Ballasted Roofs VS Reflective Roofs, Are They Equal?

Roofing is a viable skill while the profession is projected to grow the demand for an experienced roofer is high. Roofing is physically demanding, challenging and rewarding all at the same time.  It's a profession reliant on ability and the willingness to learn and keep learning. Professional roofing is for certain a skill to take pride in.

Commercial & Industrial Roofing Care 101:  FIX A FLAT ROOF PROBLEM

There are many solutions as there are problems to a flat roof.

Some common reasons for flat roof problems are improperly installed roofs.  A roof is not effective if it’s not installed correctly and can only mean future repairs.  Another flat roof problem is not enough insulation.  When there is not enough or incorrect insulation on your roof it will not attain full energy efficiency benefits.  A poor drainage system can cause flat roof problems with water back up.  A well designed roof will allow water to drain.  Drain pipes not cleaned and maintained can lead to flat roof problems.  Not applying appropriate sealants and adhesives or using the wrong products can cause flat roof problems.  Using defective and inferior materials will cause flat roof problems.

Fixing a flat roof issue is not a problem for us.  We are part of the solution.

“Pursuit of solution, we make it easy for you.”

TEN STANDARD QUESTIONS FOR HIRING A ROOFING CONTRACTOR

Choosing a contractor can be a hassle for some.  Contacting multiple people for the task, comparing bids back to back. It can be stressful making the choice to trust one of them to do it right if your not well informed.  It’s not something you want to spend little time on and if the contractor ends up being unreliable it could cost you more money and time.  But if you use these questions as a base point to make it easier for choosing a contractor.

      1.   How long has your company been in business?

When choosing a roofing contractor you need to know if they have the experience you need to do the roofing job.  A contractor with fewer years in the business are still in the process of earning trust with their customers.  Choosing a company that has been around for 15 years compared to 5 years could be a safer choice.

      2.    Is this company legally licensed?

It is illegal to perform work without being a licensed contractor in most states.  Make sure to double check that they are legally licensed and are a legitimate company registered in the state you reside in as an official business.  Having legal problems is not something you want to deal with, it could seize the work being done on the roof and your search for another contractor begins.

      3.   Do they have insurance?

A company that doesn’t have workers compensation and general liability insurance could prove to cost you more money.  Don’t trust contractors that go without workers compensation, if someone is injured on your roof the money could come out of your pocket.  Not having general liability insurance is also not the best choice, without it you could have to pay for more damages than you need to.

      4.   Does this company have a good reputation?

Have you checked the background of this company?  More often than not when someone has made an investment and their unsatisfied they have something to say about it.  It’s always a good idea to look up the reviews on BBB to check their status.  Check the contractor’s website or social media pages for reviews.  Looking them up on angieslist.com or other review based website can be of help.

      5.   How much do they charge?

Some companies will overcharge you to get more money in their pockets.  Keep in mind that most business invest for profit.  Going out and finding the lowest bid could be bad news for your finances in the long run.  Hunting for other contractors may provide you with better bids.  Most contractors are willing to negotiate and give you the best price that they can do the job.  When contractors compete with pricing be wary of contract wording.  Compare detail for detail.  Are you getting the same labor and materials.  When you do negotiate your price, check your materials and make sure you are getting what you paid for.

6.   Do they provide a warranty for my roof?

Warranties will provide you with the comfort of knowing you won’t have to pay full price if another problem occurs.  Pick a contractor that offers the manufacture warranty on your roof materials. Also you want the roofing contractor to provide a workmanship warranty to guarantee for them to come back for a certain length of time to come repair your roof.  Depending on the company it would be better to find someone who will do it for free but some charge money for their workmanship warranty at a small cost.  It should be free as a guarantee that the contractor will fix any leak related to their work completed.

      7.   How soon can they finish the job?

If you have a roofing repair emergency or maybe a storm just hit, they’re some trustworthy contractors out there that can do the job within 48 hours.  Some may take a week and some may take a month due to their high volume of customers.  Some may take longer but they can also provide you with better materials, longer lasting repairs and better warranties.  Find the middle ground when looking through bids.

      8.   How will they keep you informed on what’s happening on my roof?

There should be customer service. The contractor should always set a meeting with you to go over the quote and work to be done.  They should keep in contact and have someone available to speak while on the job and off site hours.

      9.   Can I trust they are working safely on my roof?

Having untrained workers can lead to problems.  Before you finalize the project be sure to ask about safety and of course look into reviews.  It’s illegal to not have the appropriate safety guidelines covered under OSHA’s standards and regulations.  Not having appropriate safety on your roof could cause more trouble than that low bid is worth.

10.  Is there any way to lower the price?

If you found a contractor with the experience you need for the job but the price is not within your budget let the contractor know and negotiate a more suitable number to work with.  Some contractors will come at you with some low prices.  An experienced contractor will be competitive with other experienced contractors.  The projected cost should be comparable when receiving your estimate’s.  Most contractors will work with your budget. When the estimate is to low or too high, ask the contractor to go over the estimate with you.   Keep an eye on those bids. 

TEAM WORK

WHY SHOULD I INVEST IN TPO ROOFING?

Thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) roofing membrane is one of the fastest growing commercial roofing products and has gained widespread industry acceptance for its many performance and installation advantages.  As demand increases for heat-reflective and energy efficient roofing systems, TPO single-ply roofing membranes continue to provide extraordinary resistance to UV, ozone and chemical exposure.

Suitable for various low-slope commercial roofing applications, TPO roofing membranes are a sustainable roofing solution for various building types.

Below are reasons you should invest in TPO roofing:

VARIETY

TPO is built to match any type of commercial building. It’s available in white, light grey, and tan reflective color options that are UV resistant.

RECYCLABLE

TPO is also 100% recyclable, making it a favorite for many “green” property owners.

COST EFFECTIVE

Because it’s both attractive and cost effective, TPO remains a great flat roofing option. It offers both similar benefits to PVC roofing, but at a much lower price point, while also being resistant to mold, tears, UV radiation and heat.

LOW INSTALLATION COST

TPO roofs are made in wide, but lightweight sheets, making them much easier to install with fewer seams. Although TPO is heat and UV-resistant, repeated exposure and structural stress can affect its ability to complete its life span. With regular repair and maintenance, just like any other flat roof, TPO will perform their best and last as long as possible.

LOW COST MAINTENANCE

Compared to the majority of other roofing materials, TPO is one of the lower maintenance alternatives available today. As with any other flat roofing product, a periodic maintenance check should be done by a professional and is a good way to ensure your roof remains leak-free and lasts its full life cycle.

HIGH REFLECTIVE ENERGY EFFICIENT PROPERTIES

Commercial thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) also offers various design options with panels available in reflective white, grey, or tan, which can help decrease your buildings cooling requirements. Commercial TPO membranes meet the new version of the Energy Star Energy ratings. These standards outline cool roofs to have a minimum three-year aged reflectance of 0.55 and a minimum thermal emittance of 0.75 for low-sloped nonresidential buildings.

Commercial TPO roofing systems also offer quick installation, puncture/damage-resistant materials, excellent flexibility and adhesion to roof fixtures.

WHAT ROOFING SERVICES DO I NEED AND HOW CAN I TELL?

Among the roofing services you’ll need from time to time as a business owner are reroofing, repairs, inspections, and new roof installations.

INSTALLATIONS

Is your roof worn out or you need a roof on a new business structure that is under construction? Commercial roofing installation is not a one-size-fits-all process.  We utilize a personalized approach to determining which roofing system is best suited for your business. By always using the latest technology and best materials available, we take each roof’s unique characteristics into account to provide you with a system that will best meet your needs, your budget and your expectations. How do you tell?

INSPECTION

Due diligence is central to business. Always request for an inspection and report of the condition of the roof, so you know exactly what roofing services you need. If you need inspections done, it is best to schedule them twice a year, so roofing experts can fix small problems before your business gets severely damaged by water coming in through roof, leak. Should we spot anything during inspection, you can schedule for your roof to be repaired.

REGULAR MAINTENANCE

The elements can be very hard on your roof. Even in the mildest climates, a roof is subjected to a variety of factors that can affect its longevity. Your commercial roof can be affected or damaged by many different factors, from rocks to high winds to regular rainfall accumulation. Whether faced with sun, rain, wind or snow, it’s important to have a system that you can rely on.  It’s important not to wait until your roof shows signs of trouble; always try to schedule routine maintenance to avoid costly repairs. Be proactive! Our roofing company provides a full range of services to enable your roof system to weather just about anything.

REPAIRS

Roof repairs are a part of any building’s life, but can cause significant stress when they occur. A bad roof may be caused by poor workmanship, defective material or simply wear due to old age. How can you tell you need a repair?  Leaks or other structural damages.

RE-ROOFING

You may need a new or replacement roof eventually.

Commercial re-roofing will eventually be a necessity for every business, but how the process is handled can mean high stress or peace of mind for an owner. Our roofing professionals can quickly and easily re-roof any existing building, work with any manufacture’s application system and ensure that any reroofing job is eligible for the highest level of warranty available on today’s market. Depending on the kind and brand of roof you have or want, we can provide you with recommendations on the best, safest and reliable materials to use. We can also tell you whether you can get by with a small repair or if you really do need your whole roof redone.

Our services include inspections, reroofing, repairs, and new roof installations. These services all come with our free estimates. There are different types of materials we work with, so you can have the roof that will fit your budget or fulfill your wishes.

Contact us online or call us to discuss your commercial or industrial roofing project – let our experts find the best roofing solution for your needs with free estimates.