Author Archives: Lonnie Hagen

What is the Best Residential Roofing Material?

standing seam metal roofing

Choosing the Right Materials

They have been a rarity until the past few years but standing seam metal roofs are becoming a trend in the residential roofing market. Why? Standing seam metal roof installation has become requested more frequently than other roofing materials for people are planning to stay in their homes forever. While a standing seam metal roof can be expensive, the benefits far outweigh the concern of costs, and those reasons are: 

  • A standing seam metal roof will last50 years or longer – a lifetime investment for your home. 
  • A standing seam metal roof is durable, rigid, and rugged – hail resistant and wind resistant.  
  • A standing seam metal roof won’t crack, rot, or warp – UV resistant. 
  • A standing seam metal roof is safer in a fire – a bonus for your homeowner’s insurance. 
  • A standing seam metal roof is energy-efficient – ROI with lower energy bills. 
  • A standing seam metal roof is low maintenance – corrosion-resistant needs little to no maintenance.

What is a standing seam metal roof?

The description of a standing seam metal roofing is a metal panel roofing system with concealed fasteners. The flat part of the panels has two vertical legs on each side, also referred to as raised seams, thus the “standing seam” part of the roofing material.  With those two standing seams, the professional installation of a standing seam metal roof will hide the fastening process by hiding the clips to the decking or directly attach to the decking with a flange. 

standing seam metal

Why is standing seam metal roof so expensive?

When a professional roofer installs a reliable standing seam metal roof, it is going to be more durable and longer-lasting than the basic asphalt roofing or any other common type of residential roofing. While its lighter weight than asphalt shingles, there are thicker metal panels, which cost more because standing seam metal roofs are more durable, longer-lasting, and more resistant to things than asphalt shingle, like hailstorms and UV rays. 

What are the disadvantages of a metal roof?

Whether it is roofing a new home or replacing an existing roof, homeowners should give standing seam metal roof some consideration when choosing the roofing material. Metal roofing is available in many different types of metal, each attractive and matches any architectural style you have: 

  • Aluminum
  • Copper
  • Galvanized Steel
  • Tin
  • Zinc

However, standing seam metal roof isn’t without disadvantages and drawbacks, nothing is going to be 100% perfectly ideal, no matter how good of quality the material. Among standing seam metal roof, the disadvantages are: 

  • Affordability: Standing seam metal roof or any metal roofing will cost up to three times more than asphalt, cedar, or other roofing materials. However, when it comes to long life, a standing seam metal roof will outlive other roofing materials. 
  • Noisy: If standing seam metal roof is poorly installed, they can be loud during rain or hailstorms. However, by having the roofing contractor add more insulation during the installation process will quieten the roof. It will also make it more expensive, but well worth that extra cost.  Again, the longevity of a metal roof will repay that extra cost. 
  • Contraction and expansion: Standing seam metal roofs are large panels between the legs or raised seams. Those panels will contract and expand with the temperature. If the standing seam metal roof hasn’t been installed with the fasteners correctly, that movement will loosen the fasteners and require tightening or replacing the fasteners. 
  • Color match inconsistent:  When repairs are required for standing seam metal roof, it can be challenging to match the new panel color with the existing panels. 
  • Performance: Standing seam metal roof can accumulate water anywhere on the roof if the installation was not done correctly or if low-grade metal was used. With metal roofing, you get what you pay for, so get the best you can afford in metal thickness and professional installation. 

Can you walk on a standing seam metal roof?

Yes, when it comes to metal roofing vs. asphalt shingles or any other type of roofing material, standing seam metal roofs are safer and stronger to walk on, with the proper footwear. Metal roofing can be slick, walking on them in the ice, rain, or snow is not advised unless an absolute emergency. 

Is standing seam metal roof worth it?

For a home that you’re planning on living forever, or for many years, yes, a standing seam metal roof is well worth the extra cost of an asphalt single, or any other type of roofing material. The benefits are numerous, and the most significant benefit is the long lifespan it provides. For a house that you plan to sell within 20 years or less, no, a standing seam metal roof would not be worthwhile. 

interior of a standing seam metal roof

In Closing

As we’ve mentioned, a standing seam metal roof is worth the extra cost for a home you plan to call forever. You want to choose a roofing contractor that will install the material correctly, using the best material you can afford, and a contractor that knows how to repair a standing seam metal roof as well as install the roof. 

What is the Difference Between Architectural Shingles and Asphalt Shingles?

architectural shingles

What is the Difference Between Architectural and Asphalt Shingles?

Many homeowners like the look of a distinguished, and well-installed roof. However, it is important to understand the various roofing materials that may be involved. One of the common questions that are asked in the roofing industry is what the difference is between architectural and asphalt shingles. Three-tab shingles are distinguished by their cutouts. These cutouts are made along their long lower edge, and look like three separate pieces when they are installed, even though the whole panel is only one piece. Alternatively, architectural asphalt shingles are different because they contain no cutouts and their lower portions are laminated with an additional asphalt layer. Additionally, roofing contractors consider architectural shingles to be a high-end luxury product due to the fact that architectural shingles have increased durability and are more aesthetically pleasing.

Are Architectural Shingles Better?

Are you wondering whether architectural shingles are better than asphalt shingles? According to roofers, the answer is yes. This can be whittled down to a few important categories that will help homeowners understand why architectural shingles are considered a better roofing product than asphalt shingles.

  • Beauty. Architectural shingles were designed to be a higher-end version of regular shingles, thus they come in desirable shapes and colors for roofing purposes.
  • Durability. Architectural shingles are practically twice as thick as three-tab shingles. They are also less vulnerable to curling.
  • Increased wind resistance. Architectural shingles weigh approximately 340-440 pounds per square and are rated for wind speeds that are up to eighty to one-hundred and twenty miles per hour.
  • Great manufacturer’s warranties. For architectural shingles, it is not unusual to see forty to fifty-year warranties.

How Many Years Do Architectural Shingles Last?

Apparently, architectural shingles can last as long as twenty-five to thirty years. Architectural shingles are very high-end versions of asphalt shingles and have a correspondingly higher roof lifetime. Both asphalt shingles and architectural shingles seal in the same manner, but architectural shingles are up to three times thicker than normal three-tab shingles.

What is an Architectural Roof Shingle?

As previously alluded to, architectural shingles are very high-quality roofing products. They are composed of a heavy fiberglass mat base and ceramic-coated mineral granules that are embedded in water-resistant asphalt. 

Are Architectural Shingles Harder to Install?

Architectural shingles are heavier than regular shingles, so that will need to be factored into the labor of carrying them up the ladder and assembling them on the roof. Architectural shingles will also need additional roof support due to their increased weight. According to a leading roofing website, it is easier to install architectural shingles than asphalt shingles. This is due to the fact architectural shingles have a double thickness or laminate at the nail line.

When to Replace Architectural Shingles

Are you wondering when the right time is for you to replace your roof’s architectural shingles? If so, it is important to factor in when the roof was installed. An asphalt roof will have a shorter roof lifespan than architectural shingles, and they typically last anywhere from twenty to twenty-five years. In addition, it will be important to ensure that if a roof has been installed over a previous layer of shingles, all shingles are removed from the roof before another roof replacement is applied.

Are Architectural Shingles Asphalt

Usually, architectural shingles are made of a heavy fiberglass mat base and are ceramic-coated with mineral granules. These granules are manufactured to be tightly embedded in intricately refined, water-resistant asphalt.

Which Architectural Shingles

If you are wondering which architectural shingles to select, you are not alone. Choose the right kind of roof that will both service your budget and your home exterior color palette is difficult. Which brand is the best for architectural shingles? Which colors will enable a cooler atmosphere for your roof? For these questions and more, it is urgent that you speak to a project manager from a professional roofing company. A qualified individual will be able to advise you on your best course of action and be able to make any repairs that are needed in the future.

architectural shingles

How are Architectural Shingles Made

Are you wondering how architectural shingles are made? Let’s start first with the basics. In order to make shingles, a roll of organic felt or fiberglass mat is mounted. After that, it is fed into a dry looper. The material is then passed through a presaturation chamber and afterward is placed into a saturator tank that is filled with hot asphalt. This hot asphalt will coat the fibers. If it is deemed necessary, the material will pass through the wet looping machine.

If you would like to discuss architectural shingles in Dallas, TX, the best time is now. You can easily get in touch with us with a quick phone call to 214-295-5500.

How do you build a cool roof?

flat black roof

Keeping your property cool

In Texas, there is something about having a cool roof in summer that sounds so good! A roofing system can reflect the infrared and ultraviolet wavelengths of the hot Texas sun, which reduces heat transfer away from the building. With a higher thermal emittance, it can radiate absorbed, solar energy.

What color roof reflects the most heat? Yes, the color of roofing materials affects the interior temperature of any structure, commercial or homes. In the years past (decades actually), a cool roof would be white or another light color. In the past few years, a change has taken place with the cool roof products for commercial roofing.

Is a black roof hotter? While a dark-colored roof is known to absorb heat, making the roof and immediate space under it warmer, and a light-colored roof does the opposite. A light colored material on the roof, especially a large commercial building, with any type of roofing material can make a significant difference. When you factor in sufficient insulation with how a commercial roof is built, a cool roof comes into the conversation.

What are cool roofs made of?

The cool roof of a commercial building typically has a solar reflectance between 0.20 and 0.35 range. The reflectance of a dark roof however can be 0.05. Because a metallic surface has a low emissivity. Most other roofing materials have a high emissivity.

A cool roof on a commercial building has the same purpose as on a residential property. It reflects the sun’s heat and emits it back to the sky, thus, keeping the commercial building cool. It is the use of two properties: Solar Reflectance and Thermal Emittance. Where solar reflectance is the fraction of solar energy that is reflected by the roof, thermal emittance is the roof surface’s ability to radiate the absorbed heat.

Do Cool Roofs work?

A cool roof will reduce the heat’s thermal radiation back into the atmosphere, creating a convection of heat into exterior air, and the conduction of heat into your commercial building. This urban air temperature is lower and mitigates the effect of urban heat. It will also slow ground level ozone from forming long with reducing smog. A cool roof will provide the building owner cost in energy savings during the summer months.

What are the benefits of a cool roof?

A cool roof is one way to cut back on energy cost for cooling, a big plus in states like Texas where the summers are brutal. It is an eco-friendly method to roofing that uses basic knowledge to create a home more energy-efficient, but there are other cool roof benefits too:

  • Energy Savings: As we’ve already mentioned, this the main benefit, but how does a cool roof save energy expenses? A cool roof doesn’t absorb as much of the sun’s heat, keeping your home cooler, less air conditioning is needed.
  • Eco-Friendly: Another topic we’ve mentioned already; a cool roof is an eco-friendly way to keep a home cooler. How? A cool roof will reduce your home’s need from power plants that create carbon emissions. Electricity consumption creates over thirty percent of carbon emissions! Any drop we can help with helps the Earth and our future.
  • Lessen Power Outages: The more businesses and homes that have a cool roof will use their electricity less, and that will lessen the demands on the power grids. That will minimize the rolling brownouts and power outages.  
  • The Air Temperature: The more structures that have a cool roof installed will reduce the air temperature in an industrial area or neighborhood. That heat is referred to as the urban heat island because there is a lack of natural moisture in densely populated areas. In other words, there are more structures than there are open spaces and vegetation. A non-cool roof can raise the temperature in the air by as much as 90 degrees!
  • Roof Life Expectancy: By decreasing a roof’s temperature with a cool roof instead, you will extend its lifespan.  A dark roof absorbs heat, which stresses the construction and, as a result, shortens its lifespan.
cool roofing metal roofing

A Few More Words on Cool Roof

You may wonder which will help your energy expenses the most, cool roof vs. insulation. Proper ventilation in the attic will provide cooling properties that will extend the life of the shingles on your roof. Insulation, on the other hand, keeps any excess heat from getting past your attic and into your commercial building.

What about cool roof and waterproofing systems? A cool roof, even in the sunlight, has a low surface temperature, which gives a roof a longer lifespan. With waterproofing roofing membranes, the lifespan is even longer.

If being eco-friendly isn’t your main concern, saving money is nothing to ignore. With a cool roof, you’ll save money with cooling expenses and your roof will last longer, saving you on roof replacement too!  If you’re planning to sell your commercial building in the future, a cool roof will be a bonus for potential buyers! For cool roof installation in Dallas, TX, call 214-295-5500 today.

Do I Need to Replace Roof After Hail?

Hail Damage Marked on a Roof.

Do I need to replace roof after hail?

While spring is the most common time for hail in Texas, it can hit almost anytime. Whenever it does, it can leave your roof vulnerable to major damage. While hail damage should always be a concern, whether your roof needs to be replaced will depend on how serious the damage and how long it’s been there. When hail hits your roof, it can just cause minor damage like knocking away granules off your shingles, or it can knock holes in your roof. If your roof has been fully penetrated, you’ll need to replace the whole roof. But, even a few dents and worn away granules can be trouble, especially if water seeps under the shingles and leaks occur. Serious leaks can cause structural deterioration, which could lead you to need a full roof replacement.

One of the most frustrating things about hail damage is that it may not be immediately apparent from the ground. Homeowners sometimes ignore the damage, if it isn’t readily apparent, and this is usually where the trouble begins. If ignored for weeks or months, this is often when leaks develop and more serious structural damage occurs. One of the best ways to find out if you have hail damage, and figure out whether your roof just needs some minor repairs, or if it needs to be replaced, is to call a reputable roofer and get the roof inspected as soon as possible after a hail storm. If your roof has been damaged by hail and you need roof hail damage repair in Dallas, TX, the reputable roofing professionals to rely on are those at Accent Roofing & Construction. Schedule a roof inspection and get an estimate from us by calling 214-295-5500.

What does roof damage from hail look like?

After a hailstorm, hail damage may not be apparent from the ground. That’s why it’s important to go up on the roof to check for damage. Even then, you have to know what you’re looking for. Here are some tips to spot hail damage:

  • Check flashing, metal valleys, and vents for dents. If you’ve had your car dented by hail, you’ll see similar dents in the metal on your roof, and these dents are the first sign of hail damage.
  • Look for dents on the ridge cap. Ridges are the highest point on your roof and often get hit the hardest by hail. Dents are a sure sign of hail damage.
  • Check for cracks, missing granules, or bruising on your shingles. Like bruises on your skin, a bruise on your roof will feel softer and have some give when you place your finger on dimples caused by hail.

Is hail damage repairable

Yes, hail damage to your roof is repairable. To find out how extensive the damage is, get in touch with a reputable roofer like those at Accent Roofing & Construction to inspect the roof and assess the damage. Roofers are trained to spot damage, and we can also provide you with an estimate you can include on an insurance claim. 

Can hail damage a metal roof

One of the advantages of having a metal roof is that it is highly resistant to hail damage. In fact, many metal roofing materials are Class 4 impact resistant. This is the highest damage resistance rating any roofing material can receive. While metal roofs can get dented by hail, they won’t get penetrated, so hail won’t cause leaks on a metal roof.

What size hail will damage a roof?

Depending on what kind of roofing material you have, any size hail could affect your roof. Standard asphalt shingle roofs are probably the most vulnerable, while impact-resistant shingles and metal roofs hold up the best. Still, the smaller the size hail, the less likely it will cause damage or significant damage. Pea-sized hail—about ¼ inch—is unlikely to do any damage. Your roof may also be safe to some extent with marble-sized hail. Once hailstones get bigger than that, the greater the likelihood damage will occur. The bigger the hail is the more likely your roof may also experience wind damage. Wind is pivotal in the formation of hail, and the bigger the hailstones, the stronger the wind will be. No matter the size of the hail, it’s still good to inspect your roof afterward for any damage. You don’t want to be caught off guard later on by leaks or structural damage caused by hail earlier in the year.

How long do you have to report hail damage to your roof?

Because hail damage is hard to spot, you may wonder when to claim hail damage on your roof if you’ve just discovered it. With hail, the sooner the better because the faster the damage is repaired, the better. But, you are in luck when it comes to insurance claims. Most insurance companies give you a year from the hail event to report the damage. Always check with your individual insurer to make certain what your policy covers. 

Do I have to pay a deductible for hail damage to my roof?

Generally, almost all insurance policies require a deductible to be paid before a repair is covered. Hail damage is no exception. Normally, with hail, the deductible will vary depending on where you live. States like Texas that have high incidences of hail will often have higher deductibles. Again, checking with your insurer is always the best way to find out about what’s covered and how much deductibles will cost.

A Shingle Damaged by Hail

Hail damage repair near me

When hail has damaged your roof and you need hail damage repair in Dallas, TX, the professionals to turn to are those at Accent Roofing & Construction. We offer a complete range of roofing solutions and fast, effective repairs. Find out more or schedule our services by calling 214-295-5500.

Why Roofers Should Invest in SEO

As a roofing company, we understand the importance of marketing our brand online. For this reason, we chose to invest in SEO services to improve our online presence. Investing in SEO for roofers has its pros and cons, which mostly depends on which SEO company you choose to trust. Many factors can determine which SEO companies are trustworthy, but some to remember are reviews, reputation, and their own website’s performance.

Is SEO Worthwhile for Roofing?

As a Dallas-based roofer, we found that SEO is definitely worthwhile. Since we service a major city in Texas, we know that competition is fierce. Ranking for keywords is important and SEO helps us achieve our online goals. Of course, some companies in smaller areas may be able to get similar results without paying for a service. It really just depends on how comfortable you are with online marketing and the degree of your company’s goals. Here are some of the things we focused on.

Accent Roofing GMB Profile

Google Maps

At Accent Roofing, our goal was to show up on Google Maps for specific keywords. Our agency optimized our Google My Business profile so that we would have a greater chance of showing up. Of course, we did our part by generating high-quality reviews from satisfied customers. To some degree, Maps rankings depends on your city’s map location, but you can maximize your exposure within your service area. We even use a tool that allows us to perform job site check-ins with embedded schema markup for visibility.

Google Search

Of course, the goal of SEO is to show up on Google search results, and we’ve been pleased with our progress since investing in SEO services. We show up for keywords like flat roof repair in Dallas, and lots of other similar terms. While the rankings themselves are great, we understand that converting traffic into qualified leads requires a strong landing page too. We look at the SEO process as an all-encompassing process of lead generation for our company. Seeing our brand show up on search results for various keywords definitely helps with credibility online.

Website SEO

We spoke a bit about landing pages completing the SEO process, but a lot of things go into website performance. For example, a fast-loading website appeals to users more than those that force them to wait over 3 seconds. Secondly, prominent calls to action make it easy for interested consumers to contact our roofing company and schedule an appointment. Also, easy navigation, specifically on mobile devices, ensures that interested users don’t drop out because of the difficulty of use.

Final Thoughts on Search Engine Optimization

At Accent Roofing, we believe SEO is helpful for achieving our business goals. While SEO is not required to appear on Google search results, competitive markets invest a lot into their online presence. To compete in a saturated service area, investing in search optimization makes great sense. We know that asking customers where they find us is a great way to see how our SEO is helping our company thrive in 2021.

Is a Metal Roof Worth It?

Metal roof edge

What are the advantages of a metal roof?

Roofers are always looking to offer homeowners with the best roofing options that will efficiently protect their roof and last them with a long working lifespan. One such option exists in the form of metal roofing. An occasionally misunderstood and extremely popular form of roofing that benefits Americans across the country, metal roofing has various benefits that not only make it superior to traditional forms of roofing but also helps your house as well. Such advantages include:

  • Storm resistance
  • Reflects sunlight
  • Lifespan of up to fifty years
  • Fire resistant
  • Wind resistant
  • Energy efficient 
  • Superior customization 

By function, a modern metal roof has several advantages that metal roofing used years ago do not. A metal roof has historically been capable against things like hail and wind, bouncing off the impact better than asphalt shingles. Furthermore, the metal material helps your air conditioning unit by actually making your home cooler in the warmer months. Metal roofing can bring your home many more advantages that will help it last longer and allow you to live easier.

Do you put gutters on a metal roof?

Gutters can go on any home with a roof, that includes those with metal roofing. That is if the gutters can attach to the fascia and get bracketed to hold it steady. Gutters should be close to the edge of the roof by being held high on the fascia so as to make the system as efficient as possible. Furthermore, a metal roof can be superior to other forms of roofing due to water and debris flowing off of the roof faster thanks to the slick surface. 

That said, gutters are not necessarily a requirement for homeowners with a metal roof. This is due to a metal roof being highly resistant to what a gutter prevents. The gutter itself is meant to move rainwater from the roof and help with the natural flow that happens during storms. A metal roof naturally does that, so a gutter may be much better suited to gathering rainwater or moving it to a specific location if a gutter system were to be installed. 

This is the case for metal roofing installation over a shingled roof as well, which is an absolutely possible thing. While installing a metal roof over shingles will grant the house a superior toughness to the elements, it will also build the chance of moisture getting trapped inside. Furthermore, repairs to such a roof would be more expensive due to the layering a roofer would have to go through if there were a leak or heavy damaging.

Do metal roofs make houses hotter?

Metal roofing installation has more than a couple of misconceptions about how it can affect parts of normal living. For example, as mentioned a metal roof makes a home cooler in warmer months rather than the other way around. This is because metal roofing reflects radiant sunlight away and does not absorb as much energy as a normal roof does. This helps your air conditioner and home overall be more energy efficient. That is by way of the metal roof helping the installed HVAC system to keep the area at a better temperature-controlled state. When a home is cooler, other electrical appliances do not have to work as hard and do not short out as often. 

A similar misconception is found when people assume that a metal roof is loud when it rains. In fact, a metal roof is quieter than most roofs thanks to the deck beneath the roofing. While it may make some noise on the exterior of the home, it is not nearly as loud as older models. Residents with a metal roof installed will have no problems with the noise when the weather turns to rain.

Do metal roofs affect cell phone reception?

Metal roofing by no means affects a cellular signal inside your home due to it having no materials that work against such signals built into the panels used to create your roof. However, homes with weaker signals may experience an amplification in the spots that have weak and strong services. However, a homeowner that is interested in a metal roof will want to get a stronger wifi connection due to how the material reacts with that specific material. With a wifi system being similar to radio, metal tends to disrupt the signal sent out wirelessly. That is why we recommend a home that has a hard-wired system to compliment the wireless system if the signal is not strong enough.

metal roof

Can you power wash a metal roof?

Depending on how accessible the roof is to a person, a light level power washing is absolutely capable of cleaning a metal roof. Keep in mind however that too high of power from a power washer will cause damage to metal roofing and open the interior up to damages such as leaks. That is why it is recommended to use anything from a low-level power wash to a bucket and some soap. If you want more information on metal roofing, call 214-295-5500 today and learn how Accent Roofing & Construction can help you.