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There’s a world of difference between commercial and residential roofing contractors — even if it seems like roofs are roofs. Just like there are vast differences between retail shop contractors and residential home contractors, each has a specialty. Different materials are used, and different zoning laws, permits and regulations are in effect. Commercial roofs have specific installation requirements, designs and, ultimately, shelf lives, compared to residential. You also need to make sure your commercial roofing contractors abide by the warranty rules to be certain your roof is covered.

You can probably guess the biggest difference between commercial and residential roofs: size (usually). Due to its bigger size and heavier weight, most commercial roofs are sloped, but some are flat. You’re not going to find many flat roofs in homes because they tend to collect debris, standing water and heavy piles of snow. A commercial roof has the ability to withstand this kind a pressure, but a residential roof usually doesn’t. Any flat roof is going to need extra maintenance and more inspections, but commercial property owners know this and build that into the budget.

Designing a Roof

Many industrial roofs also need to bear the weight of heavy equipment. In regions with heavy snow, such as Utah, roofs need to handle hailstones and sometimes several inches of snow. This leads to extra — and sometimes customized — structural considerations. Only a commercial roofing contractor is knowledgeable, experienced and skilled enough to consider the extra needs of a commercial roof. Residential roofing contractors, no matter how highly skilled, simply don’t have the know-how to maximize structural integrity on larger roofs.

Commercial and residential roofs alike can be constructed of various types of roofing materials. Each has pros and cons, differing life expectancies and best practices for application/installation. The majority of commercial roofs use membrane or metal materials. Residential roofs are steeper, and you have a lot more options when it comes to material. After all, homeowners want their roofs to be durable and aesthetically pleasing. Commercial property owners usually don’t care as much about looks.

Business as Usual

Roofing is demanding, and you need a qualified contractor who specializes in larger roofs. They can recommend the best materials and work with you to stay within your budget. Whether it’s metal panel roofing, single-ply membranes or asphalt shingles, you and your commercial property deserve the best.

Only a commercial roofing contractor knows the ins and outs of air flow systems, external piping and other details only relevant in commercial roofs. For the best commercial and residential roofing contractors, contact The Roof Doctor today for a free quote.

You need repairs for your leaking roof, but wouldn’t it be better to prevent the leaks from the start? It may be possible, and homeowners can take measures to be better prepared the next time around. However, if you have a leaky roof, or even suspect one, you need to take action immediately. Water damage can be serious, from causing dangerous black mold to ruining the structural integrity of the house (not just the roof). Particularly in states/regions with a lot of rain or snow, roofs spring leaks for a number of reasons. Was your leak preventable?

Unsurprisingly, one of the most common causes of a leaky roof is simply age. Most roofing materials will deteriorate over time, particularly if they’re not well maintained. Thank temperature fluctuations, weather and exposure for materials cracking, getting brittle or even melting over the seasons. Make sure you maintain an annual roof inspection schedule to catch problems early.

Here are a few more reasons your roof might be leaking and what to do about it:

1. Debris: If you let twigs, pine needles, leaves and other debris build up, they can hold water on the roof which will eventually seep into the home. It’s paramount to keep roofs and gutters clean and clear. You can also trim nearby trees to minimize debris in the first place.

2. Excess Moisture: Some higher roof gutters are designed to drain onto a lower part of the roof, which can cause over-saturation — and ultimately leaks. An easy fix is to extend your downspout so water is directed to the ground.

3. Flashing: With metal roofs, the flashing seals transitions in the roof. If flashing isn’t properly installed or maintained, water can seep underneath and into the roof. Make sure your roofer also checks the caulking for cracks and the nails for security during annual inspections.

4. Gutter Backup: A clogged gutter can slow or even stop water flow from the roof. You might want to pick up a gutter cover or simply commit to checking gutters at least once per month. Anything from a bird’s nest to a neighbor kid’s fallen kite could be to blame.

5. Holes: Maybe you had a television antenna removed, or perhaps a woodpecker took a particular liking to your roof. Holes are, obviously, a cause of leaks, but sometimes the cause of the holes takes homeowners by surprise. These should be spotted easily during an inspection.

6. Missing shingles: If you’re missing shingles, you have an exposed roof. You may be able to spot these MIA shingles using binoculars from the ground, and some homeowners feel safe enough to climb a ladder and check out the roof from that perch. However, it’s always best to rely on a roofing contractor to make sure shingles are all there and secure.

Contact The Roof Doctor today for any needed repairs or to ensure your roof is in good condition and leak-free.

It’s not metal roofing contractors that the city of Muskogee, Oklahoma, has a problem with — it’s the materials they use. The Muskogee City Council has been playing around with the idea of banning metal roofs within city limits. The reason? Policymakers think metal roofs might bring down the home values in neighborhoods featuring this type of roofing. According to local roofers, it’s clear that the council doesn’t know the many benefits of metal roofing (including just how good they can look). One Muskogee roofer says metal roofs are “Forty-five percent of my business. I always thought metal on the roof was the future, the way we were going.”

However, the city is adamant that metal roofs and siding have no place in this part of Oklahoma. In order to make it official, a zoning change is on the table. According to one City Councilor,* such a sudden and strict change wasn’t the original plan. In fact, he says the real goal was to get rid of shoddy work which some subpar roofers were performing within city limits. “We just want to make sure it’s a good and safe product,” he explained, but such measures will ultimately hurt homeowners who are looking for quality, affordable roofing, as well as the many reputable roofers in Muskogee.

Drastic Measures

The City Council says current structures featuring metal roofing or siding would be grandfathered into the ordinance, so homeowners don’t have to worry about costly roof replacements. However, they’re hoping the new restrictions will increase the quality of roofing and siding for future construction and remodels. Unfortunately for the council, the city code is complex, and it’s not easy to ban such a popular and beloved material.

Homeowners and roofers were relieved when the ordinance didn’t change immediately and the council was sent back to the drawing board. A number of homeowners spoke to the local FOX news media, eager to explain why they were upset about the potential ban. For the most part, they just wanted to know why this was happening — thus far, the council has been pretty tight-lipped about their reasoning. Beyond pointing to some low-quality roofing work, which can happen with any roofing material, they provided little explanation for such a drastic move.

An Unlikely Approval

Muskogee Director of Planning Gary Garvin, who is not involved with the City Council’s actions, said, “I think they thought it would cause property value to go down.” He recalls that in January, the council requested a building design standard review from the local building commission. Currently in Muskogee, metal roofs and siding are allowed, but metal walls are not.

Metal is a fantastic option for roofing — durable, attractive and affordable. Call the Roof Doctor, a reliable contractor specializing in all types of roofing materials, including metal, to learn more about your options for your home.

Choosing the best residential roof means considering the roof fire rating. In addition to cost, eco-friendliness, weight and upkeep, how a roof would fare in a fire should be a top priority for homeowners. According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), about 369,500 houses catch fire each year, causing over 12,000 human injuries. A roof with a strong fire rating can help minimize damage and stop a fire from spreading.

The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) tests and defines the fire ratings of roofing materials. When a material is non-combustible, such as steel or concrete, flames can only spread on the top part of the surface. The best rating is Class A (six-foot spread), followed by Class B (eight foot) and Class C (13 feet). Overall, the steeper a roof slope is, the higher the danger posed by fire, due to a snowball effect produced by melting materials that can feed a fire.

The Roof Is on Fire!

Obviously, a non-combustible roofing material like aluminum is the most fire-resistant. However, combustible roofs like wood are also popular and have their own advantages not related to fire security. Wood demands two tests — one for the top surface and one from underneath (to test the resistance of a fire that originates from inside the home). These tests include “the burning brand” and “the intermittent flame test.” The burning brand is administered by putting a lit wood lattice over the test piece to see how fast it catches fire. The intermittent flame test requires a gas flame to be turned off and on under the wood. To achieve a Class A rating, the test piece must last at least 15 trials before catching fire.

The Whole, Flaming Enchilada

When gauging the complete fire resistance of a home, bear in mind that the roof is only the cherry on top. Total structural elements should also be considered, including the entirety of the roof from the membrane to the surface. Testing includes a 25-foot chamber (Steiner Tunnel) to see how a flame travels along the underside of a roof. In order to achieve a Class A rating, flames cannot go farther than 10 feet in 10 minutes or 14 feet in the total 30-minute test.

A Class A rating is ideal, but it does not mean a roof is fireproof. There are other considerations, such as the thickness of the roof. Thinner roofs are better fire fighters, since they provide less fuel. However, thicker roofs furnish more durability against flames. Fire resistance does not have to be the only focus when choosing a roof, but it should make the Top 5 cut.

To protect your home from fire damage, trust the knowledgeable professionals at The Roof Doctor to help you choose the right roofing supplies.

Residential and commercial roofing are predicted to become nearly a $100 billion industry worldwide by 2020, according to a recent study by Transparency Market Research. According to the experts, the industry will grow an substantially in the next five years. The higher demand for better and more efficient roofing is expected to lead to increased energy savings for users across the United States and beyond.

In 2013, the global roofing market had a value of $64.49 billion, which is impressive but nowhere near the $100 billion mark. That year, the market boasted 10,600 million square meters, but that was before demand for roofing shot up, particularly in the Asia Pacific, European and North American regions. The recovering economy is likely the main reason for the increase in North America, according to researchers.

No More Bills Through the Roof

At the same time, the price of energy has gone up. Energy conservation is a top concern for many Americans — which has ultimately led to lower utility bills, and Energy Star roofing has quickly become one of the most requested products for new or upgraded roofs. Solar roofing panels sales are also increasing, with tech advances making them even more desirable. Researchers suggest that eco-friendly roofing will be a major trend in the next five years. Plus, plastic and fiber cement roofing materials are also gaining in popularity, particularly in underdeveloped economies, because they are affordable and lightweight. Still, bituminous roofing is the most popular material of all, making up 45 percent of the market share (it will likely continue to be top dog through 2020).

Roofing demands are increasing in every market, but particularly in the nonresidential segment. More hotels, offices and other buildings are being created and need quality roofs. This segment makes up 40 percent of the market share. Additionally, educational institution infrastructure is increasing, particularly with renovations. Going green is sought out in all segments, from health care to commercial and residential.

Catch a Break

Researchers also point out that tax benefits and subsidies are playing a role in the roofing marketing spike. For example, the federal government granted a 10 percent tax benefit in 2012 for all Energy Star product installations, including bituminous and metal roofing materials. The United States is the second biggest roofing material consumer, so this type of legislation is helpful in encouraging more consumption of green goods.

Lastly, more homeowners and business owners are understanding the importance of replacing roofs or upgrading them with better, greener products. The roofing industry will double in size in a 10-year span, which is a great economy booster as well as an energy saver. For local, dependable residential roof installation and repair, call the Roof Doctor of Taylorsville, Utah.

Replacing a roof is easily one of the most important and critical upgrades for any home. If a quality roof is installed by a reputable company and maintained on an annual basis, it is common for roofs to last several decades (depending on the material used and in the absence of any major natural disasters).

Even a relatively small issue, such as a tiny leak, can cause major damage if not caught and fixed right away. This is why roof inspections are so important. Homeowners may not always notice a leak or other damage, especially if the results are hidden in an attic or within the walls. Most commonly, leaks occur where the roof changes elevation, such as in valleys. Any area in which different materials are connected, such as near a skylight, is a prime location for a leak.

What Homeowners Can Do

It is paramount to have a roof inspection every year, but homeowners can do some helpful maintenance themselves, such as keeping nearby trees trimmed and clearing major debris off of roofs. Keeping an eye on the gutter system is also critical, according to the founder of Angie’s List, Angie Hicks. “Gutters are probably the top of my maintenance list around the house because if you’re not taking care of your gutters properly, it can actually lead to roof damage as well as water in the basement, so be sure that you’re attending to them, cleaning them, because it can very much prevent big, costly problems,” she said.

Collect Bids

Any time roof repairs or a replacement is in order, a professional should be hired — but homeowners must do their due diligence and research companies or contractors. Hicks says, “You want an apples-to-apples estimate, so make sure you know exactly the type of material your roof is made of.”

In order to avoid being the victim of a scam, keep an eye out for red flags. One of the biggest is any door-to-door roof repair salesman, particularly if he or she pops up right after a storm. Shady companies are notorious for doing subpar work and not sticking around for follow-up concerns. Scam operators make money by:

1. Taking your down payment and then disappearing
2. Going door-to-door offering cheap services but not providing quality work and/or disappearing halfway through the job
3. Hard selling and bullying homeowners into signing a contract on the spot
4. Providing bids that conceal slew of unforeseen issues and costs

Always get testimonials and check reviews, including those on third-party sites, before choosing a roof contractor or company. The Roof Doctor is a longstanding, reliable roofing contractor in Taylorsville, Utah. Call them for all of your roof repair or replacement needs.

Residential roof companies are seeing a boom in metal roofing. The Metal Roofing Alliance reports that in the past five years, the demand has skyrocketed to double-digit percentages. According to contractors, homeowners have picked up on the durability, energy savings, simple aesthetics, good value and fire resistance these roofs offer. Every roofing material has a different life span, but metal offers an impressive few decades of resiliency and also keeps up with the sleek, chic look that many contemporary houses feature.

The MRA reveals that while non-metal roofs average a life span of about 20 years, metal can last for an entire lifetime, assuming routine care and maintenance is prioritized. Plus, in some states they can lower homeowners insurance premiums up to 30 percent (depending on other considerations, including county, land size and age of the home). However, it is the fire-resistant quality that has really piqued homeowners’ interest.

What Fire Hazard?

Home fires occur in devastating numbers, with the majority happening during summer months and during the winter holidays. Although most home fires start in the kitchen (from cooking), living in a hot, dry region can also be a risk factor. Summer fires are rampant, not just because of home cooking, but because of backyard barbeques combined with dry grass. But if a fire starts in the home, a metal roof can help preserve more of the structure and stop the fire from spreading.

Many metal roofs feature “Class A Fire Ratings,” and they are becoming increasingly popular in more rural areas prone to wildfires. Plus, if a metal roof is stone coated, it is resistant to cracking, rot, breaking and warping. These roofs can hold up to winter weather, too, proving nearly indestructible when faced with hailstones up to 2.5 inches in diameter. They are tough enough to resist 120 mph winds, withstand a Class 4 impact rating for hail and last anywhere from 40-60 years.

A Cool Choice

Instead of absorbing rays from the sun, metal deflects them. This helps keep homes cooler in the summer while keeping them warmer in the winter. Ultimately, utility costs are lowered as well. However, for homeowners who don’t particularly like the contemporary look, the solution is coating the roof with another material such as slate, clay or even wood.

Curb appeal plays a big part in a home’s value, and with metal roofs you can handpick the style with a stone coating. However, what really counts is what’s on the inside, like better temperature control, increased security from the elements and knowing you’ll have a solid metal roof over your head for many decades.

Determining the age of a roof should be of paramount importance to those hunting for a new home, but sadly, this consideration is often overlooked. Surprisingly, the age of a home doesn’t affect housing costs much, unless of course the property is considered an architectural gem, historic or is in some other way outstanding. More people consider location, square footage and aesthetic updates such as flooring or countertops when setting the asking price of a home; however, the quality and age of a roof are also important factors.

There is no getting around the fact that replacing a roof, even with eco-friendly materials, is very expensive. In fact, the foundation and roof of a home are often two of the costliest of elements, and they cannot be put on the back burner (like ugly carpet or chipped countertops). If a roof is not in good condition or does not have many years left, homeowners can unwittingly sign up for a much more expensive home than they bargained for.

An Immediate Need

When a roof needs to be repaired or replaced, time is of the essence. The longer a homeowner waits to take care of repairs or a total replacement, the costlier it will be — and the more dangerous. A collapsed roof or one with leaks that has led to intense mold growth is a big hazard. This is why routine repairs and maintenance are in order. However, it is also why home buyers need to prioritize roof inspections.

Before scheduling a home inspection for a potential new property purchase, ask the seller about the history of the roof. Ask when it was last replaced — if ever — what materials were used, who the contractor was and what the state of any existing warranties are. Also ask when the current owners last had an inspection, and whether the report is available.

Prioritize

While new kitchen cupboards may improve the value of a home, they are not as important as a healthy roof. However, bear in mind that while roof replacement can be costly, it can also drastically improve the value of a home. Choose the materials and contractor wisely, and should you decide to sell yourself, you can likely secure a higher asking price. Call the Roof Doctor for an inspection of your aging roof and to find out how to keep it in prime condition.

Homeowners in Utah should have their roofs inspected at least twice a year to check for any weather damage. Throughout the year, roofs face a number of challenges from the natural elements, from blistering hot summers to snow-packed winters. It is a good idea to schedule a roof inspection twice per year, in spring and autumn, to ensure your roof is ready for the impending hot and cold seasons. However, the weather—and all that comes with it—can cause trouble during any season.

Summer Months

Utah summers are notoriously hot, and those temperatures combined with more intense UV rays can cause serious roof damage. A roof’s age and the material it’s made of can affect how it absorbs UV rays. Some homeowners opt to add a roof coating which helps absorb and/or deflect the sun’s rays, which can lower utility bills, keep homes cooler and extend the life of the roof. However, roofs that are not well-maintained have fewer defenses against heat and rays, thus they deteriorate faster.

Autumn Months

Autumns in Utah are usually mild, but come with their own set of challenges. For example, some roofs and gutters are prone to clogging with leaves, which can lead to leaks and deterioration. The good news is that, should you schedule an inspection during these months, you have time before the winter sets in to repair leaks, broken gutters or other problems. Homeowners may also want to trim their trees to minimize leaf accumulation.

Winter Months

Winters can be brutal in this region, with freezing temperatures, snow and ice dams. Your roof has a tough job keeping you warm while also avoiding leaks and managing heavy loads. Winter is a prime time for leaks, and snow or ice damage. Bear in mind that leaks are rarely obvious, and if they are not caught early they can cause severe damage and even lead to mold growth. Once the weather warms up, it’s time to schedule that other roof inspection to see how your home fared.

Spring Months

Sudden thaws are not unusual in springtime. If winter quickly transitions to spring, this can cause fast snow melt and flash floods—both of which are dangerous for roofs. Plus, this is also the time of year that pests come out in droves and may choose your home to call their own.

Caring for your roof, scheduling regular inspections and staying on top of maintenance are key factors any time of the year. Your roof may have unique obstacles depending on the season, but with regular inspections you will be able to stay ahead of the challenges. Call the Roof Doctor to schedule an inspection for your roof this season to help keep it in tip-top-shape.