When your roof finally comes of age, and it’s time to re-shingle and replace it, many people don’t understand what they are trying to evaluate. Many people think that shingles are shingles and may pick them based on the style or color. However, they may not know why some shingles are recommended for their house or area over others. You should ask your roofing contractor a lot of questions about shingle types and what’s best for your house style and the area where you live. You should be well informed when you step up to bat to put a cap on your house.

You should consider these structural factors

Weight limits of your house

While shingles are often seen as light compared to the components of the rest of the house, the fact is that they are frequently a considerable portion of the mass of a house. Not all houses are built to support all types of shingles. The weight limit of most typical house roofs is around 15 pounds per square foot of roof, which is a reasonably robust but not infinite amount of weight. Some heavier types of shingles can easily exceed this mark, and older houses that haven’t been kept up properly could shudder and shake under that kind of weight.

So, knowing the per-square-foot weight limit of your roof is going to be a large part of making the right choice to keep your home dry and standing for years to come.The slope and pitch of your roof

First off, let’s make sure we’re understanding these terms correctly. The slope of your roof is the amount the roof rises in inches for each foot of its depth into the house, so a house with a roof that rises one inch per foot would have a very shallow slope, whereas one that rises eight inches per foot would be incredibly steep. The slope is expressed as a ratio, 1:12 for the first house and 8:12 for the second.

The pitch of a roof is a fraction that represents the rise of the whole roof from edge to peak over the entire span of the roof. So, a roof that was 100 feet in span that rose 10 feet up would have a pitch of 10/100 or 1/10.

Depending on the pitch and slope of your roof, certain types of shingles might not be appropriate for your house. Larger clay and stone shingles, for example, might slide right off a steeper roof or have trouble staying in place in the long term. Again, this is something you should know before you go shopping to avoid setting your sights on something that’s not available for your home.

Environmental factors to consider

Where your home is in the world and what the environment is like will have a significant impact on what types of shingles you want to protect your roof. For example, a set of shingles that works beautifully for houses in a dry, warm climate like the Southwest might be inappropriate for a house that has to endure the cold winters and snow of the Mideast. Likewise, different kinds of tiles will provide different benefits and last different amounts of time depending on where you are in the world. So, it’s worth taking a beat to plan that out for yourself.

How much snow and rainfall does your region have each year?

The amount of snow or rain that falls on your roof is going to determine how appropriate certain types of shingles are for your area. For example, wood shingling will be better suited for a drier climate than most asphalt, rubber, or plastic roofs will be due to the increased pressure from bugs and mold that is going to be applied to even the best antifungally treated wood shakes.

A large amount of freezing and thawing will put a lot of strain on clay or stone roofs that would otherwise last an incredibly long time. So, while it won’t make them useless, it’s essential to recognize how precipitation is going to inform the longevity of your purchase.Are moisture and algae a problem in your neighborhood?

In a similar vein, different colors and materials are better equipped to deal with algal growth in moister areas where that’s likely to be an issue. It’s worth looking around your neighborhood to see whose roofs look the best in your local environment. It’s hard to beat the information you’ll get from looking at an older roof in your area because their owners have made similar choices and their roofs have been subjected to the same pressures yours will face.Winds—how high are they where you live?

If your area is subject to high winds, as in coastal environments or the Midwest, it’s worth considering whether your shingles might actually just blow away. Lighter types of shingles, such as plastic shingles or light metal roof panels, can be snatched up by fierce winds and tossed away. This makes it very worthwhile to invest in heavier shingles that will stay tightly latched to the roof and is one of the reasons slate and clay tiles are frequently so popular in coastal areas.The temperature range in your area

Last, the temperature of your environment is going to have a considerable impact on your choice. In hotter environments, clay and stone shingles can have significant cooling properties, which can help keep your house comfortable in hot summers but might make them less than ideal for places with sharp, brutal winters. The color of your shingles can also modify this a great deal, with darker shingles absorbing more heat from the sun and retaining it through the day, while brighter colors reflect more of the heat away from your house.

Make sure that you consider your house’s environment as you think about what you want it to look like.

Lifestyle factors to consider

A roof is more than just the hat that keeps your house warm. It’s also one of the most obvious statements that your house makes to people who visit you. So, it has to match the style of your house, and it has to look good with the color of the house.

Style

A house that has a hyper-modern aesthetic might struggle not to clash with slate roofing or wood shakes. Your house is the most significant stylistic choice you make in your life, and you don’t want to purchase something that makes it look questionable. That said, if your roof has a higher pitch, you have more visible surface area to play with, and the flatter your roof is, the less visually important the color of the roof is likely to be.

If you have a flat roof, a duller color could let the eye focus elsewhere, and a sharper color could be harder to pull off. In contrast, a taller roof gives you the opportunity to strike out with a color or tone with your choice of shingles.Neighborhood blend

You also want to make sure that your choice is not going to cause problems with your neighbors or make your house stand out in a bad way. For example, being the only house with bright orange clay tiles in your neighborhood could be lovely, but if it’s a clash with the houses around it, an otherwise lovely-looking roof could be made to look gauche.Maintenance needs

Certain types of roofs, most notably wood, clay, and slate, all require more constant maintenance and attention to keep them in order. If you’re not going to be happy to be taking care of your roof in a more active way, then perhaps these might be more of a headache than you actually want to deal with.

Costs

Finally, we get to brass tacks and cost. Depending on how long you plan on staying in your current home, certain purchases may simply not make sense. For example, you can pay more for much more longevity on your roof, with some stone roofs getting up to 200 years of durability with proper maintenance, but if you’re not planning to hand your house on to your heirs, it may not make complete sense to pay for a century of use that you’re not going to use. Similarly, solar tiles are a potential boon to a homeowner, but the precise economics of them may or may not make sense for a particular homeowner.

TypeCost per Square (100 sq./ft.)LifespanAsphalt$350 – $50020 yearsRubber or Plastic$550 – $1,10030 yearsMetal Panels$600 – $1,20050 yearsWood Shingles or Shakes$80030-40 years based on maintenanceSolar Tiles$2,100 – $2,500 (additional electrical wiring costs)30 yearsStone and Slate$1,50070-200 years based on maintenanceClay$1,50050-100 years based on maintenance

Now you’re armed to go forward and shop for a new roof, knowing what you need to get started on the journey of picking a roof that will keep you dry and warm for at least the next twenty years.

The post Choosing the Right Shingles for Your Roof appeared first on Mr Roof.

Steven Bland

www.ameristainroofing.com

Everyone loves the warm glow of Christmas lights in the dark months of the year. However, setting them up correctly can be a daunting task if you don’t approach it with a plan. To make things easier, we’re sharing some tips for setting up your yuletide display for success.

Plan your design and make your budget

When you are starting a project like this, it’s an excellent first step to establish a budget. You want to make sure that your joyous display is something that’s going to continue to spark joy, not something that you finished over your estimate. Going in, knowing your number is going to make sure that you’re happy with your result.

As you’re looking around your property, you’re going to want to know how much a given area will need. A good rule of thumb is that you’ll need 100 lights for every 1.5 feet of tree or shrub that you’re hanging, and you can use a similar figure for covering 1.5 square feet of roof or siding. This will help you get your head around how much design you have to play within your budget.

Where are you going to place your lights?

When you’re placing your Christmas lights, you want to start by establishing a few features of your house or property that are going to be focal points of your design. Many houses are asymmetrical or weighted more heavily on one side or the other, which is frequently offset by the architect with architectural or landscape features, but the asymmetry may look awkward if you just light up everything.

Good places for focal points tend to be windows, large trees, door frames, pillars, posts, and the eaves but try to pick only one or two to focus around and leave the other areas less fully populated to emphasize the places where you’ve put in the work. Window boxes and planters that you already have are also usually instinctively placed around these areas and can be lit up to accent the features they’re near. If you’re hanging and you feel like something’s off-balance, don’t be afraid to subtract lights from the side that feels too heavy. Taking away something is free, but adding more things can be a lot of work while only making the problem worse.

Carefully choose the lights you plan to hang

Your power supply and the type of lights you choose can also determine how much lighting you can afford in your design. For example, a lot of people favor incandescent bulbs for their warm glow. However, these lights tend to overheat if left on for an extended time, and you are only likely to be able to attach three to six light strands per outlet, which means that you have to be more strategic in your placement and more attentive to when you turn them off.

If you are looking to be more ambitious with your lighting designs, it’s likely that you’ll want to go with LED string lights, which can fit up to 25 strands per outlet on most standard circuits. They also don’t overheat as much and are much more energy efficient. However, regardless of which type you choose, you want to make sure to buy all your lights in a single type or color at a time as year-to-year variations in manufacture can lead to mismatched lights, which will make your display less peaceful.

For expanding beyond your initial wiring system, there are weatherproof battery-powered light packs of both varieties. However, these need frequent maintenance, and you’ll want to make sure you have backup rechargeable batteries on hand to keep those lights running night in and night out. Otherwise, a significant portion of your carefully plotted design could go down.

Numerous lighting styles are available

For different effects, you may want to pick different sizes of lights. The largest lights are C9 Christmas lights (1¼ inches diameter and 2½ inches tall), while smaller ones are available down to C7 (¾ inch diameter and 1⅛ inches tall). Of course, a bigger light will provide brighter output and fill more space, so plan for the size of your light as you’re considering applications.

For roof lines, overhangs, and peaks, there are some styles that you might consider as an accent instead of a simple outline. For example, icicle and raindrop lights hang down in chains from a single line that attaches to the gutter or the drip edge and give a nice cascade effect in these areas.

It’s also worth considering whether you want to have twinkling or stationary lights. With programmable lights, the motion of light displays can get quite intricate. However, some people find these effects to be overwhelming. So be judicious about using them and consider exactly how much of your house or tree you want to be dancing. Done right, it can be lovely, while done wrong, it can be a bit much.

Don’t forget to gather all the tools you’ll need

Once you’ve got your design in place, you want to double check that you have the appropriate tools for the job. One of the first things you need to check is that all of your extension cords and lights are UL rated for outdoor use. If a light display isn’t safe, it will not be very effective at bringing peace and joy.

You’re also going to be working upon an elevated surface, so in addition to making sure that your extension ladder is in good repair, you’re also going to want to invest in a tool belt or over-the-shoulder bag. This ensures that your hands can remain free while climbing. You’ll also want your sturdiest and best traction shoes to make sure you stay ON the roof.

In your kit, you should avoid nails or staples whenever possible at all, instead of opting for plastic clips. There are a few different kinds of plastic clips which attach to the edge of shingles without going under or to the dripline or gutter.  Some of these clips combine simple hooks or latching hooks, and there are specific roof peak clips that attach to the side of the shingle while sitting on top of it. These will make removal easy come spring and prevent you from punching holes in the roof. Clips are generally sized to go with the size of your bulbs, so make sure you know whether you’re using C7 or C9 clips.

For vertical spaces like windows, columns, or the side of your house, there are adhesive clips that stick to the surface and allow you to hang lights vertically up the side of the building. These are great as for many applications. You can put them up without even getting on a ladder, and they let you adorn otherwise unavailable spaces.

Last, it’s very smart to invest in app-controlled smart plugs or timer plugs that will save on your electricity bill and prevent you from leaving them on. If you’re using a smart plug, make sure your internet is secured, as you don’t want to find out if you have a mischief-maker in the neighborhood.

Check roof condition and the weather forecast

When you’re ready to head up there, the first thing you absolutely need to check is what the weather is going to be. You should never work on a roof when it’s wet or uncleared, and you should plan to be up there for a few good hours, so check the weather report and look around at the clouds.

Get someone to help you

You have to have someone with you to hold your extension ladder as you head up after you’ve secured and leveled it. People hurt themselves every year by not asking someone to just do this one small thing, but you don’t have to be one of them.

Line up your lights

Untangle your lights on the ground, not up on the roof, and take the time to inspect and test each line. You’re going to be much better equipped to fix any problems with the lines and detect any fraying, loose bulbs, or damage when you’re not also trying to stay up on the roof. Once they’re untangled, carefully coil and pack them so that they come out of the bag or off the shoulder cleanly.

Clips need to go on first

As most people are rarely on their roof, you want to take the time to set up your clips first and make sure that you’re setting the shingles back correctly with no gaps underneath. Then, after that’s all set, you can return to string the lights knowing that you did the first job correctly.

Now that you have your lights all fixed up, you can enjoy their glow all season long, knowing that you’ve set yourself up for success and that come spring packing the kit away won’t be a huge problem. Of course, it’s also worth taking time to inspect your lines when they come down and to stow them away as untangled as you can get them.

The post How to Hang Christmas Lights Correctly appeared first on Mr Roof.

Steven Bland

www.ameristainroofing.com