For many years, environmentalists have touted the benefits of solar energy from a “green” perspective, thanks to the corresponding reduction in fossil fuel use that accompanies a solar installation. However, for most of that time, solar energy was essentially a “feel good” project—it did not provide significant cost savings. Fortunately, that is no longer true. Solar does not provide an immediate return on investment, but it does pay for itself over time. In fact, solar [...]

Asphalt roofing shingles used to be specified by their weight as opposed to life expectancy and many “old school” design professionals still refer to them that way. The weight of shingles (represented in pounds) is the sum total weight of a 10’x10’ square of shingles or what roofing contractors will refer to as a “square” when estimating the number of roofing bundles required to complete your roofing project. Almost forty years ago roofing material manufacturers [...]

Once you’ve made the decision to replace your home’s aging asphalt roof with like materials there are still a multitude of decisions that have to be made beyond selecting a roofing contractor. Among the most important may be selecting the type of shingles. Currently there are three types of asphalt shingles to choose from: regular 3-tab, architectural or so-called dimensional shingles, and specialty shingles. Three-tab Architectural [...]

Despite the commercials you see on television, asking your neighbor is far from the best way to find a roofing contractor to repair or replace your home's roof. Consider that your neighbors have likely only replaced one or two roofs in their entire lives and thus have limited experience in selecting the right roofing materials and identifying a suitable roofing contractor. Instead, when to comes time to repair or replace your roof, we recommend: Call [...]

What does it really mean when the weatherman forecasts a thirty percent (30%) chance of rain? The following is an explanation as to why the roofing industry has accepted the "Thirty percent (30%)" rule -or chance of rain - as the norm and is subsequently recognized as the standard operation procedure for all legitimate contractors. The National Weather Service (NOAA) determines the so-called Probability of Precipitation(PoP) as the chance of precipitation occurring at any point [...]