Category Archives: Roofing

Aluminum scaffolding is a type of scaffolding that can be advatageous to the traditional wood scaffolding or steel scaffolding in many ways. To begin, aluminum is a lightweight material. Aluminum scaffolding can also be easier to set up than other types of scaffolding. The versatility of aluminum scaffold allows this type of scaffolding to contain joints that easily fold and unfold when setting up and taking down the structure. Aluminum scaffolds also frequently comes with wheels, unlike wood scaffolding, that makes it easier to transport from site to site or within the same site. The combination of the ease of folding and unfolding the scaffolding, the lighter weight, and the wheels make aluminum much more versatile than traditional types of scaffolding. This versatility… Continue Reading…

Guttering along your home’s roof line is a necessary addition to protect your home and its structural integrity. Gutters capture the rain water that rolls off the roof and along with a down spout, channel it away from your home.

In official terms, rain gutters is known as a home’s rainwater management system. In addition to channeling the water away from the home, gutters help prevent the growth of mold and mildew, the destruction of landscape, backsplash of dirt and debris onto the house, basement leaks, damage to decks, and they help keep people from walking through streams of water pouring off the roof when entering and exiting the home during a rain storm.

It’s important to keep rain gutters in good repair and clean of debris that could cause the gutter to clog. When… Continue Reading…

Roofing is one of the more complicated and expensive home improvement projects that homeowners will face. What kind of roofing material to use and which contractor to hire to do the just a couple of the decisions homeowners face regarding a new roof. The National Roofing Contractors Association suggests using the following formula when considering roofing options: total cost of materials and labor divided by the life expectancy in years of materials equals the annual roofing cost. The metal roofing price of a new roof will be dependent on materials, contractor, residential or commercial building, location, labor rates, warranty, and time of year, among other things. Price of materials is only one aspect of the total cost of a new roof.

There are many kinds of roofing materials that homeowners, building owners, contractors, and architects can choose from for new or replacement roofing.… Continue Reading…

Metal roofing materials have been around for ages but have only gained popularity among builders of quality residential and commercial construction in the past decade thanks to the great strides that have been made in the quality of manufacturing, the wider diversity of structures for which it is made and the creative marketing of these products. Residential home builders, professional contractors and commercial planners have been standing up and taking notice of this old but new roofing material made of metal. Long gone are the days when the thought of metal roof materials would conjure images of shanty towns with their creatively placed corrugated metal roofs. As with any building plan, there are a myriad of things to think about when considering a metal roofing system for your reroof or new construction project. Longevity, upkeep, aesthetics, value and how it withstands the elements… Continue Reading…

A typical shingle roof consists of a moisture underlay, wood shingles, hip and ridge pieces and valley flashing. The moisture underlay is #15 felt, which is a petroleum-based paper that is shipped in rolls of approximately 100 square feet. Wood shingles and the felt underlay are ordered by the square, or every 100 square feet of roof area.

Wood shingles are sawn to ½” thick at the butt end, and they are shipped in bundles that total approximately ¼ square, or 25 square feet. Hip and ridge pieces are wood shingles that are made specifically to fit over the gable ridge and roof hips. A bundle of hip and ridge will cover approximately 5 lineal feet, including a 4” overlap for each piece. Valley flashing is made from galvanized sheet metal, with a raised ridge in the middle of the flashing to divert water. The flashing… Continue Reading…

Installing a roof vent is a simple, do-it-yourself project that should take no longer than a day. Choose a dry day, as shingles are slippery when they are wet, and try to start the project mid-morning as the glue on the shingles will have absorbed some heat from the sun and will be easier to pry off.

Have the following tools on hand prior to starting the project:

• Roof Vent
• Dust Mask
• Hammer
• Nails
• Chalk Line
• Utility Knife
• Drill
• Flat Bar or Pry Bar
• Jig Saw or Reciprocating Saw
• Large Chisel
• Roofing Nails
• Roofing Cement
• Shingles

Step 1 – Mark the Location of the Vent

Wearing the dust mask, from the inside of the attic, mark the position of the roof vent. The markers should… Continue Reading…

Water damage can quickly steal the equity from a home. One way to protect this investment is by having a well maintained and properly draining gutter system. There are professionals that will install guttering but, by following a few simple steps a homeowner can accomplish the task of gutter installation.

Tools Needed:

• Ladder
• Tape Measure
• Pencil
• Chalk Line
• Caulk Gun
• Hacksaw
• Drill with Screwdriver Bits

Materials Needed:

• Gutter Sections
• Gutter Components ( drop outlets, elbows, end pieces, and corners)
• Gutter Straps
• Gutter Connectors
• 1 ¼” Rust Resistant Deck Screws
• Silicon Caulk

Steps for Installation:

1. Layout the gutter system. Remember that the water needs to be carried away from the home. Plan the downspouts… Continue Reading…

The process of patching a roof will differ slightly depending on the severity of the damage, the style of roof, and the urgency of the patch. Most importantly, do not allow damaged areas to be unfixed, even for a short period of time. If necessary apply a temporary patch until time allows for a complete repair, but do not leave any leak unattended. Ignoring damaged roof areas, no matter how small, will accelerate your need for added labor, finances, and possibly a new roof. Patches for popular roof materials will follow.

Flat Roof: Using a broom or brush, clean each damaged area carefully until the leak is visible. Often after proper cleaning, further leaks will be exposed. As each leak is exposed, mark it with chalk or tape. Areas that pool up water or areas near seams or the drip-edge flashing commonly… Continue Reading…

A home is a castle. It is probable the most important investment you will ever make. You want your home secure and safe. You want it to be a comfortable place to raise your kids and be with your family. You want your home both beautiful and functional. Some people like to sit outside on their porch to enjoy the day or evening. A porch awning is one item that can not only add beauty to your home but it can play a very importnt role in you ejoying your home and the outdoors as well.

An awning is an overall extenstion of your house and home. It is that part of your home that “invites” you to experience the outside by giving you protection against the sun and rain. There are so many different materials and styles to choose one to… Continue Reading…

Whatever the architectural style of your home, a wood patio cover can add aesthetic appeal while shielding your patio against the elements, the sun’s harmful rays, or even neighbors’ prying eyes. Because wood patios are not terribly expensive, they raise the value of your home without hurting your wallet too much and can even help you save money by shading the covered side of your home from the sun’s blaring heat. A well-covered patio can lower your utility bills by blocking direct rays and lowering the temperature of that area by as much as twenty degrees. Such covering also can add real beauty and expand enjoyment of your home, depending upon what style you choose to construct.

A great advantage of wood covered patios is that the homeowner can often design and install the wood covering without requiring outside consultation.… Continue Reading…

Installing gutters onto your home can be done easily with the help of a friend or neighbor; this is not a one-person job. It is always best to ask for guidance and advice from a professional or those working at a hardware or home supply store. They can give you additional installation and safety tips that can be quite useful.

Types of Gutters:

There are many different sizes, shapes, colors, and materials to choose from. Common gutter materials include steel, aluminum, zinc, and copper. Aluminum gutters are the most common material as they are inexpensive, lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and east to work with. Copper and zinc gutters are more expensive but offer a luxurious look and feel to the home. For those who live in snowy climates, steel is a great option. It is more durable and stronger than aluminum and can withstand ice buildup, snowstorms, and heavy winds.… Continue Reading…

Metal roofs can provide a solid, durable and attractive finish to any modern house. Metal roofs can also be erected over existing roofs by using furring strips, and this will provide an additional layer of insulation and protection for homes.

One of the main drawbacks of metal roofs is that the materials can be more expensive than conventional products, and you will be looking at paying around $600 per square (100 square feet section). However this material is highly durable and most companies provide a minimum 30 year guarantee, so this can actually be good value for money. Metal roofs are also less flammable than cedar singles and asphalt roofs and so are ideal for higher risk fire areas such as southern California.

Materials and Tools

If you have good DIY skills you can install metal roofing yourself and you will need the following… Continue Reading…

Construction companies build thousands of homes across the country with shingled roofs every year. Many homeowners assume incorrectly that shingling a roof is a process too complex for any non-professional to figure out. But the truth is, shingling a roof can be broken down into a few simple, repetitive processes. Whether a homeowner is installing his home’s first roof or replacing his home’s old roof, any homeowner can learn how to shingle in a few easy steps

First, you need to assess how much of your materials you will need to cover your roof. Usually, construction stores sell shingles in “squares,” and each square contains three or four shingles. To shingle an entire roof, first measure the length and width of your roof and multiply these measurements together. To figure out how many shingles you will need to cover the roof, divide your measurement… Continue Reading…

Metal roofing has become more and more popular as a roofing option in recent years. There are a wide variety of options that consider both aesthetics and budget along with many benefits to choosing to go with sheet metal roofing.

Corrugated metal roofing can have a high up-front cost. One can expect to pay $10,000 – $20,000 for a quality job on an average sized residential home. A metal roof can last for more than 50 years however without need for maintenance or repair. The high cost comes from the durability of the material and can vary depending on which metal you decide go with. Metal roofs also increase the value of your home, further deferring the cost. When compared to the cost of three or four traditional roofs, the price begins to seem much more reasonable.

Metal options include Aluminum, Galvanized or Stainless… Continue Reading…

Damaged or improperly working rain gutters can not only be an inconvenience but can also cause serious problems to your house. Rain gutters are important for the proper drainage of water and can prevent problems such as damage to the foundation, unsightly stains to your siding, ice damage and flooded basements. Today, we are going through the steps that are necessary for the proper replacement of rain gutters and what you will need to get the job done.

Step One: Gather the proper tools. You are going to need a few readily available tools to help you get this job done right. You are going to need a garden trowel, a hammer, seven inch spikes, a hacksaw, new fascia boards, a pry bar, galvanized deck screws, a tape measure and new guttering. You will also need a circular saw… Continue Reading…