Roofing Tips and News

(0 votes)

Single Ply roofing materials have become one of the favorites of many Pensacola roofers and architects over the last 15 years.  This is mainly due to the fact that it is relatively low cost and can be rapidly installed to suit most designs.  There are several different types of single ply roofing available nowadays offering a wide range of colors and compositions which have been evolving with the development of tougher and longer lasting chemical compounds.


 The three main types of single ply roofing are as follows:


Poly-Vinyl-Chloride: otherwise known as PVC single ply roofing, is the most commonly available and can be purchased in a wide variety of different colors directly from various manufactures with a range of thicknesses depending on the applications.  Single ply PVC is highly durable with many types of attachment methods available, can easily be adapted to the more ecologically friendly architectural designs that are becoming commonplace in today’s more conservationist approach to construction.  A professionally fitted PVC single ply roof can be expected to last at least 40 years.

Ethylene-Propylene-Diene-Monomer: more commonly referred to as EPDM therma-set rubber sheets are similar to the PVC single ply sheets in that they are flexible and available in a range of thicknesses and can be applied in much the same way.  The advantage of this type is a greatly increased protection from ultra-violet rays and ozone impacts and will react well to most of the chemical compounds an average roof is exposed to.  This particular compound is also highly resistant to punctures and tears.


The most modern type currently available is the Thermoplastic-Polyolefin or TPO.  This technology provides even more protection through being internally reinforced with heat sealed edges allowing the roofing to be applied to most surfaces including concrete, wood and stone.  The reinforcement is usually provided by an internal fiberglass frame that allows the material to flex slightly when under pressure from high winds or extreme temperatures.  TPO also has the highest resistance of any single ply roofing material to exposure from harsh chemicals and other pollutants common in industrialized areas.
Any of these types of single ply roofing will provide reliable and long lasting protection against some of the harshest environments.  Although not always a perfect substitute for built up roofs some of the key advantages single ply roofing can offer include:

 

  • Very quick to install due to the flexibility in size, thickness and attachment methods available;
  • Low cost in comparison to most alternative roofing products;
  • Excellent insulation properties;
  • Allows air to flow through if required offering more options for creating greener building designs;
  • Very easily maintained, replaced or refitted;
  • Wide range of pre-made colors and designs available.

When making a choice between these three types of single ply roofing  the deciding factors are most frequently the dimensions and style of the building being constructed, how industrialized the region is, the harshness of the climate and the amount of traffic expected across its surface. 

For more information, fill out our Contact Form, or call Edwards Roofing at 850-478-0230.

(0 votes)

Commercial roofs can be made with a number of various roofing materials, including tiles, metals, fibers, plastic, glass, ceramics, stones and woods. If a roof is older than a decade, commercial building owners need to consider roof restoration and coatings. Roof restoration is known as the process of cleaning, repairing, sealing and recoating a roof to ensure it is kept in optimal condition. Any weaknesses in the roof are identified and then repaired accordingly to ensure the roof stays functional. In the last fifteen to twenty years, roof restoration has become a normal part of overall building maintenance.


There are numerous advantages associated with roof restoration and coating. Aside from obvious aesthetic advantages associated with roof restoration, it protects all the tiles on the roof from complete exposure to moisture. This can cause the tiles to begin to deteriorate and rot from underneath. Roof restoration also ensures that the roof is safe from foul weather and high winds. This includes heavy rain fall and even hail. Everyone knows a violent storm can wreak damage to a roof. Having a properly restored roof will minimize overall damage.


The roof coating, applied during roof restoration, will provide the roof from ultra-violet rays coming from the sun. This exposure can oxidize the roof, eventually causing the roof to become weak and unstable due to corrosion and expanding and contracting, causing cracks to form. As well coating prevents the pointing of the roof from pulling away from the roof’s ridge capping, thus protecting an area of the roof that is extremely prone to leaks. Currently, there are a number of roof coatings that are energy efficient. This means that the building will be a lot cooler in the summer because the rays of the sun will not be able to as easily penetrate inside the home.  This means that the air conditioner will not have to work as hard, lowering energy bills during the summer months.


The old saying, “prevention is much better than a cure” certainly applies to the topic of roof restorations and coatings. If a commercial building owner chooses to take good care of their roof by having it restored and coated every so often, the roof will take care of not only the employees working inside the commercial building, but also all equipment and inventory as well. Spending money for roof restoration and coating is a lot less expansive then ignoring this process and then having to pay even more money to replace the roof when it completely breaks down. When a commercial building owner hires a professional roofing company to restore the roof, the building owner is not only preserving the life of the roof, but also gaining such advantages like an increase in energy efficiency, which can lower utility bills. Obviously, the biggest advantage of roof restoration is that commercial building owners will not have to pay for costly roof replacement further down the line. Roof restoration and coating will save money and extend the life of the roof.

(0 votes)

Unfortunately, a number of times normal commercial roof maintenance is ignored until a large problem that costs a lot of money to repair presents itself, such as leaks and broken or missing shingles. Once a commercial roofing problem becomes bigger, businesses end up shelling up large sums of money to repair or replace it, something that could have been avoided had they had commercial roof maintenance. Commercial roof maintenance is essential because roofs can become damaged and they cannot be accessed easily. If a business lets a problem on their commercial roof to fester, it can cause increased damage. For example, a small leak will allow water to become trapped and if not fixed immediately, it will cause mold to form. Mold not only causes structural damage, but it can cause all employees to become sick.

Ongoing commercial roof maintenance, such as checks every six months, will save a business a lot of money. Remember that a small hole is easier to fix than a large hole. As well commercial roof maintenance will make certain the longevity of a roof. It will not have to be repaired or replaced often. There will also be no having to pay workers’ compensation for those who become ill due to mold accumulation.

As previously mentioned, it is beneficial to have a professional roofer come and do commercial roof maintenance two times every year. Once after the winter months pass and all snow dissipates and once in the fall before the winter months begin. After the winter months commercial roof maintenance is imperative because the structure and integrity of the roof needs to be checked, especially if there was a heavy snow fall. No business wants their roof to collapse. Before the winter months come around, commercial roof maintenance is essential to look for weak spots that may cause parts of the roof to collapse and/or begin to leak. A commercial roof maintenance specialist will also inspect the drainage system to see if it is working properly and is not blocked.

An inspection done by a commercial roof maintenance expert will include looking at vents and pipes and sealing them when necessary. Also, they will look to see if any shingles are loose, nails exposed, and remove any debris. Replacing a roof is a lot of money and it can put the business out of commission for a bit, commercial roof maintenance certifies the roof lasts. To get professional commercial roof maintenance, a professional roofing contractor is required. A good contractor will inspect the roof fully, provide proof, such as photographs, of any problem areas and offer a description on how it will be fixed, the time it will take, and how much money it will cost. They will also recommend anything that can be done to increase the lifespan of the roof. Commercial roof maintenance is vital if a business wants to continue to function properly and not run the risk of closing down and losing important business.

(0 votes)

When building a new commercial office, many business owners focus intensely on what the inside of the new commercial building, but tend to not think as much about the outside of their commercial building, including the roof. When it comes to determining what type of roof to install, either a flat roof or a slanted roof, individuals do not understand what these options are and which one is the best. Many contractors and roofing companies are telling individuals to select a flat roof for their commercial building. It not only reduces expenses but it can add value to the entire building.


Possibly the biggest benefit of having a flat roof is the accessibility it provides. When compared to other roofing options, flat roofs are more accessible because they do not have a large slope. There is a minimal chance that an individual will slip while on a flat roof as compared to a slanted or slopping roof. Some businesses like having a flat roof because it gives employees a place to go on their break when the weather is nice outside, especially if there is not a lot of land around the outside of the commercial building


Most people are unaware that even though the name of the roof is a “flat roof,” it is not 100 percent flat. Flat roofs have a very small, almost unnoticeable slope that assists in draining water off the roof that accumulates during a rain storm. This ensures that the roof does not leak and water does not start leaking into the commercial building.


Another added benefit is that is saves room space in the commercial building. With sloping roofs, a lot of times space is lost due to wooden beams holding up the roof which creates dead space. These areas cannot be utilized in any fashion. There is minimal dead space with a flat roof, increasing total space within the commercial building.


Flat roofs are very easy to build. There is less surface area with a flat roof than with a slanting roof. If there is less surface area, then not as much raw material is needed to construct the roof. Because there are fewer raw materials needed, the business owner purchasing the flat roof for the commercial building does not have to pay as much money as they would with a slanting roof which requires additional raw material to construct. Flat roofs are also less physically demanding and take up less time to build. These two factors will also greatly reduce the price of building a flat roof on a commercial building.


Of course, the flat roof’s life expectancy is completely dependent upon how well the business owner maintains it. The business owner should have annual inspections done on the roof. This will not only assist in finding weak locations to fix immediately, but it will increase the overall longevity of the roof. The roof of the home should never be neglected. If a business owner notices something is wrong, like a leak, they should call in for maintenance immediately. Flat roofs are very easy to repair if damage is found early on.

(0 votes)

If an individual is in the process to choosing the right commercial roofer in Pensacola, Florida, is essential to keep in mind that not every commercial roofing contractor is created equal. Unfortunately, there is no perfect way to determine a good commercial roofing contractor from a bad one. However, there are some vital questions that need to be asked when taking the time to select a contractor. The answers provided to the questions will assist in locating a contractor and ensuring that the best decision possible has been made.


According to the National Roofing Contractors Association, it is extremely important to first locate the permanent business address, primary business phone number, business license, and tax identification number of the possible commercial roofing company. These items indicate that the commercial roofing company is legitimate. A reputable professional commercial roofer will have all the information available to customers as well as their proof of insurance. This kind of research is vital. Men and women want to make sure that they get the best possible commercial roofing contractor in Pensacola. Aside from the previously mentioned, it is good to ask if the company is a card-carrying member of a national, state, or local commercial roofing association. If they are a member, it means that they are up to date on all the latest roofing developments and issues. Companies that do not provide all the above information and do not provide guarantees regarding professional workmanship are not professionals. A professional commercial roofing company does not have anything to hide.


It is essential to think about the look and finish of the commercial roof when it is done. While a number of commercial roofing contractors may offer a large variety of roofing choices, there are contractors that specialize in specific roofing types, such as shingles or metal roofing. If the commercial building requires a specific type of roof, ask any potential contractors in Pensacola about their overall experience with the roofing material required. Ask to see any available pictures of previous jobs they have executed with this type of material. For example, many businesses are concerned with specific environmental issues and they want a green roof. In this situation, the business needs to find out if the contractor uses sustainable sourced materials as well as installation procedures that are environmentally safe.


Always read over consumer reviews. These reviews contain information like how easy it was to work with the commercial roofing company and the professional behavior of the workers. A good estimate will also provide a clear understanding about the accuracy of price estimates. Independent review sites are the best to check out. A business website will only post reviews that showcase the roofing company in a positive light.


Possibly the most important item to think about when looking to choose the right commercial roofer in Pensacola, Florida is safety. A commercial roofing company is as good as the workers hired to install the roof. Inquire as to all the safety procedures and safety training provided to all employees. Ask about industry safety programs attended, safety gear used, and all other important safety questions.

storm image

You Deserve The Best