, that’s only partially true.

Even new commercial roofs require at least some amount of roof maintenance to ensure they continue to perform well and last their full expected lifetime.

Follow these simple tips to keep that brand new roof on your commercial building properly maintained so you get your money’s worth from your investment!

Roofing Maintenance Is Critical

As perfect as that newly-installed commercial roof may look today, it starts aging the minute it’s finished and exposed to the elements.

Roofs withstand a lot of extremes that gradually wear them out and break them down.

The only way to slow this process from day one is have a good roofing maintenance program and keep records of all work performed.

Inspection, prevention, and repairs when required are what will protect your commercial roof and insure that it lasts as long as it’s meant to.

Perform Regular Roofing Inspections

A highly important part of commercial roof maintenance and what is most overlooked is hiring a roofing company to perform routine inspections.

Right from the start, it’s critical to keep an eye on any commercial roof to be sure that there are no problems with the workmanship that appear over time, problems with the materials, or unexpected damage.

Any of these concerns if undetected could result in considerable damage to your new commercial roof and might not be covered by warranties or insurance if not detected and remedied when they first occur.

In addition, a routine roofing inspection of a commercial roof every year will allow your roofer to detect any developing problems and take care of them before they cause more deterioration to the roof.

You may also want to bring your roofer out to do an extra inspection after a bad storm like a hurricane or hailstorm to look for storm damage to your commercial roof.

This type of damage can occur to any commercial roof at any time, even if it’s brand new.

Keep It Clean at All Times

Another part of new commercial roofing maintenance is to keep it clean and clear of debris.

Clean the gutters religiously every spring and fall, then check frequently for leaves, branches, and other debris that may be laying on top as there should be nothing on your roof.

If your commercial roof is prone to grow moss, mold, or algae, have your roof company come out and do a professional cleaning periodically, as that kind of growth can gradually deteriorate a roof.

Establish A Maintenance Plan With Your Roofing Company

Your newly installed roof is a big investment in the protection and value of your commercial building, so be sure to keep in mind that roofs need maintenance right from the start to prevent unnecessary damage over time.

Create a plan with your roofing company once the commercial roof is installed and work together to get a long, full service life from with few problems!

Just Installed A New Commercial Roof in Dallas Texas?