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 MoreIf 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 MoreIf 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 MoreVentilation 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 MoreThe 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 MoreIf 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 MoreOut-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 MoreWhich 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 MoreShingles are made from 3 primary layers which work together to protect you and your home. They are a fiberglass, asphalt, and granules. Fiberglass makes up the base of most modern day asphalt shingles today. This fiberglass matting holds the shingle together and gives it strength. Nearly all asphalt shingle manufacturers purchase their fiberglass…
Read MoreTo understand which is recommended, you have to first understand which each type of ventilation is. Active ventilation actively draws air our of the attic. There are several types of vents that can do this. Passive ventilation relies on convection. Heat rises, and if you have a balanced system where the intake is equal to…
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