WoodLand Roofers

Category: Roofs in Conroe Texas

  • What Do You Know About Impact Resistant Roof Shingles?

    Roofs in Kingwood Texas

    Hail is one of the most damaging natural elements that can quickly destroy your home’s roof. These balls of ice that can be as large as grapefruit pummel roofs, causing massive damage to shingles, tiles, and metal panels.

    If you live in an area that sees a fair amount of hail storms, impact resistant shingles may be a good option. Impact resistant shingles provide a greater level of protection to homes in storm-prone areas and are available from most shingle roof services.

    How Hail Causes Damage to Roofs

    When storms bring hail, the damage to homes and other buildings can be astronomical. Although hailstones can range in size from finer, gravel-like pellets to balls four inches or more in diameter, they are all capable of causing damage to roofs in a variety of ways.

    Smaller hail can cause wear to the protective granule coating on standard shingles, while the impact from larger hail can cause dents, tears and cracks in shingles, eliminating or reducing its protective ability.

    In addition, since hail damage is not always obvious, many homeowners only realize it is there when they begin to experience leaks or after more serious problems with their decking and roof structure.

    In either case, hail results in widespread damage every year in the U.S. Insurance companies report it to be one of the most significant causes of roofing damage as well as a major reason for rising insurance premiums. Standard asphalt shingles are a durable option in roofing material; however, even they can be damaged by hail and need replacing by shingle roof services.

    What Are Impact Resistant Shingles?

    Impact resistance is the amount of impact that different roofing materials can withstand before suffering hail damage. All asphalt shingles are rated in terms of their impact resistance, with Class 4 rated materials the most protective. Since 1997, some manufacturers have been producing impact resistant options that are designed specifically to protect against devastating hail damage.

    Class 4 rated asphalt shingles are more flexible than other varieties because they are partially constructed from rubber. This gives them the ability to absorb the impact of hail hitting roofs without sustaining tears, breaks, or dents. They are sold by most shingle roof services and installed just like any other type of asphalt shingle while providing more durability against the effects of hail.

    Are Impact Resistant Shingles For You?

    Impact resistant shingles cost more than standard options; however, they usually pay for themselves in reduced lifetime roof damage. They greatly reduce the chance of widespread and expensive hail damage, both today and in the future. These type of shingles are a wise investment in hail-prone areas and come highly recommended by most insurance companies. Some companies may even offer premium discounts if you replace your roof with this more protective option.

    Impact resistant shingles are an option that you should consider when the time comes to replace your roof. The weather is very unpredictable in many regions where destructive hailstorms are more prevalent. One of the best ways you can reduce your risk of costly hail damage is by having Class 4 impact resistant shingles installed by local shingle roof services. You will be glad you did once the next big storm blows through!

    Got A Hail Damaged Roof In Tomball Texas?

    GMA Restoration Installs Impact Resistant Shingles!

    Call (832) 410-4633!

  • The Proper Maintenance of Wood Shake Roofs!

    Roofs in The Woodlands Texas

    A classic wood shake roof can be a wonderful addition to any home, giving it a beautiful Colonial appearance. Shakes made from cedar and other types of wood provide years of protection when well-maintained by experienced roof services and are a more durable option than wood shingles.

    Although this type of installation demands a bit more attention than synthetic shingles, homeowners who know what to expect from wood shake and how to take care of it can expect the longest and most trouble-free life from their wood shake roofs!

    Wood Shakes Appearance

    Wood shakes look similar to shingles but are made with a different process. Where shingles are cut with a saw, shakes are split. They are also not as uniform in size and thickness as shingles, which is part of what gives shakes their distinctive and classic look. When expertly installed by roof services familiar with this type of material, shakes form a beautiful and watertight layer over the top of a home or building.

    Since shakes are frequently left in their natural state, over time the wood will slowly age to various shades of gray or brown depending on the type of wood that is used. With regular maintenance, this slow color change is natural and lends to the beautiful appearance these roofs offer.

    Wood Shakes Maintenance

    When properly installed and maintained, wood shake roofs should last between 25 and 40 years. This is longer than most synthetic shingles installed by roof services. Yet getting a full service life from wood shakes requires good maintenance and the following steps:

    • Keep It Clean – The biggest issue that affects wood shakes and shingles is decomposition due to the presence of mold, mildew, and moss. Water retention is the main reason why organisms grow on shakes, so it is essential to check them regularly for any growth. Shakes affected by this problem should be scrubbed off using a solution to kill the growth and promote drying. It is also important to keep trees trimmed away from the roof to prevent any drying issues.
    • Gutter Maintenance – The most commonly affected areas to suffer from vegetative growth, mold and mildew, or rotting due to saturation are those closest to the gutters. When shakes are submerged due to gutter overflow, they absorb water. This causes expansion, cracking, and warping, which loosens shakes on the roof and encourages mold, mildew, and moss growth. To prevent these problems, it is essential that gutters be properly installed to divert water away from the roof edge. They must also be cleaned regularly to prevent pooling and overflowing.
    • Sealant Protection – In addition to keeping the gutters clean and washing shakes as needed, homeowners can also apply a protective coating to preserve them. There are a number of sealants available for shakes and shingles that help prevent water and UV damage; some are even tinted to retain the original shake shades. There are also sealants available to protect the metal flashing used with shakes to discourage rusting, which could eventually cause leaks.

    When properly maintained, wood shake roofs can last for nearly half a century, providing home and building owners with classic good looks for many years. Gutter and shake cleaning is not difficult for owners to do on their own and is all needed to keep wood shakes in top condition. For those who would prefer not to do this themselves, it is a simple maintenance task that can be arranged with local roof services to ensure the shake roof is clean and in its best condition!

    Looking For Roof Services In The Woodlands Texas?

    GMA Restoration Can Clean Your Wood Shake Roof!

    Call (832) 410-4633!

  • Metal Roof Options – Is Copper A Good Choice?

    Roofs in The Woodlands Texas

    Of all the options in metal roofs available today, none are more beautiful or desirable than copper. It makes a wonderful roofing material, offering a number of important benefits including a longevity that reduces the need for metal roofing repair. Before deciding on this option, homeowners should understand the advantages and disadvantages of copper and whether it is the right choice for their individual home.

    Advantages of Copper Roofing

    Those looking for durability and style can find that with roofs made from copper panels or sheets pressed to look like shingles. Consider these many advantages that copper can offer when used on a home:

    • Beautiful and Stylish – The most striking feature that copper roofing offers is its unmatched beauty. This metal starts off a rich, shiny chestnut brown and then matures to a handsome darker brown as it ages. Like statues made from the same material, copper roofs will also gain a characteristic bluish patina over time that looks very distinctive. Available as seamed panels or panels that are pressed into different shingle shapes, copper can mimic other materials as well, offering a preferred look along with its many other features.
    • Durable and Long-Lasting – Like other metal materials used for roofing, copper is long-lasting for more than fifty years. It is also durable as long as it has been correctly installed and well-maintained. This durability means less need for metal roofing repair over the roof’s lifetime. Additionally, copper is fire-resistant, making it an ideal choice in areas where wildfires could be a concern.
    • Environmentally Friendly – Besides its beauty and longevity, copper used as roofing is environmentally friendly in various ways. It is highly reflective, which provides excellent thermal efficiency by reflecting the sun’s rays rather than absorbing them. It is also biodegradable and can be recycled when removed.
    • Lightweight – Along with all the positive features mentioned above, copper is also very lightweight in comparison to its durability. This makes it an ideal choice for homes where a heavier option would be unsuitable or a lighter material is preferred in colder climates that experience a lot of snow.  

    Disadvantages of Copper Roofing

    As with any roofing material, copper does present a few disadvantages as well, despite how preferable it may be in most cases:

    • Higher Initial Cost – In comparison to asphalt shingles and similar options, the initial investment on copper roofs is considerably more. Over the life of the material and its durability, it can still be a cost-effective roofing option.
    • Maintenance Requirements – All metal roofing requires a bit of maintenance over time, mostly to ensure the panels stay well sealed. As metal will expand and contract with the temperature, this can sometimes lead to loosening of the fasteners holding it onto the decking. Preventing leaks and other problems requires regular inspection by experienced metal roofing repair contractors who will make sure the fasteners do not loosen, promoting a watertight fit over time.
    • Noise – Like any other metal, copper can be noisy at times, especially in rainy or windy conditions. If noise may be a concern, inquire about noise-deadening underlayments and other products designed to make the sound less noticeable.

    All things considered, copper offers many more positives than negatives, making these roofs highly desirable to many homeowners. Copper is long-lived, lightweight, environmentally friendly, and usually requires less metal roofing repair. Above all, it is a beautiful choice that can really improve the look of any home!

    Thinking About Copper Roofs in The Woodlands Texas?

    Talk to the Experts at GMA Restoration About the Options!

    Call (832) 410-4633!