Every Roofer I speak to tells me "his" materialisbest. How can a consumer judge quality and performance whenfourroofers offer me four completely different recommendations? Pleasehelp!
Firstand foremost, understand you are purchasinga roofing system. Thissystem includes all the individual componentsthat will protect yourhome from the elements and insure longevity ofthe roof. Contact usdirectly to discuss in detail differences invarious products, butconsider the following;
It is comical how aroofer will swearthat Brand A is the best manufacture in the world, butin the samebreath will sell brand B's iceguard and brand C'sventilation products.Understand that this mismatching of roofingproducts puts you at anextreme disadvantage if your roof were to failprematurely. It iscritical that your roof system include all thecomponents specified bythe same manufacture. Ventilation productsespecially. Due to the factthat early failure of the roof system can betraced to ventilationdeficiencies, installing another manufacturesventilation products onlyleaves the shingle manufacture a possible"out" if a warranty claim isever pursued. This may be the reason why some shingle manufactures no longer manufacture their own ventilation products!
Fromaprofessional roofing stand point, it is our job to install a roofthatlooks great and lasts it's intended life. In the unlikely eventthat thesystem were to fail prematurely, you should rest comfortablyknowingthat the entire system was made by one manufacturer andinstalled bytheir own "authorized" installer. Thus conforming to allspecificationsand meeting warranty criteria. Make sure shingles,ice-guard,underlayment and ventilation products are made by the samemanufacturer.
I received three estimates for my roof project. How can I get prices that are so drastically different?
Therearemany factors when it comes to estimating a project. Make sure youarecomparing apples to apples as they say when comparing bids. Keep inmindthat roofing is the #1 complaint from the Cleveland BBB to theOhioAttorney Generals office. Take a hard look at that bid that seemstoogood to be true.
Worker pay rate, the amount and type of ice guard and underlayment to the quality of the shingle will affect the price.
My home is 73 years old. It wasn't built with roof vents. Why do I need them now?
Thesimple answer is that it is code, and the shingle manufacture specifiesthat it is required to be covered under the warranty.
73yearsago, your home was not nearly as energy efficient as it is today.Newwindows, siding, and insulation may have been installed tocombatrising energy costs. This "weatherization" of your home makes itmuchmore air tight than it was when it was built. Any moisture thatiscreated within the home from everyday living such as cooking,showeringeven breathing is essentially retained inside the home. Add an"AprilAir" style humidifier into the equation, and we now have asignificantmoisture source. Due to moisture retention, even EPArecommendedmoisture limits of below 50% RH may cause condensation ontheunderneath side of the roof deck in the winter if properroofventilation is not in place.
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