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What are most roofs made of?

In residential roofing materials, the most common is asphalt shingles. They are an economical choice and installation is easy. They are reinforced with fiberglass or cellulose and organic material and come to a wide selection of colors. The lifespan is shorter than other roofing materials on the market. 

However, updating your home’s existing roof doesn’t mean that you must stay with what is already there. If the budget allows, you can change it up while adding value. Things you must consider when choosing your roofing materials are: 

• The weight of the material and will special framing be needed?
• Is there color and style that will accent or complement your home style and your personal style?
• Will the material meet the building and fire codes?
• Will installation and/or maintenance have issues that need to be considered?
• Will it perform in the different weather conditions common for the area?
• Is the cost within your budget and will the life span and warranty provide the ROI you need/want?

What are the materials used for roofing?

You should consider those questions listed above when choosing between asphalt or the following roofing materials for your home:

• Clay and concrete tiles will add elegance with texture, whether you go with the genuine flat, ribbed or scalloped styles. They are all extremely durable and heavy, requiring a trained roofing contractor professionals. A long-lasting material that is energy efficient and non-combustible.
• Metal roofing materials are fire and weather-resistant and available in panels or singles with choices in aluminum, copper, stainless steel and zinc. Durable material with a longer lifespan than asphalt shingles or wood shingles with a UV ray reflectance, although expensive, it comes in several colors today from black, green, grey, red or purple.
• Wood shakes and shingles have been a go-to in roofing materials for years, and as the weather, they become more attractive for the right style of the house. They are not allowed in areas with strict fire codes, and because they are handmade, they can be more expensive than other shingles.  
• They make synthetic roofing materials from plastic, polymer, and rubber to creates the look and texture for any home style with a wide choice in colors. They can be made to look like slate or wood, this is a strong material that is fire and weather resistant. Some products in this group are not as water-resistant as other roofing materials and they haven’t been around as long to provide time-tested results yet. 

What is the most common roof shingle?

There is a wide choice of roof types for homeowners to choose from today. From asphalt to metal, from slate to tile, and we can’t forget solar! Still, with all those choices, asphalt shingles are the most popular choice in roofing materials. 

Why? The biggest reason is cost. Of all the different roofing materials, asphalt shingles are still the lowest price point and durable enough for any type of weather. They are always available, and the selection of colors and styles give a homeowner the ability to match them to their home’s current color and style or allow them to update the appearance of their home.

The asphalt shingles of today are different today though. They are available in fiberglass and environmentally friendly organic material too. The fiberglass roof shingles start with a fiberglass mat with a layer of asphalt applied that makes it water-resistant. Then to make it UV reflective, a layer of ceramic granules is applied.

Organic shingles are environmentally friendly with the recycled felt paper being the starting point with the waterproofing asphalt applied next. While they are still less expensive than other roofing materials, they are the more expensive version of asphalt shingles.

Choosing one of the dark-colored roofing materials that have an ENERGY STAR rating can outperform heat resistance than lighter roof materials. The climate is another factor is climate and the darker roofing materials are better for cooler climates as well because it absorbs some heat during the winter. With the cost of energy today, it is worth the extra expense of insulated roofing materials for homeowners.  The return-on-investment will be received over a shorter period than roofing materials of the past. Call 720-275-4580 to learn more about the roofing materials offered by PJD Construction & Roofing in Aurora, CO and get started on your new roof today.

Is a leaking roof an emergency?

A leaking roof is never something you want as a homeowner. Whether it is something that has developed over time from a leaking upstairs water pipe, or it happens because of storm damage. Either way, you know this is going to not only be an inconvenience but an unexpected expense too.

When a heavy rainstorm and high winds cause the leak, things can get much worse fast.  Not only is the roof damaged and leaking, but the damaged roof is putting your family in danger and your belongings are getting wet and damaged too. 

Because these types of roof leaks happened during the bad weather, finding somebody to do an emergency roof repair is almost impossible. That is why every homeowner should have the knowledge and supplies to do an emergency roof repair.  

How do you temporarily fix a leaky roof?

If you have an emergency roof leak, such as during the weekend or on a holiday, you need to act fast because an experienced, trustworthy roofing contractor is probably not going to be available soon. In fact, emergency roof leaks that happen during storms, roofers will be booked up and busy for some time. You need not wait until they are available because everything in your home is vulnerable. Here are the steps you need to take to perform a temporary emergency roof repair:

If there are curled, loose, or missing shingles, they can be re-adhered to the roof temporarily with these steps:

• Using a heat gun, soften any curled shingles to straighten them, then glue them down with roofing cement. Place something heavy on those shingles to hold them as the cement dries.
• Slip the loose shingles under the row above back so that the top edge of the loose shingle is covered by the bottom edge of the upper row. Then using 6d galvanized nails, nail them down and apply roofing cement over the nail heads.
• If any shingles are cracked or have joints that look worn, apply roofing cement over those areas for sealant.
• If there are cracked, damaged, or missing shingles, temporary replacement shingles can be made from sheets of metal by cutting sheet metal in the shapes of shingles. Then, using 6d galvanized nails, nail the make-do shingles in the areas where shingles are missing, as described above.
• These emergency roof repair steps can save you hundreds, thousands of dollars from more damage happening while you’re waiting on your insurance company and roofing contractor.

How much does it cost to tarp a roof? 

If you do an emergency roof repair with a tarp yourself, the cost will be the price of the tarp(s) and supplies to fasten it to the house. If a storm causes your emergency roof leak, and you’re lucky enough to find a roofing contractor available, the cost will vary from area to area. The average cost for emergency roof repair with a tarp installation could cost as much as $500 or more, depending on how many tarps it needs, the height of the roof, and the different pitch levels of the roof. 

How do you find a leak in your roof without an attic?

We’ve discussed how to look for leaks in a house with an attic before, but how do you look for a leak when your house doesn’t have an attic? We offer the following tips:

Interior Ceiling Stains

A brown spot on the ceiling is a dead giveaway you have a roof leak. It does not mean the leak is directly above that stain, though. It could mean that water is entering from a long flow of water from the opposite direction to the circular stain. If the leak isn’t repaired in a timely manner, that leak will move sideways to the nearest wall, and you could find yourself with an emergency roof repair at the most inconvenient time. 

The exterior

Walk around the exterior of your house and look for loose flashing, siding materials, and gaps. Any exterior area that has an opening and shouldn’t, you need to fix this immediately. 

Checking on Top of the Roof

You can find water leak sources on the rooftop by checking the roof jacks. You will locate these where PVC pipes and vents come out of the roof. Other indications that you have a roof leak are:

• Black stains and streaks
• Missing shingles
• Raised shingles
• Cracked shingles

The roof to your home is an important part of your home. Getting emergency roof repair is important in order to protect what the roof isn’t during those times. Having the supplies on hand to make temporary emergency roof repairs should be a standard kit for homeowners to create, much like a first aid kit. Call 720-275-4580 today for all of your emergency roof repairs in Aurora, CO.

As any business owner, you look to keep your business safe, energy-efficient and protected from harsh weather conditions. And in order to accomplish this, choosing the best type of roofing material for your commercial building is crucial.

There are a few types of commercial roofs and each fulfills the needs of the building as well as the budget of the property owner. It’s safe to say, that the roof on your commercial building plays an essential role in the health of the roofing system as well as the overall health of the building. Naturally, all extraneous variables such as environment, weather, foliage, and animals will impact the integrity of the roof as time passes. As all of these elements impact your roof through time, you’ll need a roofing system that can withstand any condition throughout the years. 

To help you better understand quality commercial roofs, we’re going to dive into some common commercial roof materials and why they might be the right choice for your next roofing installation or repair.

5 Types of Commercial Roofing Materials:

• Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO)
• Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM)
• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
• Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF)
• Green Roofing

1. TPO – Thermoplastic Polyolefin 

A very popular roofing option among commercial property owners. 

This is a very inexpensive type of roofing material. In comparison to EPDM, which we will look at next, it is less expensive in most cases. TPO is white, this helps reflect sun rays, therefore, reducing heat inside your structure and making it quite energy-efficient as well. 

This is a lightweight material which can be installed in a couple of ways:

• Directly applied to the roof deck 
• Adhered with adhesive onto the roof deck

This material is highly resistant to breakdown and corrosion as well as mildew or algae growth. So when looking to do maintenance, it doesn’t need to be pressure washed. 

Also, when TPO is applied, the seams are heat-welded so the plastics in the membrane are being melted together. This creates an incredibly reliable bond between seams. And guess what? Seams are the culprits when it comes to roof leaks. This is a major advantage. 

If you’re interested in installing a TPO roof to your commercial building, make sure you are dealing with not only the right roofing contractors but also ones that can source high-quality TPO material to work with.

2. EPDM – Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer

More commonly known as rubber roofing, EPDM is inexpensive, easy to install, lightweight, and has a lifespan of up to two decades. EPDM roofs are one of the most durable, are resistant to scratch and scruff. EPDM roofing is black, so it absorbs heat and is not compromised by UV rays. 

However, if you’re looking for a stylish roof or you’re interested in aesthetics, this might not be the roofing you might want to go with. This is a rubberized material that might not add to the appeal of your commercial building. With this being said, EPDM is available in lighter colors which will help with heat reflection but will cost up to 30% more.

3. PVC – Polyvinyl Chloride

This roofing material is made up of two layers of PVC. Polyester, in this case, acts as the reinforcement between layers. These layers, consists of materials that make it flexible, UV stable, and lightweight. 

If your commercial roof is low-sloped or flat, PVC will offer great durability. It is resistant to fire, moisture, chemicals, and winds. It is heat welded when installed, which creates a perpetual bond between sheets and maintains seams secured together.

On the other hand, older PVC roofs during winter may be prone to puncturing and shattering. This, you might want to keep in mind depending on your location.

4. Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF)

Interestingly, SPF is a roofing material created from a kind of plastic. This plastic turns from liquid into solid in seconds and expands at approximately 30x while drying.

SPF pays for itself. It is one of the most sustainable choices and is energy-efficient. With a superb installation process, SPF offers durability, strength, all combined with a reflective white top which is highly reflective. SPF has a lifespan of up to four decades and more – with the proper maintenance. When applied, its expansion helps impressively seal any cracks, making your commercial roof air and watertight.

SPF needs to be applied by professionals in a careful and calibrated way in order to ensure its long-lasting benefits. 

5. Green Roofing 

This is not one of the most common choices but it is a pretty adaptable kind of commercial roofing material nowadays. It’s a popular choice for businesses looking to present a sustainable vibe to their buildings. Green roofing protects commercial roofs from the weather as well as remarkably manages water drainage and improves energy efficiency. They are beautiful and add a jazzy aesthetic to any business. Green roofs are an important step towards environment-friendly commercial buildings.

Looking to install or repair your commercial roofing system? Call our expert roofers now for the quickest most efficient solutions.  Call 720-275-4580 today!