Archives for October 2020

Better roofing standards to protect against wildfires

October 27, 2020 by Infinite Roofing Leave a Comment

The year 2020 has been filled with terrible wildfires in the west, in areas that were not considered to be in the “danger zone,” such as Oregon, Washington and parts of California. Unfortunately these fires are still raging in many of these areas which resulted in destruction and evacuations. Many believe the top priority should be put on being better prepared and enforcing roofing materials to protect against wildfires.

California updated its residential fire code for building new construction in early 2008, requiring fire-resistant roofs, siding and other safeguards. This has protected 51% of the new construction homes built after 2008 that were in the path of wildfires. In contrast to the 12,100 homes built prior to 2008 with only 18% avoiding destruction. Many other states that are affected by wildfires have yet to consider adopting the same fire codes as California. The metal roofing alliance (MRA) is leading the trade organization to adopt the basic standard and create incentives to help homeowners protect their homes against wildfires in certain states and regions.

The most important factor to provide and protect against wildfires starts with how a home or building is constructed and designed. This all determines the behavior of wildland fires. Implementing mandates such as fire-resistant roofs, siding and other safeguards, help people and homes survive. Research supports that homes built after 2008 sustained far less damage than home prior. In areas such as the Gulf Coast that have been devastated by destructive hurricanes have had to learn hard lessons in the need to build homes that are more resilient to severe climates. Miami Dade is the first in Florida to certify hurricane resistant standards for structures which the Florida Building Code subsequently enacted across all requirements for Hurricane resistant buildings. It is important for the west coast to adopt a similar mindset for regional climate conditions for homeowners in wildfire prone areas.

Homes with fire-resistant materials vs Homes without

Your home’s roof is the most vulnerable part for ignition in the presence of a wildfire, certain materials like quality metal for a roofing system are essential. Metal roofs have a Class A rating for fire resistance and living in wildfire prone areas it can make or break you. Building materials that are fire resistant are not particularly expensive and when you factor in how long a metal roof will last you, it is definitely worth every penny. You should consult with your local roofing company to see what you can do to upgrade your home with fire-resistant materials.

Recent studies show that a new home built completely to wildfire resistant codes can be built for roughly the same cost as the typical home, and much less costly than potential fire damage. Fires are still raging on the West Coast so they are still being assessed, but the MRA urges builders and local officials to help better prepare homeowners for future wildfire seasons.

Mandate fire-resistant building materials

Similar to California, populations located in wildland areas have grown and continue to grow in recent years. These homes are located near flammable vegetation close to forested areas, raising a constant threat of wildfire destruction to land and homes. Newer standards that mandate fire-resistant roofing systems discourage potentially flammable materials like asphalt shingles and wooden shakes. It should be mandatory that every local roofing company in fire prone areas, educates their customers on fire-resistant materials, better roofing standards and strictly enforce the use of them.

Incentives to improve fire safety

Low interest loans, tax credits, local grants and other incentives are available in some areas to help people living in locations threatened by wildfires. Some owners of older homes that do not have the means to make fire-resistant upgrades on their own, so these incentives are a huge help. In 2009 California passed an ordinance declaring that a wood shake roofing system is a severe fire hazard. They then offered a cash incentive to replace their roof with a fire-resistant version and $4,500 to do so. Now because of this, the amount of wood shake roofs are very rare and no new home is built without a fire-resistant roofing system.

Providing education about fire safety

Communities that live in fire prone areas need to better educate their people on better roofing standards, the most resilient maintenance, home improvement, and preparation planning for fire season. There are many ways to help increase the odds that your family and home will be protected during a wildfire. There are various free resources from insurance companies that have a history in dealing with wildfires and in your local communities. “As we witness the horrible destruction wildfires have and are causing, the more we can do as an industry and community to help homeowners protect themselves against these increasing threats, the better,” said Ramey. “Investing in preventative measures now that help decrease risks is essential to guarding against costly devastation and suffering in the future.” (Ramey, MRA executive director)

Preparing your home for a wildfire

Even if you have purchased top of the line Class A fire-resistant roofing and home materials, sometimes nothing can prevent a wildfire from approaching your home. In these cases there are some tips to prepare your home and family for what could be coming. We suggest creating a home evacuation checklist to ensure you don’t forget anything, in the case that you and your family will need to evacuate your home. On this checklist we suggest having:

An evacuation bag ready to go ASAP
Make sure to know your communities emergency response plan to map out routes to drive
Shut all windows and doors of the house
Remove flammable curtains and window shades
Shut off your gas at the meter and be sure pilot lights are off
Leave your lights on in the house so firefighters can see your home in smoky areas
Shut off your air conditioning
Turn off your propane tanks outside and move BBQ away from the house
Connect garden hoses to outside valves and make sure water is on for firefighters to use
Do not leave water sprinkler on outside, it affects critical water pressure needed
If you have a ladder leave it against your home in the case that firefighters need to go on your roof quickly
Seal your attic vent with plywood
Clean up leaves and flammable debris
Continuously check your property and surrounding areas, do not wait for an official evacuation order, if you feel it’s time to go, the GO!
Check on your close neighbors and of course your pets

Financing Options For Your Roof Replacement

October 19, 2020 by Infinite Roofing Leave a Comment

If it’s time for a new roof or significant repairs, you may not be able to cover all the costs out-of-pocket. The average cost of a roof replacement is around $8,000 according to HomeAdvisor and of course this price is dependent upon which roofing materials your choose, and the size of your roof. Most Albany roofing companies require a half down deposit in order to get on the job schedule. So even if your roof replacement costs you $8,000 half down would mean $4,000 cash. This is still pretty steep for most people, not everyone has thousands of dollars laying around to toss at a new roof. If this is true to you and your situation, do not worry! You have many other options to choose from to make your roofing dreams come true.

Some Albany roofing companies offer their customers financing plans or you may even consider applying for a home equity loan. We will provide you with information on the most popular options available to you, for securing a new roof and ways to finance it. Of course we are only here to educate you on what options there are to finance a new roof, and you should always consult with a financial advisor to better understand your personal options.

First Get Quotes or Roofing Estimates

Before you take out a loan or investigate your roof financing options, you need to see how much the roof will actually cost you. The first thing you want to do is google the best roofing companies in your local area. Read all of the roofing company’s reviews, look at their social media pages, and get a better idea who these people are. If everything checks out, their work is clean and beautiful, they have glowing reviews, and post consistently about their work, its then time to schedule an estimate.

Most Albany roofing companies will come out and give you a free estimate, as long as you are the owner of the house and the house is not for sale. If you do not meet these criteria then you may be charged anywhere from $100-200 for the service. Why do they charge you if your home is for sale? Well because if they are paying an estimator to come out to your home, give you a roofing quote, and you decide to use that quote as a discount off the house being sold and not get the roof done, that now costs the company money. If you do decide to pay for an estimating service and want to get your roof done by them, that $200 comes off the price of your new roof.

Obtain 3 Estimates

Now you have 3 roofing estimates to look over, are they significantly different? Chances are they are going to be pretty similar in price, we do suggest that you do not just go with the cheapest estimate. You get what you pay for especially with roofing contractors, the last thing you want is to have your roof done cheaply and pay another roofing company to come and fix mistakes. The roof is arguably the most important portion of your home, it protects you and your family so be sure the get the job done right the first time. Going with the cheapest roofing quote can end up costing you much more in the long run. Find the best roofing company in your area with great reviews, or word of mouth references.

Ways to Secure Financing

Once you have made a list of finding ways to finance your roof replacement, you want to figure out the lowest interest rate. This will help you pay the least amount for a new roof or repair. If you think you can pay off the debt quicker than its term, you can choose an option with no prepayment penalties. Some lenders will charge a prepayment penalty so check with you bank and be sure you won’t be charged fees for early payoff.

When considering your roof financing options remember to not only check interests rates associated with the loan but also other costs that can be included. Knowing how long it will take you to secure the funds is very important, if you have an urgent repair problem or reroof that must be scheduled, you might not have time to wait for funds. Your local roofing contractor can tell you how urgent your repair or reroof is, and if it is too risky waiting to secure a more favorable financing option.

Roof Financing Options

Personal Line of credit
Home equity loans
Homeowner’s insurance policy
Credit cards
FHA loan
Roofer financing
Roof financing at home improvement stores
Other government options

Personal Line of Credit

If you’re looking into a loan for your roof, the best option is opening a personal line of credit. This option tends to have a low interest rate along with low monthly payments. Your bank might offer lines of credit specifically for home improvements, by offering collateral will help keep interest low. Don’t assume you must stick with your own personal bank, you can reach out to others banks who might offer lower rates on home loans.

Home Equity Loan

HELOC, or home equity lines of credit or loans, are two of the best choices for roof financing options. If you don’t have the best credit or want to minimize your interest rate this is a good choice for you. By using your home as collateral you have better chances to negotiate a lower interest rate than compared to other loans. There are some fine print things to keep in mind with this roof financing option, you’ll need to have equity built up in your home to take advantage of this.

Home equity loans are somewhat different and more flexible in allowing more money to be withdrawn over a period of time, and lengthening the time in which you need to pay the entire amount back. Every person is different and their circumstances will dictate if a HELOC or home equity loan is a better fit. If you have multiple home improvement projects then a HELOC loan could be a better fit for you, but if you’re just looking for a quick new roof then a home equity loan is a less expensive option. As always it is best to review your personal finances and options with your financial advisor who can give a more detailed list of options for you.

Homeowners Insurance Policy

Before securing roof financing options, you need to determine if your homeowners policy offers coverage for any damage to your roof. If your insurance agency will cover only part of the cost, then you’ll need to find other financing options. Your local roofing contractor can tell you if the damage done to your roof was storm or weather related, or if there is another cause contributing to the need of a repair or replacement. If you think you roof will be covered by your insurance company, start with filing a claim before you begin and repairs or replacements.

Credit Cards

Credit Cards

Most Albany roofing companies will take credit cards, but not all of them so be sure to ask. If your local roofing contractor does accept credit cards be aware that they may charge you a fee in doing so. When a roofing company offers the use of credit cards, they are usually charged a fee anywhere for 3-6%. They might make you pay the entire fee or split it with you. If you think you’ll be able to pay off the full cost of your roof replacement, then you won’t need to worry about the interest rate. If you think it will take you some time to pay it off, then make sure to find out exactly how much interest you’re looking at.

The typical cost of an average sized roof with no compilations costs roughly around $7,000, if put on a credit card with a 15% interest rate could cost you $200 per month. If you only paid the minimum amount of $200 per month you would end up paying an extra $3,000 on top of cost for your roof. Of course that exact cost is dependent of your credit card company, and paying more than the minimum will reduce that interest.

FHA Loan

Unlike HELOC you do not need to have equity in your home in order to qualify for this loan, as long as it is less than $7,500. FHA loan offers fixed rates and no minimum credit score or income requirement. To qualify for this loan you must meet these criteria; you must own the house, you must have occupied the home for at least 90 days, the loan can only be sued for a roof replacement or repair, and your debt to income ratio must be under 45%. This type of loan is more accommodating for the average homeowner.

Roofer Financing

Some larger roofing companies off payment plans for their customers. They realize that many people cannot afford their work unless they help with financing options. If you do decide to use their roof financing options be sure to check out their reviews.

Roofer Financing at Home Improvement Stores

Some home improvement stores like Lowe’s and home depot offer loans for home improvement projects. There is a purchase requirement of $2,000 or more, and also be aware that store credit cards do not cover the cost of labor. These types of cards are used most often by homeowners who are doing roofing projects themselves or with help of friends and family.

Other Government Options

An FHA loan is the most popular government financing option, but there are others. FHA 203K loan is a great option if you have some equity in your home and need financing on a larger project. The loan minimum is $35,000, which will allow you to get top quality materials and work done on your home. Once disbursed the loan is then added to your mortgage and payments.

What Is The Best Way to Finance Your Roof?

Each person has different circumstances that determine the best method to financing a roofing project. Getting the most amount with the smallest interest is the goal, be sure to check all of your options to get the best rate.

Should metal roofs be grounded?

October 7, 2020 by Infinite Roofing Leave a Comment

When you decide it is time for your home or commercial building’s roof to be done, you have many options available to choose from. Shingles, rubber, and metal are among the most popular choices of roofing materials, and each tailor to different needs. Shingles take the lead for most sought after roofing material on residential homes but metal is becoming a popular choice. Metal was reserved for warehouses, factories, and sheds in the 1850’s, and in recent years people have been enjoying the sleekness it adds to their homes.

Metal roofs offer a long list of benefits that include its longevity of 40-70 years, a wide range of colors, its durability, energy efficiency, and value it can add to your home. Of course with all the positive attributes a metal roof adds, there are some cons to think about. The cost of labor, insurance, and materials have gone up and continue to rise each year. What does this mean for you? Well a metal roof is expensive, but if you are looking for a roofing system to install once and not have to ever again, then a metal roof is for you.

The reality is that no matter what you choose for a roofing system it will be costly, so it’s best to figure out how to get the most bang for your buck, and the most years. Seeking out the best roofing company in your area that specializes in metal roofing is a must. Metal is more complex than laying down shingles so you don’t want to cheap out on a roofing crew that doesn’t know what they are doing.

Now that you have weighed all of your options and finally chose a metal roof for your home, you may have some questions or concerns. Lightning strikes on a metal roof may be a concern of yours, as it is of many others who are thinking about installing metal on their homes. After much research it has been established that a metal roof is not more likely to attract lightning than any other roofing material. In fact a metal roof is thought to be even safer than other choices because of its non-combustible highest class A fire resistance rating. Metal roofs are most popular in lightning prone regions because of their fire safety.

When lightning strikes a building, it channels through the material and works its way to the ground, through a home’s pipes and electrical systems. If a roof is covered in combustible material such as flammable asphalt shingles or wooden shakes, lightning can ignite them. Comparing these materials to metal, there is just no chance of that occurring because of its fire resistance rating.

What is grounding?

Grounding is to provide an alternative pathway for an electrical surge of electricity when lightning strikes a roof or another surface. When a metal roof is installed on a residential home, a grounding system can be formed with copper wires that are attached to each electrical box in the home, this is done to ensure that the current is dispersed. When choosing the best roofing company for the job, ask them if they have experience in grounding metal roofs or installing conducting rods. Most reputable roofing companies agree that metal roofs do not need to be grounded, and is not a necessary step.

There is no building code that requires a homeowner to ground their metals roof, assuming that all other building codes are in place. Including the use of PVC for piping to extend out of the home being strictly followed. We can all agree that metal is definitely an electrical conductor but what’s more important is the type of roofing materials that are being used. If lightning were to strike the metal roof of your home it would be grounded throughout the entire roofing structure, and no damage would be done to the roof or your family. There is no reason to be afraid to place a metal roof on your home, they are beautiful and will last almost as long as your life.

A lightening protection system (LPS), is a rod or lightning conductor made from metal and mounted on a housing structure or building to protect it from lightning strikes. Placing this rod on top of a structure will advantageously strike the rod and transfer the energy through to the ground instead of passing through the building itself.

If you think you live in an area with high amounts of storms you can take this risk assessment to ensure the protection of your metal roof and building. This assessment enables the consumer to make better informed decisions to meet the expected building requirements of safety. Lightning protection is not mandated by the national building codes, but it is required in some local codes and certain governments.

Is Frost Developing on Your roof good or bad?

October 5, 2020 by Infinite Roofing Leave a Comment

Contact your local roofing contractor to find out about your home.

As the warm months come to a close and fall rapidly approaching, the nights are getting colder and you may have noticed frost developing on your roof. You may have wondered if this is a good or a bad thing. If you step out into your neighborhood and take a look at the other homes, there is a possibility that some roofs have frost and others do not. There is no simply yes or no answer, your roof is unique to your home and the condition it is in.

If you have noticed a layer of frost that has developed on your roof along with all of your neighbors then there is nothing to fear. Insulation is used to keep heat inside of your home, if the heat is trapped inside of your house it should not travel up and out through the roof. On a cold morning if you are not seeing frost on your home, but frost on all of your neighbors then it is a sign of poor insulation. In most cases seeing frost develop on your roof is a good sign that your home and attic are well insulated.

Roofing materials are made to be able to withstand all different types of weather climates, from freezing cold to blistering hot. Shingles are a great affordable option for cold weather climates and provide durability. A shingled roof should never be installed in temperatures below 40 degrees to prevent cracking and breaking. If your roof was installed in the winter and you are not seeing frost form on your roof compared to your neighbors, then there may be a problem and you should call your local roofing contractor. Super shingles are heavy weight shingles that provide 4x more protection and energy efficiency, to better help save money during the cold months. As we always suggest when having any roof work done to your home, be sure to seek out the best roofing company in your area to be sure the work is done properly.

Your roof may not be the culprit if there is a lack of frost developing on your roof, it could be your attic. If your attic insulation is not properly placed heat could be escaping out and through your roof. If you see spotty frost in some areas on the roof but not others, then this is a good indication that your attics insulation is not up to par.

Sun exposure is important to factor in, if your home is fully exposed in the sunlight then frost should easily melt. Do not compare your homes roof to a neighbors if you have different sunlight exposure, a roof in the shadows will contain much more frost. If you home is in direct sunlight, and all your neighbors have frost but you do not, then you should contact your local roofing contractor.

Should there be frost in my attic?

This is another common question we get asked, is frost a bad thing if you are seeing it on the inside of your attic? First it is important to understand how and why frost develops in the attic of homes. When moisture rich air from your home rises up to the attic, the air condenses on the roof sheathing and forms frost. The frost alone does not do damage but once it begins to melt, damage can be done once the sheathing gets wet. The results from melting frost can lead to mold, wet insulation, deteriorating roof sheathing, and water stains. Many people don’t see frost in their attics because it usually melts once the air warms up or the sun warms the outer portion of your roof thus melting the inside. People will most likely see the consequences of frost such as the water stains, or mold.

Prevention

One way to prevent frost from forming in your attic is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Is your attic well insulated? If you’ve had your roof done, or will have your roof done, be sure find the best roofing company in your area that will make sure your attic is well insulated. Sealing off attic bypasses are a good start, an attic bypass is a passage where warm air leaks into the attic of a home. These bypasses are located in a few locations around your roof and interior home. Checking for gaps around furnace vents, electrical boxes, plumbing vents, electrical wires that go into the attic, and sealing up even the smallest of gaps.

Humidity

Lowering the humidity in your attic and whole house can help lower the chances of frost developing inside your attic. Often times we find that when people use a whole home humidifier, frost problems develop and it is impossible to seal off every bypass. Purchasing a humidity meter for your home and attic is a small expense that can save you thousands in the long run.

There are numerous ways to lower the humidity in your home, purchasing a dehumidifier for your attic is a good start. If your kitchen is equipped with a gas stove, try and remember to turn the exhaust fan when cooking. A good amount of moisture is put in the air from a gas stove and the fan will help get rid of it. When you and your family are showering always turn the bathroom fan on, if you don’t have one think about installing one. Even just a 20 min shower pumps a considerable amount of moisture into the air and eventually up into the attic. If your home has a crawl space, check to be sure that there is proper vapor barriers installed.