If you are planning on building a new home soon or if your existing house is in need of a new roof, you should know that there are many “green” roofing options on the market today available from forward-thinking contractors. Traditional roofing is simply not meant to last nor is it recyclable: you will pay a little more for ecologically-conscious protection, but it’s definitely worth it. Here is a brief overview of “green” roofing options for today’s earth-smart consumer as well as different factors to consider as you choose.

First of all, contractors are well-aware that if their products aren’t desirable then their customers are not going to want eco-roofs, no matter how earth-friendly they may be. So don’t get sucked into the myth that it’s hard to get a green roof or that it’s not affordable. It is precisely because these roofs are in higher demand that they have become easier to find, more affordable, and more durable than ever before.

–Ceramic or slate tile: This type of roofing is created from raw materials that are abundant, making tiles an earth-friendly choice. In addition, such a roof will last 50 years or more and will probably never need to be replaced for as long as you own your home: so they are cost-efficient too. The main disadvantage with this type of material is that it is heavy, and you’ll need to add extra support to the underlying structure in order to support the roof.

–Recycled roof: This type of roof is rapidly gaining in popularity; it is usually marketed as recycled rubber tile or faux slate and is made from 100% recycled materials. They are made of synthetic materials that are naturally resistant to damage from the elements and insects, and are a much more lightweight option than ceramic and slate tile.

–Metal roof: Made from 25% recycled steel, a metal roof offer one of the most durable and maintenance-free options of all. Its main advantage other than its longevity is that this type of roof can be installed right over an existing one.

Always try to choose a light-colored roof that will not absorb as much of the sun’s heat and will instead reflect the rays away: you’ll save a bundle in utility bills and enjoy a comfier, cooler home year-round.

With the roof of your home being one of the most important parts, it isn’t at all uncommon for roofing ideas to pop up when the time comes for a renovation project.

If you’re home improvement project involves a complete re-roofing, then there are a large number of ideas that can be used in order to align the project with your personal tastes.

If your roofing ideas involve changing the style of roof that your home has, then have a look at some of the popular styles of roof that many homeowners have:

• The most popular style of roof is the gable roof. This is the image most commonly associated with the word roof; two slanted pieces joined together at the ridge to form a triangular appearance.
• The hip roof another popular design that many homeowners favor. It somewhat resembles a gable roof but is different in that it has four surfaces rather than two. Hip roofs typically don’t have slops as deep as those of gable roofs.
• Roofing ideas that involve and A-Frame roof typically do so because that style not only provides the roof for the home, but the walls as well. On the outside, an A-Frame roof is almost identical to a gable roof, but has greater functionality because it’s longer.
• The flat roof is a style more common in warmer climates that see little to no snowfall. People who choose this style of roof typically do so for its economical sensibilities, as flat roofs don’t cost as much to build as many other styles.

Whichever style of roof you decide to go with, remember to choose something that goes well with the design of your home and that of the other homes around you. Picking something that looks good is important, because new roofs are expensive and they’ll be a part of the house for years to come.

That said, not only should your roofing ideas consider the style of roof, but material as well. What sort of material makes up the roof can be important for a number of reasons. Materials like asphalt, wood and metal are all popular materials that homeowners use in their roofing projects for different reasons. Factors like cost and whether or not they require regular maintenance in order to guarantee a long life are questions that you should ask yourself when thinking about which material you want.

Whenever you undertake a project as extensive as roofing, always consult a professional contractor about your roofing ideas before work begins. Your Vero Beach roofing contractor‘s opinion can go a long way to making sure that things go as smoothly as possible.

Just about everyone wants a stylish and up-to-date home, and, if the time has come to install an new roof on your home, you may be thinking about Vero Beach aluminum shingles, cedar shakes, or even stretching your budget for slate. But, don’t be so quick to dismiss asphalt roof shingles. They’ve come a long way since the 3 tab asphalt shingles your grandparents used.

3 Reasons You Might Change Your Mind About Asphalt Roof Shingles

Technology changes constantly. Every year, new computers and digital cameras hit the market with better features than last year’s models. Asphalt Vero Beach roof shingles are no different. Manufacturers listen to what homeowners and builders want in a shingle, and they strive to provide it. The newest shingle roofing lines offer more choices and better features than ever before, and they deserve serious consideration when you’re choosing your new roof.

Here’s why:

1. Energy Star Rated: Manufacturers understand homeowners want to cut down on energy use and costs. Some asphalt roof shingles are Energy Star rated and can qualify for a tax credit. These shingles reflect sunlight away from your home, and, depending on where you live, asphalt shingles can cut your energy usage 7-15 percent.
2. Impact Resistant: If you live in an area subject to violent storms, you may like some types of asphalt roof shingles. These shingles can give you extra protection and may qualify you for a discount on your homeowners insurance.
3. Increased Warranties: Asphalt roof shingles used to be available with 20 or 25 year warranties. Now, 30, 40, and even 50 year warranties are available. Imagine have a shingle that only needs replacing every 50 years.

In addition to these three reasons to consider asphalt shingles, here’s one more: the countless styles now available can make your home look like it should be featured in an architectural trends magazine. Talk to one of your local roofing contractors to learn about the options available to you in your area.

When it comes to home improvement, it doesn’t always pay to take the cheaper option. In fact sometimes it’s a losing venture when you find yourself making expensive repairs or replacements down the road because the cheaper option didn’t hold up. And sometimes you’ll find that you can save more in the long run by spending more up front.

This is certainly the case when it comes to choosing Vero Beach metal roofing versus asphalt shingles for your home. While metal roofing costs more money to purchase and install compared to asphalt shingles, you can save a significant amount over the long life of the roof.

Why Are Asphalt Shingles So Cheap?

There is a reason why asphalt shingle roofs are a cheaper roofing option compared to metal roofs – they are simply an inferior product. Here are some of the ways that asphalt shingles under-perform vs metal roofing:

• Material – asphalt shingles are susceptible to corrosion and algae growth and are capable of tearing and flying away during heavy winds and rain. Plus, they can weigh five times more than metal panels per square, putting more strain on the foundation and structure of your home.
• Energy Efficiency – asphalt shingles absorb heat from the sun, transferring that heat directly into your home during the hot summer months, forcing your cooling unit to work on overdrive, and sending your home energy bills sky high.
• Environmental Impact – asphalt shingles contribute a significant amount of landfill waste every year since they have a shorter life span and need to be replaced more often. And because of their tendency to absorb heat, they contribute to the urban heat island effect, pollution, smog, and overall energy consumption.

Why is Metal Roofing Worth the Investment?

Metal Roofing is a superior roofing product compared to asphalt shingles and is worth its value in terms of protection for your home, long life expectancy of the roof, a transferable Limited Lifetime Warranty, and pure aesthetic curb appeal.

Here are some of the ways that metal roofing out-performs asphalt shingles:

• Material – certain metal roofing systems, such as the MetalMan Roofing System from Advanced Metal Roofing, are constructed from galvalume sheet metal, a durable material that is corrosion resistant, long lasting and low maintenance, and has a high heat reflectivity to help save energy.
• Energy Efficiency – a metal roof reflects more of the sun’s heat energy, preventing excess heat from transferring into the attic and helping to lower home energy consumption.
• Environmental Impact – metal roofing is one of the most recycled materials on earth, saving waste from entering our landfills and recyclable after its long life span. And because of its tendency to reflect the sun’s rays, it helps to prevent smog and the urban heat island effect, and ultimately reduce the need for burning fossil fuels by saving on energy consumption.

A Strategic Investment for your Home

It would be smart to consider metal roofing a strategic investment for your Vero Beach home. This is a case where you pay more up front to save money (and the headache of dealing with a roof repair, replacement, or damage from a leaky roof) down the road. Plus you get the benefits of powerful protection for your home, a beautiful roof that complements your home, and added home value.

It would also be smart to consider paying the professionals to install your metal roof. Let experts with specific experience and know-how of metal roof installation take care of the job for you to ensure that it’s done right the first time.

James Kenton is owner of Advanced Metal Roofing, a residential metal roofing company offering the exclusive MetalMan Roofing System. Every metal roof comes with a transferable, limited Lifetime Warranty, a 42% Energy Savings Pledge, and has the government ENERGY STAR seal of approval.

A leak isn’t always something coming through your ceiling. It’s best to look for the proper signs if you suspect any damage in your roof. You might not notice your roof leaking until it’s too late. The leaking may have started in a part of the house where you normally don’t spend most of your time. Over time, the leaking can wear through your ceiling for weeks or months before you notice something is wrong.

Signs to See if your Roof is Leaking

Take a look at your ceiling and see if you see a dark stain or any other discolorations. The ceiling may look as if something is weighing it down or bulging out. If the stain is in a “ring-like shape”, then you have a weather leak in your roof. If you experience heavy raining and leaking occurs immediately afterwards, you definitely have a leak. Once you’ve discovered a leak, don’t touch the area or try to repair the damage. Eventhough you may see one spot and think that the leak originated there, water may be sliding from different areas of the roof.

It’s best to remove any valuables nearby to prevent damage. If you have a rug or drop cloth, you can place it over your carpet to keep it protected from the leak. Contact a Vero Beach roofer to inspect your home to see where the leak is originating. From there, you’ll know how much the damage will be to repair your roof. It could require a few shingles or an entire roof to be replaced.

If you’re not careful, holes in your roof can cost you alot of money in energy bills and it’s best to take care of it quickly. The faster you find the leak in your roof, the better it’s to expedite repairs. Contact a professional Vero Beach roofer to handle the job for you.

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