Spray Foam Roofing

Spray foam roofing is an interesting roofing material consisting of two different liquid materials that combine to form a seamless roofing material. After mixing, the foam expands over 20 times to form a complete solid roof. These roofs are popular for the speed in which they can be applied, while providing high performance water resistance and insulation.

Abbreviated SPF, spray foam roofing becomes an adhesive, that will adhere and make a roof on almost any surface except bitumen. This means concrete, cinder block, wood and metal roofs can be covered, which leads to lower costs and less roof waste. Instead of tearing off the old roof and installing a new one SPF can be installed. Spray foam also doubles as insulation further reducing a step required on roofing contractors in Denver. Once sprayed, SPF lasts around 50 years. During that time, it will need occasional maintenance in the form of cleaning and priming.

Sometimes roofing contractors in Denver add UV resistant granules to the top coat of foam to protect it from the sun. Foam is actually pretty hardy. The word foam often turns people off, but the foam is hard and durable. They handle human traffic better than asphalt roofs, but can still be damaged from limbs and tools falling on the roofing surface. However, because it is foam roofing contractors in Denver love SPF for its insulating abilities. A square foot of the substance weighs less than three pounds. This means the rest of that material is insulating air.

In warm climates especially, SPF roofing will pay for itself with reduced energy bills on cooling. Studies show that this roofing material pays for itself in 4-5 years. Few other roofing systems will pay for themselves ever. For the two polymers in the foam to correctly combine, the spraying must be done right. The gun, hose and feeding systems must all operate correctly to install a 1 to 1 ratio of the polymer bases. If something goes wrong, it must be fixed immediately or the project must be stopped. It can be hard for some roofing contractors to do this because this means swallowing the costs of redoing the roof.

Finding Leaks in Your Home

So your ceiling is leaking. Unless there is a problem in your heat pump or other HVAC equipment, it probably means you have a roofing problem. However, short of simply replacing the entire roof, it can be hard to find a leak. Water rarely drips straight down. Instead it finds studs and beams and follows them down into the home's interior. So the source of the leak, from both location and cause cannot be determined just by looking at watter dripping from the ceiling.

For small roof leaks, you may never notice because the water runs over such a long portion of your internal structure that it gets absorbed before it chips any paint or causes any other blatant damage. Water in the attic can cause serious problems. Moist areas always have problems with mold, but in the attic water can start to degrade your insulation.

When trying to find a leak, Denver roofing companies follow these basic guidelines. First any contractor or experienced roofer will inspect roof drains in the area. Especially in flat roofs, clogged drains can lead to standing water. The roof is not made to work underwater. It is designed to wick water off as quickly as possible while keeping the interior dry. A drain is not waterproof because it is only expected that water will flow straight down it.

For composition or asphalt shingles, you can run a blade along under the shingle. If it stops about an inch in, it is probably sealed with tar, but if it goes further there is a good chance that this could be your leak source.

Penetrations are the most common leak sources according to Denver roofing companies. Often these penetrations were added after the roof and were not sealed properly. All roof penetrations need special attention because they are weak points in the roof. A combination of flashing, pitch and roofing materials is recommended by Denver roofing companies.

The next place to look is the attic or crawlspace. This will get you closer to the source of the leak before water starts running everywhere. Sometimes problems with duct work or plumbing cause leaks that you think are roof leaks. On steep roofs, exposed nails can rust and cause holes for water to leak in. Accumulated debris can also cause water damage. Clear nests and sticks near chimneys and other obstructions. Swamp coolers with leaking pans will dribble water on the roof and shorten its lifespan significantly.

Think if any contractors were working on the roof around the time it last held up. HVAC contractors, electricians and the like might have added equipment or damaged something in the ceiling. Dropped tools are a leading cause of roof damage. The thin inner roofing material is not made to handle a heavy roofing hammer. In those cramped spaces it is easy to pull flashings loose and cause other roof damage.

Historic Spanish Clay Tile

Out of the monotony of common roofing material Spanish tile really pops. The distinctive barrel shape is instantly identifiable. Along with slate roofing, tile is one of the oldest roofing materials still in use. The main reason for its continued popularity lies with its sturdiness and artistic expressions. Tile will last for over a hundred years as long as it is not exposed to blunt trauma. Clay tile also comes in a myriad of roofing options, with different shapes, colors and textures. Some clay roofs have lasted hundreds of years.

Because clay tile is not water tight, it is often the flashing and waterproof roofing materials under the tile that has to be replaced before the tile. Working on the materials under the roof requires the removal of tile. Tile is strong, but brittle, so only an experienced Boulder roofing company should do this kinds of work. Usually what needs maintenance is the tile fastening system, the weather proofing or flashing.

Tiles resist weather and hail very well, but because there are spaces in between them they are not weather proof. During average rainfall most moisture will be quickly routed off the roof but there are always chinks in the armor. Because the tile is expected to last so long, it is important to install quality roofing materials underneath. This means metal flashing. Once properly installed, a clay tile roof should not need any further visits from the Boulder roofing company. Tiles often outlast the buildings and roofs they were installed in. There is actually a booming business in recycled tile from Spain. Broken tiles are the chink, and they do need to be replaced quickly.

These tiles are beautiful on historic and modern buildings. In olden days, clay tiles were hand made and fired in kilns. Historic buildings using tile often find that the tile is the most memorable aspect of the building.Some handmade Mexican and Spanish tile tradesmen still exist, but most tile used by a Boulder roofing company comes from factory made, machine extruded manufacturing.

Once installed in a new roof, tile often lowers the temperature of your roof and attic. All the air space allows for adequate airflow, essential in roofs. Without airflow, heat and moisture build up, eventually leading to rotting. The tile also acts as a barrier. It absorbs heat while there is the air space and roofing materials between the hot tile and the roof. Compare this with asphalt shingles which are thin, dark, and attached directly to the roof.

Built Up Roofs for Flat Roofing

In warm weather like California, people like the built up roof because it allows for a large shade overhang. Choosing the right color rocks to cover the tar also gives it a southwestern feel. The real reason that flat roofs are popular however is their cost. Flat roofs and roofing is very cheap because of the low amount of skilled labor. It is basically just a post and lintel - beam construction for the frame, covered in tar or some other material.

The tar-like material used to cover these roofs is called bitumen by professional Denver roofing contractors. The thick, black material must be heated for the roofers to spread it on the roof. Almost like asphalt, the layers of thick bitumen hold the gravel in place. The process is cheaper than other roofing choices because all the raw materials can be hauled to the job site to be mixed and poured. If you look at an asphalt shingle, you will realize that a bitumen roof is really just a handmade version.

A composition shingle consists of a felt base with tar and small pebble grains. Well a built up roof uses felt roofing, bitumen and and gravel on a larger scale. The felt material serves to reinforce the roof and stop the bitumen from spreading. Called "plies" built up flat roofs built by Denver roofing contractors measure the thickness of the roof by the number of plies. So a 3 ply roof has three layers of roofing material inside the tar membrane.

The way that Denver roofing contractors get the tar or asphalt bitumen up to a melting point is with a special heated tanker. The tanker then releases liquid tar on the roof to be mopped around by roofers. Needless to say, this is not a roofer's favorite part of the job. There are some tar alternatives that do not need heat to apply. However this means they probably use some organic adhesive that could be just as bad for you.

The mix-in product does not have to be gravel. Any kind of slag, glass fibers or mineral grains can be mixed in to create a built up roof. Some roofers opt out of this all together and just leave the roof covered in tar. Gravel is popular however because it makes the roof stronger, more resistant to the sun (imagine walking on tar in a sweltering day), can reduce the cost of total roofing materials, and also looks more attractive. Another alternative for sun control is to paint the roof white.

Roof Types

Before considering a roof redesign, roof replacement or when building a new home, you should look up the kinds of roofs available. You do not necessarily have to use the same kind of roof as in your old home. There are many options out there that have differences in utility and aesthetics.

One of the most common types of roof is the gable roof. Gable roofs with composition shingles represent more than half of American homes. It is simple for Denver roofing contractors to build, and it has some positive design features like easy ventilation and rain shedding. Some even use the false thatched roof style, that uses tan shingles formed on the eaves to look like a thatch overhand.

The hip roof is similar to the gable except it has triangles that shed water on the ends, while the gable just has two planes. It is harder to ventilate, and some HVAC contractors dislike it because of the possibility of leaks and less room inside.

A frames look like a capitol A stuck into the ground. The roof goes all the way to the ground and doubles as the walls. Usually used in smaller cottages and the like, now some ambitious Denver roofing contractors are using A-frame construction on churches in unconventional ways.

The flat roof is popular on the big box retailers because it is the cheapest roof. You just construct a flat plane on the top of the beams. These roofs are usually not considered very attractive for two reasons. One, because it is flat, you cannot see it from below, and two, the top is often covered with layers of felt, tar and gravel. This is called "built up roofing" by Denver roofing contractors. A perfectly flat roof would have problems with water pooling, so even flat roofs on large buildings should have a slight pitch for water drainage. These roofs are uncommon in the north because they do not shed snow.

Still in the simple roof construction category, the shed roof is a roof that only has one angled plane. So the high side is on one wall and the low on the opposite. This is also easy to build, but uncommon in larger structures.

Tile vs Slate Roofing

The upper tier of roofing materials in terms of quality and looks are tile and slate roof shingles. Both tile and slate will last a long time due to the strength of their material. Tile is made out of baked clay, while slate is either stone or a synthetic material.

The most recognizable form of tile are the red Spanish s-tiles. These are a traditional and classy look, but tile can come in may more designs as well. Some tile is even made of concrete instead of clay. Concrete can be molded to look like other types of roofing materials. Both forms are very resistant to weathering because of their density. The only real weakness of tile is that it is brittle and can shatter when people walk on it. However if for example a tree limb falls on a tile roof, it will only break a few tiles. Compare that with having to call a Denver roofing company to completely replace a thinner asphalt shingle roof.

Tile can withstand fire, hail and other adverse conditions well, however it is very heavy like slate roofing. Slate has many of the same benefits, but it is the most expensive roofing material. Some at the Denver roofing company say this is because they look better, however the real reason is because slate is really made from stone. It is a hard to gather natural material.

The main benefit of using real rock is that it lasts almost forever. It may cost 10x as much as asphalt shingles, but slate roofs will last 10x as long as well. They require much less maintenance from a Denver roofing company over that span as well. Like tile, slate is very heavy and requires a sturdily built roof to hold it up. Not all roofers are familiar with slate.

One interesting factoid is that light colored roofs significantly reduce the amount of solar energy absorbed. This keeps the house cool in the summer, and it also reduces the effects of global warming by reflecting heat back out into space. So in warm climates pick a lighter colored tile if possible. Slate is loosing some of its popularity because of the price. There are new synthetic slate roofing materials that are made of either slate dust or cement and fiber resin. They are slightly cheaper and retain many of slate's good qualities.

Roof Replacement Costs

Installing a new roof is a big decision. You will have to hire a roofing contractor and pay thousands of dollars in roofing materials. If you are constructing a new home, the best bet is to go with what the architect advises and what will be the longest lasting investment.

Unfortunately roof shopping is not like shoe shopping. These materials cost a lot and will be what is protecting your family from the elements. So you will want to do some research and make some calculations about the overall costs and benefits of each product. The roofing contractor you choose is also important. Don't let them tell you that shingles will last longer than Denver metal roofing.

Although asphalt shingles are everywhere and have been the cheapest roofing choice for years, most roofing contractors do not recommend them anymore. Sure, the roofer will probably get more business because he will have to replace the whole thing every 10-20 years. In the meantime the roofing contractor will also make money as shingles break and need to be replaced. However, this results in significant extra costs to you, and significant waste in terms of old shingles. Those shingles are made of a petroleum byproduct, asphalt and do not bio degrade. So for economical and ecological reasons we do not recommend asphalt shingles.

To determine if you want a roofer, consider their track record. Ask about their other jobs and customers. If they offer any product or construction warranties, make sure you get those in writing. They should be helpful and give you a written proposal, not try and convince you to let them start work immediately. That is unless you have put off roof replacement for so long that your roof damage is starting to damage the interior of the home as well. Denver metal roofing is probably the hardiest type of roofing and it is not complicated to install.

Once you decide on a roofing contractor and type of roofing, price will probably influence your final roofing choices. When doing roof replacement, oddly shaped roofs or an excess of protruding roof structures like vents will make the job more difficult and expensive. The base price is found by multiplying the cost per roofing unit by the amount needed to cover the roof. The roofer then adds expenses like fasteners and labor. Labor often costs more than the total costs of roofing supplies. If you had a poorly designed roof or suffered damage, the roofer may have to tear off the old roof before installing Denver metal roofing. This is a much more expensive process than just laying tile shingles.

Eco-Friendly Metal Roofing

Metal roofing's biggest plus is its durability vs asphalt shingles. Shingles need regular replacement and if just one shingle gets damaged, that could equal immediate water damage. The strength of an asphalt shingle also leaves much to be desired. Anyone could snap one of these shingles in half with their bare hands.

If you want an alternative that does not use tar and asphalt, metal roofing is a green roof alternative. The fabrication of metal sheeting certainly has its environmental effects, but those effects are minuscule compared to using asphalt. Asphalt is basically just oil residue, but it does not last very long. Asphalt shingles need to be replaced regularly, while Denver metal roofing will last over 50 years.

The amount of maintenance required of metal roofing makes it much cheaper over time. Correctly constructed, Denver metal roofing should be like a shield, protecting your home for years. Most homeowners do not replace their roof or realize there is a problem until there is a leak causing damage in the home. With replaceable shingles, this means possible roof damage every few years, instead ever half decade with a metal roof. Asphalt roofing is becoming obsolete because there are so many roofing materials now that do the job better, with less labor required.

Asphalt is still the cheapest, but as a property owner, you should be looking at the house as an investment. Over time asphalt will require many repairs and it will not increase the value of the house like Denver metal roofing can. If you are just flipping properties, you may not have time for a metal roof or other superior roofing materials. Asphalt shingle manufacturers claim that their roofs will last around 15 years. During that time however, you may need to do some roof repairs or replace broken shingles. These shingles are sent to the dump, and the asphalt is certainly not good for the environment.

Some people think metal roofing is boring, and this may be if you just leave it like it is. But metal can be painted and this leaves you with an array of colors and designs to choose from. You do not have to have your house looking like a barn just because you bought metal roofing! They now have metal that mimics slate or wood shingles, so you can get the best of both worlds.Choose your roof color to match your home and personality, just like you would anything else that is customizable.

To add green energy savings, choose a light color in hot areas with a lot of sun, and a dark shade where it is cold. Reflective roofs can save you a great deal on air conditioning costs. As the sun's energy comes from above, much of it is absorbed by the roof, and light colors minimize this. Metal will not deteriorate in weather and leak into the environment like other roofing materials.

A Guide to Choosing Roofing Company in Denver

Posted by: Roof Denver

One of the sad facts about living in Denver is that sooner or later, a storm is heading to appear by and damage your roof. With that in mind, you need to nearly definitely give some consideration to how to decide on a Denver roofing company that will be in a position to cope with the distinct requirements of the city's environment. What you undoubtedly want to watch out for are firms that aren't true Denver roofing. Following a key storm comes by way of, you're heading to discover that a quantity of providers from out of the area moving in to take advantage of the new perform, and that brings its own complications.

It's not that the roofing crews that appear in are conclusively incompetent, even though you can come across very a number of scam artists and usually inexperienced folks that will possibly be sniffing around trying to discover income. The issue is that when they arrive from some other place, they may possibly perhaps not recognize how to repair or replace a roof to guarantee that it it won't fly away the future time the weather conditions gets a little hairy. So, clearly, the 1st point you'll have to have to be certain of when you hire an Denver roofing company is that it genuinely is an Denver roofing business.

This is significant, given that understanding the demands of the sometimes extreme weather conditions that hits the town is something that only comes from understanding. A roofing crew from an additional state, no matter how talented, just isn't going to turn into ready to comprehend and operate close to the tiny nuances that are necessary to get a roof which will withstand a tornado or hail storm.

It might be tempting to use an out of town crew, but it will cost you inside the lengthy run. And, obviously, if your roofing firm isn't from Denver, precisely wherever will you find them if you could have a dilemma? You require a enterprise that will be around if you have issues, preferably a corporation where by the owner actually lives in your area and is accessible if you would like to talk to him. The final element you want to appear for is that you're hiring an experienced roofing company. There's no licensing agency or accreditation agency for contractors and construction, so any person, regardless of expertise, can print up some company cards and get up and running. Rather a couple of times, the roofing sales individuals that follow a storm just have a couple of hours training.

Their work is to close the deal at any price! These folks aren't genuinely there to support you, they're there to make a commission. Then they hand over the work to one more and are nowhere to turn out to be discovered if there is a dilemma. Yet again, it's not necessarily that persons with less experience will do a poor work, but it is a lot less difficult to uncover out how very good they are if they've been all-around your location for a while. Indeed, the mere fact that they have been around for a time is decent evidence that they're reliable and talented, which is key in not just Denver roofing but any form of construction. The up coming aspect you need to take into account is what sort of roofing the corporation does.

You do not will need to employ an Denver roofing company that specializes in significant, commercial roofing to do your house, or vice versa. This ensures you get somebody who has the exact skill set that you would like.