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It Insulates and Protects

Usually, a polyurethane foam roof costs about equal to a Built-Up Roof (BUR) with underlying insulation. However, foam roofs are unique because they are the only roof type that both insulates and protects against leaks with a single monolithic barrier.

Different Materials to Consider When You Install a Foam Roof

There are a lot of flat roofing materials, but all are not equal in quality. An EPDM (rubber roof) or single-ply roof, sealed either by tars or adhesives are not as high quality as a typical BUR roof.

The reason is they usually last less than 10 years, while a higher quality BUR roof may last a lot more than 10 years. Usually, a BUR roof is built with a few semi-flexible membrane layers, and then water-proofed with water-resistant modified bitumen.

Remember, coal tars are a known carcinogen (not as severe as asbestos – otherwise, this would be more widely known). Modified bitumen, however, comes from oils, refined at much lower temperatures than coal tar, and is a much safer substance.

The fluctuating prices in the cost of a barrel of oil get passed on to the roofing industry. As the costs of asphalt roofing materials continue to increase, and the cost of a high-quality polyurethane foam roof remains more steady, that makes SPF or foam roofing more affordable for consumers.

Compare Costs Before You Install A Foam Roof

Cost, of course, can vary due to a lot of factors, like geographic location, and the size and type of the project. Prices might be estimated anywhere between $3-$12 per square foot, and this can be affected by several other factors – the quality of the materials used, the labor costs to install these materials, and any associated warranty, contractor insurance, or bonding costs which will get passed on to the customer.

Initial Cost Factors:

Long Term Considerations

If you’re going to install a roof, it’s good to think about the long-term cost impact. If you have decided to install a foam roof, the insulation factor can pay off big in the long run.

Also, think about adding cool roof coatings; just by changing the color of a roof to something reflective can lower summer cooling bills by 30% or more.

Medium Density Sprayed Polyurethane Foam Roofing conforms to the corners and angles of a roof and usually has an R-Value around 6 to 8 per inch of thickness. In layman’s terms, one inch of foam is as effective as 6 to 8 inches of solid wood.

In reality, due to things like vapor trapping (foam forms a barrier), and the density of foam (it is light, but heavier than air–of course), foam can be 4 times more effective than fiberglass.

If you have lived in an older, poorly insulated home, you know that heating and cooling bills can really get out of control with poor insulation.

This is just one final cost factor that should be considered when you’re comparing an insulated roof like SPF with other roofing materials, like EPDM, Single Ply, or BUR, with no insulation. Watch out for the myths of foam roofs.

Shingle Roof Flexibility

The flexibility of shingle roofing is demonstrated here in our diverse Arizona weather. Most cities in Arizona have warm and dry weather. In the major metro areas of Phoenix and Tucson, summer months bring hot, sweltering days and winter brings crisp cool air. Other areas in North Central and Northern Arizona have a mountainous climate where the summers are mild and sunny and winters have snow and cold winds.  In this article, we will be discussing the pros and cons of shingle roofs.

Here Is A List of Pros and Cons of Shingle Roofs

Pros

  1. Shingle Roofing is Very Versatile – Shingle roofs can be made of asphalt fiberglass, wood, metal, slate, or tile. In the warmer areas where properties have a lot of flat roofs, tile shingles are durable in our Arizona climate. Wood shingles look fantastic on rustic house designs while asphalt fiberglass can be used to suit just about any property design.
  2. Shingle Roofing is Less Expensive – Shingles are one of the least expensive roofing choices. Galvanized metal shingles are inexpensive and extremely durable. Synthetic slate and asphalt fiberglass shingles are more affordable than their original versions.
  3. Easy to Install and Maintain – Shingle roofs don’t require specially trained roofing contractors. Every roofer should know how to install shingle roofs as it’s one of the most popular types of roofing choices throughout the country. Consistent scheduled repairs and maintenance on your shingle roof is critical to help it last a long time and to avoid damage to the interior of your property. But, the investment and repair work needed is manageable.
  4. Fire Resistant – Excluding wood shake shingles, the other types of shingle materials are very fire resistant. Asphalt fiberglass shingles are made to be more fire-resistant than plain felt shingles.
  5. Easy Availability – Most hardware, construction supply and home improvement stores carry several types, shapes, and colors of shingles. Its affordability fueled its popularity with home construction companies, making shingle roofing materials easily available, ready for roofing installation and repair projects and jobs.

Cons

  1. Less Lifespan – Although some shingles – like metal and slate – are durable and strong enough to last 50 years, they can also be more expensive. Asphalt and wood shingles ordinarily last from 15-30 years. Tile shingles can last 30 years or longer, but the underlayment will need to be addressed about every 12-15 years.
  2. Needs Regular Repair and Maintenance – You need to have your roof inspected once or twice a year. It could be more often depending on the intensity of the storm season. Putting off the regular inspections could lead to leaks and other damages that will be much more expensive to fix down the road.
  3. Subject to Discoloring and Deforming – Shingles can bend, fade, scar, and stain due to the weather and the elements, especially during intense monsoon storms.
  4. Susceptible to Moss and Mildew – Improper roof installation, poor roof ventilation, and moisture leaks could result in damaging moss and mildew, particularly on wood and asphalt shingles. Mildew and moss growth not only look bad, they also could lead to the roof deteriorating more quickly. Not to mention the health hazards that could arise for your family if it should take hold inside the property, such as attics and walls.

Schedule Annual Preventative Maintenance

Its great to own your own home, but when you own a property you have to perform the dreaded word, maintenance.  However, if you schedule time annually for preventative maintenance, it won’t to be such a burdensome task. This means you’ll need to give equal importance to both the interior of your property and the exterior. Take your roof as an example. Roofs get more abuse from weather and the elements than any other part of your property. Preventative maintenance is a major factor to your roof providing the longest service life possible.

Whether it’s a commercial or residential roof, all roofing systems need some scheduled maintenance during the year. Concrete or clay tile roofs, under normal situations, don’t require much upkeep. Twice-yearly inspections should take place to findand fix issues as they occur.  The best time to perform these inspections would be in the spring, before the monsoon storm season begins, and in the fall, after its over.

When Having Your Roof Inspected

A lot of roof damage happens before anyone at ground level notices it. Finding ponding, gaps around penetrations, loose flashings or other roof damage should be promptly reported to a professional, properly licensed, roofing company.  If your property has any leaks, it’s critical to get a comprehensive leak inspection completed as soon as possible. A visible interior leak could mean there’s an outside entryway for water to enter your roof structure, which could cause significant and more expensive damage.  Here’s some important tile maintenance tips to consider when having your roof and the surrounding areas inspected.

When Hiring A Roofing Contractor

A good tip to having the best kept tile roof in the neighborhood is to have it cleaned and inspected by a licensed and insured tile roof repair contractor while these semi-annual dates are being scheduled. In monsoon seasons, its especially important to check your roof visually after each storm, in case tiles have been misplaced by high winds or flying broken branches.

Don’t Neglect It

Some maintenance do’s and don’t’s and basic rules for taking care of a flat roof are common sense.  You would be surprised what some flat roof owners do to jeopardize their roof. The worst thing you can do is neglect it. Small issues can turn into big problems quickly.

How your roof is used and the type of material you have will determine how much maintenance it will need. The following tips will help you take care of your residential or commercial roof.

6 Important Maintenance Tips For Flat Roof Owners

Keep the Roof Clean of Debris

You should clean your roof during and after the fall season, especially if you have trees that can drop debris. Here in Arizona, you should always inspect your roof after monsoon storms. Strong winds can throw debris up on your roof, even from other properties.  You may not even know there is damage causing debris up there if you don’t take a look. Always keep your flat roof clear of organic debris that could cause punctures or residual damage.

Make Sure Equipment is Attached Properly

Make sure any equipment that must be attached to roof is properly attached without causing punctures to the roof materials. If possible, mount equipment on top of a platform to limit damages to the roof materials. If your material uses fasteners, make sure they are tight and secure.

Inspect and Clean Draining Systems

Check draining systems and clean out any debris. Make sure you have adequate draining for your roof, if you notice a lot of ponding water you may need better drainage, clean them, or possibly have an area that needs something to stop ponding water. Some spots that have ponding water need leveling to help the water flow to the drain system. Ponding water can cause a flat roof to deteriorate quickly, so once its detected, remove it as quickly as possible and make sure the drain systems keep it from re-occurring.

Don’t Cause Undue Stress to the Roof

Flat roofs will have issues with pressure from too much weight, such as too much heavy equipment for the way the structure of the roof was built, snow and ice weight, water weight or even random things on the roof that shouldn’t be there. You should have some sort of documentation from the builders and designers that specifies the amount of weight your flat roof can withstand. If there is an area that is not supported well and  too much weight exists there, the roof can eventually collapse, causing all kinds of damage and even jeopardize your families well being.

Do Not Neglect Your Flat Roof

If you haven’t had it inspected for some time, or have put off repairs that need to be done for some time, do not wait. Call a professional flat roof contractor to inspect your roof and give you advice on the best way to maintain or repair it. The number one reason flat roofs have to be replaced is due to neglecting the roof’s need for repairs and maintenance.

Do Not Have Hazardous Materials on Your Roof

Exposure can cause damage to the material or other damage to the roof decking. Some roofing materials can become damaged with other products that aren’t made for the specific type of roof you may have.

It’s A Big Investment

A new roof is a big investment that typically can cost thousands of dollars. The materials you use will be a small portion of your investment.

Most of it will go toward the skilled labor involved. That means choosing an experienced roof installation contractor is the best route to protect your investment and ensure a proper job.

Sounds simple, right? Unfortunately, roofing is a business that requires little more than a pickup, a ladder, and some basic tools start, so you have to be careful and diligent in choosing the right roofer for your project.

If you can get recommendations from a neighbor, friend, or someone you are familiar with, it's probably the best route to proceed.

Gather the names of at least two potential companies. Make sure each one has been in business for a minimum of five years.  Roofing corporations who do bad work generally won’t be in a business that long and are usually unlicensed.

Things You Can Do To Make Sure You
Choose The Right Roof Installation Contractor

Check Availability

Check the availability of your roofer. There’s no reason to waste time if they’re booked up for months. Make sure to get calls and addresses of past customers, and eliminate any contractor that is hesitant to provide them.

Inspect Previous Work

Do a drive-by inspection of a few of their recent projects. If it's a shingle roof, visually make sure that the spaces between individual shingle tabs, known as water gaps, line up laser-straight as they alternate shingle rows.

Make sure the shingles are trimmed in a clean path along the valleys where they overlap the flashing. On the ends of the roof, shingles should also be neatly trimmed so they align with the leading edge of the roof. Ragged paths mean poor work.

Likewise look for neat, tar-free flashing at the roof valleys and at the eaves.

Ask Past Customers Questions

If the roofs look like they stand up to scrutiny, call their past customers and ask them these questions:

Look For A Professional Appearance

When a roofing company comes by to estimate your job and work up a price quote, notice their look. If they aren’t clean enough to sit at your dinner table, do you really want them working on your property?

Make sure to detail the entire assortment of your expectations. Know who will be doing the work and who the main foreman will be. Always get everything in writing.

Proof of Insurance

If you like them, then it’s time to ask if they carry workman’s compensation coverage and at the least$ 1 million of liability insurance.

Get the name and contact information of the roofer’s insurance agent and ask the agent for their proof-of-insurance certifications.

After you’ve seen these documents, then it's time to talk about an estimate, which they should be doing for free.

Warranty

Make sure you get a warranty that takes care of leaks, flashing loss or failure, and any other labor-related issues.

A one-year warranty is a minimum you should get, but two or three years is what you should really demand. These same specifications need to be in the contract, which should also include what type of quality materials they will be using.

Make sure you ask for the highest-rated, longest-lasting shingles or tiles you can afford to pay for.

Manufacturers generally warrant their products for 20 to 30 years.

Some can be voided if shingles are put on over existing ones, so tearing off the existing layer of shingles might be required, which would be an additional expense. Asphalt shingle roofs should last 13 to 15 years on average, so a 20-year warranty is what you would want.

Tiles should last 30 to 40 years. Make sure to get the proper paperwork and proof of purchase required, in case you have to pursue any problems that arise in the future.

Tile Roofs are a Quality Choice

A tile roof adds a rich and elegant look to any residence, while giving it a durable, fire-safe protective layer that is also resistant to bugs and rot. It won’t grow mold, stain or lose any of its color as years go by. For these reasons, a tile roof installation is a great choice for your roof.

Tiles are generally made of concrete or ceramic clay, and come in a broad range of traditional and modern designs. Concrete tile is generally warranted for at least 50 years, while ceramic clay can be warranted for 75 years or more.

Average Costs for a Tile Roof Installation

What to Include

Other Costs

Do Your Homework

Durable, Long Lasting and Stylish

Tile roofs are beautiful. They’re durable, long lasting and offer southwest style to any home. But they develop problems just like any other type of roof.  Like most roof problems, the sooner a problem is discovered, the better.  You’ll spend way less money fixing immediately than having to deal with bigger problems that may develop down the road. In light of this, we’d like to point out a few common problems with tile roofs, so you can contact a reliable roofing contractor to fix your problem as soon as you spot it.

If you use quality materials, keep debris clear, inspect regularly and only use professional, licensed contractors to work on it, your tile roof will provide many years of protection and beauty to your home or business.

Poor Quality Materials

One of the biggest problems is using poor quality materials to install on your roof. Make sure you purchase tiles for your roof that are ASTM certified. The market for roofing materials has been strong and there’s been a flood  low quality tiles pushed to consumers because of this. If you use non-ASTM certified tiles, your roof’s lifespan will be significantly reduced and you’ll have much more frequent need for repairs. Saving money in the installation will only cost you much more down the road.

Unreliable Contractors

Even if you use top quality tiles, if you use inexperienced , unlicensed or amateur contractors to install them, you’ll be sorry later. Make sure you’re hiring a reliable, professional, properly licensed and insured company like this one to do the job. This goes for any repairs you need, also. Don’t hire a handyman or someone that will do a cheap job for you to make any repairs on your roof. Make sure , again, that they’re a professional roofing contractor.

Debris Build Up

Material build-up on the tiles. The material tiles are made of is porous and susceptible to moisture and organic debris. If you have any trees that are constantly drooping leaves, branches, twigs or other debris on your roof, make sure you are diligent about removing it from your roof on a consistent basis. If you don’t, the tiles will begin to wear out and crack, or the debris will work its way under the tiles and destroy the integrity of the underlayment.

Storms & Harsh Weather

Storms and weather. Here in Arizona, we can have violent, sudden storms, especially during the monsoon season. High winds can knock tiles loose or cause them to slide, exposing the underlayment below. If you have trees near your roof, branches can sway in the wind and wreak havoc on your tiles. Make sure you check your roof after storms and have a professional roofing contractor inspect your roofs integrity at least once a year before the storm season starts.

Walking On The Roof

Walking on the roof. Tiles are made from cast concrete or clay and can be broken if walked upon. Clay tiles can be especially sensitive to weight. Don’t walk on your roof unless there’s no way to avoid it. If you need to have a section of your roof checked that is hard to see from the ground, hire a professional roofer to inspect the area for you, to avoid risk and damage to the roof.

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