Category: Roof Services

How Fire Resistant Are Asphalt Shingles?

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One of the positive qualities of the asphalt shingles installed by roof contractors is that they are fire resistant to varying degrees.

This can be a critical feature for owners of homes and buildings in locations that are affected by wildfires, excessive heat, and also in congested neighborhoods where houses are close together.

Yet not all asphalt shingles are highly resistant to embers or flames and homeowners planning for roof services in the future must understand how fire ratings work to ensure they choose the right asphalt shingles to protect their homes.

What Is The Fire Resistance of Roofing Material?

Fire resistance refers to the ability of roofing materials to not catch directly on fire when affected by embers or fire.

All asphalt shingles installed by roof services are rated in their level of fire resistance.

A Class A rating is the most fire-resistant shingle, while those rated Class C are only somewhat fire-resistant.

Shingles with a Class B rating fall somewhere in between the two.

More Asphalt Shingles Available With an A-Rating

Today, many high-quality asphalt shingles like dimensional and architectural shingles are A-rated, meaning they provide a high level of protection to the roof deck of the building.

This rating, which is also given to metal, slate, and ceramic roofing, is met by shingles made with a high fiberglass content as this material is both lightweight and extremely fire resistant.

Flying embers are less likely to ignite these materials on an installation that receives regular roof maintenance, and they are also more resilient to high heat.

As such, Class A fire-resistant shingles are the preferred materials for homeowners to have installed by roof contractors if fire resistance is a concern.

They may also cost slightly more than lower-quality, non-premium shingles that have lower fire-resistance ratings.

What Are C-Rated Shingles Like?

At the bottom of the list are Class C-rated shingles, which provide only the minimum fire resistance and protection, making them somewhat riskier to use in fire-prone areas.

They are commonly some of the less expensive shingles that roof services can install.

As noted above, Class B-rated shingles are mid-range in their fire resistance and also their cost.

Assess Your Risk Dangers

Because some roofs can catch fire from just a few burning embers landing on them, roof contractors highly recommend that homeowners choose premium Class A-rated asphalt shingles whenever possible for the greatest protection.

Class A premium shingles made with fiberglass are affordable, durable protection against conditions that could destroy the entire structure if the roof catches on fire.

Contact a reputable roof service to talk more about fire resistance and choose the best shingle for any home!

Roof Services

What Types of Solar Roofing Are Out There?

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Each year, roof contractors get increasingly more requests for solar roofing as homeowners are becoming more energy conscious.

Some are interested, but due to finding traditional solar panels to be unattractive, opt against going solar.

The good news is that, due to the growing interest in better and more appealing solar options, there are now multiple types of solar that roof services can install on homes and buildings.

One of these new solar roofing ideas might be the perfect solution to have your roofer install!

Traditional Solar Panels - While they are still panels installed on top of the roof, today’s solar panels are flatter, better looking, and more powerful than their predecessors. While they are still large panels installed by roof contractors on top of the existing roofing materials, lower-profile designs look less obvious and less clunky than the solar panels of the past. When matched with a dark roof, they blend more easily, too.
Solar Shingles and Tiles - Available in multiple styles, solar shingles or tiles installed by roof services are smaller than panels, lighter in weight, and go on like regular shingles or tiles. With a variety of products out there today, some that roll out in strips, some that cover the entire roof, and others that lay on top of the existing shingles or integrate with concrete tiles, this is one area where roofers have seen a lot of advancement in recent years. Solar shingles are the closest thing to a standard shingle roof, but with the capability of solar. Some even look like traditional shingle roofing but with a slight shine to them.
Metal-Look Solar Panels - Another newer advancement in solar roofing that some roofers can install are metal-look solar panels, which are a sort of hybrid between shingles and traditional panels. They are long, thin panels that install vertically to look like a typical standing seam metal roof. Of all the types, metal-look solar panels are possibly the least conspicuous.

If you are considering having a roofer install solar on your home sometime soon, be sure to research the many types of solar roofing now available today.

Gone are the days when thick, ugly panels were installed by roof contractors to cover the roof as now there are sleeker, lower profile panels, flat solar shingles, and metal-look solar that more closely mimic the more traditional materials we all recognize.

As solar technology continues to advance, the time is now to consider having roof services add solar for an energy-producing, attractive, and more sustainable roofing solution!

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Roofing Advice That Everyone Ought To Read

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When it comes to proper roof maintenance, most homeowners don't know what they should be doing.

In fact, many people simply ignore their roofs altogether until they spring a leak or some other serious problem arises.

Use the following article to learn how you can maintain your roof throughout the year so that you lessen the chances of more serious problems from occurring.

Check Out Your Attic

Visit your attic a few times a year as doing this can help you to find a small problem that may exist with your roof before it becomes a larger and more expensive problem.

A good idea is to take a look at the change of each season so that you do it at least four times each year.

Make Sure Roof is Clear and Clean

Just like most projects, roofing requires you to have a clean surface to work on.

The sheathing also has to be perfectly flat, so if you see any warping, replace it.

Lastly, every last nail has to be removed to ensure it doesn't affect the new roof once installed, causing problems.

Wait Until The Rain Stops

It is common sense not to do a roofing job in the rain; however, you always want to check the weather before hand.

A wet roof can be slippery and your roof will also need an ample amount of time to dry.

A rain shower the following morning can end up setting you back.

Hire Only Experienced Roofers

When hiring a roofing contractor, ensure that they're skilled at roofing.

If you know anyone who recently had some work done on their roof, ask them for references.

That is critical, as you need to have a good job done that doesn't have to be repaired expensively later.

Adding This Up Together

Having read the article above, you should now have a good understanding of how to properly care for your roof.

Annual inspections are a necessity if you want to prevent any serious problems from arising.

Be sure and implement the tips and tricks illustrated earlier so that your roof remains in great shape throughout the year.