Owens Corning Ventilation Products Create a Healthier Roof

A healthy roof is designed to help moisture and heat build-up escape. Owens Corning VentSure® Ventilation products work together so air flows naturally up into the attic and out again, taking excess heat and moisture with it. Get a beautiful, longer lasting roof thanks to the Owens Corning™ Roofing System.

Owens Corning Starter Shingles Give Confidence Against Wind Damage

Wind damage can be traced back to the first row of shingles. If that's not done right, the whole roof can fail, since wind at the eaves can get underneath and push upward on your shingles. Use Owens Corning™ starter shingle products to make sure there is a secure seal where it matters most.

The Inviting Beauty of Owens Corning Oakridge Shingles

Owens Corning™ Oakridge™ Shingles have a soft, dimensional look that can make your home look warm and inviting. Equally important, they're a durable choice in shingles. Choose Oakridge™ Shingles for your home's protection and beauty.

New Roof Styles Can Bring Higher Property Values

We have all been victim to it before: the same old, same thing. The majority of homes in America have composite asphalt shingles as their main roof material. Loved for their variety of color and ease on the wallet, these shingles have been around since most of us were born.

Just because we are used to a certain roof material and style is no good reason to stick with it forever. With so many new choices, many homeowners are surprised to learn that making changes to their roof can actually increase the value of their homes.

Leaps And Bounds

As technology advances, so do the products that are available for our homes. We now have many different materials that can be used as the façade of our home. We no longer have to choose between wood or metal siding, there is brick of all colors, stucco, cement, glass and even earthly materials such as clay.

Roof materials have also evolved over time and we now can choose from clay or slate tiles, metal panels, wood shakes and even recycled varieties of asphalt shingles. Solar panels have become more popular, allowing for many people to reap the benefits of alternative energy sources generated by their roof coverings.

Most Bang For Your Buck

When it comes to upgrading your roof style you should consider the how the new style will impact the look of your home as well as your neighborhood. Don't choose a style that will clash with the style and color of your home. For example, if you live in a Southwestern region and are considering a metal roof, a silver metal roof may seem obtrusive to the natural, earth tones that are prominent in that region. Instead, choose a copper or gold colored metal roof. If you live in a stucco home, or one with a cement façade, a wood shake or clay tile roof may not match the overall theme of your home's style.

Generally, you want to follow the theme of (a) the region in which you live, (b) the colors of your home and/or neighborhood homes and (c) the time period in which your home was built. Always try to pick a roof style that not only matches in color and theme, but adheres to the time period of the home as well.

• A Victorian style home would look off putting if it had a flashy clay tile or shiny metal roof as these homes symbolize elegance and tradition. A newer styled roof material would not match the historical heritage of the home. Instead, it would be best served by a gray or charcoal colored roof made out of dark stained wood shake or slate tile.


• To maximize the look of a Colonial style home, use a neutral (gray or tan) wood shake or matte metal roof material. The color of the roof material should be a complimentary color to that of the window shutters or columns.


• Southwestern style homes tend to look best with earth tones such as tan, gold, copper and browns. Tiles or copper metal roof materials look best on these style homes. Solar panels are also a great option for homes in these regions as they tend to get a lot of sun the whole year.


• Beach front or coastal community homes have cooler colors in their color schemes. A shiny aluminum or steel roof would accentuate the color scheme well in these homes. However, always check to make sure the metal is treated to prevent any rust or damage caused by the increase in moisture.


• Traditional modern style homes, those built between 1980-2000s, have the most flexibility in roof material choices. These homes tend to have a more generic shape and color scheme, and most neighborhoods have similar or repeating pattern, homes. Since these homes tend to be similar to the neighborhood homes in style and color the only main consideration is roof color, which should be in the same color palate as the rest of the home features (i.e. shutters, trim, garage door, front door etc.).

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6544206

Why Wait For A Leak - Do Your Roof Inspection Now

Your roof could be leaking right now, causing hundreds, even thousands of dollars of damage, and you don't even know it. In fact, many roof problems are only discovered after they've reached an advanced stage - after leakage or other serious damage has already occurred.

Roofs can leak for years before you see evidence

Most often, homeowners only pay attention to their roof if there's water leaking into the house, if they notice brown stains on the ceiling, or if there's cracked paint or peeling wallpaper - all obvious signs of a leak. But roofs can leak for 2 to 4 years before you see evidence on the inside the house. By this time, the leak may have caused dry rot, fungus and insulation damage - and the need for major repairs or even a completely new roof.

Have your roof inspected at least once per year

To add years of life to your roof, and to avoid premature roof failure, it is a good idea to have your roof inspected at least once per year. The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) recommends two roof inspections each year - once in the fall and once in the late spring - before and after the tough winter season, especially in colder and rainy climates.

You can do a preliminary inspection yourself, looking for shingles that are buckling, curling, blistering or missing altogether; loose material or wear around chimneys, pipes and other penetrations; and excessive amounts of shingle granules in your gutters, which indicate advanced wear. But it is better to get a professional to inspect your roof - someone who knows what they're looking for, and who's used to walking around on the roof.

Get a written report of the damage

A roof inspection by a professional should include a complete inspection of the roof, parapets, flashings and drainage system. They should present you with a detailed report of conditions they found, including photographs and a sketch of the roof indicating the problem areas.

What about a free roof inspection?

Many roofing contractors will provide a free roof inspection, including a written estimate outlining the required repairs, as a means to solicit work. This is a fine approach if you already have a relationship with your roofing contractor. If not, to be cautious, get two inspections done by separate companies, or hire a roof inspector who doesn't also offer repairs. This way you can be sure that the inspector isn't recommending unnecessary work. Richard Boon, Deputy Technical Director of the Roofing Industry Educational Institute, recommends paying for a roof inspection. He figures you will end up paying for the inspection anyway, as it will be hidden within the cost of the repair.

A small price to pay for the "insurance" - and peace of mind

The cost of a roof inspection is negligible compared to the cost of repairing or replacing a roof which makes regular roof inspections a wise investment. Wouldn't you prefer to find potential leaks and related damage before they become real problems? And before they lead to major repair bills?

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/476004

What Do Homeowners Think About GAF Shingles?

We asked several homeowners what they think about their GAF shingles - here's what they had to say!

Types of Residential Roofing

When we are talking about types of residential roofing, we could be discussing the structure or the materials of the roof. For example, gable, cross gable, hip, and flat are just a few examples of the various structures of roofs. Things get considerably more complicated when you consider that some roofs feature a combination of these different structures. Yet today, the focus of our discussion is going to be the materials that are associated with different types of residential roofs. In most cases, regardless of the structure of your roof, it is likely constructed from asphalt, wood shake, metal, clay, or slate.

Asphalt Roofs

Asphalt roofs are easily the most popular. Because asphalt shingles are relatively inexpensive, but they hold up well to different kinds of inclement weather, they are a popular option for home owners. Their lifespan varies between 15 and 30 years, depending on the climate of your region, and they are easy to maintain and repair. In addition, home owners can choose from a wide variety of styles and colours of asphalt shingles.

Wood Shake Roofs

Wood shake roofs are very stylish and when properly maintained offer a life span of up to 50 years. While the cost is more expensive than asphalt roofs, wood shakes are a popular choice for people who prefer a natural look. On the other hand, there are fewer colours available and wood shakes are not fire resistant.

Metal Roofs

Metal roofs are another roofing material that is common for residential properties. They have an impressive lifespan, and because they are available in copper, tin, and aluminum home owners can choose a style that matches their home. Metal roofs must be professionally installed and they are considerably more expensive than other materials for residential properties, but they require little maintenance and are highly durable.

Clay Roofs

Again, clay roofs can last up to 50 years and are generally constructed of interlocking clay tiles. These tiles are available in a range of textures and earth tones, and can certainly provide an attractive upgrade to your home. However, the weight associated with clay roofs is significant and the framing of your home needs to be able to support this excess weight. One drawback of clay tiles is that they are more fragile than asphalt or wood shingles.

Slate Roofs

Finally, slate represents the most expensive residential roofing material and offers a lifespan somewhere around 30 years. Like clay roofs, slate is very heavy and the framing of your roof must be able to bear the load. Slate roofs are low maintenance and very durable, but colour options are limited. Nevertheless, these roofs remain a popular choice in colder climates because they shed snow and ice well.

Before deciding on which roofing material you prefer for your home, speak to a roofing professional and discuss what is most suitable for the structure of your roof, your climate, and your budget.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6893595