Eco-friendly roofing is perfectly able to protect the structure of a building as well as keeping its cooling and heating system perfectly functional.

Present days are characterized by the green evolution which already touched many aspects of our lives; building remodeling is one of them. Green solutions come with two main benefits: reducing the strain on natural resources and saving on energy consumption. Statistics of the U.S. Department of Energy show promising numbers: $20 billion a year represent the savings in energy costs by green renovated buildings.

Of course, green improvements do not refer only to roofs, however, considering that a roof is the component that protects the entire structure of a building, it constitutes a great thing to start with, or at least to make it one of the priorities.  Santa Cruz roofing companies look into all the green options.

The efficiency of green roofing materials

Eco-friendly and energy efficient roofing excels in reflecting or absorbing solar heat. Considering the state’s climate, the green roofing materials used in California are usually highly reflective, in order to prevent heat penetrating below the roof and increasing the cooling demands. Beside their energy-efficiency, these materials provide all the other benefits: resistance to water, fire and weather phenomena, durability etc.

Roofing contractors here are focused on what is called “cool roof”= reflective materials + light colors

Eco-friendly cool roofing products include clay, wood, metal, slate and the new generation of recycled shingles made from plastic, rubber or wood fiber, which will all avoid the growing landfill.

However, there are some other alternative green roofing products used in California.

• Solar Roof Shingles
  

This type of roofing materials constitutes one of the latest roofing trends that produces green energy. Solar roof shingles are hybrid materials that protect the roof from the weather, just like traditional shingles, but they also turn solar energy into electricity. They come with incorporated photovoltaic technology, consisting of semiconductors that capture the solar light and use it to create electrical power. With solar shingles, every home can produce its own energy needed by other house appliances. This roofing system is expensive, but it is made to last and there will be significant savings in the long run.

• Vegetative roofs

Also known as living roofs, or eco-roofs, vegetative roofs are something unique – both beautiful and sustainable. With very few exceptions, roofs are unused areas, with no other function than protecting the building from the elements; however, these roof types can make these areas even more useful.

Vegetative roofs can be installed on a waterproof base and consist on soil with mineral components and very little organic matter, or pre-planted modules, where flowers, plants and grass can be grown. These green roofs Improve air quality, provide a very good insulation and reduce noise, offer a nice habitat for small insects and even birds, not to mention that they look natural and totally awesome. Just like in the case of solar shingles, vegetative roofs are more expensive than other options, but they require very little maintenance and the roof`s life will be extended by 200-300%.

Making sure that you pick the best man for a roofing job can help you save a lot of money and time in the future. When it comes to roofing services in San Antonio as well as in other areas of Texas, it is important to find a reliable and efficient specialist who will not give you any headaches regarding the work done.

Here are our 8 tips on how to choose a roofer:

1. Don’t rush into it – contact at least three roofers to get a general opinion on what the market offers. The companies you choose must provide roofing services in San Antonio on a regular basis and be properly established in the construction field – otherwise, you may have the surprise of not being able to make use of your warranty in case the specialist who did your roofing job moved away or closed the business;
2. Make sure that the worker has liability insurance and worker’s compensation. For that, verify the certificates you are provided with and contact the insurance carrier to make sure they really exist, otherwise you may be exposing yourself to the risk of hiring a scammer;
3. Verify the roofer’s tax identification number, their business address, phone number or website;
4. Ask for references from past clients or from the local Better Business Bureau or by calling Texas Department of Professional Regulation – this step is especially important if you want to hire a roofer for a complex roofing job;
5. Ensure that the roofer has the appropriate certification for installing a certain type of roof, should the manufacturer asks for it, otherwise you may be risking nullifying the warranty of the roofing product;
6. You must get a detailed proposal or even a contract with more information on the roofing job’s duration, its start time and end time, the warranty and the issues that can make it void, as well as the payment and the roofing materials used; a written document will help you be more confident in the face of scammers or jobs poorly done;
7. Make sure you can easily with the San Antonio roofing company employees, otherwise you expose yourself to unwanted stress and possibly risks; this is why it is preferred you avoid signing letters of intent with roofers that show up at your doorstep announced, claiming you have roof problems caused by extreme temperature or storms;
8. Do not get fixated on a cheap price, unless you want to expose yourself to the risk of costly repairs in the future. It is better to choose a roofer who will ask more but provides workmanship guarantee, rather than get cheap and questionable service.

To conclude, a roofing job is only as good as the roofer you pick to do it. If you fail to take all the precautions necessary, you may find yourself regretting your lack of action in the future. And rather than creating uncertainties that will make you lose sleep and money, why not go with the safe choice from the start?

A roofing system built to last is not always a luxury we can afford. While modern day materials and roof installation techniques are constantly bringing in added innovation to ensure your roof lasts longer, they are not a replacement for proper maintenance.

Fortunately, there are plenty of reliable roofing experts in the Chicago area who specialize in keeping even the oldest, most run-down roofing systems up to par.

Why Should You Hire a Roofer for Regular Maintenance?

The most experienced Chicago roofing contractors will often tell you that keeping your roof clean and avoiding repairs in the long run by scheduling regular maintenance checks – preferably once or twice a year – is essential for your roof’s long and healthy life. Also, there are several important problems that could imply the need for unscheduled maintenance checks.

Some of the major causes for concerns are as follows:

• Ice dams  always tend to cause more problems than one might expect. The ice build-up will form a dam that doesn’t allow melting snow to drain off the roof as it should. Instead, the excess water will place added strain on your roof, and can eventually cause leakage.
• Ponding water can often have the same effect, and raises an even bigger alarm when your roof is old or uneven.
• Heavy snow storms and wind damage often go hand in hand with excessively cold temperatures. These trying weather conditions can place significant strain on your roof and cause it to age prematurely. Anything from cracked, lost and broken shingles to interior structural damage because of the exceedingly heavy snow pressing down on the roof will need to be checked thoroughly by an experienced roofer.

Also, you’ll find that, aside from dealing with all these issues, a reliable and experienced roofer can point out unexpected problems during periodical maintenance checks that would normally go unchecked for several more years. This would help you save a lot of money down the line, and even prolong your roof’s overall lifespan.

Services for Making Your Roof Last Longer

The services that Chicago roofers provide for the purpose of making sure that your roof can outlast its typically assigned life span either consist of maintenance programs or upgrades. While maintenance can be quite affordable in the long run, upgrade prices are steeper the more cutting edge you want your roof to become, and can be less useful when the roof you own is already old.

Regular maintenance services can help prevent unnecessary repairs, offer improved protection for your home, walls and all your belongings, minimize life cycle costs and protect your roof’s warranty.

When installed properly, upgrades can extend the life of your roof. Protective and reflective coatings have the role of maximizing energy savings, while advanced gutter installations or upgraded flashing will ensure that your roofing systems deals with snow storms and other weather events with better efficiency.

All in all, it makes a great deal of sense to hire the most experienced and reliable local roofers to either install your upgrades or at least make sure your roof doesn’t need repairs. And you’ll also realize that Chicago roofing experts often go beyond the call of duty when it comes to ensuring that everything is in good order.