Shingles, Metal or Tile
Shingles, Metal or Tile: Selecting the Right Roof for Your Home If it’s time to put a new roof on your home, one of the first decisions you need to make is what type of roofing material you want. When selecting the type of roof you may want, there are several factors to consider including appearance, longevity and, of course, cost. Here is a brief overview of the three most popular roofing materials used on homes today: SHINGLES Shingles are the most commonly used roofing material and come in a variety of colors. They are easy to install and have a relatively long lifespan. Roofing shingles are composed of asphalt and fiberglass making them durable, and in some places, recyclable. METAL Metal roofs are some of the longest-lasting because the material is highly resistant to nature’s elements (wind and rain). This type of roof reflects heat away from the building rather than absorbing it, like asphalt shingles do. Metal roofing, due to the longevity of its lifespan, can end up being cheaper than shingles. TILE Roofing tiles were mainly designed to keep the water out. While some modern renditions of the tile are made from concrete or plastic, traditional tiles are made from terra-cotta or slate. While resilient to the elements, they are somewhat fragile and will break if dropped or have things dropped on them such as tree branches. Although visually-appealing, tile roofs do cost more than traditional asphalt shingles. If you’re ready to start your roofing project, give the team at Musick Roofing a call today (863-904-5350). We’ll give you a free estimate, talk about more of the benefits and drawbacks of each type of material, and help you make the best decision for your home.
Granule Loss and Your Roof
Granule Loss and Your Roof: What To Do One of the telltale signs that you need to replace your roof is when your shingles start to lose the granules. We want to provide some basic information so you know what to do if you suspect that your roof needs some work. WHAT ARE GRANULES AND WHY ARE THEY IMPORTANT? Traditional shingles are made of asphalt and coated with tiny pieces of fiberglass. These tiny granules serve as a layer of protection; they help keep UV rays off of the asphalt coating and make them more fire resistant. The color of your roof shingles is determined by the color of the granules, so they also provide aesthetic beauty to the home. WHAT IS GRANULE LOSS? Granule loss is when the bond between the granules and the asphalt erodes, resulting in loss of granules. This causes the life span of the shingle to be greatly reduced depending on the severity of the sustained damage. WHAT CAUSES GRANULE LOSS? Granule loss is primarily caused by exposure to the elements over time. Storms, hail and strong winds are particularly damaging to the shingles on your house. HOW DO I KNOW IF MY SHINGLES ARE LOSING GRANULES? One of the easiest ways to check for granule loss is to look for bare-looking patches on your roof. If you see discolored shingles, you’re likely missing significant amount of granules on your shingles. Another way to know if your shingles are unprotected is to look in your gutters, where most of the granules will end up as they erode from the shingle. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO IF MY ROOF IS MISSING GRANULES? Left unchecked, the sun and water can lead to further deterioration and leaks. If you suspect that your shingles are missing their granules – or if you’ve looked in the gutters and have found significant granule loss – give the team at Musick Roofing a call. We will inspect your roof and provide a free estimate, along with our suggestions on how to best remedy the problem. You might be able to replace only a few damaged shingles, or you may need to replace the whole roof. You deserve a beautiful roof. Call us today at 863-904-5350.
Preparing Your Roof Before a
Preparing Your Roof Before a Hurricane If you are a Florida homeowner, you know that tropical storms and hurricanes pose a unique threat for your roof. With wind speeds in excess of 150mph, you run the risk of losing shingles or tile. Your roof could also face damage from falling tree limbs and leaks from heavy rainfall. It has been said that the best defense is a good offense. For homeowners, that means making sure your roof is in good condition before a tropical storm or hurricane hits. HERE ARE SOME BASIC TIPS TO HELP PREPARE YOUR ROOF FOR STORMS: Have the Musick Roofing team come inspect your roof. We will check for loose or missing shingles, broken tiles and any other possible weak spot in your roof. We will give you a free estimate for any needed repairs or advise if it’s time to replace your existing roof. If a current storm is threatening your roof, it is important to replace or repair missing shingles or tiles before it hits. This will help prevent shingles from flying off during the storm and water from leaking into your home. Check trees and tree branches that are near your home. Remove any dead branches that could easily fall during the storm. If limbs hang out over your roof, consider trimming them back to reduce your risk of having one land on your home. Look into having your gutters cleaned. Leaves and other debris can prevent water from flowing through them properly, which can cause water to leak into your home during a storm. If you find yourself in need of a roof repair after the storm, make sure to have our number on hand (863-904-5350). We will have crews ready with tarps to cover damage. For more information about how different hurricane categories can affect your roof, view this previous post on our blog.