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Looking for a roof that would last years and also be Eco-Friendly?

June 12, 2019 by Infinite Roofing Leave a Comment

Shingles have to be replaced by the homeowners at some point in a roofs lifetime. Conventional asphalt shingle roofs last about 20 years if you are lucky because they are constantly exposed to sunlight, heat, cold, rain, wind, and sometimes snow, sleet, and hail.

If you’d like a roof that will outlast a conventional asphalt shingle roof and is made from eco-friendly roofing materials, consider the products outlined here. Many of them are virtually immune to hail. Green roofing products are many and varied, ranging from recycled-plastic shingles to recycled-metal roofs to sustainably harvested or reclaimed wood roofs to having plants grow on your roof. The best option for your home depends on the design of your home, local building codes, and price considerations.

Recycled Shingles

The most popular and perhaps the most environmentally friendly option would be shingles made from recycled waste materials, such as plastic, rubber, or wood fiber. Some products are made from clean post-consumer waste (waste from homes), others from post-industrial waste (factory waste). Recycled-content shingles are amazingly durable, and they look amazing, too. You’d never be able to guess they were made from “waste” materials!

Waste from landfills are reduced by recycled-content roof shingles help our need to extract and process raw materials, which reduced pollution and lowers energy consumption. Some of these products are recyclable, too, and many come with amazing 50-year warranties. A few even carry fire ratings that could lower your insurance rates.

A popular choice throughout the country has been wood shingles and shakes for homeowners and roofing contractors. Unfortunately, conventional wood shingles are made from old-growth western cedar. Although the amount of energy it takes to produce this product is relatively low, the harvest of old-growth trees is not sustainable in the long run. These shingles are also quite combustible and can no longer be used in areas where there is a risk of brush and forest fires.

If you are still considering installing wood shingles try considering shingle made from reclaimed lumber. Reclaimed lumber products are made from old bridges, mills, old water, and wine tank and other sources.

Slate and Clay Tiles

Slate produces an extremely durable tile, one that can last hundreds of years, and is also an all natural material. It is, however, an energy-intensive process to mine the slate tiles, but most companies salvage slate and clay tiles. Roofing contractors are very familiar with slate roofing as that is getting increasingly popular, the install cost may be a little pricey, but with that being said your roof will last twice as long with barely and repairs to be done.

Metal Roofing

Many metal roofing products include at least some recycled material, but one advantage of metal roofing is that it can be recycled at the end of its life. Because metal roofs can last up to 50 years, roof replacement is less frequent, which means less waste in the long run. They offer exceptional durability and fire-resistance, and they’re ideal for those who want to collect rainwater from their roofs to water gardens (or for household uses). You don’t have to worry about chemicals that might leach from a conventional asphalt roof. Standing-seam metal roofs work nicely as the base for thin-film photovoltaic panels, too.

Metal roofs are great in snowy climates because they allow snow to slide off, which prevents ice dams from forming. (Ice dams can damage roofs of improperly insulated homes.) To protect walkways from snow sliding off the roof, you’ll need to install snow bars or a similar device over walkways, garage doors, and entryways. Although other eco-friendly roofing options may not always be available at every local roofing company or roofing contractors may not be trained to handle the installation of those specific roofs, metal roofing on the other hand is extremely popular and the popularity is growing so most if not all roofing contractors know the inside outs of installing a metal roof.

Rubber Roofing

Another recycled roof material is reinforced rubber shingles made from old steel-belted radial tires. The material is coated with ground slate for texture and comes in a variety of colors. A big advantage to this material is a long life and a 50-year warranty, including against hail and other extreme weather. The only downside to rubber roofing is that it is not always allowed in all counties. Make sure with your local roofing company and the building department that rubber roofing is allowed to be installed on your house.

Green Roofing

A green roof is a roofing system that is an addition to the existing roof and add flora to it. Depending on the green roof type that you plan on installing the plants may be modular or have a drainage system to it.

There are many different reasons as to why a homeowner of a business owner would want to get a green roof. The installation of a green roof reduces the need to manage any stormwater that accumulates, as well as the stress put on local sewer systems. The plants would also help prevent the distribution of smog and would catch any pollutants in the air.

Having an eco-friendly roof not only helps the environment but also as a homeowner, your roof life will last longer preventing the replacement costs. Contact your local roofing contractor today to discuss the options of eco- friendly roofing and how that may benefit you.

Are you a new homeowner? Here’s what you need to know about your Roof.

June 7, 2019 by Infinite Roofing Leave a Comment

If you are in the process of buying your first home, Congratulations! First-time homeownership is an exciting development in your life, and a house is an incredibly valuable investment for you and your family’s future. As a new homeowner, however, it’s important to understand your relationship with your home and how to keep it in great shape for years to come. One part of the home that new homeowners frequently find themselves clueless about is the roof and how to maintain it.

Most home inspectors will pass a house saying that the roof still has 5 to 10 years left. However, most inspectors aren’t trained to look at a house roof and are good at inspecting issues such as furnaces or any foundation problems. Look for roofers in Albany that can do a thorough inspection, do your research and look at different roofing companies and their credibility to pick the best one for your new house.

Once you have a roofing contractor in mind, it’s time to schedule an appointment. The best season for roof inspections is in the summer, hands down. The good weather makes it easier to inspect a roof, and perform any maintenance that is necessary. After your first roof inspection, it is good practice to have one conducted annually – generally in the late summer months like August or September, immediately before the harsher seasons of fall and winter in most climates.

Getting the most out of your roof inspection from your roofing contractor requires careful consideration of your inspection report. Take any issues that you, and the roofing contractor find seriously. Do not assume that because your roof is young it will not have major problems. If something comes up and it’s on your report, address it immediately. The last thing you want is to be left out in the cold – quite literally – in the winter, with a damaged roof.

Here are some things that you as a new homeowner may need to look out for while getting a roof inspection done for your house by roofers in Albany.

1- Look for any discoloration in the shingles.

2- See if the ridge cap shingles are a different color, many times the ridge cap shingles will be slightly different colors, meaning that the ridge vent was leaking and has been replaced, this would indicate that the whole roof is in a need of a replacement after the ridge vent has failed.

3- 4-foot horizontal lines going horizontally across the roof, this means that plywood has gotten wet and soaked up water. Other signs that would confirm that fact is popped out nails, and raising of the studs. All of these factors imply that the roof was previously leaking or still is.

5- Another thing to look at is the condition of the chimneys counter flashing, a good tell of how old the shingles are is to look at the bottom few courses right at the eaves and see if you can see areas where shingle color has worn away, if that is the case then all you would be able to see is the black fiberglass matt. If the fiberglass matt is visible that means that all the granules have fallen off and the fiberglass matt is just soaking up water and will leak soon.

Ones the initial steps of getting your roof inspected by roofers in Albany is done and you now own your dream house, follows the responsibility to maintain your roof throughout the years that you will be living at the house.

Weather and wind can take a toll on your roof quickly and can wear down roofing materials quickly. Blown-off shingles, for example, weaken the overall strength of a house’s roof and need to be replaced. It’s always easier to replace a few missing pieces than the entire roof.

Additionally, if you live in a wooded area or near trees, it’s important to regularly brush off debris from your roof. The added weight of leaves particularly in the autumn, when trees shed their leaves they can press down on your roof, and weaken the integrity. Similarly, you will want to clean out your gutters of leaves and dirt so they can adequately drain rainwater, which is also a threat to your roof if left unchecked.

More than anything else, you should also understand your roof’s warranty and insurance policy. Infinite Roofing and Construction provides a 10-year in-house warranty. Should you get a new roof from us, we will cover the install and materials for 10 years. Insurance does not always cover roofing damage, so be sure to carefully check over your policy to know what is and is not covered, this way you will be ready to protect your roof from damages in the future.

Do you really need 3 estimates for a roofing job?

May 29, 2019 by Infinite Roofing Leave a Comment

You’ll need to get as much information and knowledge about the process when looking to replace your roof. You need to weigh your options for roofing materials, their cost, and learn as much as you can about the local roofing companies that will be doing the work. In particular, your goal should be to find the best work for the best value.

Conventional wisdom, and also your insurance companies state and push that you should get three estimates from your local roofing companies and choose the median. Why? Supposedly, a drastically lower estimate may indicate cost-cutting measures that could result in shoddy workmanship, while the highest estimate could wind up costing you a pretty penny for average durability.

Meanwhile, if you’re replacing your roof due to an insurance claim, your insurance company may be stressing that you obtain at least three estimates. However, the three-estimate rule is not a hard-and-fast requirement for insurance claims, nor is it a necessity for your own decision-making process

So how many estimates do you really need?

The thought process behind requesting multiple estimates is solid. replacing a roof is a major undertaking that costs you a good deal of money and stands to make a lasting effect on your home’s weatherproofing, durability, and resale value for years to come. Of course, you want as much information as possible so you can feel comfortable proceeding. You also want to make sure the local roofing contractor you choose provides high-quality materials and high-quality installation and the best way to make that determination is to compare them to other local roofing companies that offer the same service.

However, do you really need three estimates? Not really. In this case, the “right” number of estimates depends completely on you. Get as many, or as few estimates as you need in order to feel comfortable with the roofing company you choose and their pricing.

Insurance companies are in no way required to get three estimates. All roofing contractors receive payment following a third-party system designed to set industry standard prices. Your insurance company will pay your area’s best roofers in Albany the exact same amount as it pays the worst roofers in Albany. Gather as many estimates as you feel comfortable with and choose the best company, just as you would if you were footing the bill on your own.

How do you go about choosing the best company? Ask these questions aside from the affordability factor to determine the best roofer in albany for your job.

Have they performed work in the area? Ask for references and addresses. There’s no better way to get a feel for a company’s customer service and workmanship than by speaking with former customers.

How experienced is the crew? It’s a good sign if your roofing company has been in business for decades and has great reviews. However, make sure to ask about the experience level of the particular crew that will be performing your work; a long-lasting company can easily hire a crop of newbies that may not have any more experience than you do.

How can I reach out during the process? Asking this question, in particular, gauges the company’s customer service. Their willingness to answer questions, guide you through the process, and remain available speaks to how smoothly the process will go on install day.

Ask about any certifications that the roofing company may have, having certifications backs up the work that is done by the company and it would guarantee that they have the best training necessary to be working on your roof.

There is no number of “right” estimates that you would need to get, go with what you think is suitable for you. Infinite Roofing can provide you with a free estimate for your insurance company with a detailed inspection of your roof. Our certifications, reviews and our highly trained crew will guarantee a happy and easy going roof installation.

A homeowners guide to protecting the exterior of their house during a roof installation!

May 24, 2019 by Infinite Roofing Leave a Comment

Sometimes during a conversation with the customer, it can be pretty obvious that they care about their garden and landscape. It’s these jobs you’ll know to take extra precautions with, but concerns about landscape don’t always come up in the conversation. Its always wise to maintain a clean job site, as it won’t cause problems post-install, and a clean work site is a safer site for your crew, the homeowners, and any neighbors or visitors.

When homeowners sign a contract with local roofing contractors, usually their main concern is that their roof installation is done properly. Unfortunately, the most common complaints about local roofing contractors is the occasional mess that is left behind after a job, and in some cases, the landscaping around the house can be damaged.

We at Infinite Roofing and Construction follow a “Never There” policy, as professional roofers in Albany we know that in the residential roofing business leaving the work property clean and undamaged is a priority for almost every homeowner, so we don’t take any chances. We always protect the landscaping, and we perform a magnetic sweep of the area after every workday to make sure all nails are picked up.

We also hang tarp on the eaves of the house to prevent felt paper from blowing back and damaging the siding. The bottoms of the tarp are tied down to a tree or trucks so they are tight and any debris slides away from the house. We will move the grills away to prevent any damage. Our customers appreciate this attention to detail around their home.

We take our “Never There” policy seriously, and even though with our roofing company you wouldn’t need to worry about your landscaping, extra care is never harmful, and It’s essential for you to protect the exterior of your home from any possible damage due to a roofing job.

Here are some important guidance for protecting your home exterior during roof installation and repair.

Secure any items hanging on the exterior portion of your home. Protect your at-risk items like patio furniture, potted plants, grills, and gardening tools with tarps and/or plywood, prior to starting roofing work.

You should relocate vehicles, falling within your home’s boundary to protect them from damage, and this includes vehicles parked in the driveway. Also, ensure to cover and protect valuables stored in your attic.

Prune back trees that are present close to the roof line, prior to beginning the roof installation process. This allows proper roof access to the local roofing contractors and prevents damage to the fresh roof.

Mow down your grass to the minimum height possible to prevent the nails from getting concealed, after falling into the long grass and ensure to shut your automatic sprinkler systems down, a day or two prior to beginning your installation to minimize any possible damage.

Secure your flowerbeds or landscaping surrounding your home by screening them with tarps or plastic by protecting them from dust and trash. You should also move out any hanging plants during your roof installation.

Damage to your pools, spas, and any nearby expensive equipment from debris and nails can be prevented. Cover the pools using a tarp and the spas with polypropylene to ensure your property’s protection before starting roof job.

Infinite Roofing and construction will make sure that any and all damage is prevented, and that the customer doesn’t worry about the aftermath of a roofing job, but little extra measures will only help and put your mind at an ease.

5 Most Amazing Roofs in the World!

May 17, 2019 by Infinite Roofing Leave a Comment

While most roofs your see constructed and completed by your local roofing companies may not strike the eye that much. They may seem just like any other roof in your town, something you see every day. These typical roofs are constructed to weather the elements and help regulate temperatures. There are times when you get to travel the world or even just in your home country and you get a chance to see the amazing architecture around, and some of those buildings have the more interesting designs that contain unique architectural features hyper-functionality or fantastic panoramic views, qualifying them as tourist attractions. When it comes to roofs with a high degree of visual appeal, here are some of the most amazing roofs in the world.

Cube Houses

Cube houses are a set of innovative houses built in Rotterdam and Helmond in the Netherlands. They are based on the concept of “living as an urban roof. These cubed roofs are tilted on a conventional house 45 degrees and are rested upon a hexagon-shaped pylon. His design represents a village within a city, where each house represents a tree, and all the houses together form what may seem like a forest. The central idea of the cube houses around the world is mainly optimizing the space, as a house, to a better distribution of the rooms inside.

Brazilian Leaf House

Just outside of Rio de Janeiro, sits a beautiful little house by the amazing blue water, with a flowering roof that protects and shades like a tropical banana leaf. The open-air abode designed by Mareines and Patalano is meant to encourage interaction and connection between man and nature. With verandas and open spaces in between rooms and no corridors, the tropical beach house is perfect for parties and social gatherings. The open layout also takes advantage of trade winds that blow in from the sea which provide natural ventilation and passive cooling.

Grand Palace

The king of Thailand has some pretty sweet digs, Located in Bangkok, Thailand this palace grounds span about 2.35 million square feet. These images portray the top of the throne hall (known as Phra Thinang Dusit Maha Prasat). The adornments are extremely complex and beautiful, but each one is chock full of symbolism pertaining to Thai history and Culture.

Sydney Opera House

The curvaceous shapes atop this opera house in Sydney, Australia makes this structure unique throughout the world, East of the “shells” are concrete panels covered by over a million Swedish tiles. 14 years of work and around 102 million Australian dollars were put in creating this majestic and very famous roof.

Marina Bay Sands

Opened in 2010, the SkyPark at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore is truly a roof with a view. This rooftop oasis, complete with tree and flower garden paradise, stands over 650 feet in the air and is constructed from 7,000 tons of steel.

Roof Replacement: Professional vs DIY

April 5, 2019 by Infinite Roofing Leave a Comment

Professional roof shingle installation | Infinite Roofing & Construction

When it’s time to replace your roof, you may be looking to do it yourself and save money, but roofing can be a dangerous task. The height, lack of safety knowledge, lack of specialist equipment and the fact that a roof can become unstable during replacement are just a few major reasons why replacing the roof yourself can be dangerous. However, roofs get damaged over time, you may see a leak in your roof, it could be damaged in a storm or it is just plain getting old. Then your roof will need to be replaced or repaired. The question is how do you know if you should be hiring a professional roofing company or doing it yourself?

Hiring a Professional

If you want to know that your roof will be replaced or repaired correctly, then hiring a professional would give you that peace of mind. Professional roofing companies have access to all the right materials and tools for the job. Plus, they have years of experience to do the job correctly. Professionals are also able to inspect the property and advise you if there is anything else wrong with the roof that would need to be repaired. Let’s say a few shingles knocked loose in a storm, and you hired a roofing company to replace the shingles that knocked loose. Any other damage done to your roof by the storm may have not been visible to your untrained eyes, but a professional roofing contractor would be able to tell after an inspection. This does not mean that your roofing contractor will spring surprise costs on you. A good roofing contractor will offer a thorough quote or estimate before beginning any work, so you know exactly how much the services cost and why these repairs are being done.

A great bonus to having a professional roofing company is that their replacements are usually covered by warranties. These warranties can offer you peace of mind in case anything goes wrong within the time span outlined in the warranty agreement, and will potentially save you money if something does go wrong. Most warranties are only valid if installed by a professional.

Putting yourself in danger is one of the last things that a homeowner wants, getting on the roof yourself can be very dangerous, by hiring a professional company to replace or fix your roof will save yourself the trouble of putting yourself in danger.

Doing it Yourself

Replacing or fixing your roof yourself comes with some caveats. Firstly, as mentioned previously, it can be a very dangerous task for someone who is untrained to replace a roof. Roofers are up and walking around on roofs every day and are trained to do so safely. They know how to navigate around any dangerous situations and they know how to keep themselves out of danger. Besides being up high on your roof, there are other construction-related safety issues to be concerned about. Another downside to replacing your roof yourself is that you probably do not have the experience or know how to get the job done correctly. Your roof is such an important part of the infrastructure of your house and you want to make sure that a repair or replacement is stable and durable. If a small leak is not fixed the right way, it could escalate into a much bigger problem.

Small repairs might be the only situation that might work out in your favor when doing it yourself. For example, it may be easier and more cost-effective than hiring a professional if you only have a shingle or two to replace, or if you have a small leak that just requires sealant.

Summary

When debating whether to hire a professional to fix/replace your roof or whether to just do it yourself, there are many factors to take into consideration. Overall, you want to make sure that your repair or replacement is done right so that your roof can last, and not cause any problems in the future. The professionals at Infinite Roofing have the experience and expertise you need to get your roof replacement done right.