FAQ

A roof membrane is used on buildings to create a protective layer against water and UV sun-rays. The composition of most roofing membranes is synthetic rubbers, thermoplastics, or other similar materials. Typically they are used in the commercial roofing industry, but it is becoming increasingly popular within the residential community. A roofing membrane consists of large flat sections of synthetic rubber material, thermoplastics, or modified bitumen. These sections are bonded together to form one large layer.

Probably the biggest reason that many business owners are choosing TPO roofing is the cost. This roofing material is less expensive than almost all other flat-roof, rolled-rubber materials. The additional advantage of having TPO roofing is its energy efficiency. Because this material is white on top instead of the traditional black roofs, the heat from the sun is reflected and saves money on electricity bills. In addition to the two most significant benefits of TPO roofing, there is also the simplicity and ease of use that comes with it. Upon installation, you can have it fastened directly to the rooftop or use adhesives. In areas where the roof is not flat and even, heat guns can be used to create a sealed and protective membrane. Corrosion, break down, mildew, and algae are not problems associated with TPO roofing. For all of these reasons, it is becoming increasingly popular among business owners.

The shingles of your roof will inevitably fade. This factor is especially true for asphalt shingles. Even though an asphalt roof should last you about 20 years, you will notice fading before this. In states with more sunshine throughout the year, their shingles will fade even faster. That is why most of those states don’t utilize asphalt shingles as much. But in the Pacific Northwest, we have more rainy days than sunny days, so our shingled roofs tend to last a little bit longer. Faded shingles are not necessarily a bad thing. Their color fades slightly due to sun exposure and inclement weather, but this doesn’t affect their physical protection as much as one might think. Although when you do start to notice fading on your roof, that is an excellent time to have it inspected and ensure everything is still in working condition.

All shingles will fade in color over time. Black shingles will fade the same as tan or grey shingles. The drawback of black shingles is that when they do start to fade, it is a lot more noticeable than with lighter colored shingles. For most homeowners, this isn’t a significant concern, but for those who might be trying to sell or buy a home, it can be a matter of aesthetics. If the color of the shingles is a big concern, it is always possible to repaint them. Repainting your shingles also allows you to add a new layer of protective, heat-resistant coating. This is done by low-pressure power-washing the roof followed by a heat-reflective primer, then a coat of paint, the second layer of protective coating, and voila! You now have a new looking roof. Professionals should do this project so they can first inspect the roof and repair any damaged shingles before continuing.

Because TPO roofs are relatively new in the roofing industry and their increasing popularity has increased the demand, it is harder to answer this question with a specific answer. Many manufacturers are making this product now, which can make it a bit of a challenge to find a reliable source of high-quality material. Some believe that the thicker the TPO roofing is, the more durable and longer it will last. But this is not necessarily true. With this material, the thickness doesn’t play an important role in the life of the roof. The quality of the material will determine what you can expect from your new roof. Because this material is being improved and changed regularly, it is hard to decide on a fixed timeframe. A reasonable estimate of how long a TPO roof will last is about 10-20 years. Again this depends on the quality of the material and the accuracy and skill of the installation.

TPO roofing is becoming an increasingly popular roofing choice for commercial buildings. It gained popularity by being inexpensive, durable, and simplistic. TPO is an acronym for Thermoplastic Polyolefin. This roofing material does not contain plastic but rather a blend of synthetic rubbers like polypropylene and ethylene-propylene. More and more business owners are using TPO roofing because of its long list of benefits.

Some homeowners are concerned that installing solar panels might cause damage to their roof. Having solar panels on your roof protects your roof more than you might think. Their main objective is to absorb sunlight and convert it into energy. Without the panels there, your home would absorb all of this heat. Even during the winter season, when there is inclement weather, your solar panels can help protect your roof from snow, hail, and rain. If you are hesitant about getting solar panels out of fear they could damage your roof, don’t put it off any longer. Your roof is better protected with solar panels than without them.

A small leak doesn’t seem like a significant concern, but it can very quickly turn into a severe problem. If your home develops a roof leak, you need to take action to repair it as soon as possible. This small leak will become larger and damage the walls, short out wires, and pose a threat to the structural integrity of your home. When exposed to high moisture, the walls and ceilings of a house can quickly develop mold and mildew. A small leak left unattended can result in extremely costly repairs, including water damage restoration, mold remediation, and roof repairs. Always take care of roof leaks immediately. Mold growth in a home poses a considerable health risk.

You’ve probably heard of PVC pipes, but did you know there is a PVC roofing material as well? This type of roofing is similar to TPO with the white reflective coating but made with different materials. They are an excellent choice for flat commercial roofs because of their low cost and high durability. Metal roofing is another popular choice for flat roofs for many reasons. Even though this material is the most expensive, and the installation process requires expert knowledge, the benefit is the extensive lifespan. Metal roofs can last up to 30 years. TPO roofing is in the top choices for flat roof materials. This material is relatively inexpensive and has a decent lifespan, in addition to its energy-efficiency. The most affordable flat roofing material option would be modified bitumen. This material is more economical because it uses an asphalt base. The downside to this type of roof is the smaller lifespan of about 10-15 years. But for some business owners, the low cost alone can make this option their number one choice.

Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing material because of their low cost and ease of installation/maintenance. But these shingles are also the least energy efficient. Many other roofing choices are going to save you money later on down the road. Metal roofing is very reflective, and although it does get scorching hot, that is because it is reflecting most of the heat. Without this reflective property, your home would be absorbing all of it. Tile roofing is another excellent choice for energy efficiency. Tile shingles are available in slate, clay, or concrete, and treated with a reflective coating if desired. The reflective layer is a convenient application to almost all roofing materials, but it can have effects on the color which some homeowners do not like. If you are genuinely looking for the most energy-efficient roofing material, a green roof would be number one. This option is more achievable for those with flat roofs, but with the right planning, it’s an available alternative. A green roof is not a roof that is painted green but a roof that is alive. A rooftop garden or a grass roof is the most energy-efficient type of roofing material.

Roofing felt is a layer of tar paper that is installed before the singles. This layer provides a waterproof membrane in case water gets in between the shingle layers. Roofing felt needs to be installed anytime that asphalt shingles are the first layer of roofing. Redoing a roof can mean ripping up the existing layer and introducing new material. Other times a new layer of shingles is added on to the old ones. It is generally up to the roofing contractor whether another felt underlay is required before installing the second or third layer of shingles. The majority of the time, the original layer of felt is sufficient. Roofing felt is a critical aspect of building a reliable and leak-proof roofing system.

For starters, metal roofing is a fantastic choice for many homeowners and is becoming increasingly popular because of its many benefits. But installing a metal roof is more expensive than other options, which can create hesitation among homeowners worrying about rust developing. It is a known fact that metal rusts. You can find many old buildings with rusty, old roofs made from tin, aluminum, or steel. But with today’s technology, this isn’t a big concern. There are protective coatings specifically for metal roofs that prevent oxidation, which leads to rust. If you’re shopping around for metal roofs, you’ve probably come across the term “galvanized steel.” This type of steel has been treated with zinc and is a popular choice for roofing. The zinc acts as a protective barrier and an anti-corrosion coating. Galvalume is another metal roofing alternative. This material is a combination of zinc, aluminum, and silicon, which will last longer and is more corrosion-resistant than the galvanized metal. However, because of the aluminum, anywhere there are scratches, cut edges, or other damaged areas, they will be much more vulnerable. These two options can create difficult decisions with homeowners, but your roofing contractor will be able to help you make an informed and educated choice.

There are many options when it comes to roofing shingles. The most common options include asphalt, wood, metal, tile, slate, and solar tiles. The listed materials are in order of popularity. Asphalt shingles are the most popular choice because of their low cost, ease of maintenance, repairs, and installation. The downside to those shingles is that they are not as energy-efficient or durable as other options. Wood shingles have a unique aesthetic appeal to them that can be a significant selling point for some homeowners. They are more energy-efficient and last longer than asphalt shingles, but they do come with some drawbacks. Wood shingles require more maintenance and have more costly repairs. Metal roofs occur in many design styles, including metal shingles. This roofing choice is long-lasting and helps to reflect heat, saving you money on electricity bills. There are many benefits to having a metal roof, but some of the drawbacks include the cost. Installing a metal roof requires more experienced contractors, more intensive labor, and the cost of materials is higher. Clay, concrete, and cement tiles are popular roofing options for Mediterranean style homes. They are glazed and coated to provide an excellent level of heat-resistance and waterproof surface. Their durability is also close to that of metal roofing. The drawbacks of tile roofing are the higher price point and the danger to the structural integrity of a home. Because the material is more substantial, installing tile shingles might require extra framing support. They are also more easily damaged when walked on, so roof repairs and chimney repairs might be more challenging. Slate tiles offer a very appealing look to any home and increase the resale value. Slate tiles are incredibly durable and long-lasting. An authentic slate roof is generally a lifetime warranty because of its durability. The drawback of a genuine slate tile roof is that it is the heaviest of the roofing materials.

What this means is that there will be a hefty upfront cost because of the necessary extra framing support. And lastly, solar tiles are another option. These collect energy from the sun and turn it into electricity for your home. The obvious benefit to this type of roofing is that it can produce all the electricity needed to power your home, making your electric bills null. There are also tax credits available when homeowners install this kind of roofing. The drawback of solar tiles is the steep price. Installing solar tiles is an expensive project and requires roofing contractors that are familiar and skilled with the process. The tiles themselves cost anywhere between $20-$30 per sq foot. For those with the funds to make this investment, it can yield incredibly beneficial results. Overall there isn’t a “best” option when it comes to roofing shingles. Many factors can help determine if one option has more potential benefits than another. But in the end, it is up to the homeowner to decide what type of shingles are the best fit for them.

The clear and obvious answer to this question is asphalt shingles. This material is installed standard on almost all homes because it is the most inexpensive and easy to install. An asphalt shingle roof will last about 20 or 30 years and can be treated with an energy-efficient coating. Although asphalt shingles are the cheapest upfront and are the easiest to maintain and replace, they are not the most energy-efficient option. Other roofing materials can save you more money in the long term despite the higher upfront cost. Asphalt shingles do have the advantage of being cheaper and easier to repair and replace. If those are important factors to you, then asphalt shingles could be the right choice.

The purpose of roofing felt is to provide a protective backup layer in the case that water gets through the shingles, your roof will still be protected. The question is whether or not your roofing felt can get rained on during the installation process. And as we do live in the Pacific Northwest rain is a fairly common occurrence. The answer is yes, and no. Roofing felt can get wet but should not be exposed to high levels of moisture for an extended period. In other words, don’t install the roofing felt and then leave it there for a few days to get rained on. If this material is exposed to the sunlight and other elements for too long, it will start to break down. Don’t panic if it did get a little wet as you can still install your shingles. It is essential to let the felt fully dry before the shingles go on, or you could be looking at more severe problems. If your roofing felt did get wet, make sure to inspect it thoroughly before continuing with the installation. Check to make sure the felt is fully dry, check that the surface underneath it did not get wet, and check for any wrinkles or bubbles. If any of these occur, you will need to replace the felt and start over. If the surface beneath the felt got wet, mold and mildew could begin to grow and cause significant problems with the roof. If the felt develops bubbles or wrinkles, the integrity of the shingles becomes compromised after installation. Heat pockets will form and cause damage to the shingles. So overall, yes, roofing felt underlay could get a little wet, but it is best practice to avoid it as best as possible.