Best Roofing Materials That Last

What Are The Most Durable Roofing Materials? 

When you are looking for roofing services in the San Diego area, two important things should be on your mind, which is durability and longevity. Roof installations can cost a lot of money and only happens once in a long time, so you should give it a lot of thought, especially as it concerns the lifespan of your roof.

Several factors affect the longevity of your roof, including its design, the level of expertise used in the installation, as well as the prevailing weather conditions. All things being equal, most roofs have a lifespan ranging between 30 and 40 years, or even longer with proper maintenance.

To choose the perfect roofing material for your roof installation or replacement, you need to find out the life spans of different roofing materials and decide which one suits your mood best.

The average roofing material has a lifespan of 20 years, but many roofing materials have longer lifespans, especially when you have a good roofing maintenance culture.

Here’s a Quick List before we get into the full details

  • Steel or Metal – 50 years and above
  • Concrete and Tile – 50 years and above
  • Slate – 50 years
  • Single ply – 25 to 30 years and above
  • Foam – 20 to 30 years
  • Wood Shakes and Shingles– 15 to 30 years
  • Built-up – 15 to 30 years

Now that we have the quick list sorted out, let us focus on the most common roofing materials for residential roofs, as well as their features.

  1. Asphalt Shingle 

This roofing material is most commonly used across the United States, and its popularity is tied to its affordability and ease of installation. But, its lifespan isn’t as long as some other roofing materials as it lasts between 10 and 30 years.

However, you can get the most out of your asphalt shingle’s lifespan when you use the best quality materials, ensure that installation is done with the most expertise, and maintenance is frequent. However, environmental factors cannot be helped, but you should always repair the roof when necessary.

  1. Shingle and Wood Shake 

These two roofing materials are often grouped together and equally loved because of their aesthetic value as they come in a wide range of colors. They also have a good lifespan despite being wooden panels. In moderate climates, they work well and can last for up to 30 years. If you are very big on maintenance, it wouldn’t be impossible for your wood shake to last up to 50 years. However, if you live in an area like San Diego County that is prone to fires, especially seasonal fires, these options aren’t the best for you.

  1. Metal 

Of all the roofing materials, metal roofs have the most durability and weather resistance. They are also resistant to other elements, including fire. If you add all these to their eco-friendliness and a lifespan of up to 50 years, you can be sure that metal roofs are a great investment.

Metal roofs are perfect for cold climates and harsh weather because of their durability. They often last up to 70 years for people who are able to maintain them judiciously.

When you install a Class-4 Hail impact-resistant metal roof, you can enjoy up to 30% on home insurance and save a lot of money long term, despite the initial high purchase cost.

If you’re leaning towards a metal roof but you’re not sure what type of material or panel to purchase, then reach out to us and we’ll invite you to our showroom where you can see the different metal roofing materials and get free advice on which option to choose.

  1. Tile 

Another roofing material that is loved because of its aesthetic value is the tile roof. It is either made from ceramics, terracotta clay, or concrete. Tile roofs are quite heavy and are prone to breaking if they are exposed to the wrong conditions especially extreme heat and heavy rains that can occur in San Diego.

If you’re able to maintain your tile roof properly, it could last for up to 50 years. But in terrible or extreme weather, you might need to change or replace this roof too often. If you like tile roofing but don’t know if it’s right for you, then reach out to us and we’ll give you a free estimate after our inspection.

The Best Green Roofing Systems

Eco-Friendly Roofing Options You Need To Know About

When repairing or replacing your commercial roof, you might think of a number of things including choosing a beautiful, long-lasting, and energy-saving roof with a good warranty, but do you remember the environment at that moment?

Climate change and climate friendliness are things we talk about often, but we might not remember that fact when choosing a roofing option, probably because we don’t see what’s in it for us. However, are you aware that an eco-friendly option can also help to save your business money and benefit you in several other ways?

Let’s discover all you should know about eco-friendly roofs that you probably don’t already know.

What is an eco-friendly roof?

An eco-friendly roof is made from eco-friendly roofing materials such as natural resources or recycled materials. The materials that often make up an eco-friendly roof include wood shake shingles, recycled shingles, or metal roofing. While some of these materials are sustainably sourced, some others aren’t, but they still count because they can be recycled.

Let’s look at some of them:

Clay roof

If you haven’t considered clay tiles before, you should look them up right now. Clay tiles are environmentally friendly, durable, and reliable. They have been in use across the world for centuries, although they have now been improved upon for the purpose of efficiency and better quality, as well as low negative environmental impact.

Gravel roof

Gravel roofs are highly sustainable roofs and they are making waves throughout the entire building industry. Made from gravel and glue, this roofing material works great for reflecting sunlight and reducing heat. It also supports energy saving and less electricity consumption because it can stay relatively cool even in the heat of summer.

Slate roof tiles

If you have heard of slate-made writing materials, then you have an idea about slate roofs. Slate is one of the strongest materials, and it can last for centuries due to its sturdiness.

While brand-new slate tiles are eco-friendly, it is even more eco-friendly to use recycled slate roofing on your roof. You can also consider getting synthetic slate shingles produced using reusable rubber, plastic, or recycled tires.

Solar panels

Solar panels are arguably the most spoken-about eco-friendly roofing materials these days because it is a modern and popular technology.

Most commercial buildings also have roof spaces that are perfect for installing solar panels with the benefit of reducing expenditure and overhead costs for businesses, especially in the area of electricity. Solar panels are also perfect for noiseless commercial buildings.

Metal roofing

Metal roofing is also a popular option because of the extra protection it offers that comes from the fact that you can lay metal cladding atop an existing roof.

Metal roofing is made from some recycled material in the first instance that has an average lifespan of 30 to 50 years before requiring replacements. Another great advantage is that you can recycle the metal roof when you have removed it, and the metal can be used for a whole lot of other things.

The Impact Of Heat On Your Roof

Can Heat Damage Your Roof? 

When we talk about things that can damage your roof, we often mention snow and rain as primary culprits that cause wear and tear to your roof. However, you should also be concerned about the summer heat because it can cause issues for your roof as well.

During the San Diego summer, industrial roofs suffer damage caused by high humidity and severe heat. These problems negatively affect the materials and structure of your room over time and could cause long-term problems if you are unable to identify them quickly.

The materials covering your industrial roof can be negatively impacted by sunlight exposure over long periods. Your roof’s tar and Asphalt are prone to destruction by UV radiation that goes on to damage the makeup of the products. Because they are chemical-based, most of the oily moisture will evaporate after being exposed to UV rays, leaving a brittle roofing material that can easily tear and crack. The result of all this is leaks and energy inefficiency. That’s why you shouldn’t rule out performing summer roofing inspections and evaluations.

Here are some ways heat can damage your roof

Heat Can Dry Out Your Roof

Have you heard of the term dry rotting? Exposure to direct sunlight can lead your roof to dry rot because the heat from the sun will make the oil deposit in the roofing materials evaporate, leaving nothing but dry and brittle materials in its wake.

When this happens, the resultant effect is energy loss and leakage as warmth and heat will make their way through the cracks and holes.

Thermal Shock

When the sun heats your roof at really high temperatures and then sets, there is a sudden dropping in the temperature as the sun is no longer there to continue heating the roof. This situation is referred to as thermal shock, which leads to the expansion and contraction of your roof. When that happens over time, it causes the roof to crack and get warped.

Sun damage

Just as sunburn affects the human skin, it is powerful enough to degrade your rood and its materials. It can burn them, bleach them, and even cause materials like shingles to become brittle.

Thankfully, a good number of roofing materials are produced with the capacity to handle the heat. However, your shingles and wood aren’t one of them, so you have to watch out for degradation when dealing with them.

Luckily, a lot of roofing materials are made to take the heat, but wood and shingles can be prone to damage, and over time, all materials will degrade.

Year-Round Roofing Maintenance Is The Answer

Protect your roof and materials by scheduling regular roof inspections throughout the year to ensure early detection of heat damage and its signs. Our experienced contractors can take up that job and ensure that your roof is always in stellar condition even as seasons change throughout the year.

We can ensure that as your roof goes through extreme weather conditions, its operations and performance aren’t hampered, whether by heat, snow, or even rain.

When To Replace A Commercial Roof

Delaying your commercial roof replacement? These problems might occur while you wait

When you notice that your commercial roof needs to be replaced, your first instinct might be to stall or delay the replacement for as long as possible, especially because of financial and time factors.

As much as these considerations are valid and understandable, you shouldn’t postpone or put off the replacement of your roof once an experienced contractor has told you that replacement is necessary. If you do, you’re setting yourself up for even bigger problems.

Let us tell you the problems that can occur when you delay your roof replacement.

Leaks

While waiting until later to replace your roof, leaks can happen, and they can cause major problems, such as water damage to your equipment. Your employees might also be unable to work there, while your customers might begin to be negatively disposed towards your business.

When customers see molds on your ceiling or walls because of roof leakage, they would not be comfortable in your establishment.

Damage to the building structure 

As leaks worsen, they begin to affect the structure of your building because moisture will seep into other structures of your building. If you don’t take action quickly, you might face major damage that will cost you a lot of money.

You don’t want to have to deal with the damage that started with your roof but went all the way to damage your entire building and negatively affect your business.

Roof Collapse

What is the worst that could happen if you continue to leave your roof replacement pending? Your roof could cave in one day.

It could be devastating to experience a complete roof collapse because it can lead to accidents, injury, or even death.

If your roof were to collapse during the rainfall or snow, then you would suffer even more because moisture will damage most of your properties and equipment. A fire hazard is also a consideration when a building roof caves in.

Whatever the case might be, it is important to understand that delay can be dangerous when it comes to your commercial building roof. Don’t try to save money by delaying your roof replacement. Instead, save your money by replacing it as soon as you can, and get the services of the best roofing company to help you handle the replacement.

What A San Diego Roofer Does

Everything You Need To Know About What San Diego Roofing Contractors Do

We are proud of our jobs as roofers, especially because we literally put a roof over the heads of people. If you are curious about the job of a roofer, we’ll tell you a little about the job and give you an insight into what a typical day in the life of a roofer looks like.

How do you start as a roofer?

First, you don’t go become a roofer because you own a hammer and a ladder. Although it is one of those jobs that you don’t go into school to get professional training for, you need to go through an apprenticeship and undergo training from existing roofers. This training will set you on the right track and give you the hands-on training you need to do a good job.

However, for more focused training, you can take a course on building and construction, as well as in math.

What skills does a roofer need?

As a job that deals with physical strength, roofing needs someone physically strong, has a great balance, and is very aware of their surroundings.
To be a roofer, you must be comfortable with heights, and be able to spend the day alternating between climbing, lifting, and kneeling all day as you work, mostly outside.

A roofer should also prioritize safety, including the safety of himself, co-workers, and those whose job he is carrying out.

What is a roofer’s responsibility?

A roofer is responsible for the whole installation process. He is to ensure that the installation is being done according to the manufacturer’s specifications and the relevant building code.

The roofer needs to cut shingles to the right fit and seal them into position correctly.

A regular day in the life of a roofer

A roofer’s day begins with a safety check, including getting your body in the best shape to do physical work and setting up your work site.
You should take out your work supplies and arrange them to make your work easier.

The installation of a new roof begins with demolishing the old roof. However, repairs are also a part of the daily job. In the course of your job, you will work with metal roofs, cedar shake roofs, and asphalt shingles, so it is important to learn to use them.

A roofer’s job is taxing, yet fulfilling. You get to carry out the job that you’re trained for, just as you help homeowners protect and beautify their homes.