Roofing Options and Tips For Homeowners of Today

Your roofing system has gone well past just being a protection from the sun and rain. A superbly installed one can spell the difference between maximized functionality and luxurious comfort or not. Meticulous maintenance could considerably extend the life of your roofs thus keeping you and the rest of the household as snug as a bug in the rug in the longest possible time. Other than these functions, a good looking and great working roofing can be among your win-win investments in your New York home. This and a whole lot more makes learning your options and some helpful tips about it essential.

When we talk about roof construction, this also comprises how the space from the ceiling is bridged, the method of support used, and all the additions that keep it as good looking as it is functional. The slope is an important part of the design as it would help in directing potentially damaging water from downpour into the drainage. Drainage is the system of gutters, drainpipes, waterspouts, valleys and waterheads that further protects the roof from any water-caused damages and keeps downpour away from the walls and the rest of the foundation. And added insulation to the outer layer keeps things inside the house as comfortable as possible.

Planning on a roof replacement or having a new home built requires homeowners to take careful considerations in sifting through their roofing options.

The material you choose will determine not only the aesthetic appeal in relation to the overall design of the house but also how durable, how long its life will be and the level of maintenance that it would require. Your roofing alternatives for your New York home range from clay tiles, wood shakes, asphalt shingles, rubber lookalike slate, precast concrete, laminated glass to aluminum sheeting. Engineered materials are also taking spotlight by offering not only attractiveness but fire-proof choices as well.

Increased social, environmental, and economic awareness has also brought cool roofing as a viable solution even for your New York City living needs. This innovative and environment-conscious choice also has different types including green roofs, coated roofs and white vinyl roofs.

• A green roof refers to that with vegetation growing atop. Though this option requires adequate waterproofing systems and poses more demanding structural standards, it also has a good set of benefits. It can reduce cooling and heating costs, filter pollutants, prevent noise pollution, reduce water runoffs, and increase the lifespan of your roofing system.

• As the name suggests, coated roofs are those painted with highly reflective and emissive coatings. These green construction products are typically white paint which owes their reflective and insulating properties to the addition of glass.

• White vinyl roofing systems is made from thermoplastic that is capable of reflecting the suns rays thus emitting a good amount of solar radiation. With less heat that the roof absorbs, your air-conditioning system will not be as strained.

But whichever type of roofing system you choose for your New York home, whether you opt to go green or get traditional, proper installation is crucial. This makes your choice of roofing contractor a vital one. It also pays to always keep your roof in good condition so stick to a regular evaluation and maintenance.

Eugene Makeev uses his skills and expertise to help home owners in Brooklyn, Long Island, Queens, Manhattan, and Staten Island avoid the common New York contractors pitfalls by matching their needs with prescreened Roofers NYC.

Feel free to use our Roofing Estimator.

Avoiding Roofing Repair Scams

In a May 2009 report, the "Denver Post" reported that "400 Coloradoans [had been] taken in [a] roof-repair scam." This article shed light on a problem that unsuspecting homeowners across the country face every single day: Not all contractors-roofing or otherwise-are who they claim to be.

Sad but true, consumers must take a proactive stance and investigate the (so-called) professionals they hire before putting down a cash deposit, or worse, paying in full for a home repair upfront. Of course, faced with an emergency situation like a leaky roof in the midst of a snowy January or a downpouring April, such detective work often falls by the wayside. In a rush to get the job done, many a homeowner will fall for what might otherwise present itself as an obvious money-robbing scheme.

In the case of the scammed Coloradoans, a roofing company approached "residents about inspecting their roof for possible damage, according to a news release from the Sheriff's Department." In other words, the victimized individuals were sought out instead of doing the seeking, thereby giving them plenty of opportunity to do their research before swallowing the crafty bait hook, line and sinker.

Here's how the roofing repair scam played out.

1. A representative from the alleged roof repairer "asks the homeowner to sign a release prior to inspecting the roof, explaining the release is a normal, routine procedure."
2. When signed by the homeowner, the form allows the scamming roofing contractor "to act as an agent for the homeowner regarding the roof."
3. "Once workers inspect the roof and find damage, they inform the homeowner that their homeowner's insurance will cover the repairs."
4. The roofing scam artist then "instructs the homeowner to ask their insurance company to have an adjuster come to the home to estimate the cost of the repairs."
5. The insurance company performs the estimate and "sends a check for the repair work."
6. Once the roofing scammers convince the victim to sign "the check over to [them] to begin repair work," they slink away without ever completing the repairs.

How can you avoid become the victim of a roof repair scam like this one? Hire a professional roofing contractor who can offer proven experience, a written estimate and worry-free installation. To make sure you're choosing the best roof repair company, arm yourself with a checklist before you sign a contract ... no matter how desperate you are or how urgent the repair work is.

At a minimum, that checklist should answer the following questions.

1. Does the roofing contractor have a good reputation?
2. Does the roofing contractor have adequate insurance coverage?
3. Does the roofing contractor know, explain and comply with local building codes?
4. Does the roofing contractor commit to supervise the job during all phases of work and inspect it completely when finished?

If the answer to any of these questions is no, stop and reconsider hiring them. The best way to vindicate yourself against a scam artist is not to become a victim in the first place.

Tom Schlund is Projects Manager for Franciscus Roofing, a Cleveland roofing company. For more information on choosing a [http://www.franciscusroofing.com/how.cfm]roofing contractor, visit the Franciscus website, http://www.franciscusroofing.com