With the recent Corona virus outbreak worldwide many of us find ourselves home for the first time for an extended period of time.

Here in the San Antonio area many of us are trying to find ways to be productive throughout the day while we limit our local travel and practice healthy social distancing to stop the spread of the Corona virus.

Although our lives are greatly impeded by some of the necessary restrictions put upon us it's still can be a time to be very productive.

A friend of mine has a landscaping business and I learned from his business that every time there's a storm the very first thing that gets the attention is the visual sticks and debris that is strewn throughout the yard.

It's difficult for us to imagine that those same sticks and debris could be causing problems on a roof and because it's out of sight like the old adage says it's typically out of mind.

Here are just a couple ways that you can be productive during this unusual time we're experiencing.  For example earlier this spring here in San Antonio Texas yes 2020 we experienced a hail storm surprise surprise This hail storm did a lot of damage and it's likely that gone unchecked you could be in a situation a year from now where your responsible financially for either replacing or repairing your roof

Why? Insurance companies give you exactly 365 days from the event that caused the problem to get your roof diagnosed and replaced or repaired.

So the clock is ticking and when we all get back to work you're going to forget about that necessary roof repair that has a very real timeline that needs to be diagnosed and repaired.

My suggestions for diagnosing your roof are pretty simple. Number one if you have no interest in getting on your roof or even try to diagnose a roof repair that's fine you're in good company, however you are here seeking information on a roof repair and the best thing you can do for yourself is arm yourself with some information.

Here's one question to ask in recent history meaning the last month or month and a half have you noticed any roof inspection trucks within a one mile radius of your home? This is typically a good indication that people are doing the right thing for themselves and calling a reputable roofing company out for a roof inspection.

if you have no interest in getting on your roof which many people don't this is one of the very first steps of a suggest you do. Also it's a good opportunity for you to review your insurance information and get some specifics on how your home insurance specifically works for a roof repair.

finding a reputable roof company here in the San Antonio area for roof repair should not be that big of a challenge. There are many qualified roofers in the San Antonio area that are going to be here to give you a free roof inspection. I would never suggest paying for a roof inspection for a private home. There are some exceptions to that rule when it comes to commercial roofing. Sometimes rivers do charge for commercial roof inspections simply because of the time and effort it takes to write a proper report and give a proper inspection.

Again that exception only comes as a result of understanding that the commercial roof repair or roof replacement estimate could be extremely timely because of the details required by the insurance company. These roof repairs and replacements are specifically only for commercial roofing where I have seen that roof inspection cost anything between 100 and 500 dollars. This is not the rule but it is certainly understandable that some roofers will charge during a busy season to write a valid report to your insurance company.

in the meantime if this is not your case it's important to find a reputable roofing company that will come out and get the inspection going.  Typically a roofing contractor will understand if there has been damage in the area because this is their business and they've more than likely been on a number of other homes in your area.

One other way to get a quick roof inspection is to deploy one of the millions of drones that regular people like you and I own. I've done this before on my house and been able to document my roof shortly after I got my roof replaced. I put the video in my Dropbox for future use in the event that we do have a storm I'm able to go back and compare contrast what new looks like compared to what potentially could be my damaged roof.

drones are a great way to safely do a roof inspection and with the 4K digital camera you can zoom in and really get a good idea what's going on with your roof.

In an effort to practice social distancing if you have the option of getting your own personal drone out and flying it over your roof might be able to even send it into a roofing company and have them evaluate it digitally.

I know several roofing companies have the ability to view your pictures or videos right online and because of the high quality we've been able to identify real damage quickly and save time and money by being able to act in a timely fashion for our customers.

if piloting a small drone over your house is not an option that's not a problem we are here to do those roof inspections and giving us a call today to come out or set a time would be the ideal way to engage us.

We are uniquely qualified to give roofing inspections for many different types of roofs. here in the San Antonio area we have replaced or repaired many roofs and roof types.  If you have a metal roof one more than happy to do that inspection because of the years of experience that we've had custom fitting metal roofing you're going to getting that expertise from us from the very beginning.

asphalt roof? Not a problem one of the most common roofs in the San Antonio area are the three tab asphalt shingles that you see so commonly in many residential areas. This is probably one of the easiest and quickest diagnostic tests that we can do when it comes to looking at a roof for damage. Typically what you will see with an asphalt roof if it has been damaged by hail are small black and round spots throughout your roof where the hail hit and remove the granules that reflect and protect your roof.

Tile roofing again the bread and butter of tile roofing the San Antonio. Typically what you will see in this type of damage is fracturing that looks like ice cracking on a pond. The visual that you will see are small veins emanating out from one singular point.  

This is one of the more difficult ones to diagnose as some of these fractures can be very small and hard to see. 

Although a drone could pick up the damage with its camera it's important to diagnose this appropriately and safely as getting on top of the roof and create more damage.  

​So if you're trying to find ways to be productive during this time at home I would suggest while adding to your things to do list be sure and the top four things on that list you put down roof inspection for the house or the business.

Peace of mind is something that we're all seeking during this challenging times. Taking one more thing off your list that causes you to stress out is a great way to keep a healthy mind balance during stressful times.

Are you considering replacing your tile roofing? do you know what kind of tile roof you currently have? there are more obvious types of tile roofing materials than others. 


In the San Antonio area you'll find a very obvious territory style tile roof. you'll recognize them from the Mediterranean classic look that's been around the San Antonio area and a part of the culture for many years. 


In fact as you navigate around the city you will notice some of the historic districts that have kept that very same looking feel that has become the part of a very iconic San Antonio.  


These traditional terracotta tile roofs have been around and used for centuries now. There are tile roofs that have lasted for well over 100 years in places like Italy. In some cases individuals have deconstructed the tile roof and reconstructed it here in the United States.


Tire roofing can be a versatile and beautiful style of roof and often can be used to create a beautiful curb appeal and a Mediterranean look. Although, tile roofing on the front end can be considerably more expensive over the long term because of its long lasting durable qualities it actually might be more cost-effective if you were to average out the cost of other roofing materials such as asphalt that has I'm not shorter half life.

of course in the cases of the 100 plus year old tile roofing houses that have lasted in Italy they've obviously not seen a spring in San Antonio Texas and the hail that we can produce here. 

Although it is safe to say that the tile roofs that r throughout Italy and Spain definitely do get hit with weather that could be very damaging. 

One of the great things about tile roofing is the fact that in some cases where there is damage simple tiles can be replaced easily and with less expense comparatively to a cheaper asphalt shingles that would not be able to take the same street as clay tile roofing.

What are the other factors that is often overlooked about tile roofing is the redeeming factors of heat transferance and it's ability to equally cool and warm the house. Think of the old style Adobe houses that you would see out years ago perhaps in an old movie or an old black and white picture. These people knew the importance of creating the stick walls that would absorb the days heat and then irradiated back to the night. This type of technology is a tried-and-true ancient technology that helps with energy preservation. When it comes to 100% organic clay tiles you can't get any more eco-friendly than that. Obviously asphalt is oil and that is supporting an industry that we are hoping to get away from in the future but for now it is a solution for many people and when it comes to a roofing material it seems to work for now until we can find a way to become more green and recycle better. As for now Clay tile roofing is 100% recyclable whereas in some cases asphalt shingles although could be recycled in many municipalities they do not have the proper systems in place to recycle asphalt shingles so often they go dumped on the side of the road or dumped in another eye sore place that just makes you want to freak out because if you're anything like me the idea of wasting something and then creating an isotope just is not where I want our future to be.

So I talked to what about Clay tile roofing but there are many different types of tile available on the market. Currently, solar technology is being integrated into roofing not just a solar panel but also the actual roofing material to keep water out. Aside from that there are many other types of tiles available from a metal sheet looking tile to a high acrylic plastic tile that is the product of something that has been recycled perhaps a plastic bag from Walmart or some other cheap toy made in China becomes your new high-grade decra roof.

there many different options available other than just tile roofing. We offer a wide range and variety for everyone's budget. everything from an asphalt shingle tile all the way to an extremely high and concrete or clay tile and coming to a store near you high power energy returning glass solar panels that have been recycled and are now positively turning energy back into our houses and into the grid. we look forward to the future of roofing but we respect the past especially beautiful tile roofing that has elegant and recycling built right into the equation. If you're in the market or trying to decide what type of roof your house needs or if your building a new home and are looking for honest goodness good quality advice from someone don't hesitate to call us today and get some information. We look forward to serving the San Antonio market like we have been doing for many years.

Are you needing to replace your roof and trying to figure out what's the best roofing materials to use would be?

We have done a lot of the work for you by scouring some of the best blogs and YouTube videos about various types of roofing materials.

Here's what you can expect to learn in this comprehensive guide that we have created specifically for homeowners that are replacing or repairing their roof.

if you've been following the news you've probably recently heard about some of the innovations that have happened in roofing materials. Elon musk the owner and visionary of many large companies has a new Tesla solar tile that has then created specifically for homes to generate power back into the grid. Aside from that innovative product you were going to learn about traditional roofing materials like natural tiles, clay tiles, traditional asphalt shingles as well as wood shingles, and various shakes both metal and wood. Concrete tiles are some of the details you will learn about as well and proper installation that you can expect or should expect from your potential roofer.

​What's the most common roofing material in the United States? If you guessed asphalt shingles you guess correctly nearly 95% of all roofs throughout the United States are covered with is asphalt with product so it makes sense that we covered this product first.

although a majority of the roofs in the United States are covered with asphalt shingles we have found that as roofs are getting replaced people are choosing to upgrade to a new or different product and that 95% number is quickly shrinking as roofs are getting replaced each year. It's estimated that you're in the next 10 years that number will be even closer to 70% of homes in the United States with only asphalt shingles because of the innovations in roofing materials specifically driven by energy consumption like the new Tesla solar shingles. Although these may take years before they completely cover the market. the asphalt shingles will continue to dominate the United States market for still many years to come because of its low-cost durability and it's easy of installation for roofing crews.

Let's talk about the two types of asphalt shingles that are most commonly used.

First the fiberglass shingles. This specific shingles starts with a fiberglass mesh. It's essentially a mat that has been completely covered and mixed with an asphalt mixture. You may have noticed on the top of most shingles small granules. These small granules are placed on top of the asphalt fiberglass shingle to reflect the sun's light back. The great part of fiberglass shingles are they are less than total weight and because of the fiberglass mesh they are tear-resistant and that is a huge plus. If you've ever handled shingles before you'll understand that they can be damage relatively easily by folding or tearing them. This fiberglass interweave helps retain its durability during high winds or unusual stress.

This second most commonly used shingle is what is called an organic asphalt shingle. This is one that typically has a paper base and is normally sold as a recycled product. How they create it is by saturating this paper-based product in an asphalt tar mix and covered again with the same reflective granules that are on the fiberglass shingle as well. Typically these asphalt shingles are heavier in total weight and they can be more difficult to work with than the fiberglass shingles.  The historically have done well against high winds and have remained very durable throughout its many years of usage. Although the asphalt shingle is either being sold wholesale or being completely phased out in many different  regions throughout the United States because of the more preferred durability of the fiberglass shingle.  Also has previously mentioned the fiberglass shingle generally weighs less and puts less overall stress on your home structure. Another reason the organic asphalt shingle is less preferred is because over the years engineers and roofers have found that the organic shingle over time has a tendency to crack or dry out ultimately making it less waterproof and more prone to roof failure which means water in your home.

after all my research let me tell you what the bottom line is and why I would personally choose fiberglass asphalt shingles.

Did you know that fiberglass shingles are a good way to protect your home from fire?

that's right fiberglass the same stuff that's in your attic that insulates your home is fire resistant. essentially fiberglass will not burn and the only thing that will is the asphalt within the fiberglass itself period however by having a mixture of fiberglass and asphalt this makes it much more fire resistant and a better product that most insurance companies prefer that you install.

As mentioned earlier organic shingles are being phased out so that means less colors and less style typically. Fiberglass asphalt shingles look great on most any style of home.

Fiberglass shingles give your home a curb appeal before selling it. they look great on most homes and before you sell it it's essentially like giving your home a facelift. The three tab fiberglass shingle is a less expensive higher durability way to get your home sold quickly.

Are you the do-it-yourself type? If you are the fiberglass shingle just might be the best way to even save yourself more money by installing this product. It's relatively easy and if you have decent skills good experience and the proper equipment and friends installing a three tab fiberglass shingle might be the best way for you to save yourself money.

One of the big pluses that I found through my research was that beyond just installing your normal roof sheeting which is the four by eight sheets of wood that you see on the roof typically seven sixteenths half inch or even up to three quarter plywood or wafer board is used but beyond this it's a pretty standard installation.

If you've got wind I found that the three tab asphalt shingle can stand up to some pretty high winds. Typically a three tab shingle is rated for up to 70 mile an hour winds. It's specifically called a wind uplift while a standard shingle that's called an architectural shingle can be rated up to a hundred and ten miles an hour. Some of these products can be rated even as high as a hundred and thirty miles per hour.

GAF is the name of a company that produces what is called a high impact shingle or high impact shingles. These can be used for areas that are heavily wooded or areas where large hail could be possible just like here in San Antonio Texas.

Some repairs are easy and fiberglass asphalt shingles as mentioned before are easy for quick repairs and they're extremely cost-effective period in other words it won't take a huge hit out of your pocket for a small repair.

Okay next I want to address what I learned about some of the considerations and cautions you should have if considering a standard organic asphalt shingle.

I found throughout my research that the cost of the shingles over the lifetime is higher than some of the higher end products that you could purchase like tile, slate, or even metal. why is that question mark it's because of the half-life. Meaning you're gonna have to replace the cost of these organic shingles many more times than you would if you purchase a higher-end product like mentioned before. throughout my research it's become clear to me that the reason asphalt shingles have been used is because of the upfront cost being obviously much lower.

here's what I learned about asphalt shingles and replacement time places like here in San Antonio Texas you can expect to replace an organic asphalt shingle every 10 to 15 years under normal weather circumstances. We have a sunny environment and that UV ray quickly damages and dries out the organic shingles. Aside from that the crazy weather that we encounter and the damaging hail can take out the shingles in one storm.

Also because here in the San Antonio area we have temperature changes that can be rapid enough over a period of time that creates the wearing and breaking down of the organic asphalt shingle as well.


one of the other things I learned about roofing is that proper ventilation is very important.  Although organic shingles are doing the best to reflect the light back with the granules that have been placed on top of the organic shingle. Heat is still trapped between the roof and your attic. This creates a convection effect and will essentially curl and bake the shingles if you haven't properly vented your roof.  I noticed through my research several pictures that showed this cupping or a u-shape effect with roofs that had not been properly ventilated

when I looked into recycling centers that accepted asphalt shingles I found that not as many of them as I thought were actually getting recycled. So another reason that I personally believe that choosing an asphalt organic shingle would be wrong for me is because I like the idea of recycling and not adding more waste. What I found through my research was a lot of bloggers and roofers complaining that roofing materials like asphalt shingles were not being accepted regularly around the country at processing or recycling centers. That means some of these shingles are just getting dumped along the roadside. You may have experienced or seen some of this waste and adding to it is not something I'm interested in and that's why I'm asking for you to consider where you might recycle them and if it's even possible before replacing with an asphalt organic shingle.
​

As I mentioned before what I had found out about asphalt organic shingles is they are heavier and when replacing them you can put only one other layer on top of a roof. Putting another layer on top of a roof is a quick way for roofers to come in at a second layer of protection and another barrier but the added extra weight puts more stress on your overall structure of your home.  Many municipalities are creating codes that won't even allow this to happen in the future.

if your roof has not been treated with a special algae or anti-algae anti-stain treatment then organic asphalt roofs have a tendency to get this tea stained or unsightly looking color in areas that have high shade.  So if you're trying to sell your house and you haven't treated or cleaned your roof it definitely hurts the curb appeal.

depending on the installation if you're installing the organic asphalt roofing material or your roofer because of the weight getting them onto the roof can be a bit of a challenge unless you have pre-arranged a conveyor. Although conveyor systems from roofing material companies are available during peak times it can be very difficult to get a delivery and if you choose an installation with an organic asphalt shingle your roofer may charge you more because of the time and effort it takes to get the material on top of the roof.


Hopefully the research I've done has helped someone that is making a determination between a fiberglass shingle or an asphalt organic shingle make a better choice I can't overemphasize the recycling process and how it has not caught up to modern times yet. So choosing ultimately a fiberglass asphalt shingle would be my recommendation if you are going to be replacing specifically with that material.


Next I want to cover wood shingles the pros and cons of what I learned through my research.


First what are the two types of wood shingles available?  Shingles and shakes

That's right there are specifically too types of wood products that are used most commonly here in the United States. What are the differences? Which use are cut out by a machine and have a much cleaner machine edge to them. They have a softer smoother surface and is definitely a uniformed product.

shakes couldn't be any more different. Woodshakes are our hand cut they definitely are the more rustic appeal and they're also a bit thicker than your typical wood shingle. These shingles are more expensive than your average wood shingle because of the rustic look it gives your home and the less manufactured more man-made touch they receive. They are typically cut from a block of wood which increases the overall price as well.

Here's what I learned about the advantages of wooden shingles and wooden shakes.

wouldn't shingles have a specific beauty that can only be attained through a natural product like wood. The wood's natural beauty has a wonderful range from a very rustic look to a very neat and clean architectural appeal. Typically the wood that wood shingles are made from is a redwood or cedar type wood. Both of these woods contain oils and then that make them resistant to moisture and less appealing to insects of all kinds.

One of the surprising things I found out about which shingles and shakes are that they can actually last five to ten years longer than your typical asphalt shingle. which as I mentioned before over the overall lifespan these shingles will be less expensive because of less of a need to replace them.

I'm a big fan of recycling so it's good to know that a lot of these wood shakes and wood shingles are created from salvaged trees. Ones that have fallen over from old age or even potentially damaged by storms of course regular harvesting is made to produce the shingles however the best part about it is after the usage of these shingles because it is wood it can be chopped into chips creating the mulch or compost for a garden. 100% guilt-free roofing.

Some of the different styles are available are cape cod, a bungalow and the cabin slash cottage work. Also they have what is called a tutor or Victorian style wooden shingle. I've looked all over the internet and found some great examples of these types of wooden shakes and shingles.

I did find a few disadvantages through my research with the materials and I would like to share some of those disadvantages with you. consider California and all the problems it's had with wildfires there are areas that have prohibited certain wooden shakes or shingles without the fire rating of a class a fire because of the natural area in which they're located is prone to large fire damage.

also if you've chosen a wooden shake shingle that is untreated there is going to be some regular maintenance specifically cleaning them to make them perform and look their best.  The performance comes into play because if the shingles are dirty they are not allowed to breathe properly and will degrade the length in time the material can be used.

one other disadvantage with wooden shingles is if you're a do-it-yourselfer this is not typically a project you want to take on yourself. Installation can be problematic if you've never installed a wood or shake shingleand improper installation can lead to quick water damage.

if you've never heard of tannins it is a color that is within the red oak and cedar wood. One other disadvantages that these colors can be released out of the wood into your roof causing a discoloration.

Although I really enjoy the look and versatility of wood and shake shingles replacing and repairs can be cost prohibitive if needed. Again if you're not a do-it-yourselfer or even if you are these can be much more difficult for an installation and having the right person install them is going to be key to keeping your home dry from the outside elements.

here's what I learned about metal roofing. I personally enjoy metal roofing the look the feel and the appeal comes from its long-lasting durability and architectural appeal. Aside from that just like wood metal is 100% recycled because of its higher cost and longer durability. Your roof might have been a car and your car might have been a roof.  Unlike organic asphalt shingles because of the high value of metal recycling has been placed on a priority. So when replacing a roof or getting a roof installed you can almost expect this has been another product before or it definitely will be another product in another lifetime. Speaking of lifetime what I love about metal roofs is he has so many options as far as colors that you can really make look very valuable and give your home an extra boost when it comes to the sale.

Typically metal roofs can be made of a few different products like lightweight aluminum or a heavy gauge or light gauge steel mixed with zinc. Zinc helps your roof be rust resistant and can help your roof last up to 50 to even a hundred years we've all seen copper metal roofs that are beautiful but these are called specialty roofs. Throughout my research I was able to find that these types of roofs are highly costly to replace and extremely effective. Overall because of the long life of the roof as I mentioned earlier choosing a higher end product does make a big difference and the cost averages actually probably much lower depending on what your plans are for your home in other words some people choose to replace with an organic asphalt or fiberglass asphalt roof because they know they may only be living there for the next 10 to 15 years or the home itself is not accustomed to home period typically you see these copper metal roofs very uniquely designed homes or institutional buildings like court houses or major landmarks of significant importance.

The options with metal roofs are significant because you can choose different gauges of metal period what does that mean? It's simply means different levels of thickness of metal. Typically the thicker gauge metal is going to give you a longer half life even if the roof has been damaged. to boil it all down it just means you have more protection as a water barrier to the interior period installation with metal roofing doesn't require anything other than your standard 4x8 decking wafer board or plywood.

one of the things I really like about metal roofing is it's lack of waste. Many people think contractors now have the ability to purchase long spools of metal and custom cut your roof right on-site. That's gonna mean less waste and less overall cost.

A good roofer can come in and do a installation that custom fit your house like a tailored fit suit. Creating an almost frog-like water tight barrier.

The highly reflective nature of metal is good for keeping your home cool and hot climates. The other advantage is it helps shed rain and snow again because of its highly reflective slick surface. If you live in an area with lots of snow and have had to ever get on your roof from the winter time to remove some of the snow because of the way you understand exactly what I have learned through my research. In some areas of the Northwest or even the Midwest high density snow during the wintertime can put stress that your home might not be able to carry. Metal roofing is a natural slide much like the ones that were designed when their children those slides that get really hot on a sunny day. This advantage is certainly good for places like Colorado or even Texas because of the baking hot sun period with proper ventilation your home consisting and ambient temperature and will keep your dry and damaged free.

Throughout my research I did find a few things that could be potential disadvantages with metal roofing. During 2016 in San Antonio a large hailstorm came through the area and created many dimpled and dented roofs. The ones that were the most unsightly typically were metal roofs. They looked like unsightly cellulite. If you could catch it in the right light you could see a lot of damage and during that major storm many insurance companies try to call it a cosmetic damage.  Why is that important? What I found out is if you don't have an insurance company that specifically underwrites metal roofing that by then claiming it is cosmetic damage instead of actual physical damage then potentially they might not have to replace your roof. So prior to choosing to put metal on your roof make sure you have the conversation with your insurance company and proper coverage so in the likely event that San Antonio has damaging storms that your roof would be replaced with very few questions.


One of my favorite roofing styles to research was the tile roofing material because of the obvious appeal it has and it's well known in the San Antonio area as a staple roofing product that just says San Antonio Texas. It's almost synonymous with the name and the location of Texas. I think it's because of the earthy clay baked in look and the almost Adobe looking feel that matches our culture in the area.

I found out that there are some clay tile roofs that have lasted for well over a hundred years period of course these are in areas that have been lucky enough to not have to suffer hail damage. There have been some innovations on traditional clay tile roofing by adding other products into the mixture like a lightweight concrete and even a fiber material that acts very much like the fiberglass asphalt shingle giving it more durability and strength.

I learned that you can expect at least 50 years of this roof easily. Again the only thing I add to that would be with the exception of a monster hailstorm these will last a very long time. And some cases hail damage did destroy these roofs not because of the innovations that have happened in roofing but because traditional clay tiles have a difficult time with standing instant temperature drops. In the case of 2016 the clay tiles that were damaged the most experienced quick changes in temperature. The day most of the damage was done the temperature was extremely hot and then dropped significantly making the clay tiles very brittle. One advantage of clay tiles is the ventilation that is built right in to the tile. Much like the Adobe style roofing or Adobe style homes the thickness of the Adobe clay is what gives it its breathability.

because of its durability and rich aesthetics this has been one of the reasons this tile has been chosen time and again to represent class and elegance. I love the fact that it's completely recycled and it looks really great and gives a contemporary home on Mediterranean look that is very impressive from the curb. Potential home owners know exactly and upscale home when they see this style of roofing.

After doing a lot of research I did find a few things that could be potential disadvantages to tile roofing The first and most evident thing was cost. Tile roofing is typically much more expensive per square foot than an asphalt organic shingle or a fiberglass asphalt shingle. Also this is definitely not a do-it-yourself style roof because of the installation process involved.

Architecturally your home needs to be rated for the weight that this roof is. The weight of the roof could preclude a newer home that's not designed for a tile roof to be used.

Overall I have to say it's still one of my favorite style roofs because of some of the innovations that have been made and roofing materials as I mentioned the lighter weight concrete clay-style tiles reinforced with fiberglass can be extremely durable and used for many years.


Next it is some research on slate roofing. I did a lot of research trying to figure out what are the advantages and disadvantages of slate roofing. slate roofing can be seen on extremely high and buildings and it is truly a lifetime roof. Throughout my research I found many churches and high-end municipalities that chose this as a style. East coast predominantly is where I found a lot more of this slate-style roofing being used. Similar style buildings that use copper like institutions or high-end specialty homes are where I found slate roofing to be used. again it's important to note that genuine slate is really the lifetime roof. There are different types of slate there are composite slate which is essentially a plastic slate roof this is a very good roof because it is a roof that can be recycled easily. What I read about should additional or natural slate roofing products is it has a low impact from a manufacturing standpoint because it is a natural product found in nature already.  As someone that is concerned about leading less of an impact behind this is something that is a huge advantage if you have the money up front to install it.

this is what would be considered a true green roof period because of its cradle the grave ability to be less impactful on the environment on the front end and on the back end.

One of the drawbacks that I found about this particular roofing material was the fact that it is one of the heaviest roofing products that is on the market. 100 square feet which is a 10 foot by 10 foot area could weigh a 1500 pounds so a home or a framing support is going to have to be extremely strong and even bulked up or made for the performance of these stylish shingles beforehand.  

The other thing to consider is this is not a do-it-yourselfer project. Slate is very finicky when it comes to installation and it likes roofers that know what they're doing.

When it comes to finding the right roofer for a slate roofing installation giving due diligence and finding and expert in this product is only advice I can stress more than anything.

Finally I got to do some research on the Tesla solar tiles. As someone that loves technology first of all I had to say that doing this research was really fun for me. The Tesla solar tile is something that will be quickly impacting the market especially in the San Antonio area. we already have many roofs that have solar panels on top of roofs but the integration of a shingle and a solar panel just made sense and Elon musk once again has disrupted the market by creating a product that pays for itself over time. What I love about it is it has a purpose and it doesn't look like these traditional ugly eyes or solar panels it's built and baked right into the cake it's stylish and has four major styles that you can choose from. Tesla solar tiles are made from glass. The cool thing is the wire right in to the power wall that was designed by Tesla as well.


Because the tiles are made of glass they're 100% eco-friendly when it comes to the future and recycling. Glass is much easier to recycle than asphalt shingles even now.

The exciting thing about the potential for these roofs are its ability to be self-sustaining and producing its own power up to 100% or even more by passing electricity back into the grid depending on where you live. Here in San Antonio the sun's a blessing and a curse but in this particular case it can be a blessing and reduce your electric bill to zero or even in some cases you could get paid back for the electricity used by your friends and neighbors

okay but what are the disadvantages that I learned about when it comes to the Tesla solar tiles? frankly it's the cost of fun up to $38 a square foot depending on the style you choose this is extremely expensive on the front end but considering you potentially could reduce your electric bill to zero or even make money back on it it has to make sense to you on the front end. Also, a potential drawback could be not hiring the right contractor for the installation. Because it's a specialty installation and a new product finding the right contractor that is certified to install these is difficult right now but will become less difficult in the near future as Tesla is ramping up and deploying its game-changing shingle.

Learn About san antonio roofing problems

The first thing is just being aware of the weather. Spotting problems typically come as a result of inclement weather. There's an old adage that talks about out of sight out of mind. We typically don't pay attention to anything as long as it's working well. My dad had a way of saying if it ain't broke don't fix it. However maintenance is the key to anything performing well. Your roof is the number one defense to protecting everything inside of your home. Think about all the valuables that you have and all of the irreplaceable pictures and things that you would not like to have to replace or couldn't replace if you had a leaky roof. roofing problems have a tendency to get worse before they get better so paying attention on a regular basis to simple things like your roof is the best advice I could give anyone.

Why do you want to take care of your roof? Because the roof if untreated or on maintenance can lead to many other problems in your home.  Such as expensive water damage to your drywall or plaster irreplaceable items such as paintings or pictures as I mentioned before as well as a number of hassles that you might have to take off work which could cost you even more because of your lack of attention to what might not be an obvious problem to you right now but after this article in reading this some of the tips that I will give you will help you prevent a lot of pain in the future.

you might have heard it said before an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure. It's so true when it comes to roofs. One of the things that I notice when doing a preliminary roof inspection is first I take into consideration has there been some weather recently that has been really extreme? if there's been extreme weather and you see a lot of tree limbs down or your neighbor's calling roofing contractors are picking up sticks in the yard here is a clear sign that you need to pay attention to your roof as well. If you go to your downspouts around your house and notice several granules that look like sand that have been washed out this is a clear indication that pounding rain potentially has washed away some of the protection on your asphalt roof. This only applies to asphalt roofs however it's a great lead indicator that you need to hire someone to come out to do a roofing estimate as soon as possible. Sometimes these granules could be there after a freshly new installed roof but if your roof has been on for several years and you're noticing this this is a clear indication that you need to pay more attention to it.

As I mentioned before an ounce of protection is worth more than a pound of cure. where that comes into play is looking at small repairs that can prevent the larger repairs that you might need down the road if gone unattended. Spotting these small repairs early is key to saving your family money time and the valuables that you have in your house that are very irreplaceable.

​As a leader in the San Antonio area in roofing we do a great job installing roofs however we don't do a great job of predicting weather. Even your local weatherman has a hard time determining from week to week what kind of weather is coming our way. The only way to get around this is to consider scheduling a regular roof repair every 6 months or so or especially after damaging winds and rain or potential hail.

We know where to look for the damage and we find it before it becomes a major issue saving you the trouble of having to replace an entire roof and paying a very expensive deductible. Having a regular roof inspection can not only improve the lifespan but extend the lifespan of your roof. Replacing an entire roof is a major expense and if you are not paying attention to it when you get ready to sell your home it could be a major negotiation tool for the buyer to reduce the offer price of your home. Think of your roof like tires on a car. Tires on the car good tires might have a life expectancy of 60 to 100,000 mi. However we all drive our car differently and that lifespan can either be more or less depending on how we drive the car. Similarly our roof and the geology and geography of where we live affects us greatly.

Here's a simple visual inspection you can do yourself. Take a look at your own book I often recommend to my customers that you take a pair of binoculars and look at the roof. Not getting on the roof is always a good idea for saved the issues if you don't feel comfortable dealing with heights. Sometimes you're in San Antonio we have some very high roofs and you might not have a ladder that can reach it. However binoculars can give you a very clear view of potential damage under roof. Another good simple diagnosis would be getting into your attic and looking for potential places where there might be leaks. Always look at the joints where the OSB or plywood comes together. It should be obvious after a heavy rain if there are any leaks another thing to look for is look for wet insulation. Wet installation is a harbinger of really bad mold. If you've been experiencing headaches black mold could be the potential culprit. you do not want this to continue because mold can multiply very quickly and become a health problem for you and your family. In some cases mold has caused many problems for families and it has to be completely remediation and taken out. mold problems can cause major health issues like the inability to breathe or shortness of breath as well as migraine headaches.

​as I mentioned before with a good pair of binoculars you can see most of the problems if you know where to look. If you do spot any problems you can give us a call and we can confirm any suspicions you might have in regards to potential damage. Catching those quickly makes it easier for us to perform the necessary repairs so your property can be properly protected.

What should you look for?

if it's a shingle roof one of the obvious things you would look for are broken or missing shingles sometimes the wind can actually blow a shingle sideways it may still be there but a vigilant eye will be able to catch the problem quickly. Also alternating color patches or shingles that might be littering your yard or your neighbor's yard is a obvious giveaway to issues that you will be having.

Other things to look for. as I mentioned previously after a large storm it's important that you go outside and look often the visual things get taken care of first The tree limbs down the litter in the yard all of these things are the things that were asked to pick up and be a good neighbor first by doing so. Sometimes we're not always looking for other things that might be a dead giveaway to roof damage. Keep a close eye out if large tree limbs are flying around it's very possible that they're doing damage to your roof as well.

What is flashing? Flashings that thin piece of metal that runs down the edges for the valley of your roof we typically install it under shingles you'll often hear it referred to as just what I mentioned a valley so think of where your roof comes together in a v-shape.  This barrier once compromised can be an open gap for water debris and potential animals to crawl in and make a new home. these areas gone unattended have been areas where I've been on roof inspections before and found several animals that find new homes. Aside from just water having a barrier that's broken can be very unsanitary. Imagine having raccoons or rats living in your attic and all the feces that comes with it.

Due diligence will keep you healthy and maintain the life of the expected roof. These things are true with not only tile roofing but asphalt roofing as well.

Cracked vent booting. What is cracked fence booting? Booting is simply a rubber or polymer that is used on roof fence to cover the small pipes that come out of your roof. These help get rid of excess moisture and over a period of time ultraviolet rays can actually damage and create what is a type of rubber rot. We probably all seen tires that have set out in the summer for years on end and they become brittle and easily breakable. It's important to make sure that over a period of time that taking a good look at these and making sure that the integrity of them is intact is the best way to keep that barrier from the outside out in the inside nice and dry.

Do you have skylights? skylights are a great way to introduce outside and natural light into your home. Although skylights are absolutely wonderful they can also be problematic if not maintenance for installed incorrectly. It's important that you while opening them and cleaning them inspect the edges making sure that they close properly and that you don't have any leakage around them. anytime you have an opening you have an opportunity. And that opportunity is simply moisture. Moisture in your house is your enemy. We do a very thorough inspection and always check to make sure skylights are working properly we understand the importance of having the outdoor ambient light and we to enjoy it just as much as you but it requires a certain amount of maintenance.

Most importantly finding the right and reliable roofing contractor.

potentially identified a few places where you think you might have damage now it's time to get on Google and find a roofing contractor that's going to be able to help you with your problem. You might be tempted to repair the roof yourself I would honestly suggest to get the roofing estimate first typically these estimates are free and you can gain a lot of knowledge from an experienced river that knows what they're doing before you step on your roof and potentially do more damage. specifically in cases of tile roofing you can actually do a lot more damage if you try to do it yourself and you don't know what you're doing The same could be very true of asphalt roofs. aside from not having the right tools or the expensive tools that it takes to do a job you could be putting your life at risk and that's the last thing we want for our customers.

As an experienced roofer and an expert in our field we know that we can get the job done quicker, less expensive and more accurately saving you time material and most importantly peace of mind.  We have the proper tools training and experience to climb up on your roof and assess the problem quickly and give you an accurate understanding of what's going on.

Here are some tips on what to look for when choosing a reliable contractor. Key factors like location is this contractor someone that's local? This is a very important thing to consider because often after large storms there are swarms of people that come into town that are not local and subcontract workout. Although they may know what they're doing I have heard so many horror stories and fixed so many roofs of people that were not local roofers and clients call us to fix a problem because they cannot find their roofer that they hired because they were not local. Also certifications and training should be a very important piece of what you're looking for as well as roofing guarantees. If you have roofers that are certified with a certain product that product could be guaranteed for much longer giving you much more peace of mind.

also local contractors know the local weather they know the local codes and they typically know the best way to install because of all the local experience that they have. sometimes techniques are very regional and understanding regional techniques for installation is a very important key point that most people don't take into consideration. For instance in the north what we call the bridge cap has to be face to certain direction because the prevailing winds come out of the northwest if installed incorrectly this ridge cap that's on top of your roof could typically blow off much easier if it doesn't have enough time to seal.

As I mentioned earlier certifications are important for one major reason typically there are certain products that are required for roofers to go through installation training. This installation training for certain products ensures good quality roof installation and protects you with a full guarantee. Once these contractors have been certified as a guaranteed installer any issues in the future will be mitigated by not only the roofer but also the product has guarantees for the installers because they've been through the installation process and have been certified correctly on how to install that specific product.

What is the roof repair process? The first part of the process is obviously inspecting the roof for damage and leaks. If you've taken out your binoculars you probably already identified some areas that you would like to point out to the roofer because this would be beneficial in the initial analysis.

Now that you found a good company like us to come out it's time for the process to begin and for the inspection that happens right on the spot.  sometimes you see a damaged shingle or a damaged tile but what's important to remember is that water always rolls downhill and that it always seeks the lowest point. The obvious damage may not be the most damage. So it's important for us to give a thorough inspection and check both sides of the roof you may believe you only have a problem on one side whereas the leak source could be coming from a different area.

For instance if we find damage on what I mentioned was the flashing or the valley of the roof this is typically replaced with new flashing areas that are worn would be sealed with a high-quality sealant or cocked or tard vent boots around the pipes would then have to be taken off and replaced accordingly. Of course missing and broken shingles would be replaced with new ones as well. In some cases finding the right shingle color can be a challenge so it is important that we note and find a matching shingle color. also if it is an older roof sometimes the color has faded so these are things to take into consideration as well.

If the damage is gone on for quite some time there could be issues with what we call decking that is the OSB board underneath that supports the shingle weight That's the 4x8 pieces of wood that you see us put on top of your roof.. If this has been compromised it could be very dangerous to walk on and this is another reason we suggest doing a roof inspection with a license and bonded roofer. The last thing you want to do is climb under roof and fall through your roof. We know where this damage is we know how to look for it and prevent further damage.

A few other things to keep in mind while hiring a roofer is you should always ask for recommendations.

Facebook's a great way to reach out and ask for recommendations. A simple post on your Facebook page like asking does anybody know a good roofer in the area? This can save you a lot of time and a lot of hassle. people are all too often ready to share a great experience if they have a great profer that they've worked with in the past.

Also asking for great references is a simple way to prevent any problems in the future. Past performance is a key indicator to future success we all know this.

Ask friends at work if they know a good roofer or if you notice a lot of roofing companies coming into your neighborhood step across the street and get to know your neighbor ask them if they've had a free roof inspection most of them are offered for free The only exception to that might be a large commercial roof because these do happen to take a lot longer to do so some companies do charge for large commercial roof inspections. However typically a small residential roof inspection is usually offered free.

Things like the better business bureau can be great but it's not the end all be all. Some small business owners choose not to be a part of the business bureau because it is a paid subscription and some of the best roofing companies that I know and work with actually don't pay for the reference for the better business bureau.

Google reviews has been one of the latest and greatest ways to find out more and more information about the services that you're looking for. this is one way that I personally use to make a lot of choices when it comes to services and I would suggest you to do the same. Often Google reviews are a decent representation of the type of work that they've done in the past and again past performance is a key indicator for future success.  

Simple things like asking for licensing and proof of insurance can save you a lot of time and a lot of problems. Fly by night companies typically don't carry the proper license or certifications especially proof of insurance. this is so important because if someone falls off your roof and doesn't have insurance the possibility is they could potentially sue you. The last thing you want is anyone to get hurt and the last last thing that you want is someone to get hurt on your property and risk your families safety security and financial security through a heavy lawsuit..

find out about the manufacturers that they use in the products that they use specifically this means roofers have requirements but they have to meet from factory certifications it's not something every roofer has but it's a good indication and it helps you get some peace of mind as well. This will help you understand the price that you're paying for the products that are going on your roof. One example of how a product price could change is very simple. If you're getting an asphalt shingle typically a roofer will only give you a 30-day guarantee on the price of that shingle. Why is that? specifically asphalt shingles are made of asphalt which is an oil-based product. Oil-based products are driven by the current price of oil driven by OPEC. Shingles typically don't sit around in warehouses for a very long time because there are freshness dates on them. by the time the cost of that shingle is made it could have been a cheaper shingle to make at the time so the raw product being oil if the price of oil goes up to replace that product that product could become more expensive it's very important to understand this if you're doing a large project it can certainly make a big difference in your price.

Requesting a written estimate is always the best choice.

Most roofers are happy to provide a estimate a red flag would be one that doesn't.  But as I mentioned before don't be caught off guard if they say this is a guaranteed price for the next 30 days. It has more to do with the distributor that they purchase shingles from those prices of shingles do fluctuate depending on what's going on with the world and oil prices. getting the written estimate up front is going to assure you that you have a document that you could adhere to and also feel comfortable knowing what you're getting into before any of those changes take place. Always discuss with your contractor if there are any other changes that need to take place that you would like to know before anything else happens. An example of this would be the rougher might not believe you need new decking however after removing the shingles they discover the decking the OSB or the plywood is rotted. This would potentially change the cost of the installation and most reputable roofers will tell you as I see it right now this is the total price for the roof the change and price could come as we remove shingles if we notice there are unsafe or unstable places that need to be replaced I will make you aware of it and I will tell you exactly what needs to be done so we can agree on the correct course of action and the price difference.

It's important to think about more than just the cost of service

quotes can vary from person to person and refer to roofer. There are a lot of things to consider sometimes these differences can be quite significant but you need to understand what the significances are. Don't always be driven by the cheapest price but be driven by the quality of service that you're going to get and the quality of materials that you will receive. sometimes the cheaper price comes at the cost of less than perfect quality materials or less than experienced installers.

One question that I always tell my customers is be very leery of refers that want you to pay everything up front typically the work that we do we ask for half of the money up front and then half at the end of the well performed project.  sometimes there are advantages with pain with the credit card or even with a check but only pay the other half after the job has been completely finished. If it's an insurance job typically your insurance company will insist that a check from the insurance company has to be paid directly to the contractor and then only after the project is completed the insurance company will release the other half of the check after your inspection. In some cases insurance companies will send out a individual to inspect the job and then the final check will be released to the roofing contractor. This is an industry standard in many cases not all the time but it is something that is very common.


In conclusion always get a guarantee. getting a guarantee and choosing the right roofing service is going to assure that you have a long-lasting roof that you're happy with that protects your families belongings within. Having a conversation with more than one roofer to be able to discriminate on the type of service that you might be able to receive is the best way to know what your options are. Roofing crews that have been properly trained to install certain types of shingles and tiles have the support of the manufacturer to help pay for any problems that might occur in regards to installation. For me when anything I'm looking for peace of mind I don't want to have to go back and redo it I don't want to have to think about it ever again. well in some cases you do have to think about it here in San Antonio Texas we do have a lot of weather so you may have to think about it again at some point in the future but at least you'll be well versed as to what your options are.

Having a roof repair or having a roof replacement is not always on the top of your mind or one of the most fun things that you'll ever do. However it is one of the most expensive things that you will ever do when it comes to your home. think about it when you buy a car you spend a lot of time discriminating choosing and talking to people about what a good choice is. Typically a roof can cost just as much as a car so due diligence is the best thing you should take into consideration while choosing a good roofing contractor..

The tile roofing in San Antonio is one of the most popular house designing aspects in the region. Putting up tiles for the roof makes it even more durable and saves the right amount of energy in the home. Moreover, the tiles are available in various designs and give an appealing look to the house.
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In this blog, you will know about some of the essential things to consider for tile roofing in San Antonio.

Quality Underlayment is important

The sub decking and the tiles require a protective layer, and underlayment is that layer. The quality of underlayment matters a lot as, without it, the roof will be compromised. Damaged ceilings, water leakage, and many other issues will come up in the long run. The neglecting of quality underlayment might end up giving you hefty repair expenses of your tile roofing. Therefore you must hire the professional of tile roofing in San Antonio to help you out with the perfect underlayment solutions.
 

For renovation or construction tile roofing, you need a lot of tiles in the process. When you make a renovation, make sure you do not use the existing tiles as they have gone weak and are not fit for use. Do not use cracked tiles and ask the professionals of San Antonio to use only the fresh collection of tiles for the entire roofing work. Before putting up the new tiles for the tile roofing, the professionals will also go for surveying the roof structure for any broken or loose ends.
 
Get the matching tiles
If you are planning on getting your tile roofing renovation work in San Antonio, then you must have stock tiles of the ones used already. It is so because if you are looking for light repair work, then a few tiles can be replaced if you have kept or saved it during the installation work at the beginning. If not, then you must replace an entire lot of tiles in the tile roofing process. It is so because finding the matching tile in the market becomes very difficult. Therefore it is very much essential for you to get matching tiles in a complete lot. Try and save a few of them for any small repairs that might come up in the near future.
 
Hire Experienced Professionals

There are many professional companies in San Antonio for taking up the tile roofing job for your house. You need to check for the reviews of your preferred company and call to get the information on the price quote. You can select your desired day and time to begin with the work. The team of professionals will also give you an estimate of the total cost of repair or renovation of the tile.
 
 
It is crucial to keep a note of few of these things before you plan about tile roofing in San Antonio. Get in touch with professionals and seek their advice to proceed with high quality tile roofing work.

​Choose the right roofing company in san antonio
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