If you're looking to replace your current roof you will find that one of the biggest differences between most roofing companies in Florida is how they install your new roof. The biggest difference between most of these roofing companies is something called underlayment. Underlayment is a broad term, but with roofing you're probably familiar with those large rolls of roofing felt. Fortunately, most roofing companies have gotten away from this underlayment system. Florida code typically requires one of the following: Choice #1 - A single Layer of Peel & Stick Underlayment. Choice #2 - Two layers of Felt or Synthetic Underlayment. Lets look at each choice... Choice #1 What is Peel & Stick? Peel & Stick is simply a self-adhered rubberized asphalt underlayment that is applied directly to the decking of your roof. It can also be called polymer-modified bitumen (say that three times fast). This provides a strong, durable layer of protection and completely seals the decking. Pros Cons Completely Seals the Roof Deck Impossible to remove during repair/reinstall Easy to Install Increases weight 5X on roof Fewest Materials Used Roof Deck isn't able to properly breathe Choice #2 Felt or Synthetic Underlayment (#30) is a thinner product, is not self-adhered. It is typically installed using something called Cap Nails, which are smaller nails with large caps which look like washers to keep the underlayment from flying away or ripping during install. Pros Cons Allows the Roof Deck to breathe Doesn't completely seal the roof Lighter weight on the roof (5-10x lighter) More materials needed Is off-set to ensure proper coverage More time to install At Xpress Exterior Design we stand behind Trust. Quality. Integrity. So when we replace your roof we believe that the second choice is the proper method for a few reasons... First, your roof decking is made of wood, it needs to breathe in order to be effective. Especially in a humid climate like Florida. When that wood absorbs moisture from the air, it needs a place to expel the moisture as well. We believe that evaporation and condensation are NOT things our customers want constantly occurring in their attic space. Second, you may need repair work done on your roof in the future. Or you may sell your home to someone or leave it to someone in your family. When it comes time to replace or repair that roof, we wouldn't want that person to be stuck with the responsibility of replacing all the roof decking which could drastically increase the cost of the repairs/replacement.
June 1st through November 30th is the official Atlantic hurricane season, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), although earlier or later storms are possible. The Eastern Pacific season is slightly longer, beginning on May 15th. If you own a home in a high-risk area, you are encouraged to be proactive for the upcoming hurricane season. 2023 Hurricane Forecasts This year the experts at Accuweather estimate a fairly average hurricane season with the following: 11-15 named storms 4-8 hurricanes 1-3 major hurricanes Last year there were 14 named storms, based on weather predictions from Accuweather this year should be the same. How to Protect Your Roof During a Hurricane Whether it’s a catastrophic hurricane or a powerful tropical depression, wind gusts, flying debris, and torrential downpours can cause considerable damage to your home. Roofs are especially vulnerable due to their exposed location and large surface area. Storm winds can cause powerful uplift forces capable of peeling shingles off the roof’s surface. Rake edges and eaves are especially vulnerable. Once your shingles are gone, the wind starts to work on your underlayment, and soon your roof becomes defenseless against the pounding rain. Should your home experience blown-off shingles, you may risk water infiltrating through the roof deck and into your walls and ceilings. Use the following guidelines to help prepare your home for the 2023 hurricane season. Arrange for a Pre-Season Inspection Your home’s roof will have a better chance of making it through a severe storm if you take care of problem areas before bad weather arrives. Therefore, schedule a roof inspection prior to hurricane season to check for loose or cracked shingles and damaged flashing. This is also a suitable time to discuss ways to shore up your roof in case of strong winds. Provide Added Support If you live in a region prone to hurricanes, you might want to reinforce your roof’s framing. While added support is easiest to install at during the initial build of a home, it is possible to reinforce your roof through the attic space. A professional roofing contractor can explain the pros and cons of various roof strengthening methods, such as: Braces Collar ties Strapping Choose Quality Products Your choice of roofing materials can affect the amount and type of damage your home experiences during a weather event. For that reason, roofing contractors, builders, and insurance companies recommended using products tested for wind performance, which have been successful in real-life situations. Take a look at these stories from homeowners who experienced the impact of Hurricane Ian in 2022 and whose roofs withstood the force of the storm. Owens Corning’s Duration® shingles with SureNail® Technology triple-layered protection, and Oakridge® shingles with a double-layered nailing zone protection are excellent examples of how specially designed shingles can help provide wind protection during storms. In addition to using high-performance asphalt shingles, consider these options to help prepare your roof for the upcoming 2023 hurricane season. Asphalt Cement can be used under any loose or unsealed shingle tabs, on ridges, and the roof edges for added security. If properly installed, your roof should be sealed without the ability to pull up shingle tabs. However, if your roof does need to be fortified to prepare for the hurricane season, a roofing contractor can use an approved asphalt cement meeting ASTM D4586 specifications to help create a seal. If you are building a home in a storm-prone area or in process of getting a new roof, consider underlayment products engineered to offer your home added protection during storm season. Synthetic Underlayments provides an additional layer of protection between the wood decking and the shingles, mainly to help guard against wind-driven rain. In addition, should shingles blow off, synthetic underlayment that remains attached to the roof deck can help keep the elements out. Self-Adhered Underlayments, such as ice and water barriers, are designed to help protect the roof where water collects or flows, including valleys, vents, chimneys, and skylights. During a hurricane, the wind can drive rain in horizontal sheets. Self-adhered underlayments can help prevent water from penetrating the roof deck. In hurricane-prone areas, contractors may apply one of several WeatherLock® Ice and Water Barrier options over the entire roof. Be a Proactive Homeowner When it comes to hurricanes, being prepared is much better than reacting to an emergency. So, keep your home hurricane-ready with regular inspections and reliable products designed to defend against wind gusts, driving rain, and flying debris. Check into Potential Insurance Discounts Proactively helping protect your home may earn discounts on your homeowner’s insurance. Some states even require insurance providers to offer discounts to homeowners who observe hurricane-related building codes**. Depending upon your insurance carrier, you may need to schedule a wind mitigation inspection. During this assessment, a certified inspector will determine how well your home can potentially withstand intense winds. They’ll look at the siding, windows, doors (especially the garage doors), and, of course, the roof. Consult a Roofing Expert If your home’s roof is starting to show signs of wear and tear or you would like a pre-hurricane season inspection, contact an independent roofing contractor. They can discuss the benefits of repair vs. a total roof replacement and advise you on hurricane prevention strategies for your roof.
We all have that guy in our neighborhood right? He has a pickup truck, ladders, tools, and a basic know-how...so why not hire him??? Well there are a ton of reasons, and no we aren't just saying this because we want you to use us instead (although we think we're pretty special). Truth be told, these guys no matter how skilled unless they have a license to practice the work they are doing could be putting you into a pretty scary scenario... #1 Hasta La Vista, Insurance! Did you know that if you have work done to your home by an unlicensed and uninsured contractor is grounds for your Homeowners insurance to drop your coverage or outright deny a claim altogether? Or worse yet, if he does any damage to your home or to himself you might be on the hook for the entire bill yourself. See Here #2 Where's the Warranty? Using your neighborhood handyman may be a cheaper price but is it worth the cost? While you may pay less now, how much more will it cost you when you call him/her with an issue and all you get are voicemails and crickets? Truth is for most of these people this is more of a side job for them so their priorities may not necessarily be the best customer service. #3 Who you Gonna Call? Nope...not Ghostbusters, you could try calling the guy who did the install. Or maybe call your local Home Improvement licensing office. Either one of those usually means that all that money you paid has *poof* disappeared. #4 Once upon a time... There was a time when it was totally within the norm to hire the neighborhood guy to do the work, but what if he is living his Happily Ever After in the Bahamas? He's since retired, and moved away and now what? While he's living the dream you're living a nightmare of what to do and who to call. #5 There's No Place Like Home It's your house, it's your home. Protect it by doing your own due diligence and hiring a reputable, licensed, and insured company to do all your home repairs. If you want to keep it local go to Google My Business and look for a company located close by. Get multiple estimates, make sure you're comfortable with everything (not just the price) and make a decision you feel is best for you. At Xpress Exterior Design we stand behind Trust, Quality, & Integrity and don't forget... Your Job Isn't Finished Unless You're Fully Satisfied!!!