Roofing

Why Black is a Horrible Color for a Roof

March 7, 2022
Posted in ,

Black roofs put fashion over function and are a horrible choice for energy. There are ethical reasons to choose a lighter color as well. Ask yourself these important questions before making a horrible decision: These are all important questions and it’s also important to go into a situation like this knowing why most contractors are…

Read More

Algae Resistant Shingles

September 14, 2021
Posted in

There’s much talk about algae resistant shingles.  Some manufacturers make big claims that their shingles are better than others because theirs offer better resistance than others. Buyer beware.  First, algae will naturally cause streaking on all shingles.  The question is whether you can see it or not.  Darker colored shingles will naturally hide more algae.…

Read More

Flat Roofing 101

September 9, 2021
Posted in

There are several types of flat roofing available.  In this article we’ll explore the major options and their pros and cons. EPDM Also known as rubber roofing, this black membrane style roof comes in 45 mil or 60 mil thicknesses.  It comes in 10 foot wide sections or 20 foot wide.  Due to it’s weight…

Read More

How to know when your Shingles go bad

August 17, 2021
Posted in

If you’re not sure if you need a new roof, this may be the most important article you will read.  To understand the wear patterns of a shingle you need to understand the 3 primary components of a shingle. If you look at your shingles closely and see something that looks like tiny white threads,…

Read More

Roofing Tips for Homeowners to Prepare for your Install

July 28, 2021
Posted in

If you’re soon getting a new roof, you need to prepare for your install.  These top 10 roofing tips for homeowners can make your experience as smooth as possible and set reasonable expectations for what can and cannot be done.  The more you plan and prepare, the more likely you will be to have a great…

Read More

Roof Ventilation Needs are Changing

July 24, 2021
Posted in ,

Ventilation needs are changing and you don’t need to be a building scientist to understand that building materials should change also.  For nearly 30 years the ridge vent has been the gold standard, but it has since fallen. Homeowners with ridge vents are beginning to have problems. Case in point — in the winter of…

Read More

Where Should a Shingle be Nailed?

December 28, 2020
Posted in ,

The nailing zone is a manufacturer-required nailing area just below the center of the shingles.  Manufacturers have specific instructions for installation companies. They tend to give about 3/4″ to work with in order to optimize the grip strength each nail has to hold down the shingle.  But it is not the nailing zone alone that…

Read More

Building Better – Industry Innovation

December 17, 2020
Posted in , , ,

If you’re the type of person who likes to improve yourself or your projects each time you do one, you’ll appreciate our approach.  Building Better explains how we do things — every project, like every class or seminar, is an opportunity to improve.  We ask ourselves, how could this have been done better? Skepticism toward…

Read More

Protect yourself: Storm Chaser Gimmicks

September 20, 2020
Posted in ,

Out-of-state roofing contractors descend upon areas victimized by hail damage like hyenas after a kill.  Often they’ll rent a tiny office where they can get their mail and you wouldn’t know they were from another state until the first time the roof they put on for you needs service. There are ways to recognize this…

Read More

Metal Valleys vs California Valleys

August 31, 2020
Posted in

Which is best, open valleys or closed valleys?  Let’s explore the differences. If you live in the northern zone, such as Wisconsin, the open valley, which has metal in it, is far superior. Metal or open valley:  A good contractor will start out by lining the valley with a rubberized membrane casually referred to as…

Read More