How To Compare Estimates For Roofing

How do you decide which roofing contractor to use based on the estimates that you have got? It's easy enough calling a few and asking them for an estimate. But once you have it, how do you choose? You have to start even before you get the estimate. When you ask a contractor for an estimate, tell him you would like a very detailed one. It is only if you have this that you will be able to take an informed decision. Also keep references of the contractor at hand. The best way would be to get references from him, call up the party and ask what they think about him. This is the ammunition you are going to work with.

Don't go straight for the lowest bid. (Of course, you might choose him eventually, but don't jump in and select him on that basis before you have examined all the factors.) Take a look at the various important areas in the estimate and compare one with another on each point. First of all, look at the material used and how much it costs. The estimate should ideally state all the materials that are going to be used. If one estimate is considerably lower than the others, it could be that the material that has been costed for is of a quality that is inferior to the others. This may sound good to you but are you sure that it will last as long as the others? It would help if you decided right in the beginning that you will not sacrifice quality at the altar of price.

Check to see if the contractor has estimated the correct quantity of materials. This could be a bit difficult as most of us have no idea how much of what you will need. You could perhaps check this online in a forum or try and call someone who knows who can give you a ballpark figure once he knows the area to be done. Some people could give you an estimate per running foot which might make it easier for you to judge. Pay attention to the sealants and insulation that are estimated too as these have to be of acceptable quality. Do remember it means not just a long-lasting product you will be looking at here but something that could be power-saving as well. Thicker insulation material could mean lower heating and air-conditioning costs. This is because your roof then allows less cold or heat into your home. These costs could add up to a lot in the long run.

Does the labor factor in the estimate seem too high? Most contractors who employ trained and certified labor do tend to cost higher in this area. Do check to see if this is the case. Or if all of them have trained labor and one is charging higher. This could also reflect whether or not the labor is insured or not. It would help to pay a bit extra and get labor where all the insurance has been looked after by the contractor or firm you will be employing. This would save you a fortune just in case there is a mishap while your work is being carried out.

Check for transport, pass-through and miscellaneous cost as well. Very often, this is where there is a lot of 'plumping up' done. Ask for the specific break down especially if you feel that the cost for transporting the materials seems too much. Find out from where the materials have to be brought from and do your own calculations. Once you've made all the comparisons against these various parameters, use your notes to take a practical decision of which person will be best suited for the job. Let it be a logical decision, one that flows from the notes before you.

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Your Soundproofing Solution

Moving to a new home, installing a home theater, having a new baby, getting new neighbors, or just growing weary of the everyday noise are all reasons that cause people to want to consider soundproofing. Another common soundproofing complaint is footstep noise from rooms above. ?I can hear my neighbors walking and sliding their chairs.? In a world where hard surfaced floors are increasingly popular, this problem is becoming increasingly important, and quality strategies and solutions are needed.

Acoustical Solutions, Inc. of Richmond, Virginia, who has been offering sound barriers, sound absorption and sound isolation products for twenty years, is now proud to introduce Green Glue. Green Glue is a liquid, waterborne, sound damping compound, which represents the highest performance product of its type. It is used in between sheets of drywall, subflooring or other building materials. It is significantly lower in applied cost than competitive products, with an excellent cost/performance ratio. It is also remarkably tolerant to real-world application conditions and carries almost none of the burden of precision required by many soundproofing systems.

The best application for green glue is between sheets of drywall, OSB or Plywood over the main part of a wall, floor or other structure. Green Glue will not be effective as a paint or coating. Green Glue is non-toxic with no mixing required. For walls, floors and ceilings, this product drastically reduces impact and airborne noise. It can also be used in commercial environments, new construction or remodeling of an existing space as well as home theaters, and recording studios.

Sound damping is a very straightforward concept. Simply put, sound damping is the rate at which something dissipates energy. In a constrained layer damping system, sometimes referred to as CLD, a damping material is sandwiched between two other (usually stiff/rigid) materials. For example, Green Glue sandwiched between two layers of drywall. Sound damping occurs when the viscoelastic center of the "sandwich" is sheared. The shearing pulls and stretches on the sound damping material. Under these conditions, the unique polymeric construction of Green Glue very efficiently converts this mechanical energy to heat. The vibration energy is not isolated; it's dissipated and removed.

Green Glue comes in 29 oz. tubes. You can use any quart size caulk gun, available at most hardware and building material stores. It is very fast and easy to apply. No special skills whatsoever are required. Recommended application is two tubes of Green Glue per 4' x 8' area or two tubes per standard sheet of drywall. If you are not on a budget, utilizing three tubes per sheet will improve performance. Each case of Green Glue covers about 192 square feet, or 128 square feet if used at the three tubes coverage rate. Do not use more than three tubes per 4' x 8' sheet, as performance will actually decline above three tubes per sheet.

Dave Ingersoll Acoustical Solutions 800 782-5742 info@acousticalsolutions.com

Home Building - Roofing

The type of roofing material you choose for your new home will depend on the style of your home, your budget, your location and the makeup of the roofing material. With so many materials being manufactured these days there are many options to choose from to create a top that is not only visually astounding, but can weather the elements. In most cases, it is best to pick your basic style and color and then focus on the technical requirements and cost for installing the material.

Choosing a Roofing System

When you begin to choose your roofing system you'll need to consider several factors like the style, color, material, weight and cost. Here's some helpful information to get you started.
The style of the roof on a house used to be dictated by where you lived. In the Northeast it was slate, the South was wood shingles or metal, the West was wood shingles and shakes and Southwest was tile. This has all changed with the introduction of asphalt shingles, which can imitate the look and appearance of traditional roofing material at a much lower cost. It is estimated that 70% of new homes are being built using some kind of asphalt shingle. Whatever style you choose it should not only match the style of your home, but other homes in your neighborhood. Some style points are: slated roofs work best with brick houses, wood exteriors tend to look nice with a wood shingle or shake or a slate look and clay or concrete tile really top of a stucco house.

Color
There are many different colors to choose from because manufacturers are now able to imitate most colors and shades. Slate and wood tend to only come in their natural form and color. Choosing a color is usually determined by what would work best with the style of your home and what color siding or exterior color you are striving for. The color of your roof can also affect energy efficiency. Lighter colors will tend to reflect sunlight, which can be helpful in warmer climates, where darker roofs may be more beneficial in colder areas due to heat absorption.

Material
The roofing material you use can be influenced by local building codes. In general, most areas require that the roof material you use meet local fire ratings. The most flammable material is wood shingles and shakes, which are now required to be pressure treated with a fire retardant. Some neighborhoods have restrictions that only certain types or styles of roofs may be built, such as requiring that only wood shingle or shake roofs be constructed. This is usually in neighborhoods that have been classified as historic areas.

Weight

The weight of the roofing material you choose is important to know, since it may not be suitable for the roof framing you've had built. The weight can range from 250 lbs.. per 100 square feet for asphalt shingles to 2,000 lbs.. for slate. Anything over 600 lbs.. per 100 square feet will require you to strengthen your standard roof framing.

Cost
Cost can be a major factor in what type of roofing material you use. Asphalt shingles are the least expensive with material costs around $25 to $30 per 100 square feet compared to slate which can run in upwards of $500. You might want to weigh the cost of each material versus life span. For example, you'd be lucky to get 20 years out of a cheap asphalt shingle, but a good slate roof could easily last over a hundred years. Once you've selected a material, don't cut corners when it comes to picking a roofer. The material won't matter if the roof isn't properly installed.


Types of Roofing Material

Asphalt Shingles $50 to $150 per square (10 x 10 area = 100 square feet = 1 square) Life span: 12 to 25 years.

Asphalt shingles are the most popular material for steep-slope roofs and can be reinforced with organic or fiberglass materials. Although asphalt shingles reinforced with organic felts have been around much longer, fiberglass-reinforced products (called composition shingles) now dominate the market. Like most other roofing materials its fire resistance is categorized by Class A (most fire-resistant), B or C. Most fiberglass shingles have Class A fire ratings, and most organic shingles have Class C ratings. These shingles offer great style, color and versatility and even come in laminated grades that offer a textured appearance. If algae is a concern, you can have zinc or copper-coated ceramic granules applied to the shingles to resist an algae attack.

Wood shingles and shakes $100 to $165 per square (10 x 10 area = 100 square feet = 1 square) Life span: 25 to 75 years.

Wood shingles and shakes are made from cedar (the more expensive wood), redwood, southern pine and other woods. Wood shingles are machine sawn; shakes are handmade and rougher looking. Since most wood shingles and shakes only have Class C fire ratings or no ratings at all, you'll want to find out what your local building codes are before choosing wood. For an additional cost, you can find Class A wood shingle products from certain companies that apply a fire resistant treatment.

Clay tile $300 to $600 per square (10 x 10 area = 100 square feet = 1 square) Life span: 50 years.

Clay tile is very durable and comes in a variety of colors and finishes. Keep in mind it's a weighty material.

Slate $550 to $1000 per square (10 x 10 area = 100 square feet = 1 square) Life span: 50 to 100 years.

Slate is by far the most durable material you could choose and most expensive since its application requires special skills and experience. Your choice of color and grades depends greatly on where you buy it from.

Metal starts around $100 per square (10 x 10 area = 100 square feet = 1 square) but can run up to $600 for coated steels and copper. Life span: 20 to 50 years.

There are two types of metal roofing products: panels and shingles, which come in numerous shapes and configurations. Metal shingles typically simulate traditional roof coverings, such as wood shakes, shingles and tile. Aside from its longevity, metal shingles are much lighter than most materials and very resistance to adverse weather.

Fiber cement $500 per square (10 x 10 area = 100 square feet = 1 square) Life span: 20 to 30 years.

Fiber cement is durable and available in a variety of textures and colors. It's a good choice for homes that are near the ocean and must withstand salt air and wind and for homes in very hot, humid climates. The only drawback is it is very heavy and difficult to repair.

Concrete is now a roofing material. Shingles, simulated wood shakes, lightweight tiles and concrete panels are being manufactured from a variety of fiber-reinforced cement products. Some are coated with plastics, enamels, or thin metals, and some contain recycled material. The advantages of concrete roofing vary from product to product, but generally they all have a long life span, require low maintenance, offer good fire protection and are resistant to rot and insects. The drawback is the high cost, which varies from manufacturer.

The House Designers has picked the best selling, most popular floor plans direct from architects and designers

Solar Roofing Shingles

Find out how to generate power on the roof of your house with solar roofing shingles.

No matter where you?re located, the price of electricity, the available sunshine and incentives by local and state governments have made it very appealing to install solar roofing shingles on your home or business.

In the beginning, solar power from the roof was considered too expensive for most homeowners. The initial expense has been reduced and often your electrical company will pay you for any excess power generated by your solar roofing shingles.

Solar roofing shingles are shingles that look very much like ordinary shingles but they allow your roof to generate solar electric power. Solar roofing shingles install just like traditional asphalt singles. Once you hook them to your home?s electrical system, you?re generating solar power that can drastically reduce your electricity bill.

Solar roofing shingles don?t require any additional support structures. They can withstand the elements of weather just as normal shingles. Some will even handle up to 80 mph wind loads.

Solar Roofing Shingles

If you?re wonder how they look, they?re designed to be aesthetically pleasing and can be integrated into almost any architectural style. They won?t stick out and look like an intrusion on the roof of your home. It doesn?t matter whether you?re remodeling or doing a new construction, solar roofing shingles are available for your project.

Most solar roofing shingles are made for a twenty year power output and do come with warranties. They are lightweight and can be installed directly on fire-resistant roofing underlayment.

If you?re planning to use solar roofing shingles, be sure to check with your local and state governments. Many offer assistance and other types of incentives for those choosing to use and produce solar energy. Some tax credit may even be available.

While the cost of solar roofing shingles is still higher than traditional shingles, with the incentives and the reduction of your electric bill you should be able to re-coup your investment in a short period of time. It?s well worth the effort to harness the power of the sun by using solar roofing shingles.

This article was written by Gregg Hicks of http://www.reliableremodeler.com which provides Internet-based home improvement information and services. Offering homeowners a simple, quick, and free way to access, qualified home improvement remodeling contractors

Starting A Roofing Business - A Rewarding Opportunity For You?

Roofers are some of the people I respect the most. Their jobs are very important, because if they do not do a good job putting a roof on your house, then you will have all sorts of problems. A roof helps to keep the heating and air conditioning inside the house, and also most importantly keeps the wind, rain, and snow outside of the house. Without a good roof, your investment in your house will be washed away in no time. (Pun intended) However if you have noticed, there are not many roofing companies out there. I believe that the reason for this is that it is not easy to start a roofing business.

One of the main problems with starting a roofing business is the skills needed to be able to successfully put a new roof on a house. Another problem is that these skills are usually not taught in any school, so you have to find someone that is experienced in this area, and mentor under them for some time before you are able to perform the task on your own. Good employees can also be very hard to find to work in the roofing business. The job is very demanding, and has to be performed in extreme heat and extreme cold, so it takes a special type of person to be tough enough to perform this job.

As if these problems were not bad enough, another obstacle to starting a roofing business is trying to acquire enough capital to get started. Since many of these roofing businesses fail for the reasons above, banks and other lenders are sometimes wary about loaning money to a startup roofing business. Even if you are one of the lucky roofing businesses to get funded, you still have the problem of developing a customer base. Many consumers will not hire a roofing business unless they have quite a bit of experience and many references. It is hard to get experience and references if you can not get a job in the first place.

However if you can get past all of these obstacles, then starting a roofing business can prove to be very profitable. As the saying goes, reward is in direct proportion to difficulty and/or risk. If you're interested in starting a roofing business, and you do it right, you could be on your way to building a very successful business!

Visit our Roofing Franchise website to learn more about starting a roofing business.

Hidden Dangers in Baby Proofing

As a mom to a 6 month old, this baby proofing thing is all new territory to me. There are so many things to think about, and the cold hard truth is that some of the "so-called" baby proofing products can actually do more harm then good! Keep reading to find out the top five products that most parents don't think about when it comes to baby proofing their homes.

#1 Sippy Cups. While they may appear convenient, sippy cups are nothing more than baby bottles in disguise, says the American Dental Association. So when an infant sucks on one, the milk or juice comes in direct contact with the back of the teeth and generates bacteria.

What should you use instead? To curb tooth decay the American Dental Association says babies should stop using a bottle and begin drinking out of a regular cup by their first birthday. If some hand-holding is required during the transition, consider a training cup with a lid and open spout that will teach your child how to properly sip a beverage while limiting spills.

#2 Wipe Warmers. Most parents would never consider wrapping their baby in an electric blanket. Yet many mothers and fathers buy baby-wipe warmers that carry the same risk of starting a fire. Over the past decade at least three manufacturers had their warmers recalled by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission when cracks in the interior tub allowed water to come into contact with the unit's electrical components.

#3 Plastic Outlet Covers. At first glance they seem brilliant. Just pop one in and no small fingers will be finding their way into the socket. What parents don't consider is that a baby can easily choke on one if Mom pulls the cover out to do a little vacuuming and then forgets to reinsert it into the wall. "As a general rule anything that is small enough to fit through the tube of a roll of toilet paper is a choking hazard," says Dr. Garry Gardner, a pediatrician who sits on the American Academy of Pediatrics' Committee on Injury, Violence and Poison Prevention.

Instead, parents should consider swapping out their traditional outlet plate covers with one that has sliding plastic doors to cover the sockets, suggests Fields. They're not only safer, but also more convenient to use.

#4 It can be tempting to adorn a nursery with cozy bedding sets complete with fluffy quilt, bumper and matching pillows. But most safety gurus recommend avoiding them for fear of suffocation or rebreathing (when a child breathes in his previously exhaled carbon dioxide) that can lead to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). "We believe the crib should be bare," says Don Mays, senior director of product safety and consumer sciences for Consumer Reports. "Put the baby in warm clothing and remove all soft bedding."

#5 Another sleeping hazard: the sleep positioner. This is a piece of foam that's used to prevent a baby from turning over onto his or her stomach. (Sleep gurus warn that infants shouldn't sleep on their tummies since it could cause SIDS.) "While it was designed for safety it actually compromises it," says Consumer Reports' Mays. As babies in a positioner turn their heads from side to side the foam can conform to the face and cause suffocation and rebreathing.

A safer sleep option is to snuggly swaddle infants for the first few months. Then once they are strong enough to turn over on their own, it's safe to let them move around and sleep however they want.

Sarah Jones is a first time mom to a young son, and runs a blog entitled "The Adventures of Super-Mommy and Spitup Boy (http://www.super-mommy.com) She has just published her first book. "Diapers on a Dime", which is available for sale on her website. Super-Mommy.com

Flat Roofing Materials

It’s a fact that your roof is one of the most important parts of your house and is the one thing that provides the building structure, the building occupants and the building contents with protection from the elements. Many roofs are in a state of disrepair but homeowners ignore this until the roof gets worse or until the weather gets worse. With regular maintenance and the early identification and fixing of any problems you can usually avoid the big problems that have equally big price tags attached to them. Regular maintenance in this way will also help extend the life of your roof.

Selecting flat roofing materials.

Flat roofs have extra difficulties associated with them. Because they do not slope rainwater does not automatically run down the roof and drain off. It is absolutely vital that flat roofing materials are as water resistant and water tight as possible to prevent serious damage to the roof itself and to the rest of the building and it’s contents. New types of flat roofing material are being used and while these offer more in the way of protection they are also more expensive as a general rule. There are still three main types of flat roofing materials that are used on a regular basis on new and older houses.

Built up flat roofing materials.

Built up roofing is basically just that. Built up roofing consists of laying down several layers of tar and water resistant materials and then covered with gravel. This is quite an old technique but the introduction of new waterproof materials has seen the strength and durability of this technique increase. The gravel acts as a good fire resistant layer and can be made to look very attractive. It is usually the cheapest of the flat roofing materials available, however, it is very heavy and may require strengthening of the joists. It is also impractical to use on residential houses that are being lived in because it smells terribly. The gravel itself can clog gutters and other vital aspects of water drainage.

Modified Bitumen flat roofing.

Modified bitumen is another stalwart in the world of flat roofing materials. Once upon a time it was necessary to use torchdown techniques that involved burning the roll of material onto the roof, however it is now possible to get adhesive varieties, thus cutting out the potential fire hazard that is sometimes associated. The mineral surface that is used to create modified bitumen can be created in light colors, effectively reflecting the heat and sun. This will cut down on your energy bills during the summer months, and it can even be installed by any avid (and competent) do it yourself fanatic.

Rubber membrane.

Rubber membrane is another method of coating your flat roof. As far as flat roofing materials go it is durable and resistant to general wear and tear. Leaks are easy to find and repair, but the cost is really quite high. The standard black rubber does not reflect heat and paying for a lighter membrane will cost you more, however, it is quick to fit and will cause little disruption to your house life during the process.

As Northern Virginia Roofing Contractors, Roofer911.com takes great pride in maintaining customer satisfaction for all types of new roof installation and roof repair work for residential and commercial roofing accounts. Does your website need more exposure to the search engines? Add Your Site Today to our free directory.

Effective Roofing Repairs

The roof is one of the more prone areas of your house and it is vital that you not only have quality roofing installed but that regular checks and repairs are carried out to ensure it’s long life. Consider the fact that all roofing is subject to wind, rain, snow, sun and any other element that can be thrown at it and you should realize that your new roofing and subsequent roofing repairs would need to be top notch to avoid any nasty accidents or surprises. Having new roofing installed can be a pricey affair but only regular check ups and minor repairs when needed can prevent the worst from happening. If you haven’t had your roof checked for ten years then it is highly advisable that you get it seen to as soon as possible. It may not be leaking yet but if you leave it much longer it could be.

Age.

The biggest roofing killer is the age of the materials. When shingles begin to look worn this usually means they are. Even shingles that have a 40-year warranty should be checked every few years. Roofing contractors will perform a relatively inexpensive check up of the whole of your roofing and if you pick a reputable company they will tell you exactly what needs repairing now and what is likely to need repairing in the future.

Repair or replace.

Sometimes shingles can be blown off and merely need replacing but if this is happening more and more often you need to consider that they may need replacing. Repairing your roofing may cost less but if you have to repeatedly repair it then it is a much more cost-effective solution to have new roofing. A contractor will be able to help you assess the best option for your roof.

Protection.

Roofing is the thing that protects the rest of your home from the elements and the damage they can cause. As such your roofing is facing this damage itself and it should be given all the ammunition possible to complete its job. Shingles are available in a wide variety of sizes and costs, but the cheaper shingles are virtually useless and you should spend as much as you can possibly afford on buying top quality roofing shingles that will stand up to more than a light shower and a gentle breeze.

Cost of re-roofing.

Having new roofing costs money, but by continually paying for repair work to be done you should consider that there may be an underlying problem with the wooden sheathing underneath. The only way to tell whether this is the case or not is to have the old roofing shingles completely ripped off and have the underneath inspected and repaired properly. Once this is done you can pay for top quality roofing that may set you back a little more than the repair work would have done but will undoubtedly last you much longer. That said, if a shingle blows off during high gales there is no need to rush out and have your entire roofing replaced without seeking advice first.

As Northern Virginia Roofing Contractors, Roofer911.com takes great pride in maintaining customer satisfaction for all types of new roof installation and roof repair work for residential and commercial roofing accounts. Does your website need more exposure to the search engines? Add Your Site Today to our free directory.